JP2023068295A - Detergent bottle and automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

To enable use of detergent without stopping measurement and without having to increase the device size.SOLUTION: A detergent bottle according to an embodiment is for use in an automatic analyzer for measuring a mixture of a sample and a reagent, and is designed to store detergent for cleaning probes and to be conveyable by a conveyor arm for conveying a sample rack holding sample containers storing samples.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The embodiments disclosed in the specification and drawings relate to detergent bottles and automated analyzers.

The automatic analyzer is provided with a detergent reservoir containing detergent for cleaning the sample probe and the reagent dispensing probe during measurement. A large amount of detergent is used because it is used for various cleanings of sample probes, reagent dispensing probes, and the like. Therefore, if the detergent runs short during measurement, it is necessary to stop the measurement and then replenish or replace the detergent. However, stopping the measurement causes a loss of time and the like. In addition, when increasing the capacity of the detergent storage unit or adding a mechanism for replenishing the detergent storage unit with detergent when the detergent is insufficient, the apparatus must be enlarged.

JP 2010-133784 A

One of the problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in the specification and drawings is to eliminate the need to increase the size of the device and to enable the use of detergent without stopping the measurement. However, the problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and drawings are not limited to the above problems. A problem corresponding to each effect of each configuration shown in the embodiments described later can be positioned as another problem.

A detergent bottle according to the present embodiment is a detergent bottle used in an automatic analyzer for measuring a mixture of a sample and a reagent, and contains a detergent for cleaning a probe, and a sample container containing the sample. can be transported by a transport arm that transports the sample rack holding the .

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an automatic analyzer to which the detergent bottle according to this embodiment is applied. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an analyzer in an automatic analyzer to which the detergent bottle according to this embodiment is applied. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of a sample rack. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of the detergent bottle according to this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure of the automatic analyzer to which the detergent bottle according to this embodiment is applied. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the procedure of sampling probe cleaning process as the cleaning process of FIG. FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the reagent dispensing probe cleaning process as the cleaning process of FIG. FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the stirrer cleaning process as the cleaning process of FIG.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an automatic analyzer to which a detergent bottle is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, embodiment is not restricted to the following embodiments. In addition, the contents described in one embodiment are in principle similarly applied to other embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an automatic analyzer 1 to which a detergent bottle according to this embodiment is applied. The automatic analyzer 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an analyzer 70 , a drive device 80 and a processor 90 .

The analyzer 70 measures a mixture of a standard sample for each test item or a test sample (biological sample such as blood or urine) collected from a subject and a reagent used for analysis of each test item, Generate data and test data. The analysis device 70 includes a plurality of units that perform sample dispensing, reagent dispensing, and the like, and the drive device 80 drives each unit of the analysis device 70 . The processing device 90 controls the driving device 80 to operate each unit of the analysis device 70 .

The processing device 90 has an input device 50 , an output device 40 , a processing circuit 30 and a memory circuit 60 .

The input device 50 includes input devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, buttons, and a touch key panel. Input, etc.

The output device 40 has a printer and a display. The printer prints the data generated by the processing circuitry 30 . The display is a monitor such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or liquid crystal panel, and displays data generated by the processing circuit 30 .

The storage circuit 60 is, for example, a semiconductor memory device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk.

Processing circuitry 30 controls the overall system. For example, processing circuitry 30 performs data processing functions 31 and control functions 32, as shown in FIG. The control function 32 controls the drive device 80 to operate each unit of the analysis device 70 . The data processing function 31 processes standard data and test data generated by the analyzer 70 to generate calibration data and analysis data for each test item. The control function 32 is an example of a control section.

For example, the standard data generated by the analyzer 70 represents data (calibration curve or standard curve) for determining the amount and concentration of a substance, and the test data generated by the analyzer 70 represents a test sample. It represents the data of the measurement results. Further, the calibration data output from the processing circuit 30 represents data representing the measurement results such as the amount and concentration of the substance derived from the test data and the standard data, and the analysis data output from the processing circuit 30 indicates positive Or represents data representing a negative determination result. That is, calibration data are data for deriving analytical data representing positive or negative judgment results.

Here, for example, each processing function executed by the components of the processing circuit 30 is recorded in the storage circuit 60 in the form of a computer-executable program. The processing circuit 30 is a processor that reads out each program from the storage circuit 60 and executes it, thereby realizing functions corresponding to each program. In other words, the processing circuit 30 with each program read has each function shown in the processing circuit 30 of FIG.

In FIG. 1, it is assumed that a single processing circuit 30 implements each processing function described below. The function may be implemented by executing a program.

