JP2020094848A - Autoanalyzer and automatic analysis method - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve the accuracy of analysis in an autoanalyzer equipped with a mechanism for diluting a specimen.SOLUTION: Provided is an autoanalyzer comprising: a diluted specimen holding unit for holding a dilution container into which a specimen to be analyzed and a diluted liquid are dispensed; a dilution stirring device for stirring the specimen and diluted liquid in the dilution container; a reaction container holding unit for holding a plurality of reaction containers; a dispensing device for dispensing the diluted specimen having been stirred and mixed from the dilution container into the reaction container; an input unit for inputting the type of specimen and a dilution condition; a storage unit 53 for holding a wait time that is set from the termination of stirring of specimen and diluted liquid by the dilution stirring device to the start of dispensing by the dispensing device, as information associated with the type of specimen and the dilution condition; and an arithmetic processing unit 54 for selecting the wait time preserved in the storage unit on the basis of the type of specimen and dilution condition inputted from the input unit, and permitting the start of dispensing by the dispensing device when an elapsed time from a point of time when stirring by the dilution stirring device is finished reaches the selected wait time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to an automatic analysis device and an automatic analysis method.

As a technique for quantitatively analyzing a target substance in a sample, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 1 below. This patent document 1 describes a "control method in titration in which a change in the chemical amount or physical amount of a test liquid is measured by a sensor, which is a control method of the test liquid after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed after adding a titration reagent. According to the magnitude of the change in the chemical or physical quantity, the size of the waiting time for detecting the chemical or physical quantity of the test liquid by the sensor after the titration reagent is added dropwise is controlled''. It is stated that, even if the response of the sensor is taken into consideration, the titration time is shortened.

In addition, as a technique for analyzing a biological component contained in a sample such as blood or urine, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 2 below. This Patent Document 2 describes a technique of "transferring an original sample to a dilution container of a dilution table for dilution and transferring a diluted sample to a reaction container of a reaction tube table for analysis". It is said that the weighing accuracy limit volume will be cleared to improve analysis accuracy.

JP, 11-108917, A JP-A-8-194004

By the way, in the above-described automatic analyzer for analyzing biological components contained in a sample such as blood or urine, in order to carry out quantitative analysis for a plurality of samples in a short time, analysis processing with high throughput is required. Has been. For this reason, as described above, when "the original sample is transferred to the dilution container of the dilution table for dilution and the diluted sample is transferred to the reaction container of the reaction tube table for analysis", the diluted sample is reacted from the dilution container. As for the timing of transfer to the container, the fastest time, which was mechanically determined mainly by the arrangement of each mechanism constituting the automatic analyzer, was applied. For this reason, the mixed state of the original sample (specimen) and the diluting liquid in the diluting container may not be sufficient in some cases, and this has been a factor causing a decrease in analysis accuracy.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic analyzer and an automatic analysis method capable of improving the analysis accuracy in a configuration including a mechanism for diluting a sample.

The present invention for achieving such an object is a diluted sample holding part for holding a diluted container in which a sample to be analyzed and a diluent are dispensed, and the diluted container held in the diluted sample holding part. A dilution stirring device that stirs the sample and the diluent in the reaction vessel, a reaction container holding unit that holds a plurality of reaction vessels, and a diluted sample in which the sample and the diluent are stirred and mixed and the reaction is performed from the dilution container. Dispensing device for dispensing into a container, an input unit for inputting the type of the sample and dilution conditions, and dispensing by the dispensing device after stirring of the sample and diluent by the dilution stirring device is completed Based on the sample type and the dilution condition input from the input unit, the storage unit that holds the waiting time set until the start as the information associated with the sample type and the dilution condition. When the waiting time stored in the storage unit is selected and the elapsed time from the time when the stirring by the diluting stirring device ends reaches the selected waiting time, the start of the dispensing by the dispensing device is permitted. And an arithmetic processing unit for performing the automatic analysis device. The present invention is also an automatic analysis method carried out by such an automatic analyzer.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an automatic analyzer and an automatic analysis method capable of improving analysis accuracy in a configuration including a sample dilution mechanism.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the automatic analyzer which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram of the automatic analysis device concerning an embodiment. It is a figure explaining the principal part of the dilution stirring apparatus in the automatic analyzer which concerns on embodiment. FIG. 6 is a process diagram for explaining a waiting time for dispensing a diluted sample. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the elapsed time [T] after stirring of a sample and a diluent, and a measured value [M]. It is a flow chart which shows the automatic analysis method using the automatic analysis device of an embodiment.

