JP2605816Y2 - Automatic analyzer with residual liquid level detection function - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer having a function of detecting the remaining amount of a used liquid (reagent, diluent, washing liquid, etc.).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Liquids such as reagents and washing liquids are used in automatic analyzers. If these liquids are exhausted during the measurement, not only cannot the measurement be continued, but also the measurement result cannot be obtained for the sample during the measurement or during the reaction process. Usually, a spare tank is provided inside the analyzer so that even if the liquid in the external tank runs out, the effect is not immediately exerted. Some automatic analyzers require a long time (several tens of minutes or more) from the sampling of a sample to the measurement result.
There are such things. For example, there is a case where a reaction step between a sample and a reagent requires time, and a measurement step of a reaction solution requires time. An antigen-antibody reaction is one example. When it takes a long time to process one sample, the processing steps of a plurality of samples are overlapped to improve the processing capacity.

[0003]

In the case of such an overlap process, if the liquid runs out during the process, the apparatus stops. Attempting to replenish new liquid while stopped causes bubbles to be generated and causes measurement errors. In addition, when the reaction step needs to be performed under a certain condition, a correct result cannot be obtained because the reaction time changes. In particular, in the case of an apparatus relating to immunity, the reaction step is performed under certain severe conditions. For this reason, if the liquid runs out during the operation, all the samples in the processing process are wasted and must be started again from the beginning, resulting in an increase in running costs and a loss in time. Conventionally, an operator checks the remaining amount of a liquid such as a reagent before the start of measurement, and replaces a reagent which is expected to run out of liquid on the way with a new one. Of course, it is considered that the liquid can be replenished during the measurement, but there is a problem that a measurement error occurs due to generation of bubbles. However, it is troublesome to check the remaining amount of the liquid, and there is a problem that the check is inadvertently forgotten, or a miscalculation is caused. The present invention is connected to an automatic analyzer.
The remaining amount of the liquid is detected, such as reagents, in the case where liquid reagents container becomes small, and automatically switched to another reagent container, the automatic analyzer as there is no need to stop the measurement To provide.

[0004]

To achieve the above object, according to the Invention The automatic analyzer having a residual liquid amount detection function of the present invention, if described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the automatic analyzer Main reagent container 1 connected to valve 50 via valve V
2a and the sub-reagent container 12b and the main reagent container 1
Weight sensor 16 for placing reagent 2a and measuring the weight of the reagent container
With multiple sample processing steps
An automatic analyzer for processing , comprising: a main reagent container 12;
storage means 20 for storing the weight data ma of a itself
And a remaining amount calculating unit 22 for obtaining a remaining amount Qa = Ma−ma in the main reagent container 12a from the weight data Ma output from the weight sensor 16 and the weight data ma of the reagent container 12a. Setting means 2 for setting items
4, a required amount calculating means 26 for obtaining the required reagent amount D for the sample set in the setting means 24, and a remaining amount calculating means 22
Comparing the remaining amount of reagent Qa obtained in the above with the required amount of reagent D obtained by the necessary amount calculating means 26, and determining whether or not the sample processing is possible, and the determination result W of the determining means 52
Display means 30 for displaying whether the sample processing is possible or not based on the reagent remaining liquid amount Qa, if there is a reagent remaining liquid amount Qa, the reagent from the main reagent container 12a is used. When there is no, the valve V is switched and controlled so that the reagent from the sub-reagent container 12b is temporarily used. Further, the remaining amount calculating means 22, the required amount calculating means 26 and the judging means 52 are constituted by one arithmetic processing unit, and the functions of the remaining amount calculating means 22, the required amount calculating means 26 and the judging means 52 are It is also possible to make it show in an arithmetic processing unit.

