JP2024100473A - Specimen measurement device and specimen measurement method - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a specimen measurement device that can replace containers in the device while reducing the effect of external light on the measurement results. [Solution] The specimen measurement device 1 comprises a housing 10 having an opening 33, a container storage section 65 arranged in the housing 10, which stores a container containing at least one of a specimen and a reagent and is configured to be able to be pulled out of the housing 10 from the opening 33, a measurement section 53 arranged in the housing 10 and having a detector 141 that detects light from a measurement sample prepared from the specimen and the reagent and measures optical information of the measurement sample based on the light detected by the detector 141, and a light shielding section 600 that blocks the passage of external light from the opening 33 to the detector 141 in response to the container storage section 65 being pulled out of the opening 33. [Selected Figure] Figure 15

Description

The present invention relates to a specimen measurement device and a specimen measurement method.

A specimen measurement device is known that measures a specimen in a specimen container placed inside a housing using a reagent in a reagent container placed inside the housing.

Patent Document 1 discloses a sample analyzer that includes a sample container holder for placing a sample container that contains a sample, a reagent holder for placing a reagent container that contains a reagent, a dispensing unit for dispensing the sample and the reagent, and a measurement unit for measuring a measurement sample prepared from the sample and the reagent. Patent Document 1 also discloses that a user can place a sample rack that holds multiple sample containers in the sample container holder.

JP 2012-112786 A

From the perspective of improving the efficiency of testing, it is necessary to be able to replace sample containers and reagent containers during sample measurement without being affected by external light, but Patent Document 1 does not disclose any technology that would make this possible.

The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and provides a sample measurement device and a sample measurement method that allow containers to be replaced in the device while reducing the impact of external light on the measurement results.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, 7, and 11 to 17, the specimen measurement device (1) according to the present invention includes a housing (10) having an opening (33), a container storage section (65) arranged in the housing (10) for storing a container containing at least one of a specimen and a reagent and configured to be able to be pulled out of the housing (10) through the opening (33), a measurement section (53) arranged in the housing (10) having a detector (141) for detecting light from a measurement sample prepared from the specimen and the reagent and measuring optical information of the measurement sample based on the light detected by the detector (141), and a light shielding section (600) for blocking the passage of external light from the opening (33) to the detector (141) in response to the container storage section (65) being pulled out of the opening (33).

The specimen measurement device (1) of the present invention makes it possible to replace containers in the device while reducing the effect of external light on the measurement results.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, 7, and 11 to 17, the specimen measurement device (1) according to the present invention comprises a housing (10) having an opening (33), a container storage section (65) arranged in the housing (10) for storing a container containing at least one of a specimen and a reagent and configured to be able to be pulled out of the housing (10) through the opening (33), a measurement section (53) arranged in the housing (10) having a detector (141) for detecting light from a measurement sample prepared from the specimen and the reagent and for measuring optical information of the measurement sample based on the light detected by the detector (141), and a member (511) that enters and exits the path of external light from the opening (33) to the detector (141).

The specimen measurement device (1) of the present invention makes it possible to replace containers in the device while reducing the effect of external light on the measurement results.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, 7, and 11 to 19, the specimen measurement method according to the present invention is a specimen measurement method using a specimen measurement device, and includes a measurement step (S4) in which a detector (141) detects light from a measurement sample prepared from a specimen and a reagent in a measurement section (53) arranged in a housing (10) and measures optical information of the measurement sample based on the detected light, and a withdrawal step (S6) in which a container storage section (65) that stores a container containing at least one of a specimen and a reagent is withdrawn from an opening (33) of the housing (10). In the withdrawal step (S6), the passage of external light from the opening (33) to the detector (141) is blocked in response to the container storage section (65) being withdrawn from the opening (33).

The sample measurement method of the present invention allows containers to be replaced in the device while reducing the impact of external light on the measurement results.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, 7, and 11 to 19, the specimen measurement method according to the present invention is a specimen measurement method using a specimen measurement device (1), and includes a measurement step (S4) in which a detector (141) detects light from a measurement sample prepared from a specimen and a reagent in a measurement section (53) arranged in a housing (10) and measures optical information of the measurement sample based on the detected light, and steps (S6, S7) in which a container storage section (65) that stores a container containing at least one of a specimen and a reagent is inserted and removed from an opening (33) of the housing (10), and in the insertion and removal steps (S6, S7), a member (511) enters and exits the path of external light leading from the opening (33) to the detector (141).

The sample measurement method of the present invention allows containers to be replaced in the device while reducing the impact of external light on the measurement results.

The present invention provides a sample measurement device and a sample measurement method that can replace containers in the device while reducing the effect of external light on the measurement results.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the external appearance of the specimen measurement device. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the specimen measurement device. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which the sample container storage section is pulled out from the housing. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the reagent container storage section is pulled out from the housing. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the appearance of the measurement unit. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the measurement unit. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the detection unit. FIG. 8 is a block diagram relating to control of the specimen measurement device. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of a dispensing device. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of the container holding unit. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of the specimen container storage unit. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of a sample container storage section and a sample rack. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a specimen container storage section stored in a cover member. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a specimen container storage section stored in a cover member. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the specimen container storage section pulled out from the cover member. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the specimen container storage section pulled out from the cover member. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the configuration of a drive unit of the specimen container storage unit. FIG. 18 is a flow diagram showing the steps for performing a sample measurement. FIG. 19 is a flow diagram showing the steps of replacing a specimen container. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a state in which one sample container storage section is pulled out. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a state in which the two sample container storage sections are pulled out. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a light blocking section having a light blocking member. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a state in which the opening is closed by the light blocking member of the light blocking section. FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a light-shielding section having another light-shielding member. FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a state in which the opening is closed by the light blocking member of the light blocking section. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a light blocking unit having a shutter. FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a state in which the shutter of the light blocking portion is closed. FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a light blocking section having an opening/closing plate. FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a state in which the dispensing hole is closed by the opening and closing plate of the light-shielding part.

Below, an example of an embodiment of the sample measurement device and sample measurement method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<Sample measurement device>
Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a specimen measurement device 1 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 2 is a plan view showing an example of the internal configuration of the specimen measurement device 1. In one example, the specimen measurement device 1 is used for blood coagulation measurement to analyze the activity of coagulation factors in a specimen (blood specimen).

As shown in FIG. 1, the specimen measurement device 1 has a housing (device housing) 10 that is substantially rectangular. The housing 10 has a front surface 20, a rear surface 21, a right side surface 22, a left side surface 23, a top surface 24, and a bottom surface 25. In this specification, the "left" and "right" of the specimen measurement device 1 are based on the direction when the front surface 20 is viewed from the front.