The term "processor" used in the above description includes, for example, CPU (Central Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC)), programmable logic device (for example, simple Programmable Logic Device (SPLD), Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD), Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), and other circuits. When the processor is, for example, a CPU, the processor reads out and executes a program stored in the storage circuit 60 to achieve its functions. On the other hand, if the processor is an ASIC, for example, instead of storing the program in the memory circuit 60, the program is directly embedded in the circuitry of the processor. Note that each processor of the present embodiment is not limited to being configured as a single circuit for each processor, and may be configured as one processor by combining a plurality of independent circuits to realize its function. good. Furthermore, a plurality of components in FIG. 1 may be integrated into one processor to realize its functions.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the analyzer 70 in the automatic analyzer 1 to which the detergent bottle according to this embodiment is applied.

The analyzer 70 has a reaction disk 4 which is a reaction tank. The reaction disk 4 rotatably holds a plurality of reaction vessels arranged on a circumference.

The analyzer 70 further comprises reagent reservoirs 2 and 3 . The reagent storages 2 and 3 insulate and hold a plurality of reagent containers (hereinafter referred to as reagent bottles) arranged on the circumference. The reagent bottles in the reagent storages 2 and 3 contain reagents containing components that react with the components of each inspection item contained in the sample (hereinafter referred to as sample). For example, the reagent bottles in the reagent storage 2 are arranged in concentric circles 2a and 2b (dotted lines in FIG. 2). The reagent bottles in the reagent storage 3 are arranged in concentric circles 3a and 3b (dotted lines in FIG. 2). The reagent storages 2 and 3 have turntables that rotatably hold reagent bottles for each inspection item.

The analyzer 70 further comprises sampling arms 21 , 22 , a sampling probe (not shown), a sampling pump (not shown), detergent reservoirs 23 , 24 and a sampling lane 301 .

A sample rack is arranged in the sampling lane 301 . For example, the sampling lane 301 is provided with a mechanism for moving each of the plurality of sample containers held in the sample rack to the sampling position L1. Movement of the sample rack in the sampling lane 301 is achieved by, for example, a belt conveyor.

A sampling probe is provided at the tip of each of the sampling arms 21 and 22, and a sampling pump is connected to the sampling probe via a tube or the like. For example, the sampling arms 21 and 22 support the sampling probe so that it can rotate and move up and down. The sampling probes provided at the tips of the sampling arms 21 and 22 respectively move along a trajectory 21a (dotted line portion in FIG. 2) as the sampling arms 21 and 22 rotate. Rotate between positions. The sampling probes provided at the tips of the sampling arms 21 and 22 dispense the sample in the sample container moved to the sampling position L1. Specifically, the sampling probes provided at the tips of the sampling arms 21 and 22 aspirate the sample in the sample container moved to the sampling position L1 for each inspection item, and set as the analysis parameter for the inspection item. An amount of the sample is discharged into the reaction container positioned at the sample discharge position on the reaction disk 4 . A sampling pump causes the sampling probe to aspirate and dispense sample.

The analyzer 70 is provided with detergent reservoirs 23, 24 containing detergents for cleaning the sampling probes during measurements. The sampling probes provided at the tips of the sampling arms 21 and 22 are washed with the detergent in the detergent reservoirs 23 and 24, respectively, each time the dispensing of the sample is completed. Detergent reservoirs 23 and 24 are positioned on loci 21a of sampling probes provided at the ends of sampling arms 21 and 22, respectively.

The analyzer 70 further includes reagent dispensing arms 10 to 13, a reagent dispensing probe (not shown), and a reagent dispensing pump (not shown).

A reagent dispensing probe is provided at each tip of the reagent dispensing arms 10 to 13, and a reagent dispensing pump is connected to the reagent dispensing probe via a tube or the like. For example, the reagent-dispensing arms 10-13 support the reagent-dispensing probe rotatably and vertically movably. The reagent pipetting probes provided at the tips of the reagent pipetting arms 10 to 13 respectively move on loci 10a to 13a (dotted lines in FIG. 2) as the reagent pipetting arms 10 to 13 rotate. , rotates between the reagent aspirating position and the reagent discharging position. The reagent dispensing probes provided at the tips of the reagent dispensing arms 10 to 13 dispense the reagent in the reagent bottle moved to the reagent aspirating position. Specifically, the reagent dispensing probes provided at the tips of the reagent dispensing arms 10 and 11 respectively aspirate the reagents in the reagent bottles positioned at the reagent aspirating positions on the circles 2a and 2b in the reagent storage 2. Then, an amount of reagent set as an analysis parameter for the inspection item is discharged into the reaction container positioned at the reagent discharge position on the reaction disk 4 . Further, the reagent dispensing probes provided at the tips of the reagent dispensing arms 12 and 13 respectively aspirate the reagent in the reagent bottles positioned at the reagent aspirating positions on the circles 3a and 3b in the reagent storage 3, and A reagent of an amount set as an analysis parameter of an inspection item is discharged into a reaction container located at a reagent discharge position on the reaction disk 4 . The reagent dispensing pump causes the reagent dispensing probe to aspirate and dispense the reagent.

