JP2819697B2 - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an improvement in an automatic analyzer for automatically analyzing a plurality of samples.

(Prior Art) When a plurality of samples are automatically analyzed, after analyzing under a predetermined analysis condition, an analysis result having an abnormal result is analyzed again by changing the analysis condition. For example, when the concentration of the sample is too high to be detected by the analysis unit, the sample is re-dispensed and analyzed (re-examined) by changing the dilution ratio.

When performing such retests, especially when the initial analysis items cover dozens of items, it takes a considerable amount of time to obtain all the analysis results for one sample. After that, only the samples necessary for the retest are analyzed again.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, in the above-described system, when it is desired to analyze an urgent sample sample, even if it is found that the sample needs to be re-tested as a result of the initial analysis, a certain number of samples can be obtained. It could not be retested until the analysis was over. Furthermore, when there are many samples awaiting retest, it takes a lot of time to analyze an urgent sample. In particular, automated clinical analyzers usually analyze more than 100 sample samples over several tens of items, so it is necessary to retest sample samples requiring urgent testing (such as patient blood) in the first analysis. If so, it may take more than an hour for the patient to wait for a reexamination and obtain the final result, which is not very acceptable in the case of a life-and-death battle.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and provide an automatic analyzer that minimizes the time required for analyzing an urgent sample.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, an automatic analyzer according to the present invention comprises a transport unit for transporting a plurality of sample containers, and a sample container transferred to a predetermined position by the transport unit. A dispensing means for aspirating a fixed amount of sample and dispensing the sample to an analysis unit, and an analysis unit for analyzing the dispensed sample under predetermined analysis conditions. In an automatic analyzer that re-analyzes only samples with abnormalities under conditions different from the preset analysis conditions, if there is a sample that needs urgent inspection, only that sample is analyzed under the preset analysis conditions during the first analysis. And the analysis under the conditions for analysis are performed together, and the one that is not abnormal in the analysis result is adopted.Furthermore, urgent samples are placed at the top of the samples waiting for analysis again. It can be inserted into the position.

(Action) For urgent samples, analysis under analysis conditions for retesting is performed at the same time as the first normal analysis, and the analysis result of the non-abnormal one is adopted, so that there is no need to wait for retesting.

Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited only to this embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the automatic analyzer according to the present invention.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a rack storage unit that stores a plurality of sample container racks 2 and sequentially sends out the plurality of sample container racks 2 to a transport line 3. The sample container rack 2 holds four transparent sample containers 4 as shown in FIG. Four holes 5 are provided on each side surface of the sample container 4 holding part. A predetermined hole is hidden by a tape 5a or the like, and a combination of these is read by a rack information reader 6, so that a rack number and a necessary number are obtained. Information such as analysis items can be determined.

As shown in FIG. 3, the rack information reader 6 is composed of four light sources 7 and four photodiode arrays 8 opposed thereto, and signals from the photodiode arrays 8 are sent to the control unit 9 where they are processed and judged. You. Reference numeral 10 denotes a dispensing arm that rotationally moves the dispensing nozzle as indicated by a dotted line B. After a predetermined amount of the sample is sucked by the dispensing nozzle from the sample container transferred to the predetermined position A by the transport means 3 by the internal syringe pump (not shown), the internal switching valve (not shown) is switched. The solution is dispensed into the reaction tube 12 of the analysis unit 11 together with a certain amount of the diluting solution sucked in.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a first turntable for holding and rotating and transferring the reaction tube 12, and 15 a second turntable for holding and rotating and transferring the plurality of reagent containers 14.
Reference numeral 16 denotes a reagent arm which holds a reagent nozzle which sucks a predetermined amount of a predetermined reagent from the reagent container 14 and discharges the reagent into the reaction tube. Reference numeral 17 denotes a detection unit which is usually a sample in the reaction tube 12. In this configuration, light is transmitted through, and the light is separated, and the absorptance at each wavelength is detected by a photodiode array or the like.

The signal from the detection unit 17 is sent to the data processing unit 18 where it is processed, and the analysis result is displayed on the display unit 19 composed of a CRT, a printer, etc., together with the information on the sample container rack 2 from the control unit 9. Is done.

On the other hand, if the analysis result is abnormal, the data processing unit 18 sends a signal to the control unit 9 to that effect, and the control unit 9 stores the signal so that the sample is transferred to the retest transport line 22 so as to be retested. A signal is sent to the dispensing arm 10 and the analyzer 11.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a washing unit, which sucks the liquid remaining in the detected reaction tube 12, discharges the washing liquid, cleans it, and then dries it to prepare for the next analysis.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a rack temporary storage unit that stores a plurality of racks 2 waiting for analysis results and sequentially transfers the racks 2 to the retest transport line 22.

The rack number and analysis items of the sample container rack sent to the retest transport line 22 are confirmed by the rack information reader 23 having the same structure as that of 6, and when the sample requiring retest comes to the position C, the dispensing arm 10 Rotates and aspirates a certain amount of the sample to be dispensed into the reaction tube 12. The analysis condition is changed by an instruction of the control unit 9 based on an abnormal cause of the first analysis result.
Is analyzed by Normally, abnormal analysis results are seen when the concentration of the sample is too high and the light from the detector does not penetrate the sample enough to make detection impossible.In such cases, increase the amount of diluent compared to the previous time. analyse. It is also possible to change the type and amount of the reagent to be added and perform a retest. Data processing unit
At 18, a predetermined concentration is calculated by performing volume correction or the like, and the display unit 19 is instructed to display the numerical value, the fact of the retest, and the analysis conditions of the retest together.