Embodiments of the automatic analyzer and the automatic analysis method of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

≪Automatic analyzer≫
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an automatic analyzer 1 according to the embodiment. As an example, the automatic analyzer 1 according to the present invention is applied to a biochemical analyzer for analyzing biological components contained in a sample such as blood or urine. It is a schematic block diagram of. In particular, this automatic analyzer 1 is equipped with a mechanism for diluting a sample with a diluent. Such an automatic analyzer 1 includes a measuring unit 1a and a control unit 1b.

Of these, the measurement unit 1a includes, for example, a sample holding unit 2, a diluted sample holding unit 3, a first reagent holding unit 4, a second reagent holding unit 5, and a reaction container holding unit 6. The measuring unit 1a includes a dilution stirring device 11, a dilution cleaning device 12, a first reaction stirring device 13, a second reaction stirring device 14, a measuring unit 15, and a reaction container cleaning device 16.

The measurement unit 1a also includes a plurality of dispensing devices 20. Here, each of the dispensing devices 20 is, for example, four of a sample dispensing device 20a, a diluted sample dispensing device 20b, a first reagent dispensing device 20c, and a second reagent dispensing device 20d.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the automatic analyzer according to the embodiment. As shown in this figure, the control unit 1b includes a display unit 51, an input unit 52, a storage unit 53, a calculation processing unit 54, and a drive control unit 55.

Hereinafter, details of these components will be described in order of the measurement unit 1a and the control unit 1b based on FIGS. 1 and 2.

<Measurement section 1a>
[Sample holder 2]
The sample holding unit 2 is, for example, of a turntable type, and is configured to hold a plurality of sample containers P2 in a plurality of rows along the periphery thereof and to carry the held sample containers P2 bidirectionally around the circumference. .. The sample holding unit 2 is rotatably supported along the circumferential direction by a drive mechanism (not shown). Each sample container P2 held in the sample holding unit 2 stores a sample to be tested and other solutions. The sample holding unit 2 is configured to hold various samples at predetermined positions. Such a sample holder 2 may have a function of cooling the held sample container P2 and other containers.

[Diluted sample holder 3]
The diluted sample holding unit is, for example, of a turntable type, configured to hold a plurality of dilution containers P3 along the periphery thereof and convey the held dilution containers P3 bidirectionally around the circumference. The diluted sample holder 3 is supported by a drive mechanism (not shown) so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction. The sample aspirated from the sample container P2 arranged in the sample holding unit 2 and the diluent are dispensed into the dilution container P3 held in the diluted sample holding unit 3.

The shape and size of the dilution container P3 held by the diluted sample holding unit 3 are not limited, and those having a shape and size suitable for each automatic analyzer 1 and the type of sample are used. The diluting container P3 has, for example, a shape in which one bottom surface of a cylinder or a square tube is closed, the bottom surface of the cylinder may be a circle or an ellipse, and the bottom surface of the square tube is a square. May be rectangular. Further, the bottom surface may be flat or curved.