A detergent reservoir 6 containing a detergent for cleaning the reagent dispensing probe during measurement is provided in the reagent reservoirs 2 and 3 . For example, by storing the detergent in a reagent bottle that has become empty due to the lack of the reagent, the reagent bottle is used as the detergent storage unit 6 . The reagent-dispensing probes provided at the tips of the reagent-dispensing arms 10 and 11 are washed with the detergent in the detergent reservoir 6 in the reagent storage 2 each time the dispensing of the reagent is completed. The detergent reservoir 6 in the reagent storage 2 is located on the trajectories 10a and 11a of the reagent dispensing probes provided at the tips of the reagent dispensing arms 10 and 11, respectively. The reagent-dispensing probes provided at the tips of the reagent-dispensing arms 12 and 13 are washed with the detergent in the detergent reservoir 6 in the reagent storage 3 each time the dispensing of the reagent is completed. The detergent storage section 6 in the reagent storage 3 is positioned on tracks 12a and 13a of reagent dispensing probes provided at the tips of the reagent dispensing arms 10 and 11, respectively.

The analysis device 70 further comprises stirring devices 7,8. The stirring devices 7 and 8 have stirring arms and stirrers (not shown). A stirrer is attached to the tip of the stirring arm. The stirring arm supports the stirrer so that it can rotate and move up and down. The stirring arm of the stirring device 7 lowers the stirrer from the standby position and inserts it into the reaction vessel positioned at the first stirring position on the reaction disk 4 . The stirring arm of the stirring device 8 lowers the stirring bar from the standby position and inserts it into the reaction vessel located at the second stirring position on the reaction disk 4 .

The stirring arms of the stirring devices 7 and 8 are lowered so that the tips of the stirrers are close to the inner bottom surface of the reaction vessel. After stopping the stirrer, the stirring devices 7 and 8 vibrate the stirrer. Vibration of the stirrer stirs the mixture of the sample and the reagent in the reaction container. After stirring, the stirring arm raises the stirrer to the standby position.

The analysis device 70 further includes a photometry section 9 . The photometry unit 9 measures the liquid mixture by irradiating the reaction container containing the mixed liquid that has been stirred with light. Specifically, the photometry unit 9 irradiates the reaction container at the rotating measurement position with light, and detects the light transmitted through the mixed liquid of the sample and the reagent in the reaction container due to this irradiation. The photometry unit 9 processes the detected signals to generate standard data and test data represented by digital signals, and outputs the data to the processing circuit 30 of the processing device 90 . The photometry unit 9 is an example of a measurement unit.

The analysis device 70 further includes a reaction vessel cleaning unit 15 . The reaction vessel cleaning unit 15 has a cleaning member, a drying member, and a support arm (not shown). The support arm supports the cleaning member and the drying member so as to be vertically movable. The cleaning member includes a nozzle for sucking the mixed solution in the reaction container positioned at the cleaning position on the reaction disk 4, a nozzle for discharging the cleaning solution into the reaction container, and a nozzle for cleaning by sucking the discharged cleaning solution, and a nozzle for cleaning the reaction container. It has a nozzle that discharges washing water into the container and performs washing by sucking the discharged washing water. The drying member is a nozzle that dries the inside of the reaction vessel. For example, the drying member dries the reaction vessel that has been washed with the washing water by discharging dry air.

The analyzer 70 further includes, as a sample rack transport mechanism, a transport rail 5, a rack loading unit 16, a transport arm 27, a reading unit 19, a rack recovery unit 17, a rack standby buffer 20, and a temporary rack placement lane. 302 and a STAT input unit 18 .

The rack loading section 16 has a loading lane into which a sample rack 100 holding a plurality of sample containers before being sampled is loaded. Although two input lanes are shown as the rack input section 16 in FIG. 2, the number of input lanes may be one, or three or more. The rack loading unit 16 moves the sample rack 100 loaded into the loading lane to a position where it can be transported by the transport arm 27 . Movement of the sample racks in the rack input section 16 is achieved by, for example, a belt conveyor.

The sample rack 100 is provided with an optical label including identification information (for example, rack ID, etc.) for identifying the rack containing sample containers. In addition, each of the plurality of sample containers held in the sample rack 100 has identification information (for example, patient information, sample ID, test items, presence/absence of reexamination, etc.) for identifying the sample contained in the sample container. is given an optical label containing Optical labels are, for example, barcodes.

The transport arm 27 is a robot arm that moves the sample rack 100 along the transport rails 5 . The transfer arm 27 has a pair of protrusions that are inserted into and removed from holes provided in the sample rack 100 on which it is placed. A pair of protrusions on the transfer arm 27 can be moved up and down. A pair of protrusions on the transfer arm 27 can lift the sample rack 100 placed on the mounting surface from the mounting surface. A pair of protrusions on the transfer arm 27 can hold the lifted sample rack 100 at a predetermined height. A pair of protrusions on the transfer arm 27 can lower the held sample rack 100 onto a predetermined mounting surface. The transport arm 27 transports the sample rack 100 with the pair of protrusions inserted into the holes of the sample rack 100, like a forklift carrying a load. The holes of the sample rack 100 will be described later.

