JP2021165652A - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an automatic analyzer for accurately dispensing a liquid.SOLUTION: An automatic analyzer for dispensing a sample and a reagent into a reaction vessel 3 and analyzing the mixed liquid includes a dispensation probe 15 and a direction change part 75. The dispensation probe 15 sucks the sample or the reagent and discharges it into the reaction vessel. The direction change part 75 applies forces 78a and 78b for changing a movement direction to the sample or reagent to be discharged from the dispensation probe 15, so as to allow the discharged sample or reagent to abut on an inner wall of the reaction vessel 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The embodiments disclosed in this specification and drawings relate to an automatic analyzer.

The automatic analyzer is a device that measures components contained in a liquid such as blood or urine collected from a subject. The automatic analyzer dispenses the collected liquid (sample) and the reagent for detecting the components of the liquid into the reaction vessel, mixes and reacts them, and optically measures the mixed solution. The automatic analyzer generates analytical data regarding the concentration and activity of the test item component contained in the sample by measuring the mixed solution.

The automated analyzer has a dispensing probe that automatically dispenses samples and reagents into the reaction vessel. When a liquid such as a reagent is dispensed into a reaction vessel, if the liquid discharged from the dispensing probe hits the bottom of the reaction vessel, the liquid may scatter and adhere to the inner wall of the reaction vessel. For example, when the liquid discharged from the dispensing probe is scattered above the liquid level of the liquid after dispensing, the amount of liquid used for the reaction is less than the amount set by the automatic analyzer. In this case, the concentration of the mixture in the reaction vessel may differ from the conditions preset by the automatic analyzer, and accurate measurement results may not be collected. In addition, bubbles may be generated in the liquid discharged from the dispensing probe to the reaction vessel. In this case, in addition to changing the reaction conditions as described above, the presence of bubbles may affect the optical measurement.

Conventionally, there has been known an automatic analyzer in which the tip of a dispensing probe is bent so that when a liquid is discharged from a dispensing probe into a reaction vessel, the discharged liquid hits the inner wall of the reaction vessel.

However, when the tip of the dispensing probe is bent, the bent portion to the tip is inserted into the reaction vessel, so that the width of the insertion portion into the reaction vessel becomes wider than that of the conventional one. Therefore, the mechanical control when inserting the tip of the dispensing probe into the reaction vessel becomes complicated. Further, in the cleaning of the dispensing probe, since the liquid tends to remain in the bent portion, it takes time and effort to perform sufficient cleaning as compared with the conventional dispensing probe.

Further, there is known an automatic analyzer that tilts the reaction vessel so that the discharged liquid hits the inner wall of the reaction vessel. In this case, the mechanical configuration for tilting and returning the reaction vessel becomes complicated.

Therefore, there is a demand for an automatic analyzer that can dispense a liquid with a simpler configuration and with high accuracy.

JP-A-2014-411144

One of the problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in the present specification and drawings is to provide an automatic analyzer capable of accurately dispensing a liquid.

However, the problems solved by the embodiments disclosed in the present specification and the drawings are not limited to the above problems. It is also possible to position the problem corresponding to each effect of each configuration shown in the embodiment described later as another problem.

The automatic analyzer according to the embodiment is an automatic analyzer that dispenses a sample and a reagent into a reaction vessel and analyzes a mixed solution thereof, and has a dispensing probe and a direction changing unit. The dispensing probe sucks the sample or reagent and discharges it into the reaction vessel. The direction changing unit applies a force to change the moving direction of the sample or reagent discharged from the dispensing probe.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the analysis unit. FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of the second reagent dispensing section of the analysis section. 4 (a) is a sectional view taken along line IVa-IVa of FIG. 3, and FIG. 4 (b) is a sectional view taken along line IVb-IVb of FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration example of the analysis control unit. FIG. 6 (a) is a schematic diagram illustrating a first method of changing the liquid discharge direction by the direction changing portion, and FIG. 6 (b) describes a second method of changing the liquid discharge direction by the direction changing portion. Schematic diagram. FIG. 7 (a) is a schematic view illustrating the case where the incident angle of the liquid discharged from the dispensing probe is maximum, and FIG. 7 (b) shows the incident angle of the liquid discharged from the dispensing probe being the minimum. FIG. 7 (c) is a schematic view illustrating the optimum incident angle of the liquid discharged from the dispensing probe.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the automatic analyzer will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an automatic analyzer 100 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic analyzer 100 includes an analysis unit 24, an analysis control unit 25, a data processing unit 30, an output unit 40, an operation unit 50, and a system control unit 60.