[First Reagent Holding Section 4 and Second Reagent Holding Section 5]
The first reagent holder 4 is, for example, of a turntable shape, and holds a plurality of first reagent containers P4 along the periphery thereof. The second reagent holder 5 is, for example, of a turntable shape, and holds a plurality of second reagent containers P5 along the periphery thereof. Then, the first reagent container P4 and the second reagent container P5, which are respectively held, are conveyed in both directions of the circumference. The first reagent holding part 4 and the second reagent holding part 5 are rotatably supported along the circumferential direction by a driving mechanism (not shown). The reagent holding section provided in the automatic analyzer 1 is not limited to two, the first reagent holding section 4 and the second reagent holding section 5, and may be one or three or more. May be plural. In the case where the automatic analyzer 1 has only one reagent holding section, a first reagent dispensing apparatus 20c and a second reagent dispensing apparatus 20d described below are provided corresponding to one reagent holding section. May have different configurations.

[Reaction container holding part 6]
The reaction container holding unit 6 is arranged between the diluted sample holding unit 3, the first reagent holding unit 4, and the second reagent holding unit 5. The reaction container holding unit 6 is, for example, in the form of a turntable, and is configured to hold a plurality of reaction containers P6 along the periphery thereof and convey the held reaction containers P6 bidirectionally around the circumference. The reaction container holding portion 6 is rotatably supported in the circumferential direction by a drive mechanism (not shown). The reaction container P6 held in the reaction container holding unit 6 includes the diluted sample collected from the dilution container P3 of the diluted sample holding unit 3, the first reagent collected from the first reagent container P4 of the first reagent holding unit 4, and the The second reagent collected from the second reagent container P5 of the two-reagent holding unit 5 is dispensed in a predetermined amount. Then, in the reaction container P6, the diluted sample and the first reagent and the second reagent are stirred to perform these reactions, or the diluted sample and the first reagent are stirred to perform these reactions. .. In the reaction container P6, the first reagent and the second reagent that are stirred together with the diluted sample are selected according to the inspection item to be performed on each sample.

The reaction container holding unit 6 as described above is configured to keep the temperature of the reaction container P6 constant at all times by a thermostat (not shown).

[Dilution stirrer 11]
The dilution stirring device 11 is arranged around the diluted sample holding unit 3. The dilution stirring device 11 has a stirring mechanism and a driving mechanism for driving the stirring mechanism. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a main part of the dilution stirring device in the automatic analyzer according to the embodiment, and is a diagram showing a stirring mechanism of the dilution stirring device. As shown in this figure, the stirring mechanism 11a of the dilution stirring device includes a stirring rod 11b held substantially vertically and a stirring bar 11c provided at the lower end of the stirring rod 11b. The stirring rod 11b is a rotary shaft that is rotated by a drive mechanism (not shown), and rotates the stirring bar 11c provided at the tip of the stirring rod 11b. The stirring rod 11b is movable in the vertical and horizontal directions by the drive mechanism. The shape of the stirrer 11c is not limited as long as it can stir the liquid, and is, for example, a propeller type or a screw type twisted plate member.

In such a stirring mechanism 11a, the stirring bar 11c is inserted into the dilution container P3, and the sample [S] and the diluting liquid [D] dispensed in the dilution container P3 are stirred and mixed. Stirring conditions by the stirring mechanism 11a, for example, the rotation speed of the stirring bar 11c, the stirring time of the sample [S] and the diluting liquid [D] by the stirring bar 11c, the movement of the stirring mechanism 11a in the dilution container P3, and the like are automatically analyzed. It is assumed that it is set in advance in the device 1.

[Dilution washing device 12]
Returning to FIG. 1, the dilution cleaning device 12 is arranged around the diluted sample holding unit 3. The dilution cleaning device 12 is a device for cleaning the dilution container P3 after the diluted sample is sucked by the diluted sample dispensing device 20b described below.

[First Reaction Stirrer 13 and Second Reaction Stirrer 14]
The first reaction stirrer 13 and the second reaction stirrer 14 are arranged around the reaction container holder 6. The first reaction stirring device 13 and the second reaction stirring device 14 stir the diluted sample and the first reagent or the second reagent in the reaction container P6 held by the reaction container holding part 6, and The reaction between the first reagent and the second reagent proceeds. The first reaction stirrer 13 and the second reaction stirrer 14 as described above may have the same configuration as the dilution stirrer 11.

