JP3245466B2 - Sample analyzer using flow type measurement cell - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sample analyzer and, more particularly, to a device for measuring components such as an electrolyte contained in a body fluid such as serum using a flow-type measuring cell provided with electrodes. The present invention relates to a sample analyzer using a flow-type measurement cell which can be suitably used for a sample analyzer. The sample analyzer according to the present invention, particularly when incorporated in a biochemical automatic analyzer, responds to the demand for higher speed,
It can be suitably used.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a measurement of a body fluid component such as serum using an electrode, the concentration of an electrolyte such as NaKCl is generally measured. Such a measuring device is often incorporated as a part of an automatic biochemical analyzer.
In recent years, speeding-up of automatic biochemical analyzers has been progressing, and correspondingly, demands for higher speeds of measuring devices using electrodes have been increasing.

[0003] In response to such a demand for high speed, most of measuring devices using electrodes use a flow type measuring cell which is advantageous for high speed processing. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a general configuration of a measuring device using such an electrode. In the figure, reference numerals 21a, 21b, 21c. . . Are the samples A, B, C. . . Sample container for storing
Is a nozzle for sucking this sample, 23 is a sample introduction tube, 24
Is a flow type measurement cell, and 25 is a sample suction pump. As shown in FIG. 8, a sample suction pump 25 is provided downstream of the flow type measurement cell 24, and the negative pressure of the pump 25 causes
The sample is sucked through the nozzle 22 and the sample introduction tube 23, and the sample is guided into the flow type measurement cell 24 to measure the concentration of the electrolyte.

The apparatus shown in FIG. 9 is an improved version of the above-mentioned general apparatus. In order to compensate for potential drift of an electrode provided in the flow type measurement cell 24, the flow type measurement cell 2 is used.
The structure is such that the internal standard solution 28 can be directly supplied to the inside of the apparatus. As shown in FIG. 9, a switching valve 26 is provided in the sample introduction tube 23, an internal standard solution supply pipe 27 is connected to the switching valve 26, and the switching valve 26 is switched to accommodate the sample in the internal standard solution container 28a. The internal standard solution 28 is configured to be supplied to the flow type measurement cell 14.

The device shown in FIG. 10 is another improved version of the device shown in FIG. A sample thermostat 29 is provided on the upstream side of the flow type measurement cell 24 of the sample introduction tube 23 so that a sample guided inside the sample introduction tube 23 is maintained at a predetermined temperature.

The arrows in these figures indicate the directions in which the sample and the internal standard solution flow.

[0007]

As shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, in the conventional sample analyzer, the sample introduction tube 23,
The flow type measurement cell 24 and the sample suction pump 25 are connected in series. In order to increase the analysis speed, it is necessary to introduce a sample into the flow type measurement cell 24 in a short time. However, in these conventional devices, it is necessary to increase the suction speed of the sample suction pump 25 or Alternatively, sample introduction tube 2
This problem has been dealt with by using a method such as shortening the length of 3. However, if the suction speed of the sample suction pump 25 is increased, the negative pressure at the time of sucking the sample is increased in proportion thereto, and there is a problem that the electrodes and the like in the measurement cell 24 are adversely affected. The method had limitations. Further, the method of shortening the length of the sample introduction tube has a drawback that the design of the apparatus is restricted. Further, in the apparatus shown in FIG. 10 in which a constant temperature section is provided in the sample introduction tube, there is a disadvantage that sufficient suction of the sample cannot be achieved when suction is performed at high speed.

The present invention has been made to overcome these drawbacks of the conventional apparatus, and has a sample analyzer using a flow-type measuring cell which can be suitably incorporated in an automatic biochemical analyzer operating at high speed. The purpose is to provide.

[0009]

In order to solve the above problems, a sample analyzer of the present invention comprises a flow type measuring cell having at least one electrode, and a flow type measuring cell for storing a sample to be measured. A sample introduction path for guiding the sample into the flow-type measurement cell, and a sample suction unit for aspirating the sample into the flow-type measurement cell through the sample introduction path. Sample preliminary suction means to be introduced, and a sample for switching the sample suction path between a measurement suction path for guiding the sample into the flow-type measurement cell and a preliminary suction path for guiding the sample to near the entrance of the flow-type measurement cell And a suction path switching means.

