JP2774052B2 - Liquid sample automatic analyzer - 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 for analyzing a liquid sample in which a test piece is immersed in a liquid sample such as urine or blood and subjected to color reaction to analyze the sample.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Urine is an example of a liquid sample. The analysis of biochemical components such as protein, glucose, and ketone bodies in urine, occult blood, and pH of urine is important for human health and is an essential test item in clinical tests. As analytical methods, there are quantitative analysis in which a reagent is added and reacted in a test tube and semi-quantitative analysis using a colored test strip, and the latter method using a colored test strip is simple and rapid. Since the analysis results of the events can be obtained, they are widely used in mass examinations, screening tests for diagnosing diseases, and the like. The test piece used is a felt impregnated with a reagent, which is affixed to a plastic or the like as a test layer. The test piece is immersed in urine, pulled up, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the color tone of the test layer has elapsed. The analysis is performed by observing.

[0003] A urine test using such a color test piece is performed as follows.
It is mainly performed by visually determining the color tone that has been colored manually. However, in recent years, the demand for automation has increased due to the increase in the number of specimens in laboratories, labor shortages, and work that dislikes handling urine, and the demand for automated analyzers that automate the entire analysis process has increased. doing. The use of such an automatic analyzer enables accurate control of the time for immersing the test piece in urine and the time from when the test piece is pulled up to measurement, and reduces errors due to individual differences in judgment of colored test pieces. It is effective from the point that it can be prevented, and also from the aspect of increasing the reliability of the inspection result, and tends to spread more and more in the future.

At present, automatic liquid sample analyzers include a device for inserting a test piece into a sample solution in a sample container and immersing the sample, and a device for sucking a sample into a pipetting nozzle and discharging a predetermined amount of the sample to a test portion of the test piece. is there. The pipetting method requires a pump for pipetting, and the apparatus becomes complicated. On the other hand, the immersion apparatus is an apparatus in which the method generally performed by hand is automated as it is, and the operation can be performed with a simple mechanism and with good reproducibility.

As an apparatus for automatically immersing a test piece in a sample, there is, for example, an automatic analyzer described in JP-A-61-91571. JP-A-61-91571 mentioned above
The automatic analyzer described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-260, which has a test piece presence / absence and front / back detection means, automatically supplies a test piece and a sample container that automatically supplies a sample container containing a liquid sample The apparatus includes a supply mechanism, a liquid level detection mechanism that detects the liquid level in the sample container and gives a notice of a shortage of the test liquid, and a photometric mechanism that measures light of a test piece immersed in the sample. Further, the automatic analyzer has a test piece holder, takes out the test piece from the test piece automatic supply mechanism, immerses the test piece in the test solution in the sample container, and moves the immersed test piece to the photometric mechanism. An automatic test strip operation mechanism and a control unit for controlling the operation of the test strip automatic supply mechanism and the like are provided. With this liquid sample automatic analyzer, the labor of the operator is reduced, and the reproducibility is improved.

Another prior art is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 54-1550.
No. 88 discloses a liquid sample dispensing apparatus. The liquid sample dispensing apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 54-155088 has a structure in which a liquid sample is sucked and discharged from a probe in response to a reciprocating operation of a microsyringe. A mechanism for performing an immersion operation of the probe in the liquid sample, and an operation of moving the probe having sucked the sample and bringing the tip of the probe into contact with a surplus sample storage container different from the container in which the liquid sample is stored are performed, for example. And a control unit for controlling the operation of the probe transport mechanism and the like, a mechanism for performing the operation of moving the contacted probe to the receptor and bringing the tip of the probe into contact with the receptor.