The front part 20 is provided with a cover 30 that can be opened and closed, and the user can access the inside of the housing 10 by opening the cover 30. The front part 20 is provided with an opening 31 for inserting and removing a reagent container storage section 85 into and from the inside of a reagent rack storage section 52 described below, and a lid part 32 for opening and closing the opening 31. The front part 20 is provided with an opening 33 for inserting and removing a sample container storage section 65 into and from the inside of a sample rack storage section 50 described below, and a lid part 34 for opening and closing the opening 33. The lid part 34 is configured to close the opening 33 by being biased by a spring toward the housing 10 side, and to open the opening 33 by the action of an external force that resists the bias.

The top surface 24 is a rectangular flat surface on which the monitor 40 can be placed. The monitor 40 is a touch panel display that can be used to input the operations required for sample measurement, display various information, and display sample measurement results.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sample measurement device 1 includes, inside the housing 10, a sample rack storage section 50, a reaction vessel storage section 51, a reagent rack storage section 52, a measurement section 53, a washing section 54, a disposal section 55, a power supply section 56, a control section 57, and a dispensing section 58.

The sample rack storage unit 50 is provided on the front side 20 side of the center of the housing 10 in the front-rear direction Y and near the center of the housing 10 in the left-right direction X. The sample rack storage unit 50 stores a sample rack that holds a plurality of sample containers. The sample rack storage unit 50 is covered with a cover member 60. The cover member 60 has an upper surface 61, and a plurality of dispensing holes 62 are formed on the upper surface 61. The dispensing holes 62 are arranged in a line in the front-rear direction Y (six in FIG. 2). The dispensing holes 62 are arranged in two adjacent rows in the left-right direction X. A pipette 200 (described later) of the dispensing unit 58 can enter the sample rack storage unit 50 through the dispensing holes 62 and aspirate the samples stored in the sample containers in the sample rack storage unit 50.

The sample rack storage unit 50 has a sample container storage unit 65 inside the cover member 60 that stores the sample containers held in the sample rack. The sample container storage units 65 are arranged side by side so that two of them are adjacent to each other in the left-right direction X. As shown in FIG. 3, the sample container storage unit 65 is configured to be able to be pulled out to the outside of the housing 10 through the opening 33 in which the lid unit 34 of the housing 10 is arranged. The sample container storage unit 65 can hold a plurality of sample containers 67 held in the sample rack 66. The lid unit 34 is pushed by the sample container storage unit 65 when the sample container storage unit 65 is pulled out of the housing 10 and opens against the bias, and closes by the bias when the sample container storage unit 65 is stored in the housing 10. Thus, the lid unit 34 can open and close the opening 33 in conjunction with the movement of the sample container storage unit 65.

The specimen measurement device 1 has a light shielding unit 600 that blocks the passage of external light from the opening 33 to the detector 141 of the measurement unit 53 when the specimen container storage unit 65 is pulled out. In this embodiment, the light shielding unit 600 is provided in the specimen container storage unit 65. The configuration of the specimen container storage unit 65 including the light shielding unit 600 will be described in detail later.

As shown in FIG. 2, the reaction vessel storage unit 51 is provided closer to the front portion 20 than the center of the housing 10 in the front-rear direction Y and to the right of the center of the housing 10 in the left-right direction X. The reaction vessel storage unit 51 stores a vessel rack 71 that holds multiple reaction vessels 70.

The reagent rack storage section 52 is provided on the front side 20 side of the center of the housing 10 in the front-rear direction Y and on the left side of the center of the housing 10 in the left-right direction X. The reagent rack storage section 52 is provided to the left of the sample rack storage section 50. The reagent rack storage section 52 stores a reagent rack that holds multiple reagent containers. The reagent rack storage section 52 is covered with a cover member 80. The cover member 80 has an upper surface section 81, and multiple dispensing holes 82 are formed in the upper surface section 81. A pipette 200 (described later) of the dispensing section 58 can enter the reagent rack storage section 52 through the dispensing holes 82 and aspirate the reagent contained in the reagent container in the reagent rack storage section 52. The reagent rack storage section 52 has a cooling section 83 for cooling the reagent container and a heat exhaust section 84 for exhausting heat generated by the cooling section 83 to the outside of the housing 10.

The reagent rack storage unit 52 has a reagent container storage unit 85 inside the cover member 80 that stores reagent containers held in the reagent rack. Two reagent container storage units 85 are arranged side by side adjacent to each other in the left-right direction X. As shown in FIG. 4, the reagent container storage unit 85 is configured so that it can be pulled out to the outside of the housing 10 from the opening 31 in which the lid unit 32 of the housing 10 is located. The reagent container storage unit 85 can hold reagent containers 87 held in a reagent rack 86 described below.

As shown in FIG. 2, the measurement unit 53 has a heating unit 90 and a detection unit 91. The heating unit 90 and the detection unit 91 are provided on the rear surface unit 21 side of the center of the housing 10 in the front-rear direction Y and to the right of the center of the housing 10 in the left-right direction X.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing the external appearance of the measuring unit 53, and Figure 6 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the measuring unit 53. As shown in Figure 5, the measuring unit 53 has a cover member 100 including a heating unit 90 and a detection unit 91. The cover member 100 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. A plurality of holes 101 are formed in the upper surface portion 100a of the cover member 100.

As shown in FIG. 6, the heating unit 90 has a first holding portion 121 inside the cover member 100. The first holding portion 121 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the left-right direction X. The first holding portion 121 has a plurality of holding holes 120 that hold the reaction vessels 70. The plurality of holding holes 120 are arranged in a line in the left-right direction X. The holding holes 120 are connected to holes 101 arranged in the upper surface portion 100a of the cover member 100. The heating unit 90 can heat the reaction vessels 70 held in the holding holes 120 by a heat source 122.

The detection unit 91 has a second holding portion 131 inside the cover member 100. The second holding portion 131 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the left-right direction X. The second holding portion 131 has a plurality of holding holes 130 that hold the reaction vessel 70. The plurality of holding holes 130 are arranged in a line in the left-right direction X. The second holding portion 131 is provided on the rear surface portion 21 side of the first holding portion 121. The holding hole 130 communicates with the hole 101 arranged in the upper surface portion 100a of the cover member 100. The holding hole 130 is open upward to receive the reaction vessel 70, and light can enter the holding hole 130 from the outside of the cover member 100 and reach the detector 141 described below.

