JP2019002927A - Automatic analysis device, reagent container holding device, and identification method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an automatic analysis device that discriminates information stored in a wireless tag attached to a reagent container held inside a reagent chamber from information about the reagent container at any position, and can read the information.SOLUTION: An RFID reader 9 is configured to: irradiate wireless tags attached to each of a plurality of reagent containers placed inside a reagent chamber or on a reagent yard, with a radio wave; receive a radio wave of a response from a plurality of wireless tags receiving the irradiated radio wave; and output the response radio wave to a control circuit 11. An irradiation circuit 10 is configured to serve as a switch part switching a response state by one wireless tag of the plurality of wireless tags to irradiate a prescribed electromagnetic wave high in directivity. A specific function 114 inside the control circuit 11 is configured to identify reagent information corresponding to the reagent container in which the wireless tag having the response state switched is attached on the basis of the radio wave from the wireless tag received by the RFID reader 9.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an automatic analyzer, a reagent container storage device, and a specifying method.

  The automatic analyzer analyzes the components of the test sample corresponding to the test item by, for example, optically measuring the liquid mixture obtained by mixing the test sample such as blood and the reagent corresponding to various test items. It is a device to do.

  In the automatic analyzer, an information label is affixed to a reagent container in which a reagent is placed in order to automatically transmit reagent information to the automatic analyzer. Bar code labels have long been used as reagent information labels. When a one-dimensional barcode label is used, information such as a reagent manufacturer code, a reagent item code, a container size, a capacity, a production lot number, and a validity period is represented by a string of about 20 digits.

  The numeric string described on the information label attached to the reagent container is read by a barcode reader attached to the reagent container. The read digit string is decoded with reference to, for example, a predetermined correspondence table, and the decoded information is stored in the storage circuit of the automatic analyzer. The stored information is used for reagent dispensing operation, display of reagent remaining amount and reagent installation position, and the like.

  By the way, in recent medical practice, it has been attempted to use an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentifier) system instead of the barcode system. For example, a wireless tag is affixed to a reagent container, and a wireless tag reader is provided in front of an examination room or in front of a reagent storage refrigerator. By doing this, just pass the cardboard box containing multiple reagent containers at the entrance of the laboratory or in front of the reagent storage refrigeration room, and grasp the reagent container brought into the laboratory or reagent storage refrigeration room. It becomes possible to do.

  As described above, the RFID system is effective in determining the presence or absence of a predetermined reagent container in the radio wave range in the state where there are a plurality of reagent containers with radio tags attached in the radio wave range of the radio tag reader. . The RFID system is effective in grasping the types of reagent containers included in the radio wave range in the above state. That is, the RFID system can be expected to have a great effect in reagent inventory management and the like, and can reduce the burden on the inspector.

  However, in the RFID system, in the above state, it is difficult to uniquely associate the data read by the wireless tag reader from which wireless tag. For this reason, when trying to manage the reagent container held in the reagent storage provided in the automatic analyzer by the RFID system, the data read by the wireless tag reader is attached to the reagent container at any position in the reagent storage. It is difficult to specify whether the data is read from the wireless tag.

  From the above, it is assumed that the RFID system is used for reagent inventory management and the like, while the management of the reagent in the reagent store maintains the use of the barcode system as in the past. In this case, two barcode labels and a wireless tag are affixed to the reagent container, resulting in inefficient operation.

JP 2012-198174 A

  Therefore, the purpose is to identify and read out information about which reagent container the information stored in the wireless tag attached to the reagent container held in the reagent storage.

  According to the embodiment, the automatic analyzer includes a reagent storage, a radio wave irradiation unit, a radio wave reception unit, a switching unit, and a specifying unit. The reagent store stores a plurality of reagent containers each having a wireless tag attached thereto. The radio wave irradiation unit radiates radio waves to the plurality of wireless tags in the reagent storage or the wireless tags attached to the plurality of reagent containers placed on the reagent storage. The radio wave receiving unit receives radio waves in response from the plurality of wireless tags that have received the radio waves emitted by the radio wave irradiation unit. The switching unit switches a response state by one wireless tag among the plurality of wireless tags. The identifying unit corresponds to the reagent container to which the wireless tag whose response state is switched is attached based on the radio wave received from the wireless tag received by the radio wave receiving unit before and after the switching of the response state. The reagent information to be specified is specified.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the analysis mechanism shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing reagent containers that are kept cold in the first reagent container and the second reagent container shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of the wireless tag shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the reagent container storage device according to the first embodiment. 6 is a bird's-eye view showing the configuration of the reagent container storage device shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another configuration of the reagent container storage device shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when the control circuit shown in FIG. 1 specifies reagent information corresponding to the reagent container. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another structure in the reagent container storage device shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the automatic analyzer according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a robot arm is installed in the analysis mechanism illustrated in FIG. 10.

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

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the automatic analyzer 1 according to the first embodiment. 1 includes an analysis mechanism 2, an analysis circuit 3, a drive mechanism 4, an input interface 5, an output interface 6, a communication interface 7, a storage circuit 8, an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentifier) reader 9, an irradiation circuit. 10 and a control circuit 11.

  The analysis mechanism 2 mixes a sample such as a standard sample or a test sample and a reagent used for each inspection item set in the sample. The analysis mechanism 2 measures a mixed solution of a sample and a reagent, and generates standard data represented by, for example, absorbance and test data.

  The analysis circuit 3 is a processor that generates calibration data, analysis data, and the like by analyzing standard data generated by the analysis mechanism 2 and test data. The analysis circuit 3 reads the operation program from the storage circuit 8, and generates calibration data, analysis data, and the like according to the read operation program. For example, the analysis circuit 3 generates calibration data indicating the relationship between the standard data and a standard value preset for the standard sample based on the standard data. The analysis circuit 3 also generates analysis data represented as concentration values and enzyme activity values based on the test data and the calibration data of the test items corresponding to the test data. The analysis circuit 3 outputs the generated calibration data, analysis data, and the like to the control circuit 11.

  The drive mechanism 4 drives the analysis mechanism 2 under the control of the control circuit 11. The drive mechanism 4 is realized by, for example, a gear, a stepping motor, a belt conveyor, and a lead screw.

  The input interface 5 receives, for example, settings of analysis parameters and the like of each examination item related to the sample requested to be measured by the operator or via the hospital network NW. The input interface 5 is realized by, for example, a mouse, a keyboard, and a touch pad on which an instruction is input by touching an operation surface. The input interface 5 is connected to the control circuit 11, converts an operation instruction input from the operator into an electric signal, and outputs the electric signal to the control circuit 11. In the present specification, the input interface 5 is not limited to the one having physical operation parts such as a mouse and a keyboard. For example, an electrical signal processing circuit that receives an electrical signal corresponding to an operation instruction input from an external input device provided separately from the automatic analyzer 1 and outputs the electrical signal to the control circuit 11 is also an input interface. It is included in 5 examples.

  The output interface 6 is connected to the control circuit 11 and outputs a signal supplied from the control circuit 11. The output interface 6 is realized by, for example, a display circuit, a printing circuit, and an audio device. Examples of the display circuit include a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, an LED display, and a plasma display. Note that a display circuit also includes a processing circuit that converts data representing a display target into a video signal and outputs the video signal to the outside. The printing circuit includes, for example, a printer. Note that an output circuit that outputs data representing a printing target to the outside is also included in the printing circuit. The audio device includes, for example, a speaker. Note that an output circuit that outputs an audio signal to the outside is also included in the audio device.

  The communication interface 7 is connected to a hospital network NW, for example. The communication interface 7 performs data communication with a HIS (Hospital Information System) via the hospital network NW. The communication interface 7 may perform data communication with the HIS via a laboratory information system (LIS) connected to the hospital network NW.

  The storage circuit 8 includes a recording medium readable by a processor, such as a magnetic or optical recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. Note that the storage circuit 8 is not necessarily realized by a single storage device. For example, the storage circuit 8 may be realized by a plurality of storage devices.

  The storage circuit 8 stores an operation program executed by the analysis circuit 3 and an operation program for realizing the functions provided in the control circuit 11. The storage circuit 8 stores the calibration data generated by the analysis circuit 3 for each inspection item. The storage circuit 8 stores the analysis data generated by the analysis circuit 3 for each test sample. The storage circuit 8 stores the examination order input from the operator or the examination order received by the communication interface 7 via the hospital network NW. The storage circuit 8 stores the reagent information read from the wireless tag 101 attached to the reagent container 100 held in the first reagent container 204 and the second reagent container 205 described later. In the first embodiment, the reagent information represents, for example, information related to the reagent stored in the reagent container 100.

  The RFID reader 9 reads the reagent information stored in the wireless tag 101 attached to the reagent container 100 held in the first reagent container 204 and the second reagent container 205. For example, the RFID reader 9 is provided at a position where it can wirelessly communicate with the wireless tag 101 attached to the reagent container 100 held in the first reagent container 204 or the second reagent container 205. One RFID reader 9 may be used for wireless communication with the wireless tag 101 attached to the reagent container 100 held in both the first reagent storage 204 and the second reagent storage 205. In this case, the RFID reader 9 is provided at a position capable of wireless communication with the wireless tag 101 attached to the reagent container 100 held in both the first reagent storage 204 and the second reagent storage 205.

  The RFID reader 9 directs radio waves having a preset frequency to the first reagent storage 204, the second reagent storage 205, or both the first reagent storage 204 and the second reagent storage 205 according to the control of the control circuit 11. Irradiate. That is, the RFID reader 9 operates as an example of a radio wave irradiation unit. The RFID reader 9 receives a radio wave returned from the wireless tag 101 according to the transmitted radio wave. That is, the RFID reader 9 operates as an example of a radio wave receiving unit. The RFID reader 9 converts the received radio wave into an electrical signal and outputs the electrical signal to the control circuit 11.