The analysis unit 24 dispenses the standard sample of each test item, the sample such as the test sample collected from the test sample, and the reagent used for the analysis of each test item, measures the mixed solution, and measures the standard data or the standard data. Generate test data.

The analysis control unit 25 drives each unit of the analysis unit 24 to control operations such as dispensing operation, measurement operation, and cleaning operation.

The data processing unit 30 has a calculation unit 31 and a data storage unit 32, and processes the standard data and the test data generated by the analysis unit 24 to generate the calibration data and the analysis data.

The calculation unit 31 processes the standard data and the test data output from the analysis unit 24 to generate the calibration data and the analysis data of each inspection item. From the standard data output from the analysis unit 24 and the standard value preset for the standard sample of this standard data, the calculation unit 31 generates calibration data representing the relationship between the standard value and the standard data for each inspection item. do. Further, the calculation unit 31 outputs the generated calibration data to the output unit 40 and stores it in the data storage unit 32.

Further, the calculation unit 31 reads out the calibration data of the inspection items corresponding to the inspection data output from the analysis unit 24 from the data storage unit 32. Then, the calculation unit 31 generates analysis data represented by a density value or an activity value from the test data output from the photometric unit 13 using the read calibration data. Further, the calculation unit 31 outputs the generated analysis data to the output unit 40 and stores it in the data storage unit 32.

The data storage unit 32 has a configuration including a recording medium that can be read by a processor, such as a magnetic or optical recording medium or a semiconductor memory. The data storage unit 32 stores standard data and analysis data generated by the calculation unit 31. Further, the data storage unit 32 stores the calibration data output from the calculation unit 31 for each inspection item. Further, the data storage unit 32 stores the analysis data of each inspection item output from the calculation unit 31 for each test sample.

The output unit 40 has a printing unit 41 and a display unit 42, and prints out or displays the calibration data and analysis data generated by the data processing unit 30.

The printing unit 41 prints out the calibration data and the analysis data output from the calculation unit 31 of the data processing unit 30. The printing unit 41 includes, for example, a printer, and prints calibration data and analysis data output from the calculation unit 31 on printer paper or the like according to a preset format.

The display unit 42 includes a display device such as a CRT or a liquid crystal panel, and displays calibration data and analysis data output from the calculation unit 31. In addition, the display unit 42 displays setting screens such as an analysis parameter setting screen, a reagent information setting screen, and a cleaning condition setting screen. The analysis parameter setting screen is an analysis parameter setting screen for inspection items that can be analyzed by the automatic analyzer 100. The analysis parameters include, for example, various set values related to the analysis of inspection items such as the amount of sample and reagent to be discharged into the reaction vessel 3 and the suction position to suck the sample in the sample vessel 17. Further, the reagent information setting screen is a setting screen for reagent information used for analysis of test items set on the analysis parameter setting screen. The cleaning condition setting screen is a cleaning condition setting screen of the analysis unit that comes into contact with the sample or reagent of the analysis unit 24.

The operation unit 50 is a general such as a trackball, a switch, a button, a mouse, a keyboard, a touch pad that performs an input operation by touching an operation surface, a non-contact input circuit using an optical sensor, a voice input circuit, and the like. Has an input device. The operation unit 50 receives an input operation for setting analysis parameters, reagent information, cleaning conditions, etc. for each inspection item by the user, and outputs the input operation to the system control unit 60.

The system control unit 60 has a processor and a storage circuit, and controls the analysis control unit 25, the data processing unit 30, and the output unit 40 in an integrated manner. The system control unit 60 stores input information such as analysis parameters, reagent information, and cleaning conditions of each test item input by the setting operation from the operation unit 50 in the storage circuit. Further, based on these input information, the analysis control unit 25, the data processing unit 30, and the output unit 40 are integrated to control the entire system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the analysis unit 24. In FIG. 2, an analysis unit 24 that analyzes a sample using two reagent systems will be described as an example. In the following description, the two reagent systems will be referred to as one reagent system and two reagent systems, respectively. Further, the one-reagent-based reagent is referred to as the first reagent, and the two-reagent-based reagent is referred to as the second reagent.

As shown in FIG. 2, the analysis unit 24 has a reagent storage 1, a reagent storage 2, a reaction disk 4, and a sample disk 5.

The reagent storage 1 has a plurality of reagent containers 6 for accommodating the first reagent of one reagent system. The reagent storage 1 is housed in a reagent rack 1a that rotatably holds the reagent storage 1.