As shown in FIG. 7, the detection unit 91 has a light source 140 that irradiates light onto the reaction vessel 70 held in the second holding unit 131, and a detector 141 that detects the light that has passed through the reaction vessel 70. The detection unit 91 can measure optical information of the measurement sample by irradiating light from the light source 140 onto a measurement sample prepared from a specimen and a reagent in the reaction vessel 70, and detecting the light that has passed through the measurement sample with the detector 141.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning unit 54 is provided near the center of the housing 10 in the front-rear direction Y, between the measurement unit 53 and the reaction vessel storage unit 51. The cleaning unit 54 has a cleaning tank 160 that cleans the pipette 200 of the dispensing unit 58.

The waste section 55 is provided between the measurement section 53 and the reaction vessel storage section 51. The waste section 55 has a waste port 170 for disposing of the reaction vessel 70.

The power supply unit 56 is located near the rear surface 21 of the housing 10 in the front-rear direction Y, and to the left of the center in the left-right direction X. The power supply unit 56 supplies power from an external power source to various devices such as the sample rack storage unit 50, the reagent rack storage unit 52, the measurement unit 53, the control unit 57, and the dispensing unit 58.

The control unit 57 is provided near the rear surface 21 in the front-rear direction Y of the housing 10, and to the right of the center in the left-right direction X. As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 57 can communicate with various devices such as the sample rack storage unit 50, the reagent rack storage unit 52, the measurement unit 53, and the dispensing unit 58, and controls the operation of the various devices. The control unit 57 has a memory and a CPU, and the CPU executes a program stored in the memory to control the various devices and perform sample measurement. The control unit 57 can communicate with the monitor 40, and can perform sample measurement based on information input from the monitor 40, and display the results of the sample measurement on the monitor 40.

As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 10 has a vertical wall 180 disposed inside the housing 10 on the rear surface section 21 side from the center in the front-rear direction Y. The vertical wall 180 has a plate shape with the plate surface facing the front-rear direction Y. The vertical wall 180 separates the inside of the housing 10 into a main region R1 and a rear region R2. The power supply unit 56 and the control unit 57 are provided in the rear region R2. The power supply unit 56 and the control unit 57 are attached to the surface of the vertical wall 180 on the rear region R2 side. The sample rack storage unit 50, the reaction vessel storage unit 51, the reagent rack storage unit 52, the measurement unit 53, the washing unit 54, the disposal unit 55 and the dispensing unit 58 are provided in the main region R1.

The dispensing unit 58 has the function of dispensing into the specimen container 67, the reaction container 70, and the reagent container 87. The dispensing unit 58 has a dispensing device 190 and a moving device 191 that moves the dispensing device 190.

<Configuration of Dispensing Unit 58>
9 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the dispensing device 190. The dispensing device 190 includes a pipette 200, a container holding unit 201, a moving mechanism 202, and the like.

The pipette 200 is a long, thin tube that extends in the vertical direction Z and can hold a predetermined amount of liquid within the tube. The pipette 200 is configured to be able to aspirate liquid from the tip 210 and to eject the aspirated liquid.

As shown in FIG. 10, the container holding section 201 has two (a pair of) holding arms 220 that hold the reaction container 70. The holding arms 220 are disposed below the pipette 200, and can hold the reaction container 70 coaxially in the vertical direction Z of the pipette 200. The pipette 200 is narrower than the distance between the two holding arms 220 of the container holding section 201, and can be inserted between the two holding arms 220 in the vertical direction Z.

As shown in FIG. 9, the moving mechanism 202 moves the pipette 200 and the container holding part 201 relative to each other in the vertical direction Z while maintaining the holding arm 220 and the pipette 200 coaxially.

The moving mechanism 202 has a mechanical mechanism configured so that when one of the pipette 200 and the container holding part 201 rises, the other one descends in conjunction with the pipette 200. The moving mechanism 202 also has a mechanical mechanism configured so that when the pipette 200 descends, the container holding part 201 rises in conjunction with the pipette 200, and when the container holding part 201 has risen to a predetermined position, the interlock is released, and the pipette 200 descends with the container holding part 201 stopping its rise. An example of such a mechanical mechanism is described below.

The moving mechanism 202 has a first moving part 250 for moving the pipette 200 in the vertical direction Z, a second moving part 251 for moving the container holding part 201 in the vertical direction Z, an interlocking part 252 for interlocking the first moving part 250 and the second moving part 251, and a driving source 253 for driving the interlocking part 252.

The moving mechanism 202 has a substantially rectangular plate-like member 260. The plate-like member 260 is erected so that its plate surface faces the left-right direction X. The first moving unit 250, the second moving unit 251, and the interlocking unit 252 are provided on the first plate surface 260a on the right side of the plate-like member 260 in the left-right direction X (front side in FIG. 9). The driving source 253 is provided on the second plate surface 260b on the left side of the plate-like member 260 in the left-right direction X (back side in FIG. 9).

The first moving part 250 has a pipette holding member 270 that holds the pipette 200, and a first lifting member 271 to which the pipette holding member 270 is fixed and which is lifted and lowered by the interlocking part 252.

A pipe 280 is connected to the top of the pipette holding member 270 for supplying air and suctioning into the pipette 200. The pipe 280 is connected to a pump device.

The first lifting member 271 has a plate shape. The pipette holding member 270 is fixed to the plate surface on the right side of the first lifting member 271 in the left-right direction X.

The first lifting member 271 is movably attached to a first guide rail 272 that is provided in the vertical direction Z of the plate-shaped member 260. The first lifting member 271 is attached to a belt 322, which will be described later.

The second moving part 251 has a second lifting member 300 to which the container holding part 201 is fixed and which can be raised and lowered freely, a biasing member 301 that biases the second lifting member 300 upward, a stopper 302 that stops the second lifting member 300 from rising, and a pressing member 303 that is raised and lowered by the interlocking part 252 and can press the second lifting member 300 downward.

The second lifting member 300 has a main body 310 and an arm 311 that connects the main body 310 to the container holding portion 201.

The second lifting member 300 is movably attached to a second guide rail 304 that is provided in the vertical direction Z of the plate-shaped member 260.

The biasing member 301 is a spring and is oriented in the vertical direction Z. The upper end of the biasing member 301 is fixed to a position above the second lifting member 300 of the plate-shaped member 260, and the lower end is fixed to the upper part of the second lifting member 300. The biasing member 301 biases the second lifting member 300 upward.

The stopper 302 is provided at a position above the second lifting member 300 of the plate-like member 260. The stopper 302 is provided so as to come into contact with the upper portion of the second lifting member 300 and stop the lifting of the second lifting member 300 when the second lifting member 300 rises to a predetermined upper limit position, i.e., a predetermined position (position in Figures 9 and 10) where the pipette 200 is inserted into the reaction vessel 70 held by the holding arm 220 of the vessel holding section 201.