In the above liquid sample dispensing apparatus,
The probe is first moved to a sample container and immersed in a liquid sample. Next, the liquid sample is sucked into the probe by the micro syringe, and when a predetermined amount is sucked, the probe is pulled up from the liquid sample and moved to the surplus sample container. Then, the tip of the probe is brought into contact with the bottom surface of the surplus sample container. Then, the extra sample adhering to the probe is transferred to the extra sample container and removed.
Next, the probe is lifted out of the excess sample dispenser,
Moved to the receptor. Then, the tip of the probe is brought into contact with the receiver, and the liquid sample is discharged from the probe to the receiver by the microsyringe in a state of being in contact with the receiver. With this liquid sample dispensing device, the liquid sample can be dispensed in an accurate amount to the receiver, and dispensing accuracy is improved.

[0008]

However, in the liquid sample automatic analyzer described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-91571, an excess liquid sample is placed on a test piece pulled up from the liquid sample. It remains attached. Therefore, if the surplus liquid sample adheres to the test piece,
An error may occur in the measurement result. Therefore, it is conceivable to attach an air suction means near the photometric mechanism of the liquid sample automatic analyzer to remove an excess liquid sample from the test piece. However, when the air suction means is attached to the liquid sample automatic analyzer, there arises a problem that not only the size of the automatic analyzer becomes large, but also that the cost increases. Further, when the test piece to which the surplus sample adheres is moved to the photometric position, the liquid drops may drop during the movement, and the liquid sample automatic analyzer may be contaminated. Cannot be solved.

Therefore, the liquid sample automatic analyzer described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-91571 is incorporated in
It is conceivable to apply the technology of the liquid sample dispensing device described in Japanese Patent No. 155088. In other words,
In the liquid sample automatic analyzer described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-91571, a test piece is moved to a sample container and immersed in a test liquid in the sample container. Move to storage container. Then, the tip of the test piece is brought into contact with the surplus sample container, and the surplus sample at the tip is moved to the surplus sample container. Thereafter, the test piece is moved to a photometric mechanism.

However, unlike a probe in which the surplus liquid sample adheres only to the tip, the surplus liquid sample adheres not only to the tip but also to the entire test piece. Just contacting the sample container
It is difficult to sufficiently remove the excess liquid sample. Therefore, there is still a possibility that the surplus sample may drop while moving from the surplus sample container to the photometric mechanism. Further, there is a problem in that the surplus sample falls during the movement from the sample container to the surplus sample storage container.

An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid sample automatic analyzer which suppresses the scattering of a liquid sample from a test piece without increasing the size of the device, has good operability, and has improved measurement accuracy. That is.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a test piece holding means for holding one end of a test piece, a sample container holding means for holding a liquid sample container, and a test piece photometric analysis. Means and moving the test piece above the sample container,
An operation control means for moving the test piece to the photometric position after being immersed in the liquid sample, the operation control means comprising: immersing the test piece in the liquid sample; , One side of the test piece is brought into contact with the inner surface of the liquid sample container, and while maintaining this contact state, at least until it is separated from the liquid sample liquid surface,
After moving the test piece in a substantially vertical direction, the test piece is moved by a second predetermined distance to bring the other surface of the test piece into contact with the inner surface of the sample container, and then lifted until it is separated from the liquid sample container edge. Thus, the test piece gripping means is controlled.

Preferably, the operation control means causes the operation of bringing the one surface of the test piece into contact with the inner surface of the sample container at least once after bringing the other surface of the test piece into contact with the inner surface of the sample container. Thereafter, the test piece gripping means is controlled so as to raise the test piece until it is separated from the liquid sample container bottom.

Preferably, the operation control means controls the test piece gripping means such that the test piece gripping means moves to the photometric position while maintaining the posture of the test piece when the test piece is pulled up from the liquid sample. .

[0015] Preferably, a sample receiving container detachable from the automatic analyzer is provided on the trajectory of the test piece for moving the test piece to the photometric position of the test piece photometric analysis means.