Thus, in the sample analyzer of the present invention,
A flow-type measurement cell having at least one electrode, a sample introduction path for guiding a sample to be measured into the flow-type measurement cell, and a sample suction for aspirating a sample into the flow-type measurement cell via the sample introduction path. Means, sample pre-suction means for preliminarily introducing a sample to be measured to near the entrance of the flow-type measurement cell, and sample suction for switching the sample suction path between the measurement suction path and the preliminary suction path Since the sample suction means introduces the sample into the flow type measurement cell, the sample suction path switching means is switched to the preliminary suction path side, and the sample introduced into the flow type measurement cell is provided. Independently of this, the sample to be measured next can be pre-aspirated up to near the entrance of the flow type measurement cell. In such a configuration, the sample to be measured next is aspirated to the immediate vicinity of the measurement cell, so that the sample to be measured next can be immediately introduced into the flow-type measurement cell after the end of the previous measurement. In addition, the sample suction time can be reduced.

Further, in the sample analyzer of the present invention,
The sample suction means includes a first sample suction pump, the sample pre-suction means includes a sample pre-suction tube, and a second sample suction pump for pre-suctioning the sample through the pre-suction tube; The sample suction path switching means is provided with a first sample suction path switching valve upstream of the flow type measurement cell in the sample introduction path.

As described above, in the sample analyzer of the present invention, when performing the preliminary suction, the first sample suction path switching valve is switched to the preliminary suction path side to operate the second sample suction pump. Then, the sample to be measured next is sucked up to the vicinity of the entrance of the flow type measurement cell, and the sample which has been preliminarily suctioned in this manner is flowed by switching the first sample suction path switching valve to the sample measurement path side. The measurement is performed by sucking into the mold measuring cell.

Further, in the sample analyzer of the present invention, the sample suction means includes a sample suction pump, the sample pre-suction means includes a sample pre-suction tube bypassed by the flow type measurement cell, and the switching means includes: A first sample suction path switching valve is provided upstream of the flow type measurement cell in the sample introduction path, and a second sample suction path switching valve is provided downstream thereof, and the preliminary suction pipe is connected to these switching valves. The suction of the sample for measurement is performed by using the sample suction pump by switching the first and second switching valves to the sample measurement path side, and the preliminary suction is performed by the first and second switching valves. Is switched to the preliminary suction tube side, and this is also performed using the sample suction pump.

With this configuration, it is possible to use one sample suction pump in common.
The weight and cost of the device can be reduced.

Further, the sample analyzer of the present invention is characterized in that an internal standard solution supply means is provided in the sample introduction path upstream of the first sample suction path switching means. By providing such an internal standard solution supply means, it is possible to compensate for drift of an electrode provided in the flow type measurement cell.

Further, the sample analyzer of the present invention includes a constant temperature section for maintaining the temperature of the sample to be measured at a predetermined temperature on the upstream side of the first sample suction path switching means in the sample introduction path. The feature is that it is obtained. With this configuration, the sample can be kept at a constant temperature before the measurement, and the measurement accuracy can be improved.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numerals 1a, 1b, 1c. . . Is a sample container containing a sample to be measured, 2 is a sample suction nozzle, 3
Is a sample introduction tube, 4 is a flow type measurement cell, 5 is a first sample suction pump, 6 is a first switching valve, 7 is a preliminary suction tube,
Reference numeral 8 denotes a second sample suction pump. In the drawings described below, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. The direction indicated by the arrow indicates the direction in which the sample and the internal standard solution flow, and the direction in which the sample container moves.

By operating the first sample suction pump 5, the sample A in the sample container 1a is sucked by the nozzle 2,
This sample is passed through a sample introduction tube 3 to a flow type measurement cell 4.
Lead to. The sample whose measurement has been completed is further subjected to a sample suction pump 5
To discharge to a drain passage (not shown). A first switching valve 6 is provided in the sample introduction pipe 3 on the upstream side of the flow type measurement cell 4, and a preliminary suction pipe 7 is connected to the switching valve 6. A second sample suction pump 8 is connected to the preliminary suction tube 7.