[Measuring unit 15]
The measuring unit 15 is arranged so as to face the outer wall of the reaction container holding unit 6 around the reaction container holding unit 6. The measuring unit 15 is a multi-wavelength photometer that performs optical measurement on the diluted sample that has reacted with the first reagent and the second reagent corresponding to the test item in the reaction container P6, and measures the various components in the sample. The amount is output as the absorbance and the reaction state of the diluted sample is detected.

[Reaction container cleaning device 16]
The reaction container cleaning device 16 is arranged around the reaction container holding unit 6. The reaction container cleaning device 16 is a device for cleaning the inside of the reaction container P6 whose inspection has been completed.

[Sample Dispensing Device 20a]
The sample dispensing device 20 a includes a sample probe 21 a as a thin tubular dispensing probe 21, and is arranged around the sample holding unit 2 and the diluted sample holding unit 3. The sample dispensing apparatus 20a uses a drive mechanism (not shown) in accordance with a preset measurement program, and a tip of a sample probe 21a whose axial direction is kept vertical is held in the sample holding part 2 in the sample container P2. It is inserted inside and a predetermined amount of sample is sucked into the sample probe 21a. At this time, the sample holding unit 2 moves the sample container P2 held at the predetermined position of the sample holding unit 2 to a predetermined sample collection position according to a preset measurement program.

Further, in the sample dispensing apparatus 20a, the tip of the sample probe 21a is inserted into the dilution container P3 of the diluted sample holding unit 3, and the sample aspirated into the sample probe 21a and the portion supplied from the sample dispensing apparatus 20a itself. A fixed amount of diluting liquid (for example, physiological saline or pure water) is discharged into the diluting container P3. As a result, the sample is diluted to a predetermined multiple concentration in the dilution container P3.

[Diluted sample dispensing device 20b]
The diluted sample dispensing device 20b is one of the dispensing devices 20, and includes a diluted sample probe 21b as a thin tube-shaped dispensing probe 21, and is provided between the diluted sample holding part 3 and the reaction container holding part 6. It is arranged. In the diluted sample dispensing device 20b, according to a preset measurement program, the tip of the diluted sample probe 21b whose axial direction is kept vertical is placed in the diluted container P3 of the diluted sample holder 3 by a drive mechanism (not shown). A predetermined amount of diluted sample is aspirated from the tip of the diluted sample probe 21b that is inserted and filled with system water. Further, the diluted sample dispensing device 20b inserts the tip of the diluted sample probe 21b into the reaction container P6 of the reaction container holding unit 6, and discharges the diluted sample sucked into the diluted sample probe 21b into the reaction container P6. As a result, the diluted sample is dispensed from the dilution container P3 to the reaction container P6.

[First Reagent Dispensing Device 20c, Second Reagent Dispensing Device 20d]
The first reagent dispensing apparatus 20c and the second reagent dispensing apparatus 20d are one of the dispensing apparatuses 20 and have the same configuration as the other dispensing apparatuses, and include the reaction container holding unit 6 and the first dispensing apparatus. It is arranged between the reagent holding unit 4 and the second reagent holding unit 5. The first reagent dispensing apparatus 20c dispenses the first reagent from the first reagent container P4 of the first reagent holding unit 4 to the reaction container P6 according to a preset measurement program. The second reagent dispensing device 20d dispenses the second reagent from the second reagent container P5 of the second reagent holding unit 5 into the reaction container P6 according to a preset measurement program.

<Control unit 1b>
With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the control unit 1b is connected to the drive mechanism of each of the constituent elements of the above-described measuring unit 1a and the measuring unit 15. Such a control unit 1b includes a display unit 51, an input unit 52, a storage unit 53, an arithmetic processing unit 54, and a drive control unit 55 which are connected to each other. Of these, the storage unit 53, the arithmetic processing unit 54, and the drive control unit 55 are configured by a computer such as a microcomputer. The computer includes a storage unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and controls the operation of each unit in the automatic analyzer 1. The storage unit such as the ROM and the RAM may be the storage unit 53. Hereinafter, details of each component of the control unit 1b will be described.