  The irradiation circuit 10 is an example of a switching unit that switches a response state of the wireless tag 101. The irradiation circuit 10 irradiates the wireless tag 101 attached to the reagent container 100 held in the first reagent container 204 and the second reagent container 205 with an electromagnetic wave having a predetermined frequency. At this time, the irradiation circuit 10 irradiates electromagnetic waves only to the wireless tag 101 attached to one reagent container 100 among the plurality of reagent containers 100 held in the first reagent container 204 and the second reagent container 205. The directivity is adjusted as possible. The predetermined frequency is a frequency higher than a radio wave used in wireless communication between the RFID reader 9 and the wireless tag 101. That is, the electromagnetic wave emitted from the irradiation circuit 10 has a shorter wavelength than the radio wave used in wireless communication, and thus has high directivity. The irradiation circuit 10 is provided at a position where the wireless tag 101 attached to the reagent container 100 held in the first reagent container 204 and the second reagent container 205 can be irradiated with electromagnetic waves.

  In the first embodiment, a case where the irradiation circuit 10 emits light as an electromagnetic wave will be described as an example. The light irradiated by the irradiation circuit 10 may be any light such as infrared light and visible light. The irradiation circuit 10 includes, for example, a light emitting diode, a semiconductor laser, or a light source lamp. For example, the irradiation circuit 10 drives a light emitting diode, a semiconductor laser, a light source lamp, or the like under the control of the control circuit 11 to irradiate the wireless tag 101 with spot light having a predetermined diameter. Note that the diameter of the spot light may be reduced by using a slit, a lens, or the like.

  The control circuit 11 is a processor that functions as the center of the automatic analyzer 1. The control circuit 11 realizes a function corresponding to the operation program by executing the operation program stored in the storage circuit 8. The control circuit 11 may include a storage area that stores at least a part of the data stored in the storage circuit 8.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the analysis mechanism 2 shown in FIG. The analysis mechanism 2 shown in FIG. 2 includes a reaction disk 201, a constant temperature unit 202, a rack sampler 203, a first reagent storage 204, and a second reagent storage 205.

  The reaction disk 201 is an example of a transport unit that transports the reaction container 2011 along a predetermined path. Specifically, the reaction disk 201 holds a plurality of reaction vessels 2011 arranged in a ring shape. The reaction disk 201 is alternately rotated and stopped at predetermined time intervals by the drive mechanism 4. The reaction vessel 2011 is made of, for example, glass.

  The constant temperature unit 202 stores a heat medium set at a predetermined temperature, and immerses the reaction container 2011 in the stored heat medium, thereby raising the temperature of the liquid mixture stored in the reaction container 2011.

  The rack sampler 203 movably supports a sample rack 2031 that can hold a plurality of sample containers that store samples requested to be measured. In the example shown in FIG. 2, a sample rack 2031 capable of holding five sample containers in parallel is shown.

  The rack sampler 203 is provided with a transport area for transporting the sample rack 2031 from a loading position at which the sample rack 2031 is loaded to a collection position for collecting the sample rack 2031 for which measurement has been completed. In the transport region, a plurality of sample racks 2031 aligned in the short direction are moved in the direction D1 by the drive mechanism 4.

  Further, the rack sampler 203 is provided with a pull-in area for pulling the sample rack 2031 from the transport area in order to move the sample container held by the sample rack 2031 to a predetermined sample suction position. The sample suction position is provided, for example, at a position where the rotation trajectory of the sample dispensing probe 207 and the movement trajectory of the opening of the sample container supported by the rack sampler 203 and held by the sample rack 2031 intersect. In the pull-in area, the transported sample rack 2031 is moved in the direction D2 by the drive mechanism 4.

  The rack sampler 203 is provided with a return region for returning the sample rack 2031 holding the sample container from which the sample has been sucked back to the transport region. In the return region, the sample rack 2031 is moved in the direction D3 by the drive mechanism 4.

  The first reagent storage 204 cools a plurality of reagent containers 100 that contain the standard reagent and the first reagent that reacts with predetermined components included in the test sample. Although not shown in FIG. 2, the first reagent storage 204 is covered with a removable reagent cover. A reagent rack is rotatably provided in the first reagent store 204. The reagent rack holds a plurality of reagent containers 100 arranged in an annular shape. The reagent rack is rotated by the drive mechanism 4.

  A first reagent suction position is set at a predetermined position on the first reagent storage 204. The first reagent aspirating position is provided, for example, at a position where the rotation trajectory of the first reagent dispensing probe 209 and the movement trajectory of the opening of the reagent container 100 arranged in an annular shape on the reagent rack intersect.

  The second reagent storage 205 cools a plurality of reagent containers 100 that store second reagents that are paired with the first reagent of the two reagent system. Although not shown in FIG. 2, the second reagent storage 205 is covered with a detachable reagent cover. A reagent rack is rotatably provided in the second reagent storage 205. The reagent rack holds a plurality of reagent containers 100 arranged in an annular shape. The second reagent kept in the second reagent storage 205 may be the same component and the same concentration as the first reagent kept in the first reagent storage 204.

  A second reagent suction position is set at a predetermined position on the second reagent storage 205. The second reagent aspirating position is provided, for example, at a position where the rotation trajectory of the second reagent dispensing probe 211 and the movement trajectory of the opening of the reagent container 100 arranged in an annular shape on the reagent rack intersect.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the reagent container 100 that is kept cold in the first reagent storage 204 and the second reagent storage 205 illustrated in FIG. 2. The reagent container 100 has, for example, a quadrangular prism shape with a bottom surface and a top surface trapezoidal. An opening for reagent suction is provided on the upper surface of the reagent container 100.

  When a plurality of reagent containers 100 are held in the reagent rack, the first side surface 102 and the second side surface 103 of the reagent container 100 respectively oppose the second side surface 103 and the first side surface 102 of the adjacent reagent container 100. . When a reagent rack holding a plurality of reagent containers 100 is installed in the first reagent storage 204 or the second reagent storage 205, the reagent containers 100 are arranged in an annular shape, and the third side surface 104 of the reagent container 100 is an annular shape. Facing outside. For example, the wireless tag 101 is affixed to the third side surface 104. A reception circuit 1011 for receiving electromagnetic waves irradiated from the irradiation circuit 10 is provided on the surface of the wireless tag 101.

  Note that the wireless tag 101 may be embedded in a reagent label attached to the reagent container 100. At this time, an optical mark representing reagent information may be printed on the reagent label. For the optical mark, for example, an arbitrary pixel code such as a one-dimensional pixel code and a two-dimensional pixel code is used.

  The wireless tag 101 is an RFID tag that transmits stored reagent information by radio waves.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of the wireless tag 101 shown in FIG. The wireless tag 101 illustrated in FIG. 4 includes, for example, a reception circuit 1011, a storage circuit 1012, a switching circuit 1013, and an antenna circuit 1014.

  The receiving circuit 1011 is a circuit for receiving the electromagnetic wave irradiated from the irradiation circuit 10. In the first embodiment, a case where spot light irradiated from the irradiation circuit 10 is received will be described as an example. The receiving circuit 1011 outputs an electrical signal in response to light such as infrared light and visible light. The receiving circuit 1011 typically includes a semiconductor chip such as a photodiode.

  One receiving circuit 1011 may be provided at a predetermined position of the wireless tag 101, but a plurality of receiving circuits 1011 may be provided at predetermined intervals. This eliminates the need for nervous alignment when affixing the wireless tag 101 or the reagent label embedded with the wireless tag 101 to the reagent container 100, thereby increasing the efficiency of the affixing operation. In addition, since a plurality of receiving circuits 1011 are arranged, even if the position of the reagent container 100 is deviated from the position of the irradiation circuit 10, any of the receiving circuits 1011 is irradiated from the irradiation circuit 10. It becomes possible to detect the spot light.

  The storage circuit 1012 stores reagent information. For example, the reagent information is written in the storage circuit 1012 at the time of shipment from the reagent manufacturer prior to the analysis processing by the automatic analyzer 1. The reagent information written at this time includes, for example, a reagent name, a reagent manufacturer code, a reagent item code, a bottle type, a bottle size, a capacity, a manufacturing lot number, a bottle unique ID (or a wireless tag ID), a validity period, and the like. . If the automatic analyzer 1 is provided with an RFID writer, predetermined information related to reagent management may be written in the storage circuit 1012. The RFID writer may be integrated with the RFID reader 9. That is, the RFID writer may share, for example, the radio wave irradiation unit and the radio wave reception unit with the RFID reader 9.

  The switching circuit 1013 switches whether the response to the radio wave transmitted from the RFID reader 9 is valid or invalid based on the electrical signal output from the reception circuit 1011. For example, an electrical signal from the receiving circuit 1011 becomes a trigger, and the switching circuit 1013 invalidates the response to the radio wave. As a method of invalidating the response, there are, for example, a method of stopping the return of radio waves to the RFID reader 9 and a method of including a meaningless message in the returned radio waves. When the supply of the electrical signal from the receiving circuit 1011 stops, the switching circuit 1013 validates the response to the radio wave.

  The antenna circuit 1014 receives the radio wave transmitted from the RFID reader 9. The antenna circuit 1014 transmits a radio wave carrying reagent information stored in the storage circuit in accordance with the received radio wave.

  The position where the wireless tag 101 is attached is not limited to the third side surface 104 of the reagent container 100. Depending on the installation position of the RFID reader 9, the wireless tag 101 may be attached to the upper surface of the reagent container 100, for example.

  The analysis mechanism 2 shown in FIG. 2 includes a sample dispensing arm 206, a sample dispensing probe 207, a first reagent dispensing arm 208, a first reagent dispensing probe 209, a second reagent dispensing arm 210, a second A reagent dispensing probe 211, a stirring unit 212, a photometric unit 213, and a washing unit 214 are provided.

  The sample dispensing arm 206 is provided between the reaction disk 201 and the rack sampler 203. The sample dispensing arm 206 is provided so as to be movable up and down in the vertical direction and rotatable in the horizontal direction by the drive mechanism 4. The sample dispensing arm 206 holds a sample dispensing probe 207 at one end.