Similarly, the reagent storage 2 has a plurality of reagent containers 7 for accommodating the second reagent of the two-reagent system. The reagent storage 2 is housed in a reagent rack 2a that rotatably holds the reagent storage 2.

The reaction disk 4 rotatably holds a plurality (n) of reaction vessels 3 arranged on the circumference. The reaction vessel 3 is housed in the constant temperature bath 11 while being held by the reaction disk 4. The constant temperature bath 11 contains water having a constant temperature suitable for the reaction of the mixed solution in the reaction vessel 3. The reaction vessel 3 rotates on the circumference of the reaction disk 4 by the rotation of the reaction disk 4 according to the analysis cycle in a state of being immersed in the hot water stored in the constant temperature bath 11.

The sample disk 5 holds a plurality of sample containers 17 for accommodating samples such as a standard sample and a test sample.

Hereinafter, each configuration of the analysis unit 24 will be described along with an example of the operation of the automatic analyzer from the dispensing of the sample and the reagent to the optical measurement of the mixed solution.

First, the sample is dispensed into the reaction vessel 3. The sample in the sample container 17 is sucked by the sample dispensing probe 16 and discharged to the reaction container 3 held by the reaction disk 4. The sample dispensing probe 16 is held by the sample dispensing arm 10. The sample dispensing arm 10 is an arm that rotates and moves the sample dispensing probe 16 up and down. The sample dispensing probe 16 is connected to the sample dispensing pump 16a that sucks and discharges the sample. Further, the sample detector 16b for detecting the liquid level of the sample in the sample container 17 detects a liquid level layer of, for example, about 1 to 2 mm from the liquid level of the sample.

After the sample is dispensed into the reaction vessel 3, the sample dispensing arm 10 moves the sample dispensing probe 16 to the sample probe washing tank for washing.

Next, the first reagent is dispensed into the reaction vessel 3. The first reagent in the reagent container 6 is sucked into the first reagent dispensing probe 14 and discharged to the reaction container 3. The first reagent is discharged into the reaction vessel 3 at the position of the first reagent dispensing section 28, for example. The first reagent dispensing probe 14 is held by the first reagent dispensing arm 8. The first reagent dispensing arm 8 is an arm that rotates and moves the first reagent dispensing probe 14 up and down. For example, the first reagent dispensing arm 8 rotates from the suction position of the reagent container 6 in the direction of arrow a about the arm rotation axis 14c, and the first reagent is placed in the reaction vessel 3 at the position of the first reagent dispensing section 28. Is discharged. The first reagent dispensing section 28 is a reagent discharge position of the first reagent dispensing probe 14.

The first reagent dispensing probe 14 is connected to the first reagent dispensing pump 14a that sucks and discharges the first reagent. The first reagent dispensing arm 8 dispenses the first reagent into the reaction vessel 3, and then moves the first reagent dispensing probe 14 to the first reagent probe washing tank for washing.

The mixed solution of the sample and the first reagent in the reaction vessel 3 is stirred by the first stirrer 18. The first stirrer 18 is held by the first stirrer arm 20. The first stirrer arm 20 holds the first stirrer 18 so that it can rotate and move up and down. The first stirring arm 20 moves the first stirrer 18 to the washing tank 18a and cleans each time the stirring of the mixed liquid is completed.

Next, the second reagent is dispensed into the reaction vessel 3. The second reagent in the reagent container 7 is sucked into the second reagent dispensing probe 15 and discharged to the reaction container 3. The second reagent is discharged into the reaction vessel 3 at the position of the second reagent dispensing section 29, for example. The second reagent dispensing probe 15 is held by the second reagent dispensing arm 9. The second reagent dispensing arm 9 is an arm that rotates and moves the second reagent dispensing probe 15 up and down. For example, the second reagent dispensing arm 9 rotates from the suction position of the reagent container 7 in the direction of arrow a about the arm rotation axis 15c, and the second reagent is placed in the reaction vessel 3 at the position of the second reagent dispensing section 29. Is discharged. The second reagent dispensing unit 29 is a reagent discharge position of the second reagent dispensing probe 15.

The second reagent dispensing probe 15 is connected to the second reagent dispensing pump 15a that sucks and discharges the second reagent. The second reagent dispensing arm 9 dispenses the second reagent into the reaction vessel 3, and then moves the second reagent dispensing probe 15 to the second reagent probe washing tank for washing.

The mixture of the sample, the first reagent, and the second reagent in the reaction vessel 3 is stirred by the second stirrer 19. The second stirrer 19 is held by the second stirrer arm 21. The second stirring arm 21 holds the second stirring bar 19 so as to be rotatable and vertically movable. The second stirring arm 21 moves the second stirrer 19 to the washing tank 19a and cleans each time the stirring of the mixed liquid is completed.