[Display 51]
The display unit 51 displays the measurement result of the measuring unit 15 and also displays various setting information and various history information in the automatic analyzer 1. For the display unit 51, for example, a liquid crystal display device or the like is used.

[Input unit 52]
The input unit 52 receives inputs relating to various settings made by the operator of the automatic analyzer 1 and other inputs, and outputs an input signal to the drive control unit 55. As the input unit 52, for example, a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel provided on the display surface of the display unit 51, or the like is used. The input unit 52 also includes, for example, a barcode reader that reads the barcode of the sample container P2 held by the sample holding unit 2.

[Storage unit 53]
The storage unit 53 is composed of, for example, a large-capacity recording device such as an HDD (Hard disk drive) or a semiconductor memory. The storage unit 53 stores various programs executed by the drive control unit 55 described below, and various setting information for executing the programs. These pieces of information are information stored in the storage unit 53 in advance or stored in the storage unit 53 based on the input from the input unit 52.

The setting information among the information stored in the storage unit 53 includes a waiting time [Tho] for the diluted sample dispensing device 20b to dispense the diluted sample. The waiting time for dispensing [Tho] means the diluted sample dispensing device 20b after the stirring of the sample [S] and the diluting liquid [D] dispensed in the dilution container P3 by the dilution stirring device 11 is completed. The minimum time is set as the time until the suction of the diluted sample in the dilution container P3 is started.

FIG. 4 is a process chart for explaining the waiting time [Tho] for dispensing the diluted sample, and the waiting time [Tho] for dispensing will be described below with reference to FIG. In the measurement of biological components in the sample using the diluted sample, the stirring bar 11c of the stirring mechanism 11a is inserted into the dilution container P3 in which the sample [S] and the diluting liquid [D] are dispensed, and a predetermined rotation is performed. The sample [S] and the diluting liquid [D] having different specific gravities are stirred at a speed of rotation and stirred by the stirrer 11c [FIG. 4(A)]. After the predetermined stirring is completed, the stirrer 11c is pulled out from the dilution container P3 to complete the stirring [FIG. 4(B)]. Next, the diluted sample probe 21b is inserted into the dilution container P3, and the diluted sample [Sd] obtained by mixing the sample [S] and the diluent [D] by stirring in the dilution container P3 is supplied to the diluted sample probe 21b. Aspirate [FIG. 4(C)]. Then, the diluted sample [Sd] sucked into the sample probe 21a is dispensed into the reaction container P6 [FIG. 4(D)].

In the above procedure, even after the stirring bar 11c is pulled up from the dilution container P3 to end the stirring [FIG. 4(B)], the specimen [S] and the diluent [D] having different specific gravities in the dilution container P3 are obtained. The residual flow of and further promotes the mixing of the sample [S] and the diluent [D]. Therefore, after the stirring by the stirrer 11c is completed, the time until the mixing of the sample [S] and the diluting liquid [D] in the diluting container P3 progresses sufficiently to stabilize the mixed state Set as time [Tho]. To determine whether the mixed state has stabilized, a preliminary analysis was performed using a control sample with a known concentration of the substance to be measured, and based on the measurement results at that time, was the variation in the measured value within the allowable range? It will be decided depending on whether or not.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the elapsed time [T] after stirring and the measured value [M] after stirring the sample and the diluent under predetermined stirring conditions. As shown in this graph, the waiting time [Tho] is set at the time when the variation width [Mf] of the measured value [M] with the elapsed time [T] is within the range of the required measurement accuracy.