The pressing member 303 is provided at a position above the second lifting member 300. The pressing member 303 is attached to a belt 322, which will be described later, and can be raised and lowered by the belt 322. When the pressing member 303 is lowered, it can press the second lifting member 300 downward, and can also be raised above the upper limit position of the second lifting member 300.

When the container holding part 201 is lowered, the second moving part 251 is configured such that the pressing member 303 is lowered by the interlocking part 252 and presses the second lifting member 300 downward against the biasing force of the biasing member 301, and when the container holding part 201 is raised, the pressing member 303 is raised by the interlocking part 252 and the second lifting member 300 is raised by the biasing force of the biasing member 301, and when the container holding part 201 is raised to a predetermined position, the rise of the second lifting member 300 is stopped by the stopper 302.

The interlocking part 252 has a pair of pulleys 320, 321 arranged in the vertical direction Z, and a circular belt 322 looped around the pair of pulleys 320, 321.

The pair of pulleys 320, 321 are arranged above and below the plate-shaped member 260. The pair of pulleys 320, 321 are provided between the first guide rail 272 of the first moving part 250 and the second guide rail 304 of the second moving part 251 in the front-rear direction Y. The pulley 320 is provided near the upper part of the plate-shaped member 260, and the pulley 321 is provided near the lower part of the plate-shaped member 260.

The belt 322 is looped around a pair of pulleys 320, 321, and the belt portions 330, 331 that face each other in the front-rear direction Y move up and down in opposite directions via the pulleys 320, 321.

The first moving part 250 is driven by the belt part 330. That is, the first lifting member 271 is attached to the belt part 330, and as the belt part 330 rises and falls, the first lifting member 271, the pipette holding member 270, and the pipette 200 rise and fall.

The second moving part 251 is driven by the belt part 331. That is, the pressing member 303 is attached to the belt part 331, and the pressing member 303 rises and falls as the belt part 331 rises and falls. As the pressing member 303 rises and falls, the second lifting member 300 and the container holding part 201 can rise and fall.

The driving source 253 is a single motor and is connected to the pulley 320. The driving source 253 is fixed to the second plate surface 260b on the left side in the left-right direction X of the plate-shaped member 260. The driving source 253 can switch between forward and reverse rotation, and can rotate the belt 322 clockwise and counterclockwise via the pulley 320.

The moving mechanism 202 has a vibration member 350 that vibrates the reaction vessel 70 held by the vessel holding portion 201. The vibration member 350 is a vibration element that vibrates when powered, and is provided on the arm portion 311 of the second lifting member 300.

The moving mechanism 202 has a heating member 360 that heats the sample or reagent in the pipette 200. The heating member 360 is a heat generating element that generates heat when powered, and is provided on the pipette holding member 270.

The moving device 191 shown in FIG. 2 is configured to move the entire dispensing device 190 to any position in the left-right direction X and the front-back direction Y within the housing 10. The container holding unit 201 of the dispensing device 190 can be moved within the housing 10 by the moving device 191, but the light-shielding unit 600 is provided outside the movement path of the container holding unit 201.

<Configuration of specimen container storage unit 65>
The configuration of the specimen container storage section 65 will be described. As shown in Fig. 11, the specimen container storage section 65 is covered by a cover member 60. The cover member 60 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the front-rear direction Y, and forms a substantially rectangular parallelepiped space inside. The cover member 60 has an opening 60a on the front surface in the front-rear direction Y, and the opening 60a communicates with the opening 33 of the housing 10. The two specimen container storage sections 65 enter and exit the housing 10 through the opening 60a and the opening 33. The surfaces of the cover member 60 other than the opening 60a are configured so that light does not enter other than the dispensing holes 62.

As shown in FIG. 12, each specimen container storage section 65 can hold a specimen rack 66 that holds a row of specimen containers 67. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the specimen container storage section 65 has an elongated shape that is long in the direction in which the specimen containers 67 are arranged (the front-rear direction Y). The specimen container storage section 65 has a rack mounting section 510, a rear light-shielding wall 511 as a first light-shielding member, a front light-shielding wall 512 as a second light-shielding member, a pressing section 513, and a rail section 514.

The rack mounting section 510 is provided at the center of the sample container storage section 65 in the front-to-rear direction Y, and can hold and mount the sample rack 66.

The front light-shielding wall 512 is provided at the front of the specimen container storage section 65 in the front-rear direction Y. The front light-shielding wall 512 has a substantially rectangular plate shape with the plate surface facing the front-rear direction Y. The front light-shielding wall 512 has a thickness in the front-rear direction Y. As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the front light-shielding wall 512 is configured to close the opening 33 of the housing 10 when the specimen container storage section 65 is stored in the cover member 60. That is, when the specimen container storage section 65 is stored in the cover member 60, the front light-shielding wall 512 fits snugly into the opening 33 formed in the front portion 20 of the housing 10. As a result, when the cover section 34 is opened, light is blocked so that external light does not enter the housing 10 through the opening 33.

11 to 14, the rear light-shielding wall 511 is provided at the rear of the specimen container storage unit 65 in the front-rear direction Y. The rear light-shielding wall 511 has a substantially rectangular plate shape with the plate surface facing the front-rear direction Y. The rear light-shielding wall 511 has a thickness in the front-rear direction Y. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the rear light-shielding wall 511 is configured to close the opening 33 of the housing 10 when the specimen container storage unit 65 is pulled out from within the cover member 60. That is, when the specimen container storage unit 65 is pulled out from within the cover member 60, the rear light-shielding wall 511 fits snugly into the opening 33 formed in the front portion 20 of the housing 10. As a result, when the specimen container storage unit 65 is pulled out from within the cover member 60, light is blocked so that external light does not enter the housing 10 from the opening 33. In this embodiment, the light-shielding unit 600 is configured by the rear light-shielding wall 511.

As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the pressing portion 513 is provided at the bottom of the front light-shielding wall 512. The pressing portion 513 protrudes slightly forward from the front light-shielding wall 512. The bottom of the pressing portion 513 has a curved shape. The pressing portion 513 can press the lid portion 34 to open the lid portion 34 when the specimen container storage portion 65 is pulled out.

The rail section 514 is configured to be movable in the forward and backward directions Y along a slider section 520 provided on the bottom surface section 25 of the housing 10. As shown in FIG. 17, the rail section 514 is driven by a drive mechanism 521. The drive mechanism 521 has a motor 530, a belt 532 that drives between two pulleys 531 by the motor 530, and a sensor 533. The rail section 514 is linked to the belt 532, and is driven via the belt 532 by the operation of the motor 530. The sensor 533 detects that the specimen container storage section 65 is stored in the cover member 60. The motor 530 stops based on the detection by the sensor 533. The drive mechanism 521 is operated when a command button provided on the monitor 40 is pressed by the user.