Further, another apparatus of the present invention is shown in FIGS.
As an example, as an example, the main reagent container 12a and the sub-reagent container 12b connected to the automatic analyzer 54 via the valve V, and the respective reagent containers 12a and 12b are placed, and the weight of the reagent container is reduced. Weight sensor 16 to measure
a, and a 16b, and a plurality of analytes of step-over
An automatic analyzer for wrapping and processing, the storage means 20 storing weight data ma, mb of the reagent containers 12a, 12b themselves, the weight data Ma output from the weight sensor 16a and the Weight data ma
From the weight data Mb output from the weight sensor 16b and the weight data mb of the reagent container 12b to calculate the remaining amount Qa = Ma−ma in the reagent container 12a. A remaining amount calculating unit 22b for obtaining the amount Qb = Mb−mb, a setting unit 24 for setting a measurement item for each sample, a required amount calculating unit 26 for obtaining a reagent required amount D for the sample set in the setting unit 24,
Reagent remaining amount Q obtained by remaining amount calculating means 22a, 22b
a and Qb are compared with the required reagent amount D obtained by the required amount calculation means 26, and a determination means 58 for determining whether or not the sample processing is possible, and whether or not the sample processing is possible is displayed based on the determination result W of the determination means 58. Display means 30, and when there is no remaining liquid amount Qa or Qb in one of the reagent containers 12a or 12b,
The switching control of the valve V is performed so that the reagent from b or 12a is used. Further, the remaining amount calculating means 22a and 22b, the required amount calculating means 26
And the determination means 58 are configured by one arithmetic processing device,
The remaining amount calculating means 22a and 22b, the required amount calculating means 26, and the determining means 58 can be realized by one arithmetic processing device.

If the weight of the main reagent container 12a is the same as the weight of the sub reagent container 12b itself,
Since the weight data is ma = mb, one weight data m may be used.

[0007]

In FIGS. 3 and 4 , the main reagent container 12 is shown.
The weight data m a of only the a , the main reagent container 12 a, and the total weight data M a of the reagents inside the container are transferred to the automatic analyzer 5.
Input to the arithmetic processing equipment of 0, the reagent remaining amount in the main reagent container 12 a Q a = M a -m with seeking a, amount of reagent D required sample processing on the samples that have been set in the setting means 24 the calculated, by comparing the two (Q a and D) in the determination means 52 determines whether the process of the sample, reagent remaining amount Q
If there is no “a”, it is temporarily removed from the sub-reagent container 12b.
Use reagents.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the shapes of the components described in this embodiment, the relative arrangement thereof, and the like are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to them unless otherwise specified, and are merely illustrative examples. It's just FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the automatic analyzer of the present invention, and is a schematic external view of a sample analyzer. Specifically, the sample analyzer is, for example, a CIA method (Counting Immun).
oassay) to measure a trace amount of protein in human serum. A plurality of reagents are used in the immunoagglutination measuring device. For example, a latex reagent for in vitro diagnosis, a buffer solution, a sheath solution, and a washing solution are used. Among these, the latex reagent and the buffer are temperature-controlled and accommodated in the analyzer. The sheath liquid and the cleaning liquid that do not require temperature control are externally arranged outside the analyzer. Of course, it may be arranged in the analyzer. In some cases, a plurality of external reagents are connected to the analyzer, but FIG. 1 shows these as one representative.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the residual liquid amount detecting device 51 provided in the automatic analyzer 50 . Figure 3
The main (Lord) as shown in, the reagent container 12 a is the tube 14 a, the sub (auxiliary, the slave) reagent containers 1
2b is an analysis device via a valve V by a tube 14b.
Device 50. The main reagent container 12a is placed on the weight sensor 16. Valve V is tube 14
a, 14b and 15 are connected, and switching
The tube 15 communicates with the tube 14a,
And a state in which the tube 15 communicates with the tube 14b.
To the analyzer 50 from the weight sensor 16, the total weight M a main reagent containers 12 a and container inside the reagent is delivered. On the other hand, in FIG. 4, the storage unit 20 by weight data m a of only the container main reagent container 12a is stored.
The setting unit 24 sets measurement items for each sample. Processing equipment for the automatic analyzer 50 receives the information, the reagent remaining amount in the main reagent chamber 12 a Q a =
With obtaining the M a -m a, determine the amount of reagent D required sample processing for setting analyte, by comparing the two, the determination of whether may perform sample processing.
Then, the display means 30 displays the remaining amount of the reagent and issues an alarm for running out of liquid. The determination is performed before the start of the measurement, and when it is determined that the liquid is exhausted, the processing of the sample may not be started.

[0010] processing equipment is, for example, remaining amount calculation means 2
2. Consisting of the required amount calculating means 26 and the determining means 52 . Remaining amount calculation unit 22 has a function of calculating the remaining amount Qa = Ma-ma in the reagent container 12 a from the weight data m a of only the weight data M a main reagent container 12 a output from the weight sensor 16 The required amount calculating means 26 has a function of calculating the required reagent amount D for the sample set in the setting means 24, and the determining means 52 has a reagent remaining amount Q calculated by the remaining amount calculating means 22. Has a function of comparing the required amount of reagent D calculated by the required amount calculating means 26 with the determination of whether or not the sample processing is possible.