It should be noted that the timing of starting and ending the measurement of the elapsed time [T] after stirring shown in the graph should be a timing that is easy to detect from among the timings of the operations of the dilution stirring device 11 and the diluted sample dispensing device 20b. Just select it. Such an elapsed time [T] is measured, for example, as the time from the time when the lifting of the stirring bar 11c from the inside of the dilution container P3 is completed to the time when the insertion of the diluted sample probe 21b into the dilution container P3 is started. It Further, the elapsed time [T] is measured, for example, as the time from when the pulling up of the stirring bar 11c from the dilution container P3 is started to when the suction of the diluted sample [Sd] into the diluted sample probe 21b is started. May be.

Further, the waiting time [Tho] may be a value applied to the measurement cycle by this automatic analyzer. For example, if this automatic analyzer performs one measurement in a cycle of 2 seconds, it can be expressed as a waiting time [Tho], which is a half cycle of the actual time.

The waiting time [Tho] as described above is set for each type of the sample [S], the dilution condition of the sample [S], and the stirring condition. Of these, the dilution conditions include the ratio and total amount of the sample [S] and the diluent [S] to be dispensed in one dilution container. The stirring conditions include the rotation speed of the stirring bar 11c and the stirring time.

The waiting time [Tho] is also influenced by the shape of the stirring bar 11c of the dilution stirring device 11 and the shape of the dilution container P3. As for the diluting container P3, the deeper the container, the longer it takes for the mixing to proceed sufficiently after the stirring is completed and for the mixed state to stabilize, and thus the standby time [Tho] becomes longer. Therefore, the standby time [Tho] is set for each automatic analyzer 1. The stirring condition may also be a condition set for each automatic analyzer 1.

The storage unit 53 holds the waiting time [Tho] as the information associated with each factor of the dilution condition and the stirring condition as described above.

[Arithmetic processing unit 54]
Returning to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the arithmetic processing unit 54 determines the control by the drive control unit 55 based on the input from the input unit 52 and the information stored in the storage unit 53. In particular, the arithmetic processing unit 54 dispenses the diluted sample in the dilution container P3 into the reaction container P6 based on the input from the input unit 52 and the information stored in the storage unit 53. The determination for driving the diluted sample dispensing device 20b is performed. The determination of driving of the diluted sample dispensing device 20b by the arithmetic processing unit 54 will be described in detail in the next automatic analysis method.

[Drive control unit 55]
The drive control unit 55 controls the operation of the drive mechanism of each unit constituting the measurement unit 1a based on the signals from the input unit 52, the storage unit 53, and the arithmetic processing unit 54, and the sample container P2 of the sample holding unit 2 is controlled. The analysis of the sample [S] contained inside is performed. Such a drive control unit 55 includes a dispensing control unit 55a for controlling the drive of the diluted sample dispensing device 20b.

≪Automatic analysis method≫
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an automatic analysis method using the automatic analyzer 1 of the embodiment. Hereinafter, an automatic analysis method using the automatic analyzer 1 of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 described above in the order shown in the flowchart of FIG. In the automatic analysis method described with reference to these figures, the sample [S] dispensed in the dilution container P3 and the diluent [D] are stirred to form a diluted sample [Sd], and then the diluted sample [Sd ] Is a procedure applied to the dispensing process when dispensing [] into the reaction container P6.

This procedure is executed as follows by the CPU configuring the arithmetic processing unit 54 and the drive control unit 55 described with reference to FIG. 2 executing the program stored in the storage unit 53.

<Step S101>
In step S101, the arithmetic processing unit 54 determines whether or not a measurement instruction is given by the input from the input unit 52.
At this time, the arithmetic processing unit 54 determines that there is a measurement instruction (YES) when the measurement item and the measurement condition are input by the input from the input unit 52. The measurement item includes information about the type of sample. The measurement conditions include the dilution conditions for each measurement item, that is, the ratio and total amount of the sample [S] and the diluent [S] to be dispensed in one dilution container.

The arithmetic processing unit 54 waits until the above measurement instruction is input by the input from the input unit 52, and if it is determined that there is a measurement instruction (YES), the next step 102 is performed. Proceed to.