  As the sample dispensing arm 206 rotates, the sample dispensing probe 207 rotates along an arcuate rotation trajectory. An opening of the sample container held by the sample rack 2031 on the rack sampler 203 is positioned on the rotating track. In addition, a sample discharge position for discharging the sample sucked by the sample dispensing probe 207 to the reaction container 2011 is provided on the rotation trajectory of the sample dispensing probe 207. The sample discharge position corresponds to the intersection of the rotation trajectory of the sample dispensing probe 207 and the movement trajectory of the reaction vessel 2011 held on the reaction disk 201.

  The sample dispensing probe 207 is driven by the drive mechanism 4 and moves vertically above the opening of the sample container held by the sample rack 2031 on the rack sampler 203 or at the sample discharge position. Further, the sample dispensing probe 207 sucks the sample from the sample container located immediately below according to the control of the control circuit 11. Further, the sample dispensing probe 207 discharges the sucked sample to the reaction container 2011 located immediately below the sample discharge position in accordance with the control of the control circuit 11.

  The first reagent dispensing arm 208 is provided between the reaction disk 201 and the first reagent storage 204. The first reagent dispensing arm 208 is provided by the drive mechanism 4 so as to be movable up and down in the vertical direction and rotatable in the horizontal direction. The first reagent dispensing arm 208 holds the first reagent dispensing probe 209 at one end.

  The first reagent dispensing probe 209 rotates along an arcuate rotation trajectory as the first reagent dispensing arm 208 rotates. A first reagent suction position is provided on the rotation path. A first reagent discharge position for discharging the reagent aspirated by the first reagent dispensing probe 209 to the reaction container 2011 is set on the rotation path of the first reagent dispensing probe 209. The first reagent discharge position corresponds to the intersection of the rotation trajectory of the first reagent dispensing probe 209 and the movement trajectory of the reaction container 2011 held on the reaction disk 201.

  The first reagent dispensing probe 209 is driven by the drive mechanism 4 and moves in the vertical direction at the first reagent suction position or the first reagent discharge position on the rotation path. In addition, the first reagent dispensing probe 209 sucks the first reagent from the reagent container located immediately below the first reagent suction position according to the control of the control circuit 11. That is, the first reagent dispensing probe 209 is an example of a suction unit according to the first embodiment. In addition, the first reagent dispensing probe 209 discharges the aspirated first reagent to the reaction container 2011 located immediately below the first reagent discharge position according to the control of the control circuit 11.

  The second reagent dispensing arm 210 is provided between the reaction disk 201 and the second reagent storage 205. The second reagent dispensing arm 210 is provided by the drive mechanism 4 so as to be movable up and down in the vertical direction and rotatable in the horizontal direction. The second reagent dispensing arm 210 holds the second reagent dispensing probe 211 at one end.

  The second reagent dispensing probe 211 rotates along an arcuate rotation trajectory as the second reagent dispensing arm 210 rotates. A second reagent aspirating position is provided on the rotation trajectory. A second reagent discharge position for discharging the reagent aspirated by the second reagent dispensing probe 211 to the reaction container 2011 is set on the rotation path of the second reagent dispensing probe 211. The second reagent discharge position corresponds to the intersection of the rotation trajectory of the second reagent dispensing probe 211 and the movement trajectory of the reaction vessel 2011 held on the reaction disk 201.

  The second reagent dispensing probe 211 is driven by the drive mechanism 4 and moves in the vertical direction at the second reagent suction position or the second reagent discharge position on the rotation path. The second reagent dispensing probe 211 sucks the second reagent from the reagent container located immediately below the second reagent suction position according to the control of the control circuit 11. That is, the second reagent dispensing probe 211 is an example of a suction unit according to the first embodiment. In addition, the second reagent dispensing probe 211 discharges the aspirated second reagent to the reaction container 2011 located immediately below the second reagent discharge position according to the control of the control circuit 11.

  The stirring unit 212 is provided near the outer periphery of the reaction disk 201. The stirring unit 212 includes a stirrer, and the stirrer accommodates the sample and the first reagent stored in the reaction container 2011 located at the stirring position on the reaction disk 201 or the reaction container 2011. The sample, the first reagent, and the second reagent are agitated.

  The photometric unit 213 optically measures a predetermined component in the mixed solution of the sample and the reagent discharged into the reaction container 2011. The photometric unit 213 has a light source and a photodetector. The photometric unit 213 emits light from the light source according to the control of the control circuit 11. The irradiated light is incident from the first side wall of the reaction vessel 2011 and is emitted from the second side wall facing the first side wall. The photometric unit 213 detects the light emitted from the reaction container 2011 with a photodetector.

  Specifically, for example, the photodetector detects light that has passed through the mixture of the standard sample and the reagent in the reaction container 2011, and based on the detected light intensity, standard data represented by absorbance or the like is obtained. Generate. The photodetector detects light that has passed through the mixture of the test sample and the reagent in the reaction container 2011, and generates test data represented by absorbance or the like based on the detected light intensity. The photometric unit 213 outputs the generated standard data and test data to the analysis circuit 3.

  The cleaning unit 214 cleans the inside of the reaction container 2011 in which the measurement of the mixed solution is completed by the photometry unit 213.

  The control circuit 11 shown in FIG. 1 realizes a function corresponding to the program by executing the operation program stored in the storage circuit 8. For example, the control circuit 11 has a system control function 111, an acquisition function 112, a switching control function 113, and a specific function 114 by executing an operation program. In the first embodiment, a case where the system control function 111, the acquisition function 112, the switching control function 113, and the specific function 114 are realized by a single processor will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a control circuit may be configured by combining a plurality of independent processors, and the system control function 111, the acquisition function 112, the switching control function 113, and the specific function 114 may be realized by each processor executing an operation program. Absent.

  The system control function 111 is a function that controls each unit in the automatic analyzer 1 based on input information input from the input interface 5.

  The acquisition function 112 is a function for acquiring reagent information stored in the wireless tag 101 from the wireless tag 101 attached to the reagent container 100. Specifically, the control circuit 11 executes the acquisition function 112 according to a predetermined instruction. The predetermined instruction is, for example, an instruction to start measurement input by an operator, an instruction to request reagent information about the reagent container 100, or the like. In the acquisition function 112, the control circuit 11 controls the RFID reader 9 to receive an electrical signal based on the radio wave transmitted from the wireless tag 101. Based on the electrical signal, the control circuit 11 acquires reagent information about the first reagent container 204, the second reagent container 205, or the reagent containers 100 in both the first reagent container 204 and the second reagent container 205.

  The switching control function 113 is a function that controls switching between valid / invalid of a response to the radio wave transmitted from the RFID reader 9 of the wireless tag 101 attached to the reagent container 100. Specifically, for example, the control circuit 11 uses the acquisition function 112 for the first reagent container 204, the second reagent container 205, or all the reagent containers 100 in both the first reagent container 204 and the second reagent container 205. When the reagent information is acquired, the switching control function 113 is executed. In the switching control function 113, the control circuit 11 controls the irradiation circuit 10 and starts irradiating the spot light to the wireless tag 101 attached to the reagent container 100.

  For example, when the specific function 114 confirms that the response of the wireless tag 101 is invalidated, the control circuit 11 stops the irradiation of the spot light. In addition, the control circuit 11 stops the irradiation of the spot light when a preset time has passed without notification from the specific function 114.

  For the specific function 114, the read reagent information is stored in the first reagent storage 204, the second reagent storage 205, or both of the plurality of reagent containers 100 held in both the first reagent storage 204 and the second reagent storage 205. It is a function which specifies whether it is reagent information of. Specifically, for example, when the control circuit 11 executes the switching control function 113, the control circuit 11 executes the specifying function 114. In the specifying function 114, the control circuit 11 collates the plurality of reagent information acquired before invalidating the response of the wireless tag 101 with the plurality of reagent information acquired after invalidating the response. The control circuit 11 specifies which reagent container 100 the reagent information of the plurality of obtained reagent information is by switching the wireless tag 101 that invalidates the response. When specifying the reagent information corresponding to the reagent container 100, the control circuit 11 adds the specified holding position to the reagent information stored in the storage circuit 8.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the installation positions of the RFID reader 9 and the irradiation circuit 10 provided in the automatic analyzer 1 will be described in detail. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of the reagent container storage device according to the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the reagent container storage device includes, for example, a first reagent container 204 or a second reagent container 205, an RFID reader 9, an irradiation circuit 10, and a control circuit 11. Note that the reagent container storage device may include both the first reagent storage 204 and the second reagent storage 205.

  In FIG. 5, it is assumed that the RFID reader 9 performs wireless communication with the wireless tag 101 attached to the reagent container 100 held in the first reagent storage 204. Since the structure of the first reagent storage 204 and the structure of the second reagent storage 205 are the same, even when the reagent container storage device includes the second reagent storage 205, the structure of the reagent container storage device is shown in FIG. The structure is similar to the structure shown.

  5 includes a reagent cover 2041, a first reagent rack 2042, a second reagent rack 2043, a housing 2044, a first disk 2045, a first guide 2046, and a second disk. 2047, a second guide 2048, and a roller 2049.

  The housing 2044 has an opening at the upper end, and has a first reagent rack 2042, a second reagent rack 2043, a first disk 2045, a first guide 2046, a second disk 2047, and a second inside. The guide 2048, the roller 2049, and the irradiation circuit 10 are formed so as to be accommodated. The opening of the housing 2044 is covered with a reagent cover 2041.

  The housing 2044 has an inner surface portion formed of a material such as aluminum having excellent thermal conductivity. The housing 2044 has a heat insulating portion made of a heat insulating material so as to cover an inner surface portion formed of aluminum or the like.

  The housing 2044 has a drain port substantially at the center of the inner bottom surface. The housing 2044 is formed such that the inner bottom surface portion has a gentle downward slope from the inner peripheral surface toward the drain port. By providing a downward slope from the inner peripheral surface to the drain port at the inner bottom surface, water (condensation water) accumulated on the inner bottom surface flows to the drain port.