Next, the photometric unit 13 irradiates the mixed liquid in the reaction vessel 3 with light to perform optical measurement. The photometric unit 13 irradiates the reaction vessel 3 which rotates and crosses the optical path with light, and detects the light transmitted through the mixed solution in the reaction vessel 3 for each wavelength of the inspection item. Then, based on the detected detection signal, for example, standard data or test data represented by absorbance data is generated, and the generated standard data or test data is output to the data processing unit 30. The optical measurement by the photometric unit 13 is performed every analysis cycle, and the measurement is performed a predetermined number of times and at a predetermined time interval with respect to the mixed solution in the same reaction vessel 3.

When the measurement by the photometric unit 13 is completed, the reaction vessel cleaning unit 12 cleans the inside of the reaction vessel 3. The reaction vessel cleaning unit 12 cleans the reaction vessel 3 with washing water or detergent.

The above is the rough operation of the automatic analyzer 100 from the dispensing of the sample and the reagent to the optical measurement of the mixed solution. In FIG. 2, the case where the sample, the first reagent, and the second reagent are mixed in this order has been described as an example, but the mixing order of the liquids is not limited to the above-mentioned order, and may be set by the user or the type of inspection. It is set accordingly.

Next, the configurations of the mechanism unit 26 and the control unit 27 of the analysis control unit 25 shown in FIG. 2 will be described in detail.

The mechanism unit 26 has a mechanism for driving each unit of the analysis unit 24. That is, the mechanism unit 26 includes a mechanism for rotating the sample disk 5, the reagent rack 1a, and the reagent rack 2a, and a mechanism for rotating the reaction disk 4. Further, the sample dispensing arm 10, the first reagent dispensing arm 8, the second reagent dispensing arm 9, the first stirring arm 20, and the second stirring arm 21 are each provided with a mechanism for rotating and moving up and down. Further, it is provided with a mechanism for moving the reaction vessel cleaning unit 12 up and down. Further, it is provided with a mechanism for sucking and discharging the sample dispensing pump 16a and a mechanism for driving each cleaning unit.

The control unit 27 includes a processor and a memory, and controls each mechanism of the mechanism unit 26 to operate each unit of the analysis unit 24. The processor of the control unit 27 includes the sample disk 5, the reagent rack 1a, the reagent rack 2a, the reaction disk 4, the sample dispensing arm 10, the first reagent dispensing arm 8, the second reagent dispensing arm 9, and the second reagent of the analysis unit 24. 1 Each unit such as the stirring arm 20, the second stirring arm 21, the reaction vessel cleaning unit 12, the sample dispensing pump 16a, and each cleaning unit are operated for each analysis cycle.

Then, the control unit 27 controls the rotational drive of each arm. For example, the control unit 27 moves the sample dispensing probe 16 at the height of top dead center by a rotating mechanism that rotationally drives the sample dispensing arm 10, and moves the sample dispensing probe 16 above the sample disk 5, the reaction disk 4, and the washing tank. The sample dispensing probe 16 is stopped at each upper stop position located at. Further, the control unit 27 supplies a downward movement drive pulse to the vertical mechanism that drives the sample dispensing arm 10 up and down to move the sample dispensing probe 16 downward from each upper stop position. Then, the control unit 27 stops at a suction position where the sample can be sucked in the sample container 17 held by the sample disk 5. Further, the control unit 27 stops the sample in the reaction vessel 3 at a discharge position where the discharge can be discharged. Further, the control unit 27 stops the sample dispensing probe 16 at a cleaning position in the sample probe cleaning tank where cleaning is possible.

Further, the control unit 27 determines a force for changing the moving direction of the liquid discharged from each reagent dispensing probe. The force for changing the moving direction is applied through the direction changing portion provided at the position where the liquid is discharged from the dispensing probe. The force that changes the moving direction of the liquid discharged from the dispensing probe is, for example, an electromagnetic force. The force for changing the moving direction of the liquid will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5 described later.

The above is the description of the configuration of the analysis unit 24. Hereinafter, the direction changing section 75 provided in the reagent dispensing section of the analysis section 24 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7.

FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of the second reagent dispensing unit 29 of the analysis unit 24. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the second reagent dispensing arm 9 is moving the second reagent dispensing probe 15 that has sucked the second reagent from the reagent container 7 to the second reagent dispensing section 29. .. The second reagent dispensing arm 9 moves in the direction of the arrow a and moves above the reaction vessel 3 which is the discharge destination of the second reagent.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the second reagent dispensing section 29, a guide 70 is provided so as to cover the upper part of the reaction disk 4. The guide 70 is provided, for example, on a movement locus in which the second reagent dispensing arm 9 moves.