<Step S102>
In step S102, the drive control unit 55 drives the sample dispensing device 20a to dispense the sample [S] and the diluting liquid [D] into the dilution container P3 of the diluted sample holding unit 3. At this time, the sample dispensing apparatus 20a sucks the sample [S] in the sample container P2 held in the sample holding unit 2 based on the dilution condition input from the input unit 52, and causes the diluted sample holding unit 3 to suck the sample [S]. A predetermined amount of the sample [S] and the diluting solution [D] are dispensed into the retained dilution container P3.

<Step S103>
In step S103, the drive control unit 55 drives the dilution stirring device 11 to stir the sample [S] and the diluting liquid [D] dispensed in the dilution container P3. At this time, the diluting stirring device 11 stirs the sample [S] and the diluting liquid [D] in the diluting container P3 according to a preset program, and after the stirring is completed, the stir bar 11c is moved to the diluting container P3. Pull up from.

<Step S104>
In step S104, the arithmetic processing unit 54 determines whether or not the waiting time [Tho] has elapsed after the stirring in step S103 is completed. At this time, the arithmetic processing unit 54 refers to the information regarding the waiting time [Tho] stored in the storage unit 53, and the waiting time [Tho] that conforms to the type and dilution condition of the sample input from the input unit 52. Select. And, it is the timing of the preset operation of the dilution stirring device 11, that is, the timing when determining the standby time [Tho], for example, when the pulling up of the stirring bar 11c is completed or the pulling up of the stirring bar 11c is started. The elapsed time [T] from the time point is compared with the selected waiting time [Tho]. Then, when the elapsed time [T] reaches the standby time [Tho], it is determined that the standby time [Tho] has elapsed (YES), and the process proceeds to the next step S105.

<Step S105>
In step S105, the arithmetic processing unit 54 determines whether or not the reaction container P6 to which the diluted sample [Sd] in the dilution container P3 is to be dispensed has been confirmed. At this time, the arithmetic processing unit 54 may wash the reaction container P6 based on the measurement result of the empty (blank state) reaction container P6 by the measuring unit 15, and there is no scratch that hinders the measurement. When it is confirmed, it is determined that it has been confirmed (YES), and the process proceeds to the next step S106. On the other hand, when it is determined that the reaction container is not confirmed (NO), the same judgment is performed for another reaction container P6 held in the reaction container holding unit 6, and it is confirmed (YES). ) Is repeated, the measurement and determination for another reaction container P is repeated. In addition, this step S105 may be implemented prior to step S104.

<Step S106>
In step S106, the dispensing control unit 55a of the drive control unit 55 drives the diluted sample dispensing device 20b and confirms in step S105 the diluted sample [Sd] in the dilution container P3 that has reached the waiting time [Tho]. The diluted sample [Sd] is dispensed into the reaction container P6 determined to be completed. As described above, the series of procedures of the dispensing process of the diluted sample [Sd] related to the analysis of the sample [S] is completed.

Further, after the above, the first reagent is dispensed from the first reagent container P4 of the first reagent holding unit 4 to the reaction container P6 in the reaction container P6 in which the diluted sample [Sd] is dispensed, and the first reaction is performed. The diluted sample [Sd] and the first reagent are stirred by the stirring device 13. Furthermore, the second reagent is dispensed from the second reagent container P5 to the reaction container P6 in the reaction container P6, and the diluted reaction sample [Sd] and the second reagent are stirred by the second reaction stirring device 14. After that, after a lapse of a predetermined reaction time, measurement by the measuring unit 15 is performed, and the series of procedures of the analysis process is ended.