The transport arm 27 transports the sample rack 100 loaded into the rack loading section 16 to the reading position of the reading section 19 . The reading unit 19 reads identification information from the optical label of the sample rack 100 transported to the reading position. If the optical label is a barcode, the reading unit 19 is, for example, a barcode reader. The reading unit 19 outputs, as read identification information, sample identification information such as patient information, sample IDs, and test items, and sample rack 100 identification information such as a rack ID to the processing circuit 30 of the processing device 90 . After reading by the reading unit 19 is completed, the transport arm 27 transports the sample rack 100 from the reading position to the sampling lane 301 . The transport arm 27 transports the sample rack 100 after sampling from the sampling lane 301 to the rack collection section 17 .

In FIG. 2, a temporary rack placement lane 302 and the aforementioned sampling lane 301 are provided along the transport rail 5 . For example, the temporary rack placement lane 302 is provided near the reading section 19 . For example, when the sample rack 100 read at the reading position by the reading unit 19 cannot be transported to the sampling lane 301 or the like, the transport arm 27 temporarily places the sample rack 100 after reading in the temporary rack placement lane 302 .

Also, in FIG. 2, a rack standby buffer 20 is provided along the transport rail 5 . For example, the rack standby buffer 20 is a lane in which the re-inspection sample rack, which is the sample rack 100 holding the sample containers to be re-inspected, is temporarily withdrawn. The re-inspection sample rack is temporarily saved in the rack standby buffer 20 until sampling is performed for re-inspection. In this case, the transport arm 27 transports the reinspection sample rack from the sampling lane 301 to the rack standby buffer 20 .

Further, in FIG. 2 , a STAT input section 18 is provided along the transport rail 5 . For example, the STAT loading unit 18 is a portion into which a STAT rack (priority sample rack), which is a sample rack 100 holding sample containers containing samples related to urgent specimen testing or preferential measurement, is loaded. The transport arm 27 transports the STAT rack loaded into the STAT loading unit 18 to the reading position of the reading unit 19 with priority over the sample rack 100 loaded into the rack loading unit 16, and then transports it to the sampling lane 301. do.

Specifically, when a STAT rack is loaded into the STAT loading section 18, the transport arm 27 immediately transports the STAT rack loaded into the STAT loading section 18 from the STAT loading section 18 to the reading position of the reading section 19. . When the identification information is read by the reading unit 19 from the optical label provided on the sample container in the STAT rack, the transport arm 27 transports the STAT rack from the reading position of the reading unit 19 to the sampling lane 301 . The transport arm 27 transports the STAT rack after sampling from the sampling lane 301 to the rack collection section 17 . Note that when a sample contained in at least one sample container in a STAT rack is to be retested, the transport arm 27 transports the STAT rack from the sampling lane 301 to the rack standby buffer 20 .

The rack recovery section 17 has a recovery lane through which the sample racks 100 are recovered. Although two recovery lanes are shown as the rack recovery section 17 in FIG. 2, the number of recovery lanes may be one or three or more. The rack recovery unit 17 moves the sample rack 100 arranged in the recovery lane toward the sample rack 100 take-out position. Movement of the sample racks in the rack collection unit 17 is achieved by, for example, a belt conveyor.

The analyzer 70 further comprises a free space 25 for detergent bottles. In FIG. 2 , detergent bottle empty space 25 is provided between rack temporary placement lane 302 and sampling lane 301 . A detergent bottle is conveyed to the empty space 25 for the detergent bottle. The detergent bottle and detergent bottle empty space 25 will be described later.

A large amount of detergent is used because it is used for various cleaning of sampling probes, reagent dispensing probes, and the like. Therefore, if the detergent runs short during measurement, it is necessary to stop the measurement and then replenish or replace the detergent. However, stopping the measurement causes a loss of time and the like. In addition, when increasing the capacity of the detergent storage unit or adding a mechanism for replenishing the detergent storage unit with detergent when the detergent is insufficient, the apparatus must be enlarged.