Preferably, the sample receiving container has two walls facing each other with the trajectory of the test piece therebetween, and the distance between these walls gradually decreases toward the photometry position. It is arranged so that it becomes.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a liquid level adjusting means inserted into the sample container to adjust the liquid level of the liquid sample. When the liquid level adjusting means is inserted into the sample container, the adjusting means is inserted. After that, the test piece is inserted, a liquid level adjusting means is provided, and the test piece gripping means is controlled so that the test piece is moved by the first predetermined distance after being pulled up.

[0018]

According to the present invention, after the test piece is immersed in the liquid sample, one surface of the test piece is brought into contact with the inner surface of the liquid sample container, and at least separated from the liquid sample liquid surface while maintaining this contact state. Until it moves almost vertically. As described above, by raising the test piece until it is separated from the liquid surface of the liquid sample while keeping the test piece in contact with the inner wall of the sample container, excess liquid sample attached to the test piece can be sufficiently removed from the entire surface of the test piece.

Further, the test piece is moved by a second predetermined distance so that the other surface of the test piece is brought into contact with the inner surface of the sample container, and then the test piece is raised until it is separated from the liquid sample container bottom. Next, the test piece gripping means is controlled. As described above, since both ends of the tip of the test piece separated from the liquid sample are brought into contact with the inner wall of the sample container, the sample solution attached to the tip of the test piece can be removed.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. This embodiment is an example in which the present invention is applied to an automatic urine analyzer. 1 and 2
FIG. 5 is a view for explaining the main operation of the automatic urine analyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the entire configuration of the automatic urine analyzer.

First, the entire configuration of the automatic urine analyzer will be described with reference to FIG.

Referring to FIG. 5, the automatic urine analyzer comprises an automatic test strip supply section 15, a sample transfer section 14 for holding and transporting a sample container 20 containing a urine sample, a sample liquid level adjusting section 18, The measurement unit 17 for photometry of the test piece 23, the control calculation unit 19, and the test piece gripping part 37 for holding one end of the test piece 23 are caused to grip one end of the test piece 23, and the test piece 23 is placed above the sample container 20. And a test piece operation control mechanism 16 for moving the test piece 23 to the photometric position of the measuring section 17 after being immersed in the urine sample.

In the specimen transfer section 14, sample containers 20 containing urine samples to be analyzed are arranged in a turntable 21 in a circular shape. The turntable 21 rotates at predetermined time intervals, and sequentially transfers the sample containers 20 to the test piece immersion position B. The number of sample containers 20 that can be loaded into the table 21 is 60 in the case of the present embodiment (however, in the figure, the number is 20 for simplicity).

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the test piece 23 has a large number of test layers 25 arranged in series, and one color correction portion is included in ten analysis items. It has a total of 11 test layers 25 added. The total length of the test piece 23 is about 120 mm, and the length of the region where the plurality of test layers 25 are arranged is about 90 mm. In order to sufficiently immerse the entire test layer, the inside of the sample container is required. The sample liquid needs to have a liquid surface height of 90 mm or more. Generally, a sample container used for urine analysis has a length of about 100 mm,
Used.

The automatic test strip supply unit 15
6, a cassette switching mechanism 34, and a test piece delivery mechanism 3
The test piece delivery mechanism 32 supplies the test pieces 23 stored in advance one by one in synchronization with the analysis cycle. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the test piece cassette 26 stores a plurality of test pieces 23, and the test piece 23 is moved below the take-out port 29 by a spring 28 via a holding plate 27. It is stored in a state where it is pressed in the direction. The cassette switching mechanism 34 is a turntable which is rotated by a motor 31. The cassette switching mechanism 34 has two cassette holders 30 for holding the test piece cassettes 26 symmetrically with respect to the rotation axis. That is, when there is no test piece in one test piece cassette 26 at the test piece takeout position, the other test paper cassette 26 at the cassette replacement position is rotated to the test piece takeout position.
The test piece sending mechanism 32 sends the test piece 23 from the test piece take-out position to the test piece supply position A.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the test strip operation control mechanism 16 has a test strip gripper 37 for gripping the test strip 23, and the test strip gripper 37 is rotated in a vertical plane. An arm 35 and a drive mechanism 36 for vertically moving the arm 35 and rotating the arm 35 in a horizontal plane are provided. The test piece operation control mechanism 16 performs an operation of causing the test piece 23 at the test piece supply position A of the automatic test piece supply section 15 to be gripped by the test piece holding section 37 and transferred to the immersion position B.