  The housing 2044 has a plurality of support portions on the inner bottom surface portion. The support portion has a shape capable of rotatably supporting the roller 2049. The support portion is provided at a position where the first and second guides 2046 and 2048 can be placed on the roller 2049 to be supported on the inner bottom surface portion of the housing 2044.

  The first disk 2045 has a donut shape having a circular opening at the center. The first disk 2045 has a plurality of attachment portions for attaching the first reagent rack 2042 on the surface.

  The first reagent rack 2042 is formed so that a preset number of reagent containers 100 can be held along an arc corresponding to the outer diameter of the first disk 2045. The first reagent rack 2042 is detachably attached to an attachment portion provided on the surface of the first disk 2045. By attaching a plurality of first reagent racks 2042 for holding a plurality of reagent containers 100 in the first reagent storage 204, the reagent containers 100 have an annular shape corresponding to the first disk 2045 in the first reagent storage 204. Will be arranged.

  The first guide 2046 is formed in an annular shape, and a plurality of teeth are formed on the inner periphery thereof. The top surface of the first guide 2046 is fixed to the back surface of the first disk 2045. The lower surface of the first guide 2046 is in contact with the roller 2049 supported by the support portion of the housing 2044. The teeth formed on the inner peripheral edge of the first guide 2046 mesh with a pinion gear attached to the rotation shaft of the first motor, which is an example of the drive mechanism 4. When the first motor rotates, the first guide 2046 and the first disk 2045 are rotated by the pinion gear.

  The second disk 2047 has a donut shape having an opening slightly larger in diameter than the first disk 2045 at the center. The second disk 2047 is disposed close to the outer peripheral surface of the first disk 2045. The second disk 2047 has a plurality of attachment portions on the surface for attaching the second reagent rack 2043.

  The second reagent rack 2043 is formed so as to be able to hold a preset number of reagent containers 100 along an arc corresponding to the outer diameter of the second disk 2047. The second reagent rack 2043 is detachably attached to an attachment portion provided on the surface of the second disk 2047. By attaching a plurality of second reagent racks 2043 holding a plurality of reagent containers 100 in the first reagent storage 204, the reagent containers 100 have an annular shape corresponding to the second disk 2047 in the first reagent storage 204. Will be arranged.

  The second guide 2048 is formed in an annular shape, and a plurality of teeth are formed on the inner peripheral edge thereof. The upper surface of the second guide 2048 is fixed to the rear surface of the second disk 2047. The lower surface of the second guide 2048 is in contact with the roller 2049 supported by the support portion of the housing 2044. The teeth formed on the inner peripheral edge of the second guide 2048 mesh with a pinion gear attached to the rotation shaft of the second motor, which is an example of the drive mechanism 4. When the second motor rotates, the second guide 2048 and the second disk 2047 are rotated by the pinion gear.

  The RFID reader 9 is installed at a position where radio waves can be emitted to the wireless tag 101 attached to the reagent container 100. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the RFID reader 9 is provided outside the first reagent storage 204 with the side wall of the housing 2044 of the first reagent storage 204 being separated.

  The RFID reader 9 radiates and emits radio waves in a fan shape so as to include, for example, the wireless tags 101 attached to the plurality of reagent containers 100 kept cold in the first reagent storage 204. At this time, the intensity of the radio wave output from the RFID reader 9 is adjusted so that, for example, the radio wave transmitted from the outside across the side wall of the housing 2044 can reach all the reagent containers 100 in the first reagent storage 204. Has been. The broken lines shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 schematically represent radio waves transmitted from the RFID reader 9. The RFID reader 9 simultaneously receives radio waves returned from the wireless tags 101 attached to all the reagent containers 100 located in the range where the radio waves are emitted.

  The irradiation circuit 10 is installed at a position where the wireless tag 101 attached to the reagent container 100 can be irradiated with spot light. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the irradiation circuit 10 is provided at a height substantially opposite to the wireless tag 101 attached to the reagent container 100 on the inner side surface of the side wall of the housing 2044 of the first reagent storage 204. . There may be one irradiation circuit 10 or a plurality of irradiation circuits 10 installed in the first reagent storage 204. However, when a plurality of irradiation circuits 10 are installed in the first reagent storage 204, the control circuit 11 knows the installation position of the irradiation circuit 10 in the first reagent storage 204.

  The irradiation circuit 10 is preferably provided inside the first reagent storage 204, but can also be provided outside the first reagent storage 204. At this time, a window for transmitting the spot light from the outside to the inside of the first reagent storage 204 is provided on the side surface of the housing 2044.

  The installation positions of the RFID reader 9 and the irradiation circuit 10 are not limited to the example shown in FIG. When the wireless tag 101 is attached to the upper surface of the reagent container 100, the RFID reader 9 and the irradiation circuit 10 may be arranged as shown in FIG. According to FIG. 7, the RFID reader 9 is provided outside the first reagent storage 204 with the reagent cover 2041 of the first reagent storage 204 being separated. At this time, the intensity of the radio wave output from the RFID reader 9 is adjusted so that, for example, the radio wave transmitted from outside the reagent cover 2041 can reach all the reagent containers 100 in the first reagent storage 204. Yes.

  In FIG. 7, the irradiation circuit 10 is provided on the inner surface of the reagent cover 2041 of the first reagent storage 204 at a position substantially opposite to the wireless tag 101 attached to the reagent container 100. At this time, it is necessary to provide at least one irradiation circuit 10 for each of the reagent container group supported by the first disk 2045 and the reagent container group supported by the second disk 2047.

  In FIGS. 5 and 7, the case where the RFID reader 9 radiates radio waves to the wireless tag 101 attached to the reagent container 100 in the first reagent storage 204 has been described as an example. However, the RFID reader 9 emits radio waves to the wireless tag 101 attached to the reagent container 100 in the first reagent storage 204 and the wireless tag 101 attached to the reagent container 100 in the second reagent storage 205. It doesn't matter.

Next, the operation of the automatic analyzer 1 configured as described above will be described according to the processing procedure of the control circuit 11.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure when the control circuit 11 shown in FIG. 1 specifies reagent information corresponding to the reagent container 100 in the first reagent storage 204. In the description of FIG. 8, it is assumed that the RFID reader 9 and the irradiation circuit 10 are installed as shown in FIG. However, no matter how the RFID reader 9 and the irradiation circuit 10 are installed in the automatic analyzer 1, the same processing is performed when specifying reagent information corresponding to the reagent container 100.

  First, when the measurement start button provided in the automatic analyzer 1 is pressed by the operator, the control circuit 11 executes the acquisition function 112 before starting measurement. Thereby, the control circuit 11 starts a reagent scan (step S1).

  By the way, the reagent information corresponding to the reagent container 100 in the first reagent storage 204 does not change unless the reagent container 100 is taken out once specified. Therefore, the control circuit 11 does not contact the reagent container 100 after the measurement start button is pressed by the operator and the reagent information corresponding to the reagent container 100 is specified until the button is pressed. In addition, the acquisition function 112 may be executed. Whether the reagent container 100 has been touched after the reagent information corresponding to the reagent container 100 is identified and before the measurement start button is pressed is determined based on, for example, the opening / closing history of the reagent cover 2041. You may make it do.

  In the acquisition function 112, the control circuit 11 initializes the operation state of the first reagent storage 204 (step S2). The initialization of the operation state of the first reagent storage 204 is, for example, moving the first disk 2045 and the second disk 2047 of the first reagent storage 204 to an initial position. Subsequently, the control circuit 11 controls the RFID reader 9 to emit a radio wave having a predetermined frequency from the RFID reader 9 (step S3). The radio wave emitted from the RFID reader 9 is the first RFID reader read command for the wireless tag 101 attached to the reagent container 100 in the first reagent storage 204.

  When the radio tag 101 receives radio waves emitted from the RFID reader 9, the radio tag 101 operates using the received radio waves as an energy source. Part of the radio waves emitted from the RFID reader 9 is reflected by the wireless tag 101 and emitted as radio waves from the antenna circuit 1014. The radio wave emitted from the antenna circuit 1014 is loaded with reagent information stored in the storage circuit 1012.

  In the acquisition function 112, the control circuit 11 receives an electrical signal based on the radio wave transmitted from the wireless tag 101. For example, the control circuit 11 refers to a conversion table in which a predetermined code and various information are associated with each other, thereby decoding the received electrical signal and obtaining reagent information (step S4). Thereby, the reagent information of the reagent container 100 in the first reagent storage 204 is acquired collectively. For example, when the first reagent storage 204 holds the reagent container 100 as shown in FIG. 6, the control circuit 11 acquires the reagent information of each of the 56 reagent containers 100. The control circuit 11 stores the acquired reagent information in the storage circuit 8 (step S5).

  In step S5, it is not possible to recognize which reagent container is in which position in the first reagent storage 204, but the reagents for all the reagent containers 100 in the first reagent storage 204 are not recognized. Information is stored in the storage circuit 8. In addition, reagent information for all reagent containers in the second reagent storage 205 is also stored in the storage circuit 8 by the same processing. The control circuit 11 recognizes the reagent used in the subsequent measurement based on the test order stored in the storage circuit 8. The control circuit 11 collates the recognized reagent with the reagent information stored in step S5, thereby confirming whether the reagent to be used is insufficient or whether the expiration date of the reagent to be used has expired. The control circuit 11 notifies the operator of this information via the output interface 6 when there are insufficient reagents or when there is a reagent whose expiration date expires. As a result, the operator can quickly respond to the shortage of reagents and the expiration date of the reagents.

  Subsequently, the control circuit 11 executes the switching control function 113. In the switching control function 113, the control circuit 11 initializes the position (P = 1) and sets it to position 1 (step S6). Thereby, the position facing the irradiation circuit 10 is the position 1. The control circuit 11 controls the irradiation circuit 10 and starts irradiating the spot light to the wireless tag 101 attached to the reagent container 100 stopped at the position 1 (step S7).