Table 1 is a diagram for explaining the setting means 24, and shows a screen of the display unit of the analyzer 10 in the item setting mode. In this item setting mode, measurement items can be specified for each sample.

[0012]

[Table 1]

In Table 1, AFP, CEA, FRN,
CA19-9 is the name of the item. Rack No. Indicates the expropriation position of the sample. In the present embodiment, five samples are collected in one rack. Item designation is rack N
o. This is performed by inputting the measurement item designation mark “*” in the column of the item to be measured while inputting the sample number. Input is by input key. Items that do not need to be measured are left blank. Displayed below the designated field,
"Reagent remaining amount: 9 tests" indicates that the remaining 9 tests can be measured. The number of tests is the number of measurement items. In the case of Table 1, it is the number of *, which is 23 tests in total. If the reagent consumption per item and K with all the items, from the reagent total weight M a reagent container weight m a reagent remaining amount Q a (= M a -m a ), the number of measurable tests, T = Q a / K. Rack No. In the column of, the marked “E” is an emergency specimen mark indicating that the specimen is an emergency specimen. Samples with the Emergency Sample Mark must be measured first. That is, the rack No. 3-1 and 3
The sample of -2 (emergency sample group) has a higher priority than the samples of other racks (normal sample group). Although the priorities are the same between samples of the same emergency sample, the smaller sample number has higher priority. Therefore, in Table 1, the priority is the rack No. In other words, 3
-1, 3-2, 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-
5, 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, and 2-5. As described above, after necessary items are set, a determination is made as to whether or not sample processing is possible.

Table 2 shows a screen of the display unit after judging whether or not the sample processing is possible.

[0015]

[Table 2]

When the “*” mark in the item designation column changes to the “○” mark, it indicates that the item can be measured in view of the remaining amount of the reagent. That is, it is a measurable mark. Number of tests T for each sample i, starting with the highest priority
As i is calculated, the sample numbers 1001, 1002, 0
T1 + T2 + T3 + T4 = 1 + until 001 and 0002
2 + 2 + 2 = 7 is required. T1 + T up to 0003
2 + T3 + T4 + T5 = 1 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 3 = 10 is required. T1 + ... + T4 (= 7) <T (= 9) <T1 +
.. + T5 (= 10), sample i = 1 to 4, ie,
Sample numbers 1001, 1002, 0001, and 0002 can be measured. In some cases, the total number of tests in the emergency sample group: Te, the total number of tests in the normal sample group:
It is also possible to calculate Tu respectively, and if Te <T <Tu, measure only the emergency sample group and not measure the normal measurement group. Of course, Te, Tu <
If T, both groups are measured. As described above, since the number of tests and the amount of reagent are correlated, they may be paraphrased as follows. Sample i from highest priority
When the required reagent amount Di is calculated for each sample, the sample number 10
D1 + D2 up to 01, 1002, 0001, 0002
+ D3 + D4 is required. Up to 0003, D1 + D2
+ D3 + D4 + D5 is required. D1 + ... + D4 <Q <
From D1 +... + D5, the sample number i = 1 to 4, ie,
1001, 1002, 0001, and 0002 can be measured. In some cases, the required total amount of reagent in the emergency sample group is De, and the required total amount of reagent in the normal sample group is Du.
Can be calculated, and if De <Q <Du, only the emergency sample group is measured, and the normal measurement group is not measured. Of course, if De and Du <Q, both groups are measured.