The sample liquid amount detecting section 18 has an arm 41 on which a liquid level detecting electrode 39 is arranged. The liquid level detection electrode 39 is a pair of rod-shaped electrodes extending toward the sample transfer unit 14. The arm 41 is moved by the driving mechanism 42 in the vertical direction and in the horizontal direction indicated by the arrow in FIG.

The liquid level of the sample liquid in the sample container 20 is first detected at a liquid level detection position D one step before the immersion position B.
The electrode 39 is moved and inserted in the direction of the sample container 20 in the above, and the sample liquid level is detected. Then, the control calculation unit 19 determines whether the liquid level or the liquid amount of the sample is equal to or more than a necessary minimum amount. The height or the liquid amount of the sample liquid level is calculated from the moving distance of the descent until the electrode 39 reaches the liquid level.

The tip of one of the liquid level detection electrodes 39 is bent into a spatula and also serves as a stirrer. With respect to the sample to be analyzed, the stirrer is moved up and down several times by the up and down operation of the arm 41 to perform stirring and mixing of the sample liquid.
Next, the sample container 20 is transferred to the immersion position B. In this state, the test piece 2 is controlled by the operation of the test piece operation control mechanism 16.
3 is carried, the test piece 23 is lowered while the test piece 23 is held by the holding portion 37, and is immersed in the sample container 20 at the immersion position. Then, after immersion for a certain period of time, the gripper 37 is raised, the test piece 23 is pulled up from the sample solution, and moved to the test piece mounting position C of the measuring unit 17. The test piece gripping control mechanism 16 releases the test piece 23 in which the color reaction has started at this time, and prepares for the next new test piece 23. Next, the arm 41 is horizontally moved toward the cleaning layer 45. After the electrode 39 dropped into the cleaning layer 45 is cleaned by the cleaning liquid, it rises and waits for the operation of the next sample. Note that the distal end portion 40 of the arm 41 has a rod-shaped portion extending toward the sample transfer portion 14, and is positioned at a position B.
If the sample liquid volume in the container 20 in
The rod is inserted into the container 20 to raise the liquid level.

Next, in the measuring section 17, the reacting test piece 23 received at the position C from the test piece holding / transporting section 16 is intermittently moved in the direction of the photometric position E by the roll paper 46. The roll paper 46 is wound at predetermined time intervals by a roll paper winding mechanism 47, whereby the test piece 23 is intermittently moved. The photometer 49 includes a plurality of small reflective detectors each including a light emitting element that emits light of a specific wavelength corresponding to each analysis item and a light receiving element. Then, these reflection detectors are arranged corresponding to the detection positions of the respective test layer surfaces of the test piece 23, and measure the reflection intensity from the respective test layer surfaces that have reacted and colored. The measurement result is supplied to a control unit 51 via an A / D converter 50, where the data is subjected to data processing, displayed on a liquid crystal display 52 and a printer 53.
To be launched. The analysis work by this device is performed on the operation panel 5.
It proceeds by the input from 4. Test piece 23 for which measurement has been completed
Is wound together with the roll paper by a winding mechanism 47,
After the measurement, the roll paper can be taken out and discarded.