  When the spot light is irradiated, the receiving circuit 1011 provided in the wireless tag 101 generates an electrical signal in response to the irradiated spot light. The generated electrical signal is output to the switching circuit 1013 of the wireless tag 101. For example, the switching circuit 1013 cuts off a signal transmission path in the wireless tag 101 using the received electrical signal as a trigger. As a result, radio waves are not responded from the wireless tag 101.

  In the acquisition function 112, the control circuit 11 controls the RFID reader 9 to emit a radio wave having a predetermined frequency from the RFID reader 9 (step S8). The radio wave emitted from the RFID reader 9 becomes the second RFID reader read command for the wireless tag 101 attached to the reagent container 100 in the first reagent storage 204. At this time, the wireless tag 101 irradiated with the spot light in step S7 remains irradiated with the spot light.

  The wireless tags 101 other than the wireless tag 101 irradiated with the spot light use a part of the radio wave emitted from the RFID reader 9 and transmit the radio wave carrying the reagent information stored in the storage circuit 1012.

  In the acquisition function 112, the control circuit 11 receives an electrical signal based on the radio wave transmitted from the wireless tag 101. The control circuit 11 decodes the received electrical signal and acquires reagent information (step S9). Thereby, the reagent information about the reagent containers 100 that are not irradiated with the spot light among the reagent containers 100 in the first reagent storage 204 is collectively acquired. For example, when the first reagent storage 204 holds the reagent container 100 as shown in FIG. 6, the control circuit 11 acquires the reagent information of each of the 55 reagent containers 100. The control circuit 11 stores the acquired reagent information in the storage circuit 8 (step S10).

  Subsequently, the control circuit 11 executes the specific function 114. In the specifying function 114, the control circuit 11 specifies reagent information corresponding to the plurality of reagent containers 100 held in the first reagent storage 204. Specifically, the control circuit 11 collates the reagent information stored in the storage circuit 8 in step S10 with the reagent information stored in the storage circuit 8 in step S5. The control circuit 11 includes the reagent information included in the reagent information stored in step S5, and the reagent information not included in the reagent information stored in step S10 is reagent information for the reagent container 100 stopped at position 1. (Step S11). As a result, reagent information corresponding to the reagent container 100 stopped at position 1 is specified. In other words, the control circuit 11 specifies that the reagent container 100 is held at the position 1.

  When the reagent information corresponding to the reagent container 100 is specified, the control circuit 11 controls the irradiation circuit 10 so as to stop the irradiation of the spot light (step S12). The control circuit 11 formally stores the reagent information associated with the reagent container 100 stopped at the position 1 in the storage circuit 8 as the reagent information of the position 1 (step S13). In other words, the storage circuit 8 stores that the reagent container 100 is held at the position 1. The reagent information officially stored in association with the position is read from the storage circuit 8 and used at the time of measurement.

  Subsequently, the control circuit 11 determines whether or not the position 56, which is the last position, has been reached (step S14). When the position 56 has not been reached (No in step S14), the control circuit 11 increments the position by one step (P = P + 1) (step S15). When the position is incremented, the control circuit 11 moves at least one of the first disk 2045 and the second disk 2047 of the first reagent storage 204 (Step S16), and irradiates the reagent container 100 of the next position. Move to a position facing the circuit 10.

  In the second loop, spot light is applied to the wireless tag 101 attached to the reagent container 100 located at position 2 (step S7). Then, the control circuit 11 acquires the reagent information for the parts other than the reagent container 100 located at the position 2 by the RFID reader 9 (step S9), and stores the acquired reagent information in the storage circuit 8 (step S10). And the control circuit 11 specifies the reagent information corresponding to the reagent container 100 stopped in the position 2 by comparing the reagent information stored before and during the irradiation of the spot light. (Step S11). In other words, the control circuit 11 specifies that the reagent container 100 is held at the position 2. The reagent information associated with the reagent container 100 stopped at position 2 is formally stored in the storage circuit 8 as reagent information of position 2 (step S13). In other words, the storage circuit 8 stores that the reagent container 100 is held at the position 2.

  Note that, for example, spot light is irradiated to the wireless tag 101 attached to the reagent container 100 arranged in a ring shape inside the first reagent storage 204 as follows. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when a predetermined number of second reagent racks 2043 are attached to the inside of the first reagent storage 204, the reagent containers 100 arranged in a ring shape outside the first reagent storage 204 are included in the reagent containers 100. A gap corresponding to approximately one reagent container 100 is generated. The irradiation circuit 10 irradiates the wireless tag 101 attached to the reagent container 100 arranged in a ring shape on the inner side through this gap, as indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG.

  The control circuit 11 repeats the processing from step S7 to step S16 until the position 56 is reached. In step S14, when the position 56 has been reached, the control circuit 11 ends the process.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the wireless tag 101 that changes the response state by receiving electromagnetic waves is attached to each of the plurality of reagent containers 100. The irradiation circuit 10 switches the response state of one wireless tag 101 among the wireless tags 101 attached to the plurality of reagent containers 100. The RFID reader 9 obtains reagent information stored in the wireless tags 101 attached to the plurality of reagent containers 100 by irradiating a wide area with radio waves before and after the response state is switched. Like to do. Thereby, the reagent container storage device according to the first embodiment can acquire reagent information in different states before irradiating electromagnetic waves and after the response state changes due to irradiation.

  In the first embodiment, the control circuit 11 controls the RFID reader 9 before and after switching the response state of the wireless tag 101 by the acquisition function 112, and is attached to the reagent container 100. Reagent information stored in the wireless tag 101 is acquired. Then, the control circuit 11 uses the specific function 114 to associate the read reagent information with the reagent container 100 based on the reagent information acquired before and after switching the response state of the wireless tag 101. ing. As a result, the automatic analyzer 1 according to the first embodiment has all the reagent containers 100 in the first and second reagent storages 204 and 205 and the wireless attached to these reagent containers 100 by logical consequences. It is possible to associate the reagent information read from the tag 101 with each other.

  Therefore, according to the reagent container storage device and the automatic analyzer 1 according to the first embodiment, the information stored in the wireless tag attached to the reagent container held in the reagent storage is stored in any reagent container. Can be identified and read out.

  Further, according to the automatic analyzer 1 according to the first embodiment, the reagent information is associated with the position in the reagent storage where the reagent container related to the reagent information is held, while maintaining the advantages of the wireless tag technology. It becomes possible. For this reason, in the automatic analyzer 1 according to the first embodiment, the RFID system can be used not only for reagent inventory management but also for reagent management in the reagent storage. In other words, the advantages of the wireless tag technology such as “can hold a lot of information”, “can add information”, and “read data all at once” can be used through inspection work.

  When the automatic analyzer 1 is provided with an RFID writer, for example, the date and time when the reagent is started to be used may be stored in the wireless tag 101 by the RFID writer. Thereby, the use start date and time can be read from the wireless tag 101, and the read use start date and time can be used to determine whether or not the use is within the valid period. Further, for example, the number of times the reagent is used may be stored in the wireless tag 101 by the RFID writer. As a result, the number of uses can be read from the wireless tag 101, and the read number of uses can be used for grasping the remaining amount of the reagent.

  Further, since information about the reagent container 100 remains in the wireless tag 101, even when the reagent container 100 is once taken out from the automatic analyzer 1 and then returned to the automatic analyzer 1, The analyzer 1 can correctly manage the reagent container 100. In addition, even when the reagent container 100 taken out from another automatic analyzer is mistakenly placed on the own apparatus, the automatic analyzer 1 can discriminate the reagent container 100 placed wrongly. Become.

  Therefore, in the RFID system, there is provided a reagent container storage device, an automatic analyzer, and a specifying method capable of accurately identifying and managing reagent information stored in a wireless tag in units of reagent containers. Can be provided.

  For this reason, the reagent container can be operated on the automatic analyzer 1 only by attaching the wireless tag without attaching the barcode label to the reagent container 100. In addition, since the reagent containers placed on the automatic analyzer 1 can be known all at once, inventory management in the entire laboratory becomes easy. Further, it is not necessary to provide a reading window for reading the barcode label on the side surface of the reagent storage. For this reason, it is possible to suppress bar code reading errors caused by condensation or the like generated on the surface of the reading window.

  Conventionally, it has been necessary to provide a certain reading period in order to ensure accurate reading of the barcode by the barcode reader. Therefore, there is a possibility that it takes more time than necessary when there is no reagent container. In the first embodiment, since the electromagnetic wave is irradiated from the irradiation circuit 10, when the reagent container does not exist, it can be immediately recognized that the reagent container does not exist. Therefore, it is possible to quickly acquire reagent information about the reagent container.

  In the first embodiment, the case where the wireless tag 101 invalidates the response by the switching circuit 1013 when the reception circuit 1011 receives the spot light has been described. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the switching circuit 1013 may modulate the amplitude of the electrical signal output from the receiving circuit 1011 to the electrical signal on which the reagent information is placed. The antenna circuit 1014 transmits radio waves that are loaded with reagent information and modulated by the intensity of the electrical signal. As a result, when the receiving circuit 1011 is sensitive to light, the wireless tag 101 returns a radio wave encoding the received light intensity to the RFID reader 9.

  The wireless tag 101 attached to the reagent container 100 held in the first reagent storage 204, the second reagent storage 205, or both the first reagent storage 204 and the second reagent storage 205 is connected to the RFID reader 9. A radio wave whose intensity of received light is modulated is transmitted. The control circuit 11 further has a decoding function for acquiring the received light intensity modulated by the radio wave by performing a decoding process on the received radio wave.

  Then, the control circuit 11 compares the received light intensity acquired by the decoding function between the received radio waves in the specifying function 114. The control circuit 11 determines that the radio wave having a particularly large received light intensity is the radio wave transmitted from the wireless tag 101 irradiated with the spot light. The control circuit 11 associates the reagent container 100 irradiated with the spot light with the modulated radio wave having a large received light intensity while sequentially switching the reagent containers 100 that irradiate the spot light. As a result, the control circuit 11 can associate the reagent information about the reagent container 100 with the position where the reagent container 100 is held.