Therefore, the automatic analyzer 1 to which the detergent bottle according to the present embodiment is applied is configured as follows so that it is not necessary to increase the size of the device and the detergent can be used without stopping the measurement. be done. The detergent bottle according to the present embodiment is a detergent bottle used in the automatic analyzer 1 that measures a mixture of a sample and a reagent, contains a detergent for cleaning a probe, and contains a sample container containing the sample. can be transported by the transport arm 27 that transports the sample rack 100 holding the . For example, the detergent bottle according to this embodiment has the same structure as the structure provided so as to be transportable by the transport arm in the sample rack. Specifically, the detergent bottle according to this embodiment includes an accommodating portion, an opening, and a hole. The container contains a detergent for cleaning the probe. The opening is provided in the container, and a probe for sucking the detergent contained in the container is inserted. The holes are provided so that they can be transported by a transfer arm 27 that can be inserted into and removed from the holes provided in the sample rack 100 that holds the sample containers containing the samples, and are formed at the same positions as the holes in the sample rack 100 in the storage section. there is

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of the sample rack 100. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3 , the sample rack 100 includes a body portion 120 and a support portion 110 that supports the body portion 120 . The support portion 110 is provided with a notch 111 and slits 112 to 116 for confirming the orientation of the sample rack 100 when the user places the sample rack 100 in the rack insertion portion 16, for example. The slits 112 and 113 and the slits 114 to 116 are arranged with the notch 111 interposed therebetween. The body portion 120 is formed with a plurality of openings 121 capable of holding a plurality of sample containers 150 in a line, and a plurality of holes 131 to 134 . Holes 131 and 134 at both ends of the plurality of holes 131 are removable by a pair of projections of the transfer arm 27 . The transport arm 27 transports the sample rack 100 with the pair of protrusions inserted into the holes 131 and 134 of the sample rack 100 .

As described above, the sample rack 100 is provided with an optical label (eg, barcode) including identification information (eg, rack ID, etc.) for identifying the sample rack 100 . As shown in FIG. 3, the sample rack 100 is attached with an optical label 140 readable by the reader 19 .

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of the detergent bottle 200 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4 , the detergent bottle 200 has an outer shape similar to that of the sample rack 100 , and includes a storage portion 220 and a support portion 210 that supports the storage portion 220 . The support portion 210 is provided with a notch 211 and slits 212 to 216 for confirming the direction of the detergent bottle 200 when the user places the detergent bottle 200 in the rack insertion portion 16, for example. The slits 212 and 213 and the slits 214 to 216 are arranged with the notch 211 interposed therebetween. The container 220 contains a detergent 250 for cleaning probes such as sampling probes and reagent dispensing probes. An opening 221 is provided above the container 220 , and a probe for sucking the detergent 250 contained in the container 220 is inserted into the opening 221 . A pair of holes 231 and 232 are formed in the housing portion 220 . The holes 231 and 232 in the detergent bottle 200 are provided at the same positions as the holes 131 and 134 in the sample rack 100, and can be inserted/removed by a pair of projections of the transfer arm 27. As shown in FIG. Thus, the detergent bottle 200 has the same structure as the structure provided so as to be transportable by the transport arm 27 in the sample rack 100 . The transport arm 27 transports the detergent bottle 200 with the pair of protrusions inserted into the holes 231 and 232 of the detergent bottle 200 .

The detergent bottle 200 is provided with an optical label (for example, a bar code) containing identification information for identifying that the detergent is contained therein. As shown in FIG. 4, the detergent bottle 200 is attached with an optical label 240 readable by the reading unit 19 . For example, the identification information of the detergent bottle 200 includes information different from the identification information of the sample rack 100 so that the reader 19 can distinguish it from the identification information of the sample rack 100 . Specifically, the identification information of the detergent bottle 200 includes, as information different from the identification information (rack ID, etc.) of the sample rack 100, information such as the detergent bottle ID and the expiration date of the detergent. Thus, in the present embodiment, the detergent bottle 200 can be managed using identification information (barcode), ID and expiration date, in the same manner as the reagent bottle.

For example, probes such as sampling probes and reagent dispensing probes are washed after each measurement. The usage amount of the detergent in the detergent storage section 6 in the reagent storages 2 and 3 can be grasped. In this case, the control function 32 determines from the inspection items and the number of inspections that the detergent in each detergent storage unit is likely to run short, and controls the drive device 80 .

Specifically, the control function 32 calculates the amount of detergent used in the detergent storage units 23 and 24 and the amount of detergent used in the detergent storage units 6 in the reagent storages 2 and 3 from the inspection items and the number of inspections, Based on the calculation results, the amount of detergent stored in the detergent storage units 23 and 24 and the amount of detergent stored in the detergent storage units 6 in the reagent storages 2 and 3 are predicted. For example, when the amount of detergent stored in the detergent storage units 23 and 24 is equal to or less than the threshold value, the control function 32 determines that the detergent in the detergent storage units 23 and 24 is likely to run short, and controls the driving device 80. do. For example, when the amount of detergent stored in the detergent reservoirs 6 in the reagent reservoirs 2 and 3 is below the threshold value, the control function 32 is in a state where the detergent in the detergent reservoirs 6 in the reagent reservoirs 2 and 3 is likely to run short. , and controls the driving device 80 .

Under the control of the control function 32, the driving device 80 drives the transport arm 27 of the analyzer 70 to transport the detergent bottle 200 to a position described below.