<Sample measurement method>
Next, a description will be given of an example of specimen measurement using the specimen measurement device 1 configured as above. Fig. 18 is a flow diagram showing the steps of specimen measurement.

The sample measurement by the sample measurement device 1 mainly involves a reaction container transfer process S1, a sample dispensing process S2, a reagent dispensing process S3, a measurement process S4, and a reaction container recovery and disposal process S5, which are carried out in this order. Each of these processes is executed by the control unit 57.

Before the start of sample measurement, multiple empty reaction containers 70 are stored in the reaction container storage unit 51 as shown in FIG. 2. A sample rack 66 having multiple sample containers 67 containing samples is held in the sample container storage unit 65 and stored in the sample rack storage unit 50. In addition, a reagent rack 86 having reagent containers 87 containing reagents is held in the reagent container storage unit 85 and stored in the reagent rack storage unit 52.

Then, in the sample measurement, a transfer step S1 of the reaction container 70 is performed. In the reaction container transfer step S1, first, the container holding section 201 of the dispensing device 190 moves from the initial position onto the container rack 71 of the reaction container storage section 51, and then descends to hold the empty reaction container 70 in the container rack 71.

Next, the container holding part 201 moves onto the heating part 90 and then descends, and the reaction container 70 is held in the holding hole 120 of the heating part 90. Then, the container holding part 201 rises.

Then, the sample dispensing step S2 is performed. First, the pipette 200 of the dispensing device 190 moves above the sample rack storage section 50 and then descends. The pipette 200 passes through the dispensing hole 62 in the upper surface 61 of the cover member 60 and is inserted into a sample container 67 in a sample rack 66 held in a sample container storage section 65, and aspirates the sample.

Then, the pipette 200 rises above the sample rack storage unit 50 and moves above the heating unit 90. The pipette 200 descends toward the reaction vessel 70 in the heating unit 90 and injects the sample into the reaction vessel 70.

Next, the pipette 200 rises above the heating unit 90 and moves above the cleaning unit 54. The pipette 200 descends toward the cleaning tank 160 in the cleaning unit 54, where it is inserted into the cleaning tank 160 and cleaned. Finally, the pipette 200 rises above the cleaning unit 54.

Next, the reagent dispensing process S3 is performed. First, the pipette 200 moves above the reagent rack storage section 52 and then descends. The pipette 200 passes through a dispensing hole 82 in the upper surface 81 of the cover member 80, and is inserted into a reagent container 87 in a reagent rack 86 held in a reagent container storage section 85, and aspirates the reagent.

Next, the pipette 200 rises above the reagent rack storage unit 52. Next, the reagent in the pipette 200 is heated by the heating member 360. While the reagent in the pipette 200 is being heated, the pipette 200 moves above the heating unit 90.

Next, the container holding section 201 of the dispensing device 190 descends toward the reaction container 70 in the heating section 90 and holds the reaction container 70 in the heating section 90.

Next, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the container holder 201 rises above the heating unit 90, and the pipette 200 descends and is inserted into the reaction container 70. The pipette 200 then injects the reagent into the reaction container 70 in the container holder 201. Next, the reaction container 70 in the container holder 201 is vibrated by the vibration member 350, and the sample containing the reagent is stirred, and the measurement reagent is prepared.

Next, the container holding part 201 shown in FIG. 2 moves onto the detection part 91 and then descends. The container holding part 201 descends towards the holding hole 130 of the detection part 91 and holds the reaction container 70 in the holding hole 130. Finally, the container holding part 201 rises onto the detection part 91.

Next, the measurement step S4 is performed. The specimen measurement performed in the measurement step S4 is affected by external light. In the detection unit 91, a blood coagulation measurement is performed to analyze the activity of the coagulation factors of the specimen contained in the reaction vessel 70. As shown in FIG. 7, the measurement is performed by irradiating the measurement specimen in the reaction vessel 70 with light from the light source 140, and detecting the light transmitted through the measurement specimen with the detector 141, thereby measuring the optical information of the measurement specimen.

The optical information is time series data of light detected by the detector 141. That is, the optical information is time series data that is continuously detected for a predetermined time, and the time for which the time series data is detected is about 30 seconds to 5 minutes. The time series data may be multiple time series data obtained by detecting multiple wavelengths of light that have passed through the measurement sample. For example, the time series data may be for calculating the clotting time of the sample, the concentration or activity of a component contained in the sample, and the clotting time of the sample may be calculated from the time series data using a percentage detection method. In addition, the concentration or activity of a component contained in the sample may be calculated from the time series data using a synthetic substrate measurement method, and the concentration or activity of a component contained in the sample may be calculated from the time series data using an immunoturbidimetric measurement method.

Finally, the reaction vessel recovery and disposal process S5 is performed. First, the vessel holding unit 201 of the dispensing device 190 shown in FIG. 2 moves above the detection unit 91 and then descends. Next, the vessel holding unit 201 holds the reaction vessel 70 of the detection unit 91.

Next, the container holding part 201 rises above the detection part 91 and moves above the disposal part 55. The container holding part 201 descends toward the disposal port 170 of the disposal part 55 and discards the reaction container 70 into the disposal port 170. Finally, the container holding part 201 rises above the disposal part 55 and is then returned to its initial position.

For example, while steps S1 to S5 of the sample measurement are being performed, the sample container stored in the sample container storage unit 65 is replaced. FIG. 19 is a flow diagram showing the steps of replacing a sample container. When replacing a sample container, step S6 of pulling out the sample container storage unit 65 and step S7 of storing the sample container storage unit 65 are performed in this order. Each of these steps is executed by the control unit 57. Step S6 of pulling out and step S7 of storing are examples of steps of inserting and removing the sample container storage unit 65 into and from the housing 10.

In the sample container storage unit 65 pull-out step S6, the sample container storage unit 65 is pulled out of the housing 10 through the opening 33. The pull-out step S6 may be performed while the measurement step S4 is being performed.