  In the first embodiment, the case where the response state is changed, such as switching between valid / invalid of the response and modulating the received light intensity in the response, has been described as an example. The method of changing the response state is not limited to these. The response period, the number of repeated responses, or the frame format may be changed as long as the RFID system standard permits.

  When there is no radio wave whose received light intensity increases even when the spot light is irradiated, the control circuit 11 does not hold the reagent container 100 at the position irradiated with the spot light, that is, this position is empty. Judge.

  In the first embodiment, when the control circuit 11 of the automatic analyzer 1 specifies reagent information about the reagent container 100 stopped at a predetermined position, the reagent information is associated with the position in the storage circuit 8. The case of storing is described as an example. However, it is not limited to this. When the automatic analyzer 1 includes an RFID writer, the control circuit 11 may execute a writing function and write position information in reagent information stored in the wireless tag 101.

  In the first embodiment, the case where the reagent information corresponding to the reagent container 100 is specified before the measurement is started has been described as an example. However, it is not limited to this. For example, when aspirating a reagent from the reagent container 100, reagent information corresponding to the reagent container 100 may be specified.

  Specifically, for example, in the first reagent storage 204, the irradiation circuit 10 is placed at a position where the wireless tag 101 of the reagent container 100 whose opening is located at the first reagent suction position can be irradiated with spot light. is set up.

  The control circuit 11 stores the reagent information about the reagent container 100 held in the first reagent storage 204 in the storage circuit 8 before the start of measurement, as shown in steps S1 to S5 in FIG. . In the switching control function 113, the control circuit 11 controls the irradiation circuit 10 so that the irradiation of the spot light is started to the reagent container 100 whose opening has reached the first reagent suction position.

  Subsequently, in the acquisition function 112, the control circuit 11 causes the RFID reader 9 to emit radio waves of a predetermined frequency, thereby acquiring reagent information from other than the reagent container 100 whose opening is located at the first reagent suction position. The control circuit 11 compares the reagent information acquired at this time with the reagent information stored in advance, thereby specifying the reagent information about the reagent container to be aspirated. The control circuit 11 confirms whether or not the reagent used in the analysis being performed is correct by comparing a predetermined test item included in the test order with the specified reagent information. As a result, it is possible to prevent mismatch between the reagent that is actually aspirated and the reagent used in the inspection item included in the inspection order, and it is possible to prevent an inspection error.

  In the vicinity of the reagent aspirating position, a reagent dispensing arm and the like exist, so that a space in which the device can be installed is narrow. Since the irradiation circuit 10 according to the present embodiment uses a light source such as an LED, the irradiation circuit 10 can be miniaturized. Further, the wireless tag 101 can be downsized. For this reason, even in a narrow space such as the vicinity of the reagent suction position, the irradiation circuit 10 and the wireless tag 101 can be installed without interfering with the reagent dispensing arm or the like.

  In the first embodiment, the case where the wireless tag 101 includes the receiving circuit 1011 that generates an electrical signal in response to spot light has been described as an example. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the wireless tag 101 may include a mechanical contact area instead of the receiving circuit 1011. At this time, instead of the irradiation circuit 10, a conductive rod-like member 10 a such as a probe is provided on the inner side surface of the reagent storage as a switching unit.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the structure in the reagent container storage device shown in FIG. In FIG. 9, when the two rod-shaped members 10a come into contact with the contact area provided in the wireless tag 101, the control circuit 11 performs a switching function and supplies current to the wireless tag 101 via the rod-shaped member 10a. The switching circuit 1013 provided in the wireless tag 101 invalidates a response to a radio wave triggered by a current supplied via the rod-shaped member 10a. For example, when it is confirmed that the response of the wireless tag 101 is invalidated in the specific function 114, the control circuit 11 stops supplying current. Further, the control circuit 11 stops the supply of current when a preset time has passed without notification from the specific function 114. The switching circuit 1013 validates the response to radio waves when the supply of current through the rod-shaped member 10a is stopped.

  Note that the irradiation circuit 10 can also control the wireless tag 101 by the presence / absence (strength) of magnetic force (Hall sensor or the like) or the presence / absence of conduction by mechanical contact.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the case where the reagent information of the reagent container 100 held in the first and second reagent storages 204 and 205 is specified has been described as an example. However, the technique of specifying reagent information of a plurality of reagent containers 100 using the wireless tag 101 is also effective when the reagent containers 100 are loaded into the first and second reagent storages 204 and 205.

  For example, when the remaining amount of the reagent container 100 held in the first or second reagent storage 204, 205 is low, or when the expiration date of the reagent stored in the reagent container 100 has expired, The reagent container 100 needs to be replaced. In the second embodiment, the automatic analyzer includes a reagent container loading system, and the reagent container loading system replaces the reagent container 100 held in the first and second reagent storages 204 and 205 with a new reagent container 100. The case of replacement will be described as an example.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the automatic analyzer 1A according to the second embodiment. An automatic analyzer 1A shown in FIG. 10 includes a reagent container loading system 12. The reagent container loading system 12 includes a robot arm 121, an input interface 122, an output interface 123, a storage circuit 124, a communication interface 125, and a control circuit 126.

  For example, the input interface 122 receives an instruction from an operator input to the reagent container loading system 12. The input interface 122 is realized by, for example, a mouse, a keyboard, and a touch pad on which an instruction is input by touching an operation surface. The input interface 122 is connected to the control circuit 126, converts an operation instruction input from the operator into an electrical signal, and outputs the electrical signal to the control circuit 126. Note that the input interface 122 may be shared with the input interface 5.

  The output interface 123 is connected to the control circuit 126, for example, and outputs a signal supplied from the control circuit 126. The output interface 123 is realized by, for example, a display circuit, a printing circuit, and an audio device. Note that the output interface 123 may be shared with the output interface 6.

  The storage circuit 124 includes a magnetic or optical recording medium, a recording medium readable by a processor, such as a semiconductor memory, or the like. Note that the memory circuit 124 is not necessarily realized by a single memory device. For example, the storage circuit 124 may be realized by a plurality of storage devices.

  The storage circuit 124 stores an operation program for realizing the functions provided in the control circuit 126. The storage circuit 124 stores the reagent information read from the wireless tag 101 attached to the reagent container 100 placed on the reagent tray 127. In addition, the storage circuit 124 acquires the reagent information associated with the position in the first or second reagent storage 204 or 205 from the storage circuit 8 via the control circuit 126 for the reagent container 100 to be replaced. The storage circuit 124 stores the reagent information acquired from the storage circuit 8.

  The communication interface 125 is connected to the robot arm 121, for example. The communication interface 125 performs data communication with the robot arm 121. For example, the communication interface 125 outputs a control signal from the control circuit 126 to the robot arm 121. The communication interface 125 receives a signal output from the robot arm 121 and outputs the signal to the control circuit 126.

  The robot arm 121 is an example of a loading unit that loads the reagent container 100 into the first and second reagent storages 204 and 205. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example in which the robot arm 121 is installed in the analysis mechanism 2 shown in FIG. According to FIG. 11, the robot arm 121 is provided at a position accessible to the first and second reagent storages 204 and 205, for example. In addition, the automatic analyzer 1A is provided with a reagent tray 127 as a reagent place on which a plurality of reagent containers 100 taken out of a refrigerator for replacement are placed, for example.

  The robot arm 121 includes, for example, a holding unit 1211 and a plurality of movable units. The holding unit 1211 has, for example, a claw for holding the reagent container 100. The holding unit 1211 performs, for example, an opening operation and a closing operation according to the control of the control circuit 126. The holding unit 1211 holds the reagent container 100 by executing a closing operation, for example, by closing a nail. The holding unit 1211 opens the held reagent container 100 by performing an opening operation, for example, by opening a nail. The plurality of movable parts are driven by, for example, a plurality of servo motors. The plurality of movable parts, for example, carry the holding part 1211 to a desired position according to the control of the control circuit 126.

  The robot arm 121 includes an RFID reader 1212 and an irradiation circuit 1213. For example, the RFID reader 1212 is provided at a position where wireless communication with the wireless tag 101 attached to the reagent container 100 on the reagent tray 127 is possible. The RFID reader 1212 reads reagent information stored in the wireless tag 101 attached to the reagent container 100 on the reagent tray 127 according to the control of the control circuit 126. Specifically, the RFID reader 1212 irradiates the reagent tray 127 with radio waves having a preset frequency in accordance with the control of the control circuit 126. That is, the RFID reader 1212 operates as an example of a radio wave irradiation unit. The RFID reader 1212 receives a radio wave returned from the wireless tag 101 according to the transmitted radio wave. That is, the RFID reader 1212 operates as an example of a radio wave receiving unit. The RFID reader 1212 converts the received radio wave into an electrical signal and outputs the electrical signal to the control circuit 126.

  The irradiation circuit 1213 is an example of a switching unit that switches a response state of the wireless tag 101. The irradiation circuit 1213 irradiates an electromagnetic wave having a predetermined frequency under the control of the control circuit 126. At this time, the irradiation circuit 1213 has directivity so that only the wireless tag 101 attached to one reagent container 100 among the plurality of reagent containers 100 on the reagent tray 127 can be irradiated with electromagnetic waves of a predetermined frequency. Has been adjusted. The predetermined frequency is a frequency higher than a radio wave used in wireless communication between the RFID reader 1212 and the wireless tag 101. The irradiation circuit 1213 is provided at a position facing the reagent container 100 when the holding unit 1211 approaches the reagent container 100, for example, at the tip of the holding unit 1211.

  In the second embodiment, a case where the irradiation circuit 1213 emits light as an electromagnetic wave will be described as an example. Note that the light emitted by the irradiation circuit 1213 may be any light such as infrared light and visible light. The irradiation circuit 1213 includes, for example, a light emitting diode, a semiconductor laser, or a light source lamp. For example, the irradiation circuit 1213 drives a light emitting diode, a semiconductor laser, a light source lamp, or the like under the control of the control circuit 126 to irradiate the wireless tag 101 with spot light having a predetermined diameter.