<<Effect of Embodiment>>
According to the embodiment described above, after the sample [S] and the diluent [D] are stirred in the dilution container P3, the standby for stopping the dispensing of the diluted sample [Sd] from the dilution container P3 to the reaction container P6. By providing the time [Tho], the diluted sample [Sd] in which the sample [S] and the diluent [D] are sufficiently mixed in the dilution container P3 and the mixed state is stabilized is distributed to the reaction container P6. It becomes possible to order. As a result, it is possible to prevent the variation in the mixed state of the sample [S] and the diluent [D] from affecting the measurement by the measuring unit 15 performed thereafter, and improve the analysis accuracy of the automatic analyzer 1. It becomes possible to plan. Further, a waiting time [Tho] is provided after the stirring is completed, and the sample [S] and the diluting liquid [D] are advanced using the residual flow due to the stirring, so that the stirring time by the dilution stirring device 11 can be shortened. it can. As a result, the efficiency of stirring by the dilution stirring device 11 can be improved, and the efficiency of analysis by the automatic analyzer 1 can be improved.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Automatic analyzer 3... Diluted sample holding part 6... Reaction container holding part 11... Diluting stirring device 15... Measuring part 20b... Diluted sample dispensing device 52... Input part 53... Storage part 54... Arithmetic processing part P3... Diluting container P6... Reaction container [D]... Diluent [S]... Specimen [T]... Elapsed time [Tho]... Standby time

Claims (8)

A diluted sample holding unit that holds a dilution container in which a sample to be analyzed and a diluent are dispensed,
A dilution stirring device that stirs the sample and the diluent in the dilution container held in the diluted sample holder,
A reaction container holding unit for holding a plurality of reaction containers,
A dispensing device that dispenses a diluted sample obtained by stirring and mixing the sample and the diluent into the reaction container from the dilution container,
An input unit for inputting the sample type and the dilution conditions,
The waiting time set between the end of the stirring of the sample and the diluting liquid by the dilution stirring device and the start of the dispensing by the dispensing device is used as information associated with the type of the sample and the dilution condition. A storage unit to hold,
The waiting time stored in the storage unit is selected based on the sample type and the dilution condition input from the input unit, and the elapsed time from the time when the stirring by the dilution stirring device is finished is the selected waiting time. And an arithmetic processing unit for permitting the start of the dispensing by the dispensing device when the automatic analyzer reaches. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the dilution condition includes a ratio of the sample and the diluent to be dispensed into the dilution container and a total amount of the sample and the diluent. The waiting time is set to a time at which a mixed state of the sample and the diluent in the dilution container is stabilized after the stirring of the sample and the diluent by the dilution stirring device is completed. The automatic analyzer described in 1. A measurement unit for performing optical measurement of the diluted specimen reacted with the reagent in the reaction container,
The standby time is set based on a measurement value measured by the measuring unit in performing a preliminary analysis for each dilution condition using a standard sample whose concentration of an analysis component is known. The automatic analyzer according to any one of items. The standby time is set at a time point when the variation of the measured value with the passage of time from the time when the stirring by the diluting stirrer is completed becomes an allowable range in the execution of the preliminary analysis. Automatic analyzer. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the waiting time is set for each shape of the dilution container. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the waiting time is set for each stirring condition of the dilution stirring device. A diluted sample holding unit that holds a dilution container in which a sample to be analyzed and a diluent are dispensed,
A dilution stirring device that stirs the sample and the diluent in the dilution container held in the diluted sample holder,
A reaction container holding unit for holding a plurality of reaction containers,
A dispensing device that dispenses a diluted sample obtained by stirring and mixing the sample and the diluent into the reaction container from the dilution container,
An automatic analysis method using an automatic analyzer having an input unit for inputting the type of the sample and the dilution conditions,
The waiting time set between the end of the stirring of the sample and the diluting liquid by the dilution stirring device and the start of the dispensing by the dispensing device is used as information associated with the type of the sample and the dilution condition. Hold in the memory,
The waiting time stored in the storage unit is selected based on the sample type and the dilution condition input from the input unit, and the elapsed time from the time when the stirring by the dilution stirring device is finished is the selected waiting time. The automatic analysis method in which the arithmetic processing unit permits the start of the dispensing by the dispensing device when the temperature reaches the predetermined value.

Images