FIG. 8 is an operation flowchart of the above embodiment. In step 60 of FIG. 8, information i for determining that sampling of all samples has been completed is
Initially set to 0 by the control unit 51. In step 61, the liquid level of the sample in the sample container 20 to be sampled next is detected by the sampling liquid amount detection unit 18. Then, in step 62, it is determined whether or not the liquid level has been detected. If there is no liquid level detection, the process proceeds to step 70, where the information i is incremented by +1. Then, the process proceeds to step 72, where the sample container 20 is
It is transferred to the next position. In this case, the test piece 23 is not immersed. Next, the routine proceeds to step 69, where it is determined whether or not i is 2. If i is 2, the processing is terminated. If not, the routine returns to step 61.

If the liquid level is detected in step 62, the process proceeds to step 63, where it is determined whether or not the liquid amount is such that the test piece 23 can be immersed. The details of step 63 are shown in FIG. First, in step 81, the sample liquid level in the sample container 20 is read. Next, at step 82, it is determined whether or not the liquid amount is insufficient. If the liquid amount is insufficient, it is determined at step 84 that immersion is impossible. Then, the process proceeds from step 63 of FIG. 8 to step 71, and information i for determining that all the samples have completed sampling is obtained.
Is set to 0. In this case, the control unit 51 stores the number of the sample that cannot be immersed and increases the sample count by one. Then, the number of the sample that cannot be immersed and the fact that the sample cannot be immersed are displayed on the display 52 or the like. Next, the process proceeds from step 71 to step 72, in which the sample transfer unit 14 moves the sample container 20 to the next position. If it is determined in step 82 that the liquid amount is not insufficient, it is determined that immersion is possible in step 83, and the process proceeds to step 64. Then, in step 64 of FIG. 8, the sample container 20 to be sampled is transferred to the immersion position B. Next, in step 65, the test piece 23 is immersed in the sample container 20, and the process proceeds to a test piece immersion pull-up operation in step 66 described later.

When the test piece dipping and lifting operation in step 66 is completed, the process proceeds to step 73 where the gripper 37
The test piece 23 is placed on the roll paper 46 of the measuring unit 17. The test piece 23 placed on the roll paper 46 is moved to the photometric position in step 74, and photometrically measured by the photometer 49 in step 75. The data obtained by the photometry is supplied to the control unit 51 via the A / D converter 50. The control unit 51 processes the supplied data and counts the number of data. Next, step 76
Then, the test piece 23 for which photometry has been completed is discarded in a predetermined container or the like (not shown). Then, the process proceeds to a step 68, wherein the information i is initialized to 0, and in a step 69, it is determined whether or not i is 2, and if it is 2, the sampling operation is ended.

Here, the operation of dipping and pulling up the test piece of the test piece holding portion 37 in step 66 will be described in detail.
In step 90 of FIG. 8, the test piece 23 is
The sample is immersed in the sample solution within a predetermined period of time (state shown by a solid line in FIG. 1). Next, in step 91, the test piece 23 is rotated by a predetermined distance (for example, the radius of the sample container 20 + α) by rotating the test piece holding portion 37 by a predetermined angle about the rotation axis 38. The sample is moved in the horizontal direction, and one surface of the test piece 23 of the sample container 20 is brought into contact with the inner wall. FIG. 1A shows a side view of the test piece gripper 37 in this state, and FIG. 1B shows a side view of the test piece gripper 37 as viewed from the thick arrow E in the state of FIG. )
Is shown by a solid line.

Subsequently, in step 92, the test piece 2
3 is raised in a substantially vertical direction while being in contact with the inner wall of the sample container 20. When the test piece 23 separates from the sample liquid surface, the lifting of the test piece 23 is stopped. (Figure 1
(In this state, the test piece 23 is in contact with the sample container 20). in this way,
By raising the test piece 23 until it is separated from the liquid sample liquid surface while keeping the test piece 23 in contact with the inner wall of the sample container 20, it is possible to sufficiently remove excess sample liquid attached to the test piece 23 from the entire surface of the test piece 23. it can. The state in which the test piece 23 is separated from the liquid sample surface is shown by a solid line in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

Next, in step 93, the test piece gripping portion 37 is rotated by a predetermined angle about the rotation axis 38, thereby moving the test piece 23 by a predetermined distance (for example, the diameter of the sample container 20 + α). Then, the test piece 23 is moved substantially horizontally, and the other surface of the test piece 23 is brought into contact with the inner surface of the sample container 20 (the state shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. 2). In this way, both surfaces of the tip of the test piece 23 separated from the sample liquid surface are brought into contact with the inner wall of the sample container 20, and the sample liquid attached to the tip of the test piece 23 is removed.