The sample container rack 2 after the retest is transferred to the left part of the rack storage unit 1 and stored.

Reference numeral 24 denotes an installation location of the emergency sample rack 25. When the emergency sample rack 25 is placed, the photodetector 26 detects the signal and sends a signal to the control unit 8. When receiving the signal of the urgent sample, the control unit 8 instructs the driving means (not shown) to temporarily stop the transfer of the rack waiting for retest in the direction of arrow D and to move the rack 25 for emergency sample in the direction of arrow E. Then, an interrupt operation to put the re-inspection transport line 22 is performed.

In the same manner as in a normal sample container rack, necessary analysis items and information indicating that the sample is an emergency sample are input to the emergency sample rack 25, and this information is sent to the control unit 8 read by the rack information reader 23. Send a signal. At this time, sample container racks 2a, 2
If it is likely that it will take a long time due to b, etc., the control unit will fast forward the retest transport line 22 and analyze the urgent sample for the time being, then back it up and analyze the sample container racks 2a and 2b. It is also possible to program 8.

When the emergency sample held in the emergency sample rack 25 comes to the position C, the dispensing arm 10 aspirates a predetermined amount of the sample and sends it to the analysis unit 11 according to an instruction from the control unit 8. And the analysis under the analysis conditions for retest are performed together.

The data processing unit 18 processes the information from the analysis unit 11, and when the result of the normal analysis is abnormal, adopts the analysis result for retest and sends it to the display unit 19 to instruct the display unit 19 to display the result.

If the analysis result for retesting is abnormal, a signal to that effect may be sent to the control unit 8 to instruct the control unit 8 to change the analysis conditions again and perform the analysis.

In addition, reference numerals 27 and 28 denote nozzle washing cells, in which distilled water always overflows, and each time a sample or a reagent is dispensed, each nozzle is inserted, and the suction and discharge of distilled water is repeated to repeat the inside and outside of the nozzle. Washing is performed to prevent contamination between different samples or different reagents.

In addition, since the transport of the sample container rack and the driving means in the analysis unit and the like in this embodiment are known by a conventional automatic analyzer, they are omitted for convenience of explanation.

The analysis unit is not limited to the one in the present embodiment. Another turntable for reagents may be added to increase the number of reagents to increase the number of analysis items. If it is provided inside the other row and the diluted sample once discharged to the outer container is re-dispensed to the inner container, even if multiple items are analyzed for one sample, the work of dilution is reduced. It is convenient.

In addition, by increasing the amount of reagent to be added, the analysis is performed without diluting the sample at the time of the first sample dispensing, and the sample to be dispensed is not diluted with the diluent at the time of retest. The sample can be diluted as a result by adding the same amount of reagents as in the initial analysis, with less than during the initial analysis. According to such a method, the reaction tube as in this embodiment is used.
No dilution means is required at the stage of dispensing the sample into 12, and the reagent also serves as a diluent.

In this embodiment, the rack information of the sample container rack 2 is read by the holes 5 on the side of the rack. However, other methods may be used. For example, a barcode label may be attached to the side of the rack, and the barcode may be used as a rack information reader. A leader may be employed.

Further, in this embodiment, the sample transport mechanism is a large one in which the sample containers are stored in the sample container rack and transported by linear transport means, but a plurality of sample containers are arranged on the circumference of the turntable. A method of mounting and transferring may be used. In this case, when the urgent sample container is placed at a predetermined position, an operation may be added such that the dispensing nozzle moves and aspirates the urgent sample.

(Effect of the Invention) As described above, the automatic analyzer according to the present invention, when there is a sample requiring urgency during normal analysis, analyzes only the sample under the analysis conditions set in advance during the first analysis. The analysis under the conditions for analysis is performed again, and the non-abnormal one of the analysis results is adopted.
Since the sample is positioned at the head of a plurality of samples waiting for the re-analysis, the analysis time of the urgent sample can be minimized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of an automatic analyzer according to the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a sample container rack, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a detection unit of a rack information reading unit. 1: rack storage unit, 2: sample container rack 3: transport line, 4: sample container 6: rack information reader, 9: control unit 10: dispensing arm, 11: analysis unit 13: first turntable 17 : Detection unit, 18: Data processing unit 19: Display unit, 20: Washing unit 21: Rack temporary storage unit, 22: Retest transport line 24: Emergency sample rack installation location 25: Emergency sample rack

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-1-196569 (JP, A) JP-A-64-15050 (JP, A) JP-A-63-229369 (JP, A) JP-A-63-229369 218864 (JP, A) JP-A-63-206660 (JP, A) JP-A-55-122157 (JP, A) JP-A-62-98262 (JP, A) JP-A-61-137065 (JP, A) JP-A-61-116661 (JP, A) JP-A-57-74664 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G01N 35/00-35/10

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] A transporting means for transporting a plurality of sample containers; a dispensing means for aspirating a predetermined amount of sample from the sample container transferred to a predetermined position by the transporting means and dispensing the sample to an analysis unit; It consists of an analysis unit that analyzes the injected sample under the preset analysis conditions, and after analyzing a plurality of samples,
In an automatic analyzer that reanalyzes only samples with abnormal analysis results under conditions different from the preset analysis conditions, if there is a sample that needs urgent analysis, only the sample is analyzed at the time of the first analysis. An automatic analyzer characterized in that analysis under conditions and analysis under analysis conditions are performed together, and the analysis result that is not abnormal is adopted. 2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein a sample requiring urgent analysis is positioned at the head of a plurality of samples waiting for another analysis.