  The control circuit 126 is a processor that functions as the center of the reagent container loading system 12. The control circuit 126 implements a function corresponding to this operation program by executing the operation program stored in the storage circuit 124. Note that the control circuit 126 may include a storage area that stores at least part of the data stored in the storage circuit 124.

  The control circuit 126 has, for example, an operation function 1261, an acquisition function 1262, a switching control function 1263, a specific function 1264, and a determination function 1265 by executing an operation program. In the second embodiment, a case where the operation function 1261, the acquisition function 1262, the switching control function 1263, the specific function 1264, and the determination function 1265 are realized by a single processor is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a control circuit is configured by combining a plurality of independent processors, and each processor executes an operation program, thereby realizing an operation function 1261, an acquisition function 1262, a switching control function 1263, a specific function 1264, and a determination function 1265. It doesn't matter.

  The operation function 1261 is a function for operating the robot arm 121.

  The acquisition function 1262 is a function of acquiring reagent information stored in the wireless tag 101 from the wireless tag 101 attached to the reagent container 100. Specifically, the control circuit 126 executes the acquisition function 1262 according to a predetermined instruction. The predetermined instruction is, for example, an instruction to start replacement of the reagent container 100 or the like input from the operator. In the acquisition function 1262, the control circuit 126 controls the RFID reader 1212 to receive an electrical signal based on radio waves transmitted from the wireless tag 101. The control circuit 126 acquires reagent information about the reagent container 100 on the reagent tray 127 based on the electrical signal.

  The switching control function 1263 is a function that controls switching of valid / invalid response of the wireless tag 101 attached to the reagent container 100 to a radio wave transmitted from the RFID reader 1212. Specifically, for example, the control circuit 126 executes the switching control function 1263 when the robot arm 121 reaches a predetermined position in the state where the reagent information for all the reagent containers 100 on the reagent tray 127 is acquired. To do. In the switching control function 1263, the control circuit 261 controls the irradiation circuit 1213 to start spot light irradiation to the wireless tag 101 attached to the reagent container 100.

  For example, when the specific function 1264 confirms that the response of the wireless tag 101 is invalidated, the control circuit 126 stops the irradiation of the spot light. Further, the control circuit 126 stops spot light irradiation when a preset time has passed without notification from the specific function 1264.

  The specifying function 1264 is a function for specifying which of the plurality of reagent containers 100 placed on the reagent tray 127 is the reagent information that has been read out. Specifically, for example, when the control circuit 126 executes the switching control function 1263, the control circuit 126 executes the specifying function 1264. In the specific function 1264, the control circuit 126 collates the plurality of reagent information acquired before invalidating the response of the wireless tag 101 with the plurality of reagent information acquired after invalidating the response. The control circuit 126 stores the reagent information stored before the invalidation of the response and not stored after the invalidation with respect to the reagent container 100 placed at a predetermined position on the reagent tray 127. The reagent information is specified. The position on the reagent tray 127 is defined by, for example, position information assigned to the reagent tray 127, the number of pulses when controlling the servo motor provided in the robot arm 121, and the like.

  The determination function 1265 is a function for determining whether or not the reagent container 100 corresponding to the specified reagent information is a necessary reagent container 100. For example, in the determination function 1265, the control circuit 126 compares the specified reagent information with the reagent information of the reagent container 100 to be replaced, so that the reagent container 100 related to the specified reagent information requires the reagent container. Whether it is 100 or not is determined.

  Next, an example of an operation in which the reagent container loading system 12 replaces the reagent container 100 in the automatic analyzer 1A configured as described above will be described in accordance with the processing procedure of the control circuit 126. In the following description, a case where the wireless tag 101 is attached to the upper surface portion of the reagent container 100 will be described as an example.

  For example, when the remaining amount of the reagent container 100 held in the first and second reagent storages 204 and 205 decreases, or when the expiration date of the reagent stored in the reagent container 100 expires, the operator removes the reagent container 100. Prepare to replace. The operator takes out the plurality of reagent containers 100 including the necessary reagent containers 100 from the refrigerator, and places the removed reagent containers 100 on the reagent tray 127. When a plurality of reagent containers 100 are placed on the reagent tray 127, the operator, among the reagent containers 100 held in the first and second reagent storages 204 and 205, via the input interface 122 of the reagent container loading system 12, The reagent container 100 to be exchanged is designated. When the reagent container 100 to be exchanged is designated, the operator inputs an exchange start instruction via the input interface 122.

  When an instruction to start replacement of the reagent container 100 is input, for example, the control circuit 126 displays the reagent information associated with the positions in the first and second reagent storages 204 and 205 for the reagent container 100 to be replaced. Read from the memory circuit 8. The control circuit 126 stores the read reagent information in the storage circuit 124. When the control circuit 126 stores the reagent information of the reagent container 100 to be replaced in the storage circuit 124, the control circuit 126 executes the operation function 1261. When an instruction to start replacement of the reagent container 100 is input, the operation states of the first and second reagent storages 204 and 205 are initialized.

  In the operation function 1261, the control circuit 126 moves the RFID reader 1212 provided on the robot arm 121 to a position where the wireless tag 101 attached to the plurality of reagent containers 100 on the reagent tray 127 can be irradiated with radio waves. Let

  When the movement of the RFID reader 1212 is completed, the control circuit 126 executes the acquisition function 1262. In the acquisition function 1262, the control circuit 126 controls the RFID reader 1212 and emits radio waves of a predetermined frequency from the RFID reader 1212. The radio wave emitted from the RFID reader 1212 is the first RFID reader read command for the wireless tag 101 attached to the reagent container 100 on the reagent tray 127.

  When the wireless tag 101 receives the radio wave irradiated from the RFID reader 1212, the radio tag 101 returns the radio wave carrying the reagent information.

  In the acquisition function 1262, the control circuit 126 receives an electrical signal based on the radio wave transmitted from the wireless tag 101. For example, the control circuit 126 refers to a conversion table in which a predetermined code and various information are associated with each other, thereby decoding the received electrical signal and obtaining reagent information. Thereby, the reagent information of the reagent container 100 on the reagent tray 127 is acquired collectively. The control circuit 126 stores the acquired reagent information in the storage circuit 124.

  When the acquired reagent information is stored in the storage circuit 124, the control circuit 126 executes the operation function 1261. In the operation function 1261, the control circuit 126 moves the irradiation circuit 1213 provided at the distal end of the holding unit 1211 of the robot arm 121 onto the reagent container 100 placed at a preset initial position on the reagent tray 127. Let

  When the irradiation circuit 1213 reaches a position where the wireless tag 101 attached to the upper surface portion of the reagent container 100 placed at the initial position can be irradiated with the spot light, the control circuit 126 executes the switching control function 1263. . In the switching control function 1263, the control circuit 126 controls the irradiation circuit 1213 to start irradiating the wireless tag 101 attached to the reagent container 100 placed at the initial position with spot light.

  When the wireless tag 101 receives the spot light irradiated from the irradiation circuit 1213, the wireless tag 101 does not return a radio wave.

  When the irradiation of the spot light is started, the control circuit 126 controls the RFID reader 1212 in the acquisition function 1262 to emit a radio wave having a predetermined frequency from the RFID reader 1212. The radio wave emitted from the RFID reader 1212 is the second RFID reader read command for the wireless tag 101 attached to the reagent container 100 on the reagent tray 127. At this time, the wireless tag 101 irradiated with the spot light remains irradiated with the spot light.

  The wireless tags 101 other than the wireless tag 101 irradiated with the spot light use a part of the radio wave emitted from the RFID reader 1212 and return a radio wave carrying reagent information.

  In the acquisition function 1262, the control circuit 126 receives an electrical signal based on the radio wave transmitted from the wireless tag 101. The control circuit 126 decodes the received electrical signal and acquires reagent information. Thereby, the reagent information about the reagent containers 100 that are not irradiated with the spot light among the reagent containers 100 on the reagent tray 127 is collectively acquired. The control circuit 126 stores the acquired reagent information in the storage circuit 124.

  When the acquired reagent information is stored in the storage circuit 124, the control circuit 126 executes the specific function 1264. In the specific function 1264, the control circuit 126 collates the reagent information stored in the storage circuit 124 before and during irradiation with the spot light. The control circuit 126 places reagent information included in the reagent information stored before the spot light irradiation and not included in the reagent information stored during the spot light irradiation at the initial position of the reagent tray 127. It is specified that the reagent information is about the reagent container 100 that is present.

  When the reagent information corresponding to the reagent container 100 placed at the initial position is specified, the control circuit 126 controls the irradiation circuit 1213 so as to stop the irradiation of the spot light. When the reagent information corresponding to the reagent container 100 placed at the initial position is specified, the control circuit 126 executes the determination function 1265. In the determination function 1265, the control circuit 126 compares the specified reagent information with the reagent information of the reagent container 100 to be replaced. If, for example, the reagent name, reagent manufacturer code, reagent item code, and the like match between the specified reagent information and the reagent information of the reagent container 100 to be replaced, the control circuit 126 adds the specified reagent information. It is determined that the reagent container 100 is a necessary reagent container 100.

  When it is determined that the reagent container 100 placed at the initial position is the reagent container 100 desired by the operator, the control circuit 126 executes the operation function 1261. In the operation function 1261, the control circuit 126 controls the robot arm 121 to exchange the reagent container 100 placed at the initial position with the reagent container 100 to be replaced. Specifically, for example, the control circuit 126 controls the robot arm 121 to take out the reagent container 100 that is the replacement target from the first or second reagent storage 204, 205, and the reagent container 100 that is the replacement target is taken out. The reagent container 100 placed at the initial position of the reagent tray 127 is loaded into the position in the reagent storage.

  Subsequently, the control circuit 126 confirms whether there are other reagent containers 100 designated as replacement targets. If there is another, the control circuit 126 controls the robot arm 121 by the operation function 1261, and the irradiation circuit 1213 provided in the robot arm 121 is mounted on the reagent tray 127 at a preset second position. The reagent container 100 is moved.