By summarizing the above, the following cases can be classified. (1) Required reagent data Di for each set sample i
And sum them in order from the sample with the highest priority.
i, and measure up to a sample p that satisfies ΣDi <Q. (2) Samples are divided and set in a plurality of groups j having different priorities, reagent required amount data Di is obtained for each sample i, and the product sum ΣDi is calculated from samples having higher priority in order, and ΣDi <
When sample processing is allowed up to sample group r that satisfies Q. (3) Reagent required amount data Di for each set sample i
And when their total amount DT satisfies DT <Q,
When sample processing is permitted. In addition, based on these determination results, “reagent quantity is insufficient” or “emergency sample 1001 to 1002
And normal samples 0001 to 0002 are measured. " When the measurement is started, the measurement results are sequentially displayed on the display unit. Incidentally, reagent containers having different capacities may be used in some cases. Since the size of the container is different if also different weight data m a container itself, in which case using the weight data m a which corresponds to the size of the reagent container, it is necessary to the determination of the residual liquid amount. Therefore, the weight data of a plurality of reagent containers expected to be used is stored in the storage means 20, and if the type of the reagent container is set by the setting means 24, the weight data corresponding to the container is selected. This is preferable because it can be used. Also, directly from the setting unit 24, the storage unit 20 may be set to the write the weight data m a. Incidentally, without setting the type of container to the setting unit 24, it is possible to determine the type of the reagent containers from the difference of the total weight M a of the reagent container.

The case where one reagent container is used for one type of reagent has been described. As described above, when the remaining amount of the reagent is insufficient, it is possible to detect in advance that the liquid has run out. However, until the shortage of the reagent is resolved, the analyzer remains stopped and the measurement stops.

Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a sub (auxiliary, subordinate) reagent container 12b is added to the main (main) reagent container 12a in addition to the main (main) reagent container 12a.
When the reagent remaining liquid amount Qa becomes zero and becomes unusable, the valve V is switched by the control signal from the determination means 52 of the residual liquid amount detecting device 51 to use the reagent in the sub-reagent container 12b. By doing so, it is not necessary to stop the measurement even when the liquid in the main reagent container is small. That is, the reagent from the sub-reagent container 12b can be used even while the main reagent container 12a is being replaced with a new container. When the main reagent container is replaced, the remaining amount of the reagent becomes a sufficient amount. Therefore, the valve V is switched back to the original state, and the reagent from the main reagent container 12a is used. The valve V has a state of allowing the tube 14a and the tube 15 to pass through, and a state of allowing the tube 14b and the tube 15 to pass through.

FIG. 5 shows the apparatus shown in FIG. 3 and a sub weight sensor 16 for measuring the weight of the sub reagent container 12b.
The device to which b is added is shown. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the remaining liquid amount detection device 56 in FIG. The weight of the main reagent container 12a itself is the same as the weight of the sub reagent container 12b itself. That is, the same weight data m is used. FIG. 7 is a flowchart. The remaining liquid amount calculating means 22a, 22b
= Ma-m, Qb = Mb-m. Judgment means 5
Reference numeral 8 has a function of judging whether or not to perform the sample processing and switching the valve V based on the remaining reagent amount Qa of the main reagent container 12a, the remaining reagent amount Qb of the sub-reagent container 12b, and the required reagent amount D. The storage unit 20 stores the weight data ma, ma of each reagent container itself corresponding to the reagent containers 12a, 12b.
mb is stored, and the remaining liquid amount calculating means 22a and 22b can calculate Qa = Ma-ma and Qb = Mb-mb, respectively.

Next, the processing will be described with reference to FIG. Now, the example uses the main reagent container 12a,
Consider a case in which the remaining liquid amount Qa has become small. First, the total (Qa + Qb) of the remaining amount of the reagent is compared with the required amount D of the reagent. If the total (Qa + Qb) is smaller, an alarm is issued. At this time, measurement cannot be performed.

When the total (Qa + Qb) is larger than the required amount D of the reagent, measurement is possible. Next, it is determined whether or not the remaining liquid amount Qx of the currently used container (here, the remaining liquid amount Qa of the main reagent container) has become zero. If the main reagent container 12a is not empty, the measurement is performed without switching the valve. If the main reagent container 12a becomes empty, an alarm is issued and the valve V is switched. That is, the sub-reagent container 12b is used. Examples of alarms include "insufficient reagent" and "please reduce the number of measurement items".

[0023]

[Effects of the Invention] The present invention is configured as described above, and has the following effects. (1) Since the configuration is such that the weight of the reagent is measured, the weight is compared with the required amount of the reagent calculated from the set measurement item of the sample, and the sample processing is controlled, the main reagent is used.
Automatically fills the sub-reagent container when the liquid in the container is low.
Switching without the need to stop the measurement
Become. Therefore, it is possible to prevent waste of the sample, the reagent, and the like, and it is not necessary to perform a retest. (2) Sample processing can be performed for each sample or each sample group, which is efficient .