In the pull-out step S6, for example, a user presses an instruction button on the sample measurement device 1, which activates the drive mechanism 521 and moves one sample container storage section 65 out of the housing 10. At this time, as shown in FIG. 20 and FIG. 16, one sample container storage section 65 pushes the lid section 34 to open it and moves out of the housing 10 through the opening 33. At this time, although the lid section 34 is open, the rear light-shielding wall 511 of the sample container storage section 65 closes the opening 33, blocking light so that external light does not enter the housing 10 through the opening 33. That is, the path of external light from the opening 33 in the housing 10 to the detector 141 is blocked. The path of external light from the opening 33 to the detector 141 includes a path that enters the cover member 60 of the sample rack storage section 50 from the opening 33, exits the cover member 60 from the dispensing hole 62, passes through the internal space of the housing 10, enters the cover member 100 from the holding hole 130 of the measurement section 53, and reaches the detector 141. The rear light-shielding wall 511 may be an example of a member that enters and exits the path of external light from the opening 33 to the detector 141. The front light-shielding wall 512 of the other specimen container storage unit 65 that is not pulled out closes the opening 33, blocking external light from entering the housing 10 through the opening 33. The pull-out step S6 of one specimen container storage unit 65 may be performed when the specimen stored in the specimen container 67 of the other specimen container storage unit 65 that is not pulled out is being dispensed by the dispenser 58.

When the sample container storage section 65 is pulled out, the old sample rack 66 is replaced with a new sample rack 66. The new sample rack 66 holds sample containers 67 containing new samples. The new sample rack 66 is held in the sample container storage section 65.

Next, a storage step S7 of the specimen container storage unit 65 is performed. In the storage step S7, the specimen container storage unit 65 is moved from the opening 33 into the housing 10 and stored therein. For example, when a command button is pressed by a user, the drive mechanism 521 is operated and the specimen container storage unit 65 is stored in the housing 10. At this time, the lid unit 34 is closed by the force of a spring or the like.

As shown in FIG. 21, in the pull-out step S6, two specimen container storage units 65 may be pulled out. In this case, the rear light-shielding walls 511 of the two specimen container storage units 65 close the opening 33, blocking external light from entering the housing 10 through the opening 33. A button indicating the specimen container storage unit 65 in which the specimen container can be replaced among the two specimen container storage units 65 may be displayed on the display screen of the monitor 40, and the specimen container storage unit 65 may be moved outside the housing 10 by pressing the displayed button. The specimen container storage unit 65 in which the specimen container can be replaced may be a specimen container storage unit that is not in the process of dispensing the specimen in the specimen container.

According to this embodiment, the specimen measurement device 1 has a light-shielding section 600 that blocks the passage of external light from the opening 33 to the detector 141 when the specimen container storage section 65 is pulled out of the opening 33. This makes it possible to replace specimen containers 67 in the device while reducing the effect of external light on the measurement results.

The specimen container storage section 65 can be pulled out of the housing 10 through the opening 33 while the detector 141 is detecting light, so that the specimen container 67 (specimen rack 66) can be replaced without stopping the measurement in the measurement section 53. This allows continuous measurement in the specimen measurement device 1.

The light shielding unit 600 includes a first light shielding member (rear light shielding wall 511) that blocks external light from entering the housing 10 through the opening 33 when the specimen container storage unit 65 is pulled out from the opening 33. This prevents external light from entering the housing 10 and appropriately prevents the external light from reaching the detector 141.

The rear light-shielding wall 511 is provided in the specimen container storage section 65 and is configured to close the opening 33 when the specimen container storage section 65 is pulled out from the opening 33. This allows light to be blocked using a portion of the specimen container storage section 65, and effectively prevents external light from entering the housing 10.

The rear light-shielding wall 511 is provided at the rear of the specimen container storage section 65 in the pull-out direction. This allows the opening 33 to be appropriately closed when the specimen container storage section 65 is pulled out.

The specimen measurement device 1 is provided with a second light-shielding member (front light-shielding wall 512) that blocks external light from entering the housing 10 through the opening 33 when the specimen container storage unit 65 is stored in the housing 10. This prevents external light from entering the housing 10 when the specimen container storage unit 65 is stored in the housing 10 or when the lid unit 34 is open, and appropriately prevents external light from reaching the detector 141.

The front light-shielding wall 512 is provided in the specimen container storage section 65 and is configured to close the opening 33 when the specimen container storage section 65 is stored in the housing 10. This allows light to be blocked using a portion of the specimen container storage section 65, and effectively prevents external light from entering the housing 10.

The front light-shielding wall 512 is provided at the front of the specimen container storage section 65, which is located in front of the pull-out direction. This allows the opening 33 to be appropriately closed when the specimen container storage section 65 is stored in the housing 10 or when the lid section 34 is open.

The specimen measurement device 1 is equipped with a lid 34 that opens and closes the opening 33 from the outside of the housing 10. This makes it possible to more effectively prevent external light from entering the housing 10 through the opening 33.

The lid 34 is configured to open and close in conjunction with the movement of the specimen container storage section 65. This allows the lid 34 to open when the specimen container storage section 65 moves, shortening the time that the opening 33 is open. This sufficiently prevents external light from entering the housing 10 through the opening 33.

The lid 34 is configured to close the opening 33 by being biased toward the housing 10, and to open the opening 33 against the bias by being pushed by the specimen container storage section 65 when the specimen container storage section 65 is pulled out. This allows the lid 34 and the specimen container storage section 65 to be linked together in an optimal manner.

The specimen container storage sections 65 are arranged adjacent to each other inside the housing 10. When each specimen container storage section 65 is pulled out from the opening 33, it blocks external light from entering the housing 10 through the opening 33, allowing continuous measurement to be performed by the specimen measurement device 1.

The light-shielding section 600 is provided outside the movement path of the container holding section 201, so there is no interference between the light-shielding section 600 and the container holding section 201, and the container holding section 201 can transport the reaction container 70 when external light is blocked by the light-shielding section 600.

In the specimen measurement device 1, the multiple specimen container storage sections 65 are configured so that, while a specimen contained in a specimen container 67 in one specimen container storage section 65 is being dispensed by the dispensing section 58, the other specimen container storage sections 65 can be pulled out of the housing 10 through the opening 33. This allows the specimen measurement device 1 to continuously dispense specimens.

In the above embodiment, the light-shielding section 600 is provided in the specimen container storage section 65, but it may be provided in a member near the opening 33 in the specimen measurement device 1 and configured to close the opening 33 when the specimen container storage section 65 is pulled out from the opening 33.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 22, the light shielding unit 600 includes a light shielding member 700, which is biased against the specimen container storage unit 65 and may be configured to close the opening 33 at a rear position in the drawing direction of the specimen container storage unit 65 when the specimen container storage unit 65 is pulled out from the opening 33. In this case, the light shielding member 700 is provided inside the front surface 20 of the housing 10 and in the vicinity of the opening 33 in the left-right direction X. The light shielding member 700 is attached to the front surface 20 of the housing 10 so as to be freely rotatable around a vertical axis. The light shielding member 700 is biased against the side of the specimen container storage unit 65 by a spring or the like. As shown in FIG. 23, the light shielding member 700 rotates and closes the opening 33 when the specimen container storage unit 65 is pulled out. This makes it possible to prevent external light from entering the housing 10 through the opening 33.