The guide 70 has a bottom portion 72, a wall portion 73, and an opening portion 71. The bottom portion 72 is provided so as to cover the opening of the reaction vessel 3 held by the reaction disc 4. The bottom portion 72 of the guide 70 is provided so as to cover the opening of the reaction vessel 3 other than the reaction vessel 3 which is the discharge destination, and has a role of preventing contamination at the time of discharge, for example.

Further, wall portions 73 are provided along the longitudinal edge of the bottom portion 72 of the guide 70. Further, an opening 71 is provided in a part of the bottom portion 72. For example, the second reagent is discharged from the second reagent dispensing probe 15 into the reaction vessel 3 at the timing when the opening 71 of the guide 70 and the opening of the reaction vessel 3 coincide with each other. As described above, the reaction vessel 3 serving as the discharge destination of the second reagent is the reaction vessel 3 located directly below the opening 71 of the guide 70.

The second reagent dispensing unit 29 has a direction changing unit 75 that applies a force for changing the moving direction with respect to the liquid discharged from the second reagent dispensing probe 15.

The direction changing portion 75 is included in the wall portion 73 of the guide 70, for example. Further, it may be provided inside the reaction disk 4 under the bottom portion 72 of the guide 70 or on the wall of the constant temperature bath 11.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the installation position of the direction changing portion 75 in the second reagent dispensing portion 29.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IVa-IVa of FIG. FIG. 4A shows an example in which the direction changing portion 75 is provided inside the reaction disk 4 located below the guide 70 or on the inner wall of the constant temperature bath 11.

FIG. 4A shows an example in which the direction changing portion 75a is provided on the reaction disk 4 located below the bottom portion 72 of the guide 70. In FIG. 4A, the direction changing portion 75a is shown to be included in the reaction disk 4, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the direction changing portion 75a may be provided on the surface of the reaction disk 4 facing the surface where the bottom portion 72 of the guide 70 and the reaction disk 4 are in contact with each other.

Further, the direction changing portion 75b may be provided between the wall of the constant temperature bath 11 and the outer wall of the reaction vessel 3. The vertical mounting position of the direction changing portion 75b is not limited as long as it is between the wall of the constant temperature bath 11 and the outer wall of the reaction vessel 3.

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IVb-IVb of FIG. FIG. 4B shows an example in which the direction changing portion 75 is included in the wall portion 73 of the guide 70.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the left and right wall portions 73 of the guide 70 are provided with a direction changing portion 75c and a direction changing portion 75d, respectively.

In this way, the direction changing portion 75 affects the rotation mechanism of the reaction disk 4 that rotatably holds the reaction vessel 3, the dispensing probe, and the moving mechanism of the dispensing arm, such as the inside of the guide 70 and the inside of the constant temperature bath 11. Is provided at a position that does not give. That is, the direction changing portion 75 is arranged at an arbitrary position between the horizontal plane at the bottom of the dispensing probe and the horizontal plane at the bottom of the reaction vessel 3.

Further, the direction changing portion 75 is provided at at least one of the positions shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b). The direction changing portions 75 may be provided at a plurality of positions. For example, when two direction changing portions 75 are provided, the force for changing the direction of the liquid discharged from the dispensing probe can be given directivity.

Although the second reagent dispensing section 29 has been described as an example in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first reagent dispensing section 28 also has the same configuration. That is, the automatic analyzer 100 has a direction changing unit 75 in both the first reagent dispensing unit 28 and the second reagent dispensing unit 29.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration example of the analysis control unit 25.

As shown in FIG. 5, the processing circuit 271 of the control unit 27 included in the analysis control unit 25 realizes the electromagnetic force determination function 272. The electromagnetic force determination function 272 is realized by the processor of the processing circuit 271 executing a program stored in the storage circuit 275.

The storage circuit 275 included in the analysis control unit 25 stores reagent information 276 and test information 277.

Reagent information 276 includes information such as the name, type, properties, concentration, and quality of reagents used for analysis of test items. Reagent information 276 also includes information on the chemical or physical properties of the reagent, such as reagent viscosity, hardness, foaming properties, ph, compound composition, and concentration of magnetic particles in the reagent.

The inspection information 277 includes analysis parameters for each inspection item. Analytical parameters include various parameters in the analysis such as reagent dispensing amount, suction position, dispensing position, and dispensing rate.

