JP2682133B2 - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an apparatus for automatically supplying a sample to an analyzer or the like.

(Prior Art) When analyzing a large number of samples with a gas chromatograph, etc., an automatic sample supply device is used, but when dealing with a large number of samples, the column and detector deteriorate, and the relative sensitivity increases. Change, and the reliability of the measurement result decreases.

For this reason, the relative sensitivity has been checked and the calibration curve display formula has been recreated every time a predetermined number of samples have been analyzed, and the standard sample for relative sensitivity check and calibration curve calibration has been mixed in the automatic sample feeder. I am loading it. In this case, in order to identify whether the sample to be analyzed this time is the original sample for analysis or the standard sample described above, a number is attached to the sample and a correspondence table between the number and the sample identification is created to create an automatic sample supply device. It was stored in the controller.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) When a large number of sample groups are analyzed by the above-described conventional method, each sample is numbered, a correspondence table of sample numbers and types is created and input to the control device. It is necessary and time consuming, and there is a risk that the order of loading the sample on the automatic sample feeder is incorrect. For this reason, the present invention has been made for the purpose of reducing the number of steps before analysis and eliminating the risk of erroneous sample setting.

(Means for Solving the Problem) A color indicator for identifying the type of the sample is attached to the sample volume, a means for identifying the color of this indicator is provided for the automatic sample supply device, and the identified color is provided for the control device. By normal analysis,
A function to select either the sensitivity test or the calibration curve operation was added.

(Operation) The person in charge of analysis only has to attach a mark of each color according to the type of sample and mount it on the automatic sample supply device. Since the type is not identified by the sample number, there is no confusion in the analysis results even if the sample mounting order is wrong. The types of samples are general samples, standard samples for sensitivity check, and samples for calibration curve calibration. The types are less than the total number of samples, and the general sample and other samples are different in the location where the sample comes (general sample. Are brought in from outside and other standards are made inside), so there is no risk of mistakenly labeling them. Analysts are also freed from the need to worry about the order of sample loading.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a sample transfer section of an automatic sample supply device, which holds a large number of sample containers V side by side, and a drive mechanism moves the sample containers by one sample each time one sample is analyzed. Reference numeral 2 denotes a sample introduction unit, which sucks the sample from the sample container transferred below and injects it into the column of the chromatograph C. 3 is a color detector for identifying the type of the sample, which is composed of three optical sensors provided with red, yellow, and blue color filters in the front part, and is arranged below the sample introducing part 2 and includes a sample introducing part. The side of the cap of the sample container underneath is desired. Reference numeral 4 denotes a light source for illuminating the upper part of the sample container, which is temporarily turned on when a new sample container is sent under the sample introducing part 2. A control device 5 controls the above-mentioned automatic sample supply device and the analysis operation of the chromatograph.

In this embodiment, the cap of the glass bottle of the container is used as the identification mark attached to the sample container. A white cap is used for a general sample, a red cap is used for a sensitivity test sample, and a blue cap is used for a standard sample for preparing a calibration curve. The control device 5 takes in the output of each optical sensor of the color detector 3, judges that the output of each sensor exceeds a predetermined level as a white cap, a general sample, and determines only the output of the optical sensor having a red filter. When it exceeds the level, it is judged as a red cap and a sample for sensitivity test, and when only the output of the optical sensor having a blue filter exceeds the predetermined level, it is judged as a blue cap and a sample for preparing a calibration curve. The sensitivity test sample is a standard sample of known concentration, and the calibration curve preparation sample is a standard sample of known concentration different from that for the sensitivity test. These two types of standard samples are mounted in the sample supply device side by side with the red cap sample in front and the blue cap sample in back.

FIG. 2 shows a flow chart of the sample supply operation of the control device. The analyst mounts the sample container on the sample transfer unit 1,
Start the analysis operation. The control device drives the sample transfer section 1 to transfer the first sample container to the sample introduction section (a),
The photoelectric 4 is turned on (b), the output of each photosensor of the color detector 3 is taken in (c), and the color of the cap is determined. When the cap color is white (d), the general analysis operation is performed (e), and the operation returns to (a). When the cap color judgment is red (f),
Sensitivity verification operation (g) is performed to determine whether sensitivity has changed (h)
When there is no change, the operation returns to (a). If there is a change, check if the next sample is blue (re), if it is a blue cap, perform the calibration curve creation operation (n), and if it is not a blue cap, issue a warning as an incorrect setting and stop the analysis operation. .
The calibration curve creation operation calculates the peak intensity or area of the detection output of the target substance for the blue cap sample, and the concentration and peak intensity of the target substance are calculated from this and the measured value of the red cap sample obtained in step (h). Alternatively, it is an operation of calculating the coefficient of the display formula of the relationship curve with the area. If all of the steps (d), (f), and (l) of color discrimination are NO,
The operation ends because there is no more sample.

(Effects of the Invention) According to the present invention, the type of sample is not determined by the order of sample supply, so that the number of times when the sample is loaded on the automatic sample feeder is significantly reduced for the analyst, and the sample order Regardless of this, since the type of the sample is judged by the identification color being added and the analysis operation is selected, there is no risk of erroneous setting when the sample is loaded into the automatic sample feeder.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart of operation. 1 ... Sample transfer part, 2 ... Sample introduction part, 3 ... Color detector, 4 ... Light source, 5 ... Control device, C ... Chromatograph.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An analysis device, an automatic sample supply device, and a control device, wherein the automatic sample supply device is provided with means for detecting the color of an identification tag attached to a sample container loaded in the device, and the control device. An automatic analyzer characterized by selecting one of normal analysis, sensitivity test, and calibration curve creation operation depending on the color detected.