24, the light shielding member 700 may be provided on the bottom surface 25 of the housing 10 near the opening 33. The light shielding member 700 may be provided on the bottom surface inside the cover member 60. The light shielding member 700 is attached to the bottom surface 25 of the housing 10 so as to be rotatable around a horizontal axis. The light shielding member 700 is biased against the bottom surface of the specimen container storage section 65 by a spring or the like. As shown in FIG. 25, when the specimen container storage section 65 is pulled out, the light shielding member 700 rotates to close the opening 33. This makes it possible to prevent external light from entering the housing 10 through the opening 33.

As shown in FIG. 26, the light blocking unit 600 may include a shutter 710 that is driven to open and close the opening 33. The shutter 710 is provided inside the front surface 20 of the housing 10 and in the vertical direction Z near the opening 33. The shutter 710 drives up and down. The shutter 710 drives upward when the specimen container storage unit 65 is stored. As shown in FIG. 27, when the specimen container storage unit 65 is pulled out, the shutter 710 drives downward to close the opening 33. This makes it possible to prevent external light from entering the housing 10 through the opening 33.

In the above embodiment, the light-shielding section 600 is configured to block external light from entering the housing 10 through the opening 33, but it may be configured to block external light that enters the cover member 60 from the opening 33 when the specimen container storage section 65 is pulled out of the opening 33, so that the external light does not exit the cover member 60 through the dispensing hole 62.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 28, the light shielding section 600 may have an opening/closing plate 720 that opens and closes the dispensing hole 62. The opening/closing plate 720 is arranged on the upper surface section 61 of the cover member 60 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction Y. The opening/closing plate 720 has a hole 721 that penetrates vertically at a position corresponding to the dispensing hole 62. A spring 730 is provided at the rear end of the opening/closing plate 720. A stopper 731 that restricts the spring 730 and the opening/closing plate 720 from moving rearward is provided at the rear side of the spring 730. A closing section 722 is provided at the front end of the opening/closing plate 720. The front light shielding wall 512 of the specimen container storage section 65 extends upward and has a protrusion 512a that protrudes rearward from its tip. When the specimen container storage section 65 is stored in the housing 10, the protrusion 512a of the front light-shielding wall 512 pushes the opening/closing plate 720 backward via the closing section 722, causing the spring 730 to contract. The opening/closing plate 720 is biased forward by the spring 730. The position of the hole 721 of the opening/closing plate 720 matches the position of the dispensing hole 62. The pipette 200 can enter the cover member 60 through the hole 721 and the dispensing hole 62. The front light-shielding wall 512 closes the opening 33. The gap between the upper surface 61 of the cover member 60 and the front surface 20 of the housing 10 is closed by the protrusion 512a.

29, when the specimen container storage section 65 is pulled out of the housing 10, the protrusion 512a of the front light-shielding wall 512 moves away from the closing section 722, the spring 730 expands, and the opening/closing plate 720 moves forward. The position of the hole 721 of the opening/closing plate 720 shifts from the position of the dispensing hole 62, and the dispensing hole 62 is closed by the opening/closing plate 720. The closing section 722 closes the gap between the front surface 20 of the housing 10 and the upper surface 61 of the cover member 60. This prevents external light that has entered the cover member 60 from the opening 33 from exiting the cover member 60 from the dispensing hole 62. As a result, external light is prevented from reaching the detector 141.

The light shielding section 600 may be configured to block light so that external light that enters the housing 10 from the opening 33 when the specimen container storage section 65 is pulled out from the opening 33 does not enter the detection section 91 through the holding hole 130 of the detection section 91. In this case, the light shielding section 600 may have a configuration that opens and closes the holding hole 130 with a slidable opening and closing plate, such as the opening and closing plate 720 shown in Figures 28 and 29.

In the above embodiment, there are two specimen container storage sections 65, but there may be one or three or more. When there is one specimen container storage section 65, the specimen containers can be replaced when the aspiration of all specimens contained in the multiple specimen containers is completed. In addition, the opening 33 may be provided for each specimen container storage section 65, or one opening may be provided for multiple specimen container storage sections 65.

In the above embodiment, the light shielding unit 600 shields the passage of external light from the opening 33 to the detector 141 of the measurement unit 53 when the specimen container storage unit 65 is pulled out from the opening 33. However, the reagent container storage unit 85 may be configured to shield the passage of external light from the opening 31 to the detector 141 when the reagent container storage unit 85 is pulled out from the opening 31, similar to the specimen container storage unit 65. All aspects related to the light shielding unit 600 described in the above embodiment may be applied to the reagent container storage unit 85. For example, the multiple reagent container storage units 85 may be configured so that when a reagent contained in a reagent container 87 in one reagent container storage unit 85 is being dispensed by the dispensing unit 58, the other reagent container storage unit 85 can be pulled out of the housing 10 from the opening 31. The light shielding unit 600 may also be applied to a container storage unit that stores liquid containers other than specimens and reagents.

In the above embodiment, the path of external light from the opening to the detector, which is blocked by the light-shielding section 600, enters the cover member 60 of the sample rack storage section 50 from the opening 33, exits the cover member 60 from the dispensing hole 62, passes through the internal space of the housing 10, enters the cover member 100 from the holding hole 130 of the measurement section 53, and reaches the detector 141, but is not limited to this.

The specimen measurement device of the present invention can also be used in devices that perform specimen measurements other than blood coagulation measurements, such as blood immunoanalysis, blood cell count measurement, biochemical analysis, and urine analysis.

The present invention is useful in providing a sample measurement device and a sample measurement method that can replace containers in the device while reducing the impact of external light on the measurement results.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Sample measurement device 10 Housing 33 Opening 34 Lid 50 Sample rack storage 52 Reagent rack storage 53 Measurement section 60 Cover member 65 Sample container storage 66 Sample rack 67 Sample container 70 Reaction container 85 Reagent container storage 141 Detector 511 Rear light-shielding wall 512 Front light-shielding wall 600 Light-shielding section

Claims (37)