Subsequently, in step 94, one surface of the test piece 23 is brought into contact with the inner wall of the sample container 20 again by rotating the test piece holding portion 37 by a predetermined angle. That is, in steps 93 and 94, one reciprocating motion is performed in which both surfaces of the test piece 23 are in contact with the inner wall of the sample solution 20 while being separated from the sample liquid surface.
Then, in step 95, the test piece 23 is pulled up from the sample solution 20 and transferred to the test piece arrangement position of the measuring unit 17 to release the holding of the test piece 23.

As described above, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the test piece operation control mechanism 16 controls the test piece gripper 37.
The test piece 23 gripped by the test piece 23 is raised until it is separated from the liquid sample liquid surface while keeping the test piece 23 in contact with the inner wall of the sample container 20, so that excess sample liquid attached to the test piece 23 is removed from the test piece 2.
3 can be sufficiently removed from the entire surface.

Further, the test piece 23 separated from the liquid surface is reciprocated in a substantially horizontal direction, and both ends of the test piece 23 are brought into contact with the inner wall of the sample container 20, so that the test piece 23 adheres to the front end of the test piece 23. The excess sample liquid thus removed can be sufficiently removed.

Therefore, it is possible to realize an automatic urine analyzer with improved operability and improved measurement accuracy, in which scattering of the liquid sample from the test piece 23 is suppressed without increasing the size of the apparatus.

In the above-described embodiment, in order to improve the processing speed, it is conceivable to raise the test piece gripping part 37 from the sample liquid or to move the test piece gripping part 37 to the measuring part 17 at high speed. In this case, since the movement of the test piece 23 containing the liquid sample becomes faster, the liquid sample may be scattered from the test piece 23 even though the amount is small.

Then, the test piece 23 is pulled up from the sample solution and sent to the test piece placement position C of the measuring section 17 on the test piece moving orbit, and the sample receiving container 55 as shown in FIGS.
Is installed. FIG. 3 is a top view of the sample receiving container 55, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the sample receiving container 55 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the sample receiving container 55 is formed of a detachable tray-shaped container, and is located on the test piece movement locus H from near the test piece immersion position B to near the test piece arrangement position C. Be placed. As shown in FIG. 4, the sample receiving container 55 has a wall F having a curvature smaller than the radius of curvature of the movement locus H of the test piece 23 and a wall G having a curvature larger than the radius of curvature of the movement locus H. This wall G and wall F
Are arranged to face each other with the movement trajectory H therebetween. The distance between the wall F and the wall G is determined by the immersion position B.
, It becomes narrower toward the arrangement position C. That is, when the test piece 23 passes, the sample receiving container 55
A small amount of sample scattered from the test piece 23 can be received. Then, the sample receiving container 55 can be removed from the automatic analyzer, and the received sample can be discarded. If the posture of the test piece 23 held by the test piece holding portion 37 is shifted, the test piece 23
The posture is returned to normal by the wall F or the wall G of No. 5.

Although the above embodiment is an example of an automatic urine analyzer, the present invention is not limited to the automatic urine analyzer and can be applied to other automatic analyzers for liquid samples using test specimens. it can.

In addition, it is possible to perform at least one reciprocating movement of bringing both sides of the test piece into contact with the inner wall of the sample solution in a state of being separated from the sample liquid surface, and it is possible to more reliably remove the excess sample adhering to the test piece. It is.