FIG. 2 is a chart for explaining the operation of the sample analyzer shown in FIG. In this analyzer, the analysis of the sample proceeds in the order of time 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Time 1
In, the first sample A is set at the sample supply position by a sample container transfer means (not shown), and the suction of this sample A is started. Here, the first sample suction path switching valve 6 is switched to the second sample suction pump 8 side, and the sample introduction pipe 3 is connected to the second sample suction pump 7 through the second suction pipe 7.
Is connected to the sample suction pump 8. Next, the sample suction pump 8 starts a suction operation, and the sample A is preliminarily suctioned into the sample introduction tube (time 2). At this time, the amount of the sample to be preliminarily suctioned may be more than the amount that fills the inside of the sample introduction tube 3, and the inside of the introduction tube 3 may be washed together. At time 2, the inside of the introducing tube 3 is filled with the sample A. Here, the operation of the second sample suction pump 8 is stopped, and the first sample suction path switching valve 6 is set to
Switch to the flow type measurement cell 4 side. Next, the first sample suction pump 5 is operated to suck the sample A already preliminarily suctioned into the introduction tube 3 into the flow type measurement cell 4.
At time 3, the inside of the flow type measurement cell 4 is filled with the sample A, and at this time, the operation of the first sample suction pump 5 is stopped. The sample A sucked into the flow type measurement cell 4 waits for the electrode to stabilize, and at time 4, the electrode potential is measured.

On the other hand, at time 3, the sample container 1b containing the sample B to be measured next is transferred to the sample suction position by a sample container transfer means (not shown). Next, the first sample suction path switching valve 6 is switched to the second sample suction pump 8 side, and preliminary suction of the sample B is started. Time 4
In, the sample B is already preliminarily sucked into the sample introduction tube 3. At time 4, the operation of the second sample suction pump 8 is stopped, and the first sample suction path switching valve 6 is stopped.
Is switched to the first sample suction pump 5 side, the sample B is sucked into the flow type measurement cell 4, and the electrode potential is measured.

In the same manner, the samples C, D,. . . Is continuously analyzed. As shown in the chart of FIG. 2, in the analyzer of the present invention, when the measurement of the electrode potential of the sample is completed in the flow type measurement cell 4 and the preparation for aspiration of the next sample is completed, the next sample is already in the flow type. Since the preliminary suction is performed up to the vicinity of the entrance of the measurement cell 4, the sample suction nozzle is driven again at this point as in the conventional apparatus, and the sample is sucked through the sample introduction tube. The time required for suction can be significantly reduced.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a second embodiment of the sample analyzer of the present invention. In this embodiment, one end of the preliminary suction pipe 7 is connected to the first sample suction path switching valve 6.
Is connected to the upstream side of the flow type measurement cell 4 of the sample introduction tube 3 at the other end, and the other end is downstream side via the second sample suction path switching valve 9, that is, the flow type measurement cell 4 and the first This is an example in which a bypass pipe is formed for the flow type measurement cell 4 by being connected between the sample suction pump 5. By switching the first sample suction path switching valve 6 and the second sample suction path switching valve 9 in conjunction with each other, the sample is sucked into the flow type measurement cell 4 and the entrance of the flow type measurement cell 4 is opened. It is configured to perform preliminary suction of the sample up to the vicinity. Since the preliminary suction path is bypassed and connected to the first sample suction pump 5, the suction of the sample into the measurement cell 4 and the preliminary suction can be performed by one sample suction pump.

FIG. 4 is a chart showing the operation timing of the embodiment shown in FIG. When performing preliminary suction of the sample, the first and second sample path switching valves 6 and 9 are simultaneously switched to the bypass pipe 7 side, and the sample suction pump 5 is operated. When the sample is sucked into the flow type measurement cell 4 after the preliminary suction, the switching valves 6 and 9 are used.
By simultaneously switching to the flow type measurement cell 4 side and operating the sample suction pump 5. Other operations are the same as in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a modification of the present invention. That is, a switching valve 10 is further provided in the sample introduction pipe 3 on the upstream side of the first sample suction path switching valve 6, and an internal standard solution supply pipe 11 is connected to the switching valve 10, so that a known concentration of the sample is supplied. Flow the internal standard solution 12 into the flow type measuring cell 4
It was configured to be introduced into. With such a configuration, it is possible to compensate for the potential drift of the electrode provided in the flow-type measurement cell 4. Although not particularly shown in the drawings, the internal standard solution supply path is similarly provided upstream of the first sample suction path switching valve 6 in the configuration shown in the second embodiment. Needless to say, this may be done.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of another modification of the present invention. That is, a sample thermostat 13 is provided in the sample introduction tube 3 upstream of the first sample suction path switching valve 6 to hold the sample at a predetermined temperature before measurement of the sample. This is to improve the accuracy. In the case of such a configuration, the sample can be transferred at high speed to the flow type measuring cell 4.
In addition, the sample can be kept at a constant temperature, and stable measurement can be performed. In addition,
Although not particularly shown in the drawings, it goes without saying that a sample constant temperature section may be similarly provided in the configuration shown in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of another modification of the present invention. In this example, the sample introduction tube 3 is directly connected to the sample container 1.
Are connected. In such an example, the sample container 1
Is positioned above the introduction tube 3, and the sample can be introduced into the sample introduction tube 3 without using a nozzle. This modification can also be applied to the configuration of the above-described second embodiment.