A housing having an opening;
a container storage section disposed within the housing, configured to store a container containing at least one of a specimen and a reagent and configured to be removable from the housing through the opening;
a measurement unit that is disposed within the housing and has a detector that detects light from a measurement sample prepared from a specimen and a reagent, and that measures optical information of the measurement sample based on the light detected by the detector;
and a light blocking unit that blocks a path of external light from the opening to the detector in response to the container storage unit being pulled out from the opening.
Specimen measuring device. The specimen measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the container storage section can be pulled out of the housing through the opening while the detector is detecting light. The specimen measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the measurement unit has a holding hole that holds a reaction vessel containing the measurement sample, and is configured to measure optical information of the measurement sample in the reaction vessel held in the holding hole. A container holder is further provided in the housing to hold and transport the reaction container.
The container holding unit is configured to hold the reaction container and transfer it from above to the holding hole of the measurement unit.
The specimen measurement device according to claim 3 . The specimen measurement device according to claim 4, wherein the light-shielding unit is provided outside the movement path of the container holder. The specimen measurement device according to claim 3, wherein the measurement unit further includes a light source that irradiates the measurement sample with light. The container storage section includes the light blocking section,
the light blocking portion includes a first light blocking member configured to close the opening when the container holder is pulled out from the opening;
The specimen measurement device according to claim 1 . The first light blocking member is configured to close the opening at a predetermined position in response to movement of the container storage unit.
The specimen measurement device according to claim 7. The first light blocking member is provided at a rear portion located at the rear of the container storage portion in a pull-out direction.
The specimen measurement device according to claim 8. The container storage unit further includes a second light-shielding member that blocks external light from entering the housing through the opening when the container storage unit is stored in the housing.
The specimen measurement device according to claim 7. the second light-blocking member is provided in the container housing and configured to close the opening when the container housing is housed in the housing.
The specimen measurement device according to claim 10. The second light blocking member is configured to close the opening at a predetermined position in response to the movement of the container storage unit.
The specimen measurement device according to claim 11. The second light blocking member is provided at a front portion located at the front of the container storage portion in a pull-out direction.
The specimen measurement device according to claim 12. Further comprising a lid portion for opening and closing the opening from the outside of the housing.
The specimen measurement device according to claim 1 . The lid portion is configured to perform an opening and closing operation in conjunction with the movement of the container storage portion.
The specimen measurement device according to claim 14. The lid portion is configured to close the opening by being biased toward the housing, and to open the opening against the bias by being pushed by the container housing portion when the container housing portion is pulled out.
The specimen measurement device according to claim 15. The container storage section is arranged adjacent to each other in the housing.
A specimen measurement device according to any one of claims 1 to 16. The container storage unit is a sample container storage unit that stores a sample rack holding a plurality of sample containers.
The specimen measurement device according to claim 17. a cover member configured to cover the specimen container storage unit housed in the housing and having a dispensing hole for dispensing the specimen contained in the specimen container housed in the specimen container storage unit;
a dispensing unit that enters the specimen container storage unit through the dispensing hole and dispenses the specimen contained in the specimen container in the specimen container storage unit.
The specimen measurement device according to claim 18. The specimen measurement device according to claim 19, wherein the plurality of specimen container storage units are configured such that, when the specimen contained in the specimen container in one of the specimen container storage units is being dispensed by the dispensing unit, the other specimen container storage units can be pulled out of the housing through the opening. The container storage unit is a reagent container storage unit that stores a reagent rack holding a plurality of reagent containers.
The specimen measurement device according to claim 17. a cover member configured to cover the reagent container storage unit housed in the housing and having a dispensing hole for dispensing the reagent contained in the reagent container housed in the reagent container storage unit;
a dispensing unit that enters the reagent container storage unit through the dispensing hole and dispenses the reagent contained in the reagent container in the reagent container storage unit.
The specimen measurement device according to claim 21. The specimen measurement device according to claim 22, wherein the plurality of reagent container storage units are configured such that, when the reagent contained in the reagent container in one of the reagent container storage units is being dispensed by the dispenser, the other reagent container storage units can be pulled out of the housing through the opening. The light blocking unit is provided near the opening in the specimen measurement device and is configured to close the opening in response to the container storage unit being pulled out from the opening.
The specimen measurement device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. the light-shielding portion is biased toward the container storage portion and is configured to close the opening at a rear position in a pull-out direction of the container storage portion when the container storage portion is pulled out from the opening.
The specimen measurement device according to claim 24. The light blocking unit includes a shutter that is driven to open and close the opening.
The specimen measurement device according to claim 24. a cover member configured to cover the container storage unit housed in the housing and having a dispensing hole for dispensing liquid from a container housed in the container storage unit;
The light blocking portion is configured to block external light that has entered the cover member from the opening in response to the container storage portion being pulled out from the opening so as not to exit the cover member from the dispensing hole.
The specimen measurement device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. A housing having an opening;
a container storage section disposed within the housing, configured to store a container containing at least one of a specimen and a reagent and configured to be removable from the housing through the opening;
a measurement unit that is disposed within the housing and has a detector that detects light from a measurement sample prepared from a specimen and a reagent, and that measures optical information of the measurement sample based on the light detected by the detector;
a member that enters and exits a path of external light from the opening to the detector;
Specimen measuring device. A sample measurement method using a sample measurement device, comprising:
a measuring step of detecting light from a measurement sample prepared from a specimen and a reagent by a detector in a measurement unit disposed in a housing, and measuring optical information of the measurement sample based on the detected light;
a drawing step of drawing out a container storage unit that stores a container that stores at least one of a specimen and a reagent from an opening of the housing,
In the pulling-out step, a path of external light from the opening to the detector is blocked in response to the container holder being pulled out from the opening.
Sample measurement method. The method further includes a step of storing the drawn-out container storage unit in the housing.
The method for measuring a specimen according to claim 29. The drawing step is performed during the measurement of the sample in the measurement step.
The method for measuring a specimen according to claim 29. In the drawing step, light is blocked so that external light does not enter the housing through the opening.
The method for measuring a specimen according to claim 29. In the pulling-out step, at least one of the plurality of adjacent container storage sections is pulled out from the opening, and at that time, external light is shielded from reaching the detector.
A method for measuring a specimen according to any one of claims 29 to 32. The container storage unit is a sample container storage unit that stores a sample rack holding a plurality of sample containers.
The method for measuring a specimen according to claim 33. The container storage unit is a reagent container storage unit that stores a reagent rack holding a plurality of reagent containers.
The method for measuring a specimen according to claim 33. In the pulling-out step, external light that has entered the cover member covering the container storage section from the opening is blocked so as not to exit the cover member from a dispensing hole formed in the cover member.
The method for measuring a specimen according to claim 29. A sample measurement method using a sample measurement device, comprising:
a measuring step of detecting light from a measurement sample prepared from a specimen and a reagent by a detector in a measurement unit disposed in a housing, and measuring optical information of the measurement sample based on the detected light;
and inserting and removing a container storage unit that stores a container that stores at least one of a specimen and a reagent through an opening of the housing,
In the insertion/removal step, a member moves in and out of a path of external light from the opening to the detector.
Sample measurement method.

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