For example, the detergent bottle 200 is placed in the rack loading section 16 as the detergent bottle 201 of FIG. Specifically, the detergent bottle 201 is placed in the rack loading section 16 so that the detergent in the detergent bottle 201 is replenished in each detergent storage section after the inspection of the plurality of sample racks 100 arranged in the rack loading section 16 is completed. The sample racks 100 on the 16 are placed in the rack insertion section 16 at a location away from the plurality of sample racks 100 .

For example, the transport arm 27 is driven by the driving device 80 to transport the detergent bottle 201 placed in the rack loading section 16, and the detergent bottle 201 is placed in the sampling lane 301 as the detergent bottle 208 in FIG. Here, the opening 221 of the detergent bottle 208 is located on the trajectory 21a of the sampling probe. That is, the transport arm 27 is driven by the driving device 80 to place the detergent bottle 208 on the locus 21a of the sampling probe.

For example, the transport arm 27 is driven by the driving device 80 to transport the detergent bottle 201 placed in the rack loading section 16, and the detergent bottle 201 is placed in the sampling lane 301 as the detergent bottle 209 in FIG. Here, the opening 221 of the detergent bottle 209 is positioned on the trajectory 12a of the reagent dispensing probe. That is, the transport arm 27 is driven by the driving device 80 to place the detergent bottle 209 on the track 12a of the reagent dispensing probe.

For example, the transport arm 27 is driven by the driving device 80 to transport the detergent bottle 201 placed in the rack loading section 16, and the detergent bottle 201 is placed in the empty detergent bottle space 25 as the detergent bottle 205 in FIG. be. Here, the opening 221 of the detergent bottle 205 is positioned on the trajectory 10a of the reagent dispensing probe. That is, the transport arm 27 is driven by the driving device 80 to place the detergent bottle 205 on the track 10a of the reagent dispensing probe. In addition, the detergent bottles 203 and 204 shown in FIG. 2 are arranged as spare detergent bottles 200 in the empty detergent bottle space 25 . Here, when the detergent bottle 205 runs out of detergent, the transport arm 27 is driven by the driving device 80 to place the detergent bottle 204 on the track 10a of the reagent dispensing probe. Similarly, when detergent bottle 204 runs out of detergent, transport arm 27 is driven by driving device 80 to place detergent bottle 203 on trajectory 10a of the reagent dispensing probe.

The detergent bottle 200 is placed in the STAT input section 18 as the detergent bottle 202 in FIG. or the sampling lane 301 . Also, the detergent bottle 200 is placed in the rack temporary placement lane 302 as the detergent bottle 206 in FIG. It may be arranged in the space 25 or the sampling lane 301 . The detergent bottle 200 is placed in the rack standby buffer 20 as the detergent bottle 207 in FIG. or the sampling lane 301 . Further, if the opening 221 of the detergent bottle 200 is positioned on the locus 21a of the sampling probe, the detergent bottle 200 may be arranged in the rack recovery section 17 as the detergent bottle 210 of FIG.

Next, the processing procedure of the automatic analyzer 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the procedure of processing of the automatic analyzer 1 to which the detergent bottle 200 according to this embodiment is applied.

In step S101 of FIG. 5, the control function 32 of the processing device 90 determines from the inspection items and the number of inspections that the detergent in each detergent reservoir is likely to run short. As described above, probes such as sampling probes and reagent dispensing probes are washed after each measurement. The amount and the amount of detergent used in the detergent reservoirs 6 in the reagent storages 2 and 3 can be grasped.

Next, in step S102 of FIG. 5, the control function 32 of the processing device 90 notifies the user of a screen for calling attention during measurement. For example, the control function 32 notifies the user by causing the output device 40 to output a screen showing a warning such as "Please put the detergent bottle into the sampler." In this case, the control function 32 puts the measurement in a standby state without stopping the measurement, and the user places the detergent bottle 200 in the rack loading section 16 or the STAT loading section 18 . For example, the placement of the detergent bottle 200 is determined by the user.

Next, in step S103 of FIG. 5, a cleaning process is performed. The cleaning process includes the following sampling probe cleaning process (step S110), reagent dispensing probe cleaning process (step S120), stir bar cleaning process (step S130), and the like.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the sampling probe cleaning process (step S110) as the cleaning process of FIG.

In step S111 of FIG. 6, the control function 32 of the processing device 90 determines whether or not the detergent in the detergent storage units 23 and 24 is insufficient based on inspection items and the number of inspections.

Here, for example, if the detergent storage units 23 and 24 have enough detergent (step S111; No), the control function 32 executes step S112 in FIG. Specifically, in step S112, the control function 32 of the processing device 90 controls the driving device 80, and the driving device 80 drives the sampling arms 21 and 22, the sampling probe, and the sampling pump under the control of the control function 32. This causes the sampling probe to be washed with the detergent in the detergent reservoirs 23, 24 located on the sampling probe trajectory 21a.