[0028]

As described in detail above, according to the sample analyzer of the present invention, the measurement of the electrode potential in the flow-type measuring cell 4 is completed, and the sample to be measured next is ready for aspiration. In some cases, the sample to be measured has already been pre-suctioned to the vicinity of the entrance of the flow type measurement cell 4, so that the time required for sample suction can be significantly reduced. Therefore, even if the sample introduction tube is long, the sample can be quickly introduced into the flow type measurement cell. If the sample introduction part has a constant temperature part, the pre-aspirated sample is sufficiently thermostated to perform the flow type measurement. Since the sample can be introduced into the cell, the analysis accuracy of the sample can be improved. When such a sample analyzer of the present invention is incorporated in an automatic biochemical analyzer, the speed of the analysis process can be significantly improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a chart showing operation timings in the device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a chart showing operation timing in the device shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of another modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional sample analyzer.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of another conventional sample analyzer.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of another conventional sample analyzer.

[Description of Signs] 1a, 1b, 1c Sample container 2 Sample suction nozzle 3 Sample introduction tube 4 Flow type measurement cell 5 First sample suction pump 6 First sample suction path switching valve 7 Preliminary suction tube (bypass tube) 8 Second sample suction pump 9 Second sample suction path switching valve 10 Internal standard solution introduction switching valve 11 Internal standard solution introduction pipe 12 Internal standard solution 13 Constant temperature section A, B, C Sample

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G01N 35/00-35/10 G01N 1/00-1/44 G01N 27/28 321

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A flow-type measuring cell having at least one electrode, a sample introduction path for introducing a sample to be measured into the flow-type measurement cell, and the flow-type measurement through the sample introduction path. A sample aspirating means for aspirating into the cell, a sample preliminary aspirating means for preliminarily introducing a sample to be measured to near the entrance of the flow type measuring cell, and a sample aspirating path for the sample in the flow type measuring cell. A sample suction path switching means for switching between a suction path for measurement for guiding the sample and a preliminary suction path for guiding the sample to near the entrance of the flow type measurement cell. apparatus. 2. A sample analyzer using a flow-type measuring cell according to claim 1, wherein said sample suction means comprises a first sample suction pump, said sample pre-suction means comprises a sample pre-suction tube, A second sample suction pump for pre-suctioning the sample via a pre-suction tube, wherein the sample suction path switching means is provided on a first sample suction path upstream of the flow type measurement cell in the sample introduction path. A sample analyzer using a flow type measurement cell, characterized by having a switching valve. 3. A sample analyzer using a flow type measurement cell according to claim 1, wherein said sample suction means comprises a sample suction pump, and said sample preliminary suction means is bypassed by said flow type measurement cell. A preliminary suction pipe, wherein the switching means includes a first sample suction path switching valve on the upstream side of the flow type measurement cell in the sample introduction path, and a second sample suction path switching valve on the downstream side; A preliminary suction pipe is connected to these switching valves and is bypassed, and the sample for measurement is suctioned by switching the first and second switching valves to the sample measurement path side and using the sample suction pump. The pre-suction is performed by switching the first and second switching valves to the pre-suction tube side and using the sample suction pump to perform the pre-suction. Sample analyzer. 4. A sample analyzer using a flow-type measuring cell according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein an internal standard solution is supplied upstream of said first sample suction path switching means in said sample introduction path. A sample analyzer using a flow-type measuring cell, characterized by comprising means. 5. A sample analyzer using a flow-type measurement cell according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein a measurement is carried out upstream of the first sample suction path switching means in the sample introduction path. A sample analyzer using a flow-type measurement cell, comprising a constant temperature section for maintaining a temperature of a sample to be kept at a predetermined temperature.