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 is a schematic explanatory view showing an embodiment of automatic analyzers.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a residual liquid amount detection device provided in the automatic analyzer shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory view showing an embodiment of the automatic analyzer of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a residual liquid amount detection device provided in the device shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory view showing another embodiment of the automatic analyzer of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a residual liquid amount detection device provided in the device shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart in the apparatus shown in FIG. 5;

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 automatic analyzer 50 automatic analyzer 54 automatic analyzer 11 residual liquid amount detector 51 residual liquid amount detector 56 residual liquid amount detector 12 reagent container 12a reagent container 12b reagent container 16 weight sensor 16a weight sensor 16b weight sensor 20 storage Means 21 Arithmetic processing unit 22 Remaining amount calculating means 22a Remaining amount calculating means 22b Remaining amount calculating means 24 Setting means 26 Required amount calculating means 28 Determining means 52 Determining means 58 Determining means 30 Display means V valve m Weight data of container itself M Weight Weight data from sensor Q Reagent remaining amount D Reagent required amount W Judgment result

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G01N 35/00-35/10

Claims (4)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] 1. A main reagent container (12a) and a sub-reagent container (12b) connected to an automatic analyzer (50) via a valve (V), and a main reagent container (12a).
Sensor for measuring the weight of a reagent container by placing
With multiple sample processing steps
An automatic analyzer for processing, wherein the weight data (ma) of the main reagent container (12a) itself
Storage means (20) for storing the weight data (Ma) output from the weight sensor (16)
From the weight data (ma) of the reagent container (12a) and the remaining amount (Qa) in the main reagent container (12a) = Ma−
remaining amount calculating means (22) for obtaining ma, setting means (24) for setting measurement items for each sample, and required amount calculating means for obtaining reagent required amount (D) for the sample set in setting means (24) (26), the remaining amount of reagent (Qa) obtained by the remaining amount calculating means (22) and the required amount of reagent (D) obtained by the required amount calculating means (26)
And a display means (30) for displaying whether the sample processing is possible or not based on the determination result (W) of the determination means (52). In the judging means (52), the reagent from the main reagent container (12a) is used when there is a reagent residual liquid amount (Qa), and when there is no reagent residual liquid amount (Qa), the sub An automatic analyzer having a residual liquid amount detecting function, wherein a valve (V) is switched and controlled so as to use a reagent from a reagent container (12b). Wherein remaining amount calculation means (22), a necessary amount calculation means (26) and determination means (52), the residual liquid amount detection according to claim 1, characterized by being configured by one processor Automatic analyzer with functions. 3. A main reagent container (12a) and a sub-reagent container (12b) connected to an automatic analyzer (54) via a valve (V), and each of the reagent containers (12a) and (1).
2b), each of which is provided with a weight sensor (16a) and (16b) for measuring the weight of the reagent container .
An automatic analyzer for processing by overlapping processing steps, wherein the weight data (m) of the reagent containers (12a) and (12b) themselves are
a) and (mb), and the weight data (M) output from the weight sensor (16a).
a) and the weight data (ma) of the reagent container (12a), the remaining amount (Qa) in the reagent container (12a) = Ma-ma
And the weight data (M) output from the weight sensor (16b).
b) and the weight data (mb) of the reagent container (12b), the remaining amount (Qb) in the reagent container (12b) = Mb-mb
, A setting means (24) for setting a measurement item for each sample, and a required amount calculating means (D) for obtaining a reagent required amount (D) for the sample set in the setting means (24). 26), comparing the remaining amount of reagents (Qa) and (Qb) obtained by the remaining amount calculating means (22a) and (22b) with the required amount of reagent (D) obtained by the required amount calculating means (26) A determination unit (58) for determining whether the sample processing is possible; and a display unit (30) for displaying whether or not the sample processing is possible based on the determination result (W) of the determination unit (58). 58), the remaining liquid amount (Qa) or (Q) of one of the reagent containers (12a) or (12b)
In the absence of b), the valve (V) is used to use the reagent from the other reagent container (12b) or (12a).
An automatic analyzer having a residual liquid amount detection function, characterized in that the automatic analyzer is controlled to switch between the two. 4. A remaining amount calculating means (22a), (22b),
4. An automatic analyzer having a residual liquid amount detecting function according to claim 3, wherein the required amount calculating means (26) and the judging means (58) are constituted by one arithmetic processing unit.