On the other hand, if detergent storage units 23 and 24 have insufficient detergent (step S111; Yes), control function 32 executes steps S113 to S115 in FIG. Specifically, the control function 32 of the processing device 90 controls the driving device 80 as follows.

In step S113 of FIG. 6, the driving device 80 drives the transport arm 27 under the control of the control function 32, thereby moving the detergent bottle 200 placed in the rack loading section 16 or the STAT loading section 18 into the detergent shown in FIG. As bottle 208 , it is moved to sampling lane 301 . At this time, the transport arm 27 is driven by the driving device 80 to place the detergent bottle 208 on the locus 21a of the sampling probe.

In step S114 of FIG. 6, the driving device 80 drives the sampling arms 21 and 22, the sampling probe, and the sampling pump under the control of the control function 32 to wash the sampling probe using the detergent in the detergent bottle 208. Let

In step S115 of FIG. 6, when the sampling probe is not in use, the driving device 80 drives the sampling arms 21 and 22, the sampling probe, and the sampling pump under the control of the control function 32, thereby allowing the sampling probe to fill the detergent bottle 208. The maximum amount of detergent is sucked and the detergent storage parts 23 and 24 are replenished with the sucked detergent. Under the control of the control function 32 , the driving device 80 drives the transport arm 27 to move the empty detergent bottle 208 to the rack collecting section 17 . The used detergent bottle 208 is recovered from the rack recovery section 17 .

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the reagent dispensing probe cleaning process (step S120) as the cleaning process of FIG.

In step S121 of FIG. 7, the control function 32 of the processing device 90 determines whether or not the detergent in the detergent reservoirs 6 in the reagent storages 2 and 3 is insufficient based on the inspection items and the number of inspections.

Here, for example, if the detergent storage units 6 in the reagent storages 2 and 3 have enough detergent (step S121; No), the control function 32 executes step S122 in FIG. Specifically, in step S122, the control function 32 of the processing device 90 controls the driving device 80, and the driving device 80 controls the reagent dispensing arms 10 to 13, the reagent dispensing probe, and the By driving the reagent dispensing pump, the reagent dispensing probe is washed with the detergent in the detergent reservoirs 6 in the reagent storages 2 and 3 located on the trajectories 10a to 13a of the reagent dispensing probe.

On the other hand, for example, when the detergent storage units 6 in the reagent storages 2 and 3 are short of detergent (step S121; Yes), the control function 32 executes steps S123 to S125 in FIG. Specifically, the control function 32 of the processing device 90 controls the driving device 80 as follows.

In step S123 of FIG. 7, the drive device 80 drives the transport arm 27 under the control of the control function 32, thereby moving the detergent bottles 200 placed in the rack input section 16 and the STAT input section 18 to the respective positions shown in FIG. The detergent bottles 205 and 209 are moved to the empty detergent bottle space 25 and the sampling lane 301 . At this time, the transport arm 27 is driven by the driving device 80 to place the detergent bottles 205 and 209 on the trajectories 10a and 12a of the reagent dispensing probe, respectively.

In step S124 of FIG. 7, the driving device 80 drives the reagent dispensing arms 10 and 12, the reagent dispensing probe, and the reagent dispensing pump under the control of the control function 32, thereby removing the detergent bottle 205 and the detergent bottle 209. A detergent is used to wash the reagent dispensing probe.

In step S125 of FIG. 7, when the reagent dispensing probe is not used, the driving device 80 drives the reagent dispensing arms 10 and 12, the reagent dispensing probe, and the reagent dispensing pump under the control of the control function 32. , causes the reagent dispensing probe to suck the maximum amount of detergent from the detergent bottles 205 and 209 and replenish the detergent reservoirs 6 in the reagent reservoirs 2 and 3 with the sucked detergent. Here, the driving device 80 moves the empty detergent bottles 205 and 209 to the rack collecting section 17 by driving the transport arm 27 under the control of the control function 32 . The used detergent bottles 205 and 209 are recovered from the rack recovery section 17 .

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the stirrer etc. cleaning process (step S130) as the cleaning process of FIG.

In step S131 of FIG. 8, the control function 32 of the processing device 90 determines whether or not the detergent in the detergent reservoirs 6 in the reagent storages 2 and 3 is insufficient based on the inspection items and the number of inspections.

Here, for example, if the detergent storage units 6 in the reagent storages 2 and 3 have enough detergent (step S131; No), the control function 32 executes step S132 in FIG. Specifically, in step S132, the control function 32 of the processing device 90 controls the driving device 80 as follows. Under the control of the control function 32, the driving device 80 drives the reagent dispensing arms 10 to 13, the reagent dispensing probes, and the reagent dispensing pumps to drive the reagent storages positioned on the trajectories 10a to 13a of the reagent dispensing probes. 2 and 3, the detergent in the detergent reservoir 6 is dispensed from the reagent dispensing probe to the reaction container of the reaction disk 4. The driving device 80 drives the reaction disk 4 and the stirring devices 7 and 8 under the control of the control function 32, so that the detergent in the reaction container of the reaction disk 4 is used to stir the stirring elements of the stirring devices 7 and 8. be washed.