The electromagnetic force determining function 272 has a function of determining a force for changing the moving direction of the liquid discharged from the dispensing probe. The force that changes the moving direction is, for example, an electromagnetic force. In the following description, the force that changes the moving direction of the liquid discharged from the dispensing probe is referred to as "electromagnetic force".

The electromagnetic force determining function 272 determines the conditions for generating the electromagnetic force in the direction changing unit 75, such as the magnitude of the electromagnetic force, the timing of generating the electromagnetic force, the time for generating the electromagnetic force, and the direction in which the electromagnetic force is generated.

Further, the electromagnetic force determination function 272 determines the conditions for generating the electromagnetic force based on various information included in the reagent information 276 and the test information 277. More specifically, the electromagnetic force determination function 272 includes information such as the magnitude and generation timing of the electromagnetic force based on information such as the properties of the liquid discharged from the dispensing probe, the dispensing amount, the dispensing speed, and the dispensing position. Determine the conditions under which.

For example, the electromagnetic force determination function 272 generates an electric field in the direction changing unit 75 when the liquid discharged from the dispensing probe has polarity, and changes the moving direction of the liquid discharged from the dispensing probe by electrostatic force. Decide to do. In this case, the electromagnetic force determination function 272 determines the generation conditions such as the size of the electric field generated in the direction changing unit 75 and the generation timing of the electric field based on the reagent information 276 and the inspection information 277. Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the second reagent dispensing section 29 has two direction changing sections 75 (direction changing section 75c, direction changing section 75d), the electromagnetic force determining function 272 determines the direction of the electric field. It may be possible to determine the direction in which the direction of the liquid discharged from the dispensing probe is changed by determining. Further, the electromagnetic force determination function 272 may determine the direction of the electric field according to the polarity of the liquid discharged from the dispensing probe.

The electromagnetic force determined by the electromagnetic force determination function 272 is not limited to the electrostatic force generated by the electric field. For example, the electromagnetic force determination function 272 generates a magnetic field in the direction changing portion 75 to change the direction of the liquid discharged from the dispensing probe by magnetic force when the liquid discharged from the dispensing probe contains magnetic particles. May be determined. In this case, the electromagnetic force determination function 272 determines the generation conditions such as the magnitude of the magnetic field generated in the direction changing unit 75 and the generation timing of the magnetic field. Further, the electromagnetic force determination function 272 may determine the direction of the magnetic field generated by the direction changing unit 75.

The analysis unit 24 has a direction changing unit 75. The direction changing unit 75 applies an electromagnetic force to the liquid discharged from the dispensing probe based on the electromagnetic force generation conditions determined by the electromagnetic force determining function 272. Further, the direction changing unit 75 applies an electromagnetic force at a timing when the liquid discharged from the dispensing probe reaches a position where the moving direction of the liquid is changed.

The direction changing unit 75 has, for example, a power source and electrodes for generating an electric field. Further, the direction changing unit 75 has a power source and an electromagnet for generating a magnetic field.

Hereinafter, a method of changing the direction of the liquid discharged from the dispensing probe by the direction changing unit 75 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6A is a schematic view illustrating a first method of changing the discharge direction of the liquid by the direction changing unit 75.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the second reagent dispensing probe 15 discharges the liquid in the discharge direction 76 which is the vertical downward direction. The direction changing unit 75 applies an electromagnetic force to the liquid discharged from the second reagent dispensing probe 15 in the direction of arrow 78a. The liquid discharged from the second reagent dispensing probe 15 is attracted to the direction changing portion 75 by the electromagnetic force. For example, when the liquid discharged from the dispensing probe contains water, the polarity of the water attracts the liquid discharged from the dispensing probe to the direction changing portion 75 generating an electric field.

In this way, the direction changing unit 75 changes the angle of incidence θa of the liquid discharged from the second reagent dispensing probe 15 on the reaction vessel 3. The incident angle θa is an angle formed by the liquid discharge direction 76 and the incident direction 77a with the intersection Pa at which the liquid discharge direction 76 and the arrow 78a indicating the direction of the electromagnetic force intersect. The incident direction 77a is a straight line connecting the intersection Pa and the liquid landing point Qa, which is the position where the liquid discharged from the second reagent dispensing probe 15 hits the inner wall of the reaction vessel 3. The locus of the liquid whose direction has been changed by the direction changing unit 75 is not limited to the straight line connecting the intersection Pa and the landing point Qa, and may be a parabola.