[0045]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects. The operation control means, after immersing the test piece in the liquid sample,
After moving by a predetermined distance, one surface of the test piece is brought into contact with the inner surface of the liquid sample container, and while maintaining this contact state, at least until the test sample is moved away from the liquid sample liquid surface in a substantially vertical direction, Moving the test piece by a second predetermined distance to bring the other surface of the test piece into contact with the inner surface of the sample container, and then raise the test piece holding means so as to be separated from the liquid sample container edge. Control. Therefore, the excess liquid sample adhered to the test piece can be sufficiently removed from the entire surface of the test piece without increasing the size of the apparatus, and the scattering of the liquid sample out of the sample bath can be suppressed, and the test piece can be removed. A liquid sample automatic analyzer with improved measurement accuracy can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a main operation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of bringing a tip portion of a test piece into contact with an inner wall of a sample container among main operations in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a sample receiving container.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the sample receiving container shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is an overall schematic configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory view of a test piece.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of an automatic test strip supply unit.

FIG. 8 is an operation flowchart of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a detailed flowchart of step 63 shown in FIG. 8;

[Explanation of symbols]

 14 Sample transfer section 15 Automatic test strip supply section 16 Test strip operation control section 17 Measurement section 19 Control calculation section 20 Sample container 23 Test piece 35 Arm 36 Drive mechanism 37 Test piece gripping section 39 Sample liquid volume detection section 55 Sample receiving container

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A test piece holding means for holding one end of a test piece, a sample container holding means for holding a sample container containing a liquid sample, a test piece photometric analysis means for measuring and analyzing the test piece, Let the piece gripping means grip one end of the test piece,
An operation control means for moving the test piece above the sample container, immersing the test piece in a liquid sample, and then moving the test piece to a photometric position of the test piece photometric analysis means, wherein the operation control The means includes moving the test piece in the substantially radial direction of the container by a first predetermined distance after immersing the test piece in the liquid sample, and bringing one surface of the test piece into contact with the inner surface of the liquid sample container. While maintaining this contact state, the test piece is moved in a substantially vertical direction at least until it is separated from the liquid sample liquid surface, and then the test piece is moved in the substantially radial direction of the container by a second predetermined distance to perform the test. After the other surface of the test piece is brought into contact with the inner surface of the sample container, the test sample gripping means is controlled so as to raise the test sample until the test sample is separated from the bottom of the liquid sample container. apparatus. 2. The liquid sample automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the operation control means contacts the other surface of the test piece with an inner surface of the sample container, and then connects one surface of the test piece to the sample. Liquid sample automatic analysis characterized by controlling the test piece gripping means so as to raise the test piece until the test piece is separated from the bottom of the liquid sample container after at least once performing the operation of contacting the inner surface of the container. apparatus. 3. The automatic liquid sample analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the operation control means is configured to move to the photometric position while maintaining a posture of the test piece when the test piece holding means pulls up the test piece from the liquid sample. An automatic liquid sample analyzer characterized by controlling the test piece gripping means to move. 4. The liquid sample automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein a sample receiving container detachable from the automatic analyzer is provided on a trajectory of the test piece for moving the test piece to a photometry position of the test piece photometric analysis means. An automatic liquid sample analyzer provided. 5. The liquid sample automatic analyzer according to claim 4, wherein the sample receiving container has two wall surfaces facing each other with a trajectory of the test piece therebetween, and an interval between the wall surfaces. Is an automatic liquid sample analyzer characterized by gradually narrowing toward the photometry position side. 6. The automatic liquid sample analyzer according to claim 1, further comprising a liquid level adjusting means inserted into the sample container to adjust the level of the liquid surface of the liquid sample, wherein the liquid level adjusting means is inserted into the sample container. When the adjustment means is inserted, the test piece is inserted, and the test piece gripping means is moved so as to move the test piece by the first predetermined distance after the liquid level adjusting means is pulled up. An automatic liquid sample analyzer characterized by controlling.