On the other hand, for example, if the detergent storage units 6 in the reagent storages 2 and 3 are short of detergent (step S131; Yes), the control function 32 executes steps S133 and S134 in FIG. Specifically, the control function 32 of the processing device 90 controls the driving device 80 as follows.

In step S133 of FIG. 8, the driving device 80 drives the transport arm 27 under the control of the control function 32, thereby moving the detergent bottles 200 placed in the rack input section 16 and the STAT input section 18 to the respective positions shown in FIG. The detergent bottles 205 and 209 are moved to the empty detergent bottle space 25 and the sampling lane 301 . At this time, the transport arm 27 is driven by the driving device 80 to place the detergent bottles 205 and 209 on the trajectories 10a and 12a of the reagent dispensing probe, respectively.

In step S134 of FIG. 8, when the reagent dispensing probe is not used, the driving device 80 drives the reagent dispensing arms 10 and 12, the reagent dispensing probe, and the reagent dispensing pump under the control of the control function 32. , the detergent in the detergent bottles 205 and 209 located on the trajectories 10a and 12a of the reagent dispensing probe are dispensed from the reagent dispensing probe to the reaction containers of the reaction disk 4. FIG. The driving device 80 drives the reaction disk 4 and the stirring devices 7 and 8 under the control of the control function 32, so that the detergent in the reaction container of the reaction disk 4 is used to stir the stirring elements of the stirring devices 7 and 8. be washed.

In the process of FIG. 8, the detergent is put into the reaction container of the reaction disk 4, so the reaction container can be washed in order to avoid carryover.

In addition, in the processing of FIGS. 5 to 8, it is determined during the measurement whether or not the detergent in each detergent storage unit is likely to run out, but it can also be applied at the start and end of the measurement. be.

As described above, in this embodiment, the detergent bottle 200 used in the automatic analyzer 1 for measuring the mixture of the sample and the reagent can be transported by the transport arm 27 . Therefore, in the present embodiment, even if detergent runs short during measurement, detergent can be replenished without stopping measurement. In addition, in this embodiment, since the measurement is not stopped, there is no loss of time or the like. Further, in this embodiment, the detergent bottle 200 is transported by the transport arm 27, so the user does not need to replenish or replace the detergent. In addition, in this embodiment, there is no need to increase the capacity of the detergent storage section, and there is no need to add a mechanism for replenishing the detergent storage section with detergent when the detergent is running short, so the size of the device is not required. .

According to at least one embodiment described above, it is possible to eliminate the need to increase the size of the device and to use the detergent without stopping the measurement.

While several embodiments have been described, these embodiments are provided 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, changes, and combinations of embodiments can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

1 automatic analyzer 27 transfer arm 100 sample racks 131 to 134 hole 200 detergent bottle 220 storage section 221 openings 231, 232 hole 250 detergent

Claims (8)

A detergent bottle used in an automatic analyzer for measuring a mixture of a sample and a reagent,
It can be transported by a transport arm that transports a sample rack that contains a detergent for cleaning the probe and holds a sample container containing the sample.
detergent bottle. In the sample rack, having the same structure as the structure provided so as to be transportable by the transport arm,
The detergent bottle according to claim 1. a storage unit that stores the detergent;
an opening provided in the accommodating portion and into which the probe is inserted;
a hole provided in a sample rack that holds a sample container containing the sample so that the sample can be transported by a transfer arm that can be inserted into and removed from the hole provided in the sample rack, and formed in the storage part at the same position as the hole in the sample rack;
The detergent bottle of claim 2, comprising a. A label that is readable by a reading unit that reads the identification information of the sample rack and that includes identification information that allows identification of containing the detergent is attached.
The detergent bottle according to any one of claims 1-3. having an outline similar to that of the sample rack,
The detergent bottle according to any one of claims 1-4. A detergent bottle according to any one of claims 1 to 5;
the transport arm;
a measurement unit that measures a mixture of a sample and a reagent dispensed by the probe;
Automatic analyzer with a detergent reservoir disposed on the trajectory of the probe in the automatic analyzer and containing a detergent;
When the detergent in the detergent reservoir is sufficient, the detergent in the detergent reservoir is used to wash the probe; a control unit that cleans the probe using the detergent in the detergent bottle located in the
The automated analyzer of claim 6, further comprising: When the probe is not in use, the control unit causes the probe to suck the detergent from the detergent bottle and causes the detergent storage unit to be replenished with the sucked detergent.
The automatic analyzer according to claim 7.

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