The liquid whose incident direction has been changed by the direction changing portion 75 hits the landing point Qa on the inner wall of the reaction vessel 3, and then flows down along the inner wall of the reaction vessel 3 in the direction of arrow D. In this way, the direction changing unit 75 changes the incident direction of the liquid discharged from the dispensing probe with respect to the reaction vessel 3 so that the liquid does not hit the bottom of the reaction vessel 3, so that the liquid is scattered or foamed. Can be prevented.

FIG. 6A shows an example in which the direction changing unit 75 generates an electromagnetic force in a direction perpendicular to the liquid discharge direction 76, but the electromagnetic force generation direction is a direction perpendicular to the discharge direction 76. Not limited to. Further, although FIG. 6A shows an example in which the electromagnetic force is applied to the liquid outside the reaction vessel 3, the electromagnetic force may be applied to the liquid inside the reaction vessel 3.

FIG. 6B is a schematic view illustrating a second method of changing the discharge direction of the liquid by the direction changing unit 75. As shown in FIG. 6B, the direction changing unit 75 generates an electromagnetic force in the direction of arrow 78b. In this case, the angle formed by the liquid discharge direction 76 and the arrow 78b is an acute angle. Further, in the example of FIG. 6B, an electromagnetic force is applied to the liquid discharged from the second reagent dispensing probe 15 inside the reaction vessel 3. When an electromagnetic force is applied inside the reaction vessel 3, the incident angle θb of the liquid changes as in the case of FIG. 6A, and the liquid moves from the landing point Qb on the inner wall of the reaction vessel 3 to the reaction vessel 3. It enters the reaction vessel 3 along the inner wall. As described above, the position where the electromagnetic force is applied to the liquid discharged from the dispensing probe is an arbitrary position from the tip (discharge port) of the dispensing probe to the bottom of the reaction vessel 3.

Note that FIG. 6B shows an example in which the direction changing portion 75 generates an electromagnetic force downward from the direction perpendicular to the liquid discharge direction 76, but the example is not limited to the example of FIG. 6B. For example, when the direction changing portion 75 is installed on the inner wall of the constant temperature bath 11 as shown in FIG. 4A (direction changing portion 75b), the electromagnetic force is upward from the direction perpendicular to the liquid discharge direction 76. May be generated.

In FIG. 6, it has been described that the liquid discharged from the dispensing probe enters the reaction vessel 3 at a predetermined incident angle θ due to the electromagnetic force generated by the direction changing unit 75. The incident angle θ is the position where the discharge direction 76 of the liquid discharged from the dispensing probe and the direction of the electromagnetic force intersect (intersection point P) and the landing point of the liquid discharged from the dispensing probe on the inner wall of the reaction vessel. It depends on Q. For example, when the position where the electromagnetic force is applied to the liquid (intersection point P) is constant, the incident angle θ changes depending on which position on the inner wall of the reaction vessel 3 the liquid discharged from the dispensing probe is applied.

Hereinafter, the incident angle θ of the liquid that can be set by the automatic analyzer 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 7A is a schematic view illustrating a case where the incident angle θ of the liquid discharged from the dispensing probe is maximized. FIG. 7B is a schematic view illustrating a case where the incident angle θ of the liquid discharged from the dispensing probe is minimized.

The incident angle θ of the liquid may be any angle as long as the liquid enters the reaction vessel 3 and the liquid does not hit the bottom of the reaction vessel 3. For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, the inner wall immediately below the opening of the reaction vessel 3 may be used as the landing point Qc of the liquid discharged from the dispensing probe. In this case, the incident angle θc of the liquid becomes maximum. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7B, the inner wall directly above the bottom of the reaction vessel 3 may be used as the landing point Qd of the liquid discharged from the dispensing probe. In this case, the incident angle θd of the liquid becomes the minimum.

The liquid landing point Q may be determined, for example, based on the amount of liquid to be dispensed. More specifically, the height from the bottom of the reaction vessel 3 to the liquid level (predicted liquid level) when the liquid is injected into the reaction vessel 3 is the landing point of the liquid based on the amount of the liquid to be dispensed. Q can be guessed. In this way, by setting the liquid landing point Q as the position of the wall surface of the reaction vessel 3 at the predicted liquid level, the liquid poured into the reaction vessel 3 along the inner wall of the reaction vessel 3 is placed on the wall surface. It can be used for reaction without leaving.