  The control circuit 126 controls the irradiation circuit 1213 to irradiate the wireless tag 101 attached to the reagent container 100 placed at the second position with spot light. The control circuit 126 uses the RFID reader 1212 to acquire reagent information other than the reagent container 100 placed at the second position, and causes the storage circuit 124 to store the acquired reagent information. Then, the control circuit 126 collates the reagent information stored before and during the irradiation with the spot light, thereby obtaining the reagent information corresponding to the reagent container 100 placed at the second position. Identify.

  When the reagent information corresponding to the reagent container 100 placed at the second position is specified, the control circuit 126 stops the irradiation of the spot light, and specifies the specified reagent information, the reagent information of the reagent container 100 to be replaced, Compare When it is determined that the reagent container 100 placed at the second position is the reagent container 100 desired by the operator, the control circuit 126 controls the robot arm 121 with the operation function 1261 and is placed at the second position. The reagent container 100 and the reagent container 100 to be replaced are exchanged. The control circuit 126 repeats the above operation for all reagent containers 100 designated as replacement targets.

  When the specified reagent information does not match the reagent information of the reagent container 100 to be replaced, the control circuit 126 determines that the reagent container 100 related to the specified reagent information is not the necessary reagent container 100. When the reagent container 100 related to the specified reagent information is not the necessary reagent container 100, the control circuit 126 controls the robot arm 121 by the operation function 1261, and the irradiation circuit 1213 provided in the robot arm 121 is changed to the reagent. The reagent container 100 is moved to the next position on the tray 127.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the wireless tag 101 that changes the response state by receiving electromagnetic waves is attached to each of the plurality of reagent containers 100. The irradiation circuit 1213 switches the response state of one wireless tag 101 among the wireless tags 101 attached to the plurality of reagent containers 100. The RFID reader 1212 obtains reagent information stored in the wireless tag 101 attached to the plurality of reagent containers 100 by irradiating a wide area with radio waves before and after the response state is switched. Like to do. Thereby, the automatic analyzer 1A according to the second embodiment can acquire reagent information in different states before irradiating the electromagnetic wave and after the response state is changed by the irradiation.

  In the second embodiment, the control circuit 126 controls the RFID reader 1212 with the acquisition function 1262 before and after switching the response state of the wireless tag 101, and is attached to the reagent container 100. Reagent information stored in the wireless tag 101 is acquired. The control circuit 126 uses the specific function 1264 to change the response state of the wireless tag 101 before and after the switching, based on the reagent information acquired, the reagent container 100 placed at a predetermined position on the reagent tray 127. Specify reagent information. Based on the specified reagent information, the control circuit 126 determines whether the reagent container 100 related to the specified reagent information is the reagent container 100 corresponding to the reagent container 100 to be replaced, based on the specified reagent information. Like to do. As a result, the automatic analyzer 1A according to the second embodiment allows the reagent container 100 to be replaced in the first or second reagent storage 204, 205 from the plurality of reagent containers 100 placed on the reagent tray 127. And the corresponding reagent container 100 can be specified.

  In the second embodiment, the case where the wireless tag 101 includes the receiving circuit 1011 that generates an electrical signal in response to spot light has been described as an example. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the wireless tag 101 may include a mechanical contact area instead of the receiving circuit 1011. At this time, a conductive rod-like member such as a probe is provided at the tip of the holding part 1211 of the robot arm 121 as a switching part instead of the irradiation circuit 1213.

  According to at least one embodiment described above, the automatic analyzers 1 and 1A are information stored in a wireless tag attached to a reagent container held in a reagent storage or placed on a reagent tray. It is possible to identify and read out information about which reagent container.

  The term “processor” used in the description of the first and second embodiments is, for example, a CPU (central processing unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). )), Programmable logic devices (for example, Simple Programmable Logic Device (SPLD), Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD), Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)), etc. Means the circuit. The processor implements a function by reading and executing a program stored in the storage circuit. Instead of storing the program in the storage circuit, the program may be directly incorporated in the processor circuit. In this case, the processor realizes the function by reading and executing the program incorporated in the circuit. Each processor in each of the above embodiments is not limited to being configured as a single circuit for each processor, but is configured as a single processor by combining a plurality of independent circuits so as to realize the function. Also good. Further, the functions may be realized by integrating a plurality of components in each of the above embodiments into one processor.

  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 embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

1 ... Automatic analyzer,
2 ... Analysis mechanism,
201 ... reaction disk,
2011 ... reaction vessel,
202 ... constant temperature part,
203 ... Rack sampler,
2031 ... Sample rack,
204: First reagent storage,
2041 ... Reagent cover,
2042 ... First reagent rack,
2043 ... Second reagent rack,
2044 ... the housing,
2045 ... first disc,
2046 ... first guide,
2047 ... second disc,
2048 ... Second guide,
2049 ... Laura,
205 ... second reagent storage,
206: Sample dispensing arm,
207 ... Sample dispensing probe,
208 ... first reagent dispensing arm,
209 ... First reagent dispensing probe,
210 ... second reagent dispensing arm,
211 ... Second reagent dispensing probe,
212 ... Agitating unit,
213: Photometric unit,
214 ... Cleaning unit,
3… Analysis circuit,
4 ... Drive mechanism,
5, 122 ... input interface,
6, 123 ... output interface,
7, 125 ... communication interface,
8,124 ... memory circuit,
9, 1212 ... RFID reader,
10, 1213 ... Irradiation circuit,
10a ... rod-shaped member,
11, 126 ... control circuit,
111 ... System control function,
112, 1262 ... acquisition function,
113, 1263 ... switching control function,
114, 1264 ... specific function,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Reagent container loading system 121 ... Robot arm 1211 ... Holding part 1261 ... Operation function 100 ... Reagent container,
101 ... wireless tag,
1011, ... receiving circuit,
1012: Memory circuit,
1013... Switching circuit,
1014 Antenna circuit.

Claims (17)

A reagent store for storing a plurality of reagent containers each having a wireless tag;
A radio wave irradiation unit that radiates radio waves to the radio tags attached to the plurality of radio tags in the reagent storage, or a plurality of reagent containers placed on the reagent storage, and
A radio wave receiving unit that receives radio waves in response from the plurality of radio tags that have received radio waves emitted by the radio wave irradiation unit; and a switching unit that switches a response state by one radio tag among the plurality of radio tags;
Reagent information corresponding to the reagent container to which the wireless tag whose response state is switched is attached based on the radio wave received from the wireless tag received by the radio wave reception unit before and after the switching of the response state. An automatic analyzer comprising a specifying unit for specifying.   The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the specifying unit specifies a position of the reagent container corresponding to the specified reagent information in the reagent storage.   The automatic analyzer according to claim 2, wherein the specifying unit specifies a position in the reagent container of the reagent container corresponding to the specified reagent information based on a position where the switching unit performs a switching operation.   The automatic analyzer according to claim 2, further comprising a storage unit that stores positions of the plurality of reagent containers in the reagent storage. Further comprising a suction part for sucking the reagent stored in the reagent container stored in the reagent store at a preset suction position;
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit switches a response state of a wireless tag attached to the reagent container located at the suction position. A switching control unit for controlling the switching unit;
The switching unit switches a response state by the wireless tag by irradiating one wireless tag among the plurality of wireless tags with an electromagnetic wave having a frequency higher than the radio wave, according to control from the switching control unit. Item 2. The automatic analyzer according to Item 1.   The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the specifying unit associates the specified reagent information with a position where a reagent container to which a wireless tag whose response state is switched is attached is held in the reagent storage. .   The automatic analyzer according to claim 7, further comprising a writing unit that writes information relating to a position associated with the reagent information to a wireless tag storing the specified reagent information.   The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit is provided in the reagent storage.   The automatic analysis according to claim 1, further comprising: a determination unit that determines, based on the specified reagent information, whether a reagent container related to the reagent information corresponds to a reagent container designated in the reagent storage. apparatus.   The automatic analyzer according to claim 10, further comprising a loading unit that loads a reagent container according to the specified reagent information into the reagent container instead of the designated reagent container.   The automatic analyzer according to claim 11, wherein the switching unit is provided in the loading unit. A reagent store for storing a plurality of reagent containers each having a wireless tag;
A switching unit that is arranged in the reagent storage and switches a response state of one wireless tag among the plurality of wireless tags in the reagent storage;
Before and after switching the response state, a radio wave irradiation unit that radiates radio waves to the plurality of wireless tags in the reagent storage,
A reagent container storage device comprising: a radio wave receiving unit that receives radio waves in response from the plurality of wireless tags that have received radio waves emitted by the radio wave irradiation unit. In the reagent storage, a suction position for sucking a reagent stored in one reagent container among the plurality of stored reagent containers is set,
The reagent container storage device according to claim 13, wherein the switching unit switches a response state of a wireless tag attached to the reagent container located at the suction position.   The reagent container storage device according to claim 13, wherein the switching unit switches the response state of the wireless tag by irradiating an electromagnetic wave having a frequency higher than the radio wave.   The reagent container according to claim 13, further comprising a writing unit that writes information on a position where the reagent container to which the wireless tag is attached is held in the reagent storage to any one of the plurality of wireless tags. Storage device. Sending a first radio wave to a plurality of wireless tags storing reagent information about the reagent;
Receiving the first response signal including the reagent information transmitted from the plurality of wireless tags in response to the transmitted first radio wave;
Obtaining a first reagent information group based on the received response signal;
Switching a response state by one wireless tag among the plurality of wireless tags;
A second radio wave is transmitted to the plurality of wireless tags including the wireless tag whose response state is switched;
Receiving a second response signal including the reagent information transmitted from the plurality of wireless tags in response to the transmitted second radio wave;
Obtaining a second reagent information group based on the second response signal;
A specifying method for specifying reagent information corresponding to a reagent container to which a wireless tag whose response state is switched is attached based on the first and second reagent information groups.