FIG. 7C is a schematic view illustrating the optimum incident angle θ of the liquid discharged from the dispensing probe. The liquid landing point Qe is the position of the wall surface of the reaction vessel 3 at the height of the predicted liquid level S. The liquid discharged from the dispensing probe enters the reaction vessel 3 from the position of the liquid landing point Qe along the inner wall of the reaction vessel 3 in the direction of arrow D. In this way, by setting the landing point Qe of the liquid as the wall surface of the reaction vessel 3 at the same height as the predicted liquid level S, the liquid flows down from the position of the landing point Qe along the inner wall, so that the liquid is predicted. It can be prevented from adhering to the portion above the liquid level S.

The predicted liquid level S may be predicted according to the amount of liquid discharged from the dispensing probe, or may be predicted based on the total amount of liquid injected into the reaction vessel 3. When the liquid has already been dispensed into the reaction vessel 3, the predicted liquid level S may be predicted based on the sum of the amount of the liquid to be dispensed and the amount of the liquid already dispensed. ..

The predicted liquid level S may be calculated by, for example, the electromagnetic force determination function 272. Further, the electromagnetic force determination function 272 may determine the incident angle θ based on the calculated predicted liquid level S. Further, the electromagnetic force determination function 272 changes the direction from the conditions such as the properties, amount, and dispensing speed of the reagents obtained from the inspection information 277 and the reagent information 276 so that the incident angle of the liquid becomes a predetermined incident angle θ. The electromagnetic force generated in the above and the conditions for generating the electromagnetic force may be calculated.

As described above, the automatic analyzer 100 according to the embodiment has a direction changing unit 75 capable of changing the direction of the liquid discharged from the dispensing probe at the position where the reagent is dispensed. The direction changing unit 75 can change the incident angle θ of the liquid only by applying a force for changing the direction to the liquid discharged from the dispensing probe. That is, since the automatic analyzer 100 according to the embodiment has the direction changing unit 75, the reaction container of the liquid discharged from the dispensing probe without changing the configuration of the dispensing probe or the like for dispensing the liquid. The angle of incidence on 3 can be changed. Therefore, the liquid can be dispensed with high accuracy without providing a complicated mechanism in the automatic analyzer 100.

According to the automatic analyzer 100 of at least one embodiment described above, the liquid can be dispensed with high accuracy.

The word "processor" used in the above description means, for example, a CPU (central processing unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an integrated circuit for a specific application (Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC)), or a programmable logic device (for example, a programmable logic device). , Simple Programmable Logic Device (SPLD), Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD), and Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)). When the processor is, for example, a CPU, the processor realizes a function by reading and executing a program stored in a storage circuit. On the other hand, when the processor is an ASIC, instead of storing the program in the storage circuit, the function corresponding to the program is directly incorporated as a logic circuit in the circuit of the processor.

The processor may be composed of a single circuit, or may be composed of a combination of a plurality of independent circuits. In the latter case, a memory may be provided for each circuit of the plurality of circuits, or a single memory may store a program corresponding to the functions of the plurality of circuits.

Although some embodiments have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, changes, and combinations of embodiments can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, as well as in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

1, 2 Reagent storage 3 Reaction vessel 4 Reaction disk 8 1st reagent dispensing arm 9 2nd reagent dispensing arm 11 Constant temperature bath 14 1st reagent dispensing probe 15 2nd reagent dispensing probe 24 Analytical unit 25 Analytical control unit 26 Mechanism part 28 1st reagent dispensing part 29 2nd reagent dispensing part 70 Guide 75 Direction change part 100 Automatic analyzer 272 Electromagnetic force determination function

Claims (7)

An automatic analyzer that dispenses samples and reagents into a reaction vessel and analyzes the mixture.
A dispensing probe that sucks a sample or reagent and discharges it into a reaction vessel,
A direction changing part that applies a force to change the moving direction of the sample or reagent discharged from the dispensing probe, and
Automatic analyzer with. The direction changing portion changes the moving direction of the liquid by an electromagnetic force.
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1. The direction changing unit applies the force at the timing when the sample or reagent discharged from the dispensing probe reaches a position where the moving direction of the sample or reagent is changed.
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 or 2. The redirection portion is located anywhere between the horizontal plane containing the bottom of the dispensing probe and the horizontal plane containing the bottom of the reaction vessel.
The automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The direction changing section determines the magnitude of the force based on at least one property of the type, viscosity, dispensing rate, and concentration of magnetic particles of the sample or reagent.
The automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The direction changing unit changes the moving direction of the sample or reagent so that the sample or reagent discharged from the dispensing probe does not hit the bottom of the reaction vessel.
The automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The direction changing unit changes the moving direction of the liquid so that the sample or reagent hits the wall surface of the reaction vessel at the predicted liquid level when the sample or reagent is dispensed into the reaction vessel. ,
The automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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