JP3519163B2 - Chemical analysis system - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a chemical analysis system provided with a chemical analysis device and a transportation system, and more particularly to holding a transported container and obtaining shape data of the container.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a chemical analyzer for sampling a sample (from sample suction to sample dispensing) from a container such as a blood collection tube that has been transported by a sample transport device (hereinafter, referred to as "transport system"), Accurate sampling from the container transported to the sampling position with a sampling probe (“sampling nozzle”, hereinafter simply referred to as “probe”) is required for measurement accuracy, and positioning of the sample is particularly important. ing.

For example, if the container at the sampling position moves from that position due to disturbance or the like when the sample is sucked by the probe, the sample cannot be sampled accurately. Therefore, as a means for solving such a problem, there is known one in which a sample holding mechanism is arranged at the sampling position of the transfer system. This sample holding mechanism consists of a sample holding mechanism that holds the container while it is positioned at the sampling position, for example, a chucking mechanism that sandwiches and holds the container with what is called scissors-like chucking. There is an advantage that the accuracy is improved.

On the other hand, regarding containers, various containers having different shapes are used depending on the purpose of operation of a hospital examination room. For example, depending on the hospital, only one kind of container is used, or a plurality of kinds of containers are used. May be mixed and used.

Therefore, one container having such a different shape is
Even if the container is accurately positioned by the sample holding mechanism described above, the tip of the probe may be placed in the sample in the container due to the difference in the diameter of the container. Occasionally there was a situation in which it was soaked unnecessarily. Therefore, even if the positioning is accurately performed, the surface of the probe is contaminated, the washing water is excessively brought into the container from the probe, and there is a disadvantage that the overall sampling accuracy is reduced.

Therefore, as means for solving such inconvenience, an optical means for acquiring the container shape in advance,
For example, means for utilizing image information and optical signals obtained from a two-dimensional sensor such as a CCD have been considered. Obtaining the container shape in this way makes it possible to calculate the probe descending amount from the suction amount and the container shape, especially when the suction amount by the probe is calculated in advance from the order for the sample, so that the above-mentioned shape is obtained. It is considered that the inconveniences associated with different containers can be almost avoided, and that the overall sampling accuracy can be improved.

[0007]

However, in the technique using the above-mentioned optical means, in order to bring out the above-mentioned effect, it is necessary to use not only a sensor but also an optical element such as a relatively expensive lens or mirror. Since it is necessary to newly arrange the system, the number of parts is increased and the arrangement space is expanded, which makes the structure of the chemical analysis device or the transportation system complicated and relatively expensive. .
Moreover, the adjustment of the optical system becomes complicated, and the usability is not always good.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and it is possible to almost eliminate the inconvenience caused by the containers having different shapes, for example, the situation in which the probe is unnecessarily dipped in the sample. An object of the present invention is to provide a chemical analysis system, which focuses on the means and can simply construct a configuration incorporating the shape acquisition means, at a relatively low cost.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the chemical analysis system according to the invention of claim 1 has a probe for sample dispensing, and this probe is provided with a predetermined sample.
A sampling arm that descends into the sample container at the pulling position to aspirate the sample and dispenses it into the reaction tube, a sampling control unit that controls the driving of the sampling arm, and the sample container that is transported by the transport means. The above
An arm for holding at sampling position, the arm driving means for driving so that the arm holding the sample container, the diameter of the sample container from <br/> time for holding the sample container by the arm driving means Shape acquisition means for acquiring shape data including the shape data, based on the shape data acquired by the shape acquisition means and the measurement order of the sample in the sample container, the descending amount of the probe during sample suction in the sample container And a calculating means for calculating, the sampling control unit,
Of the probe based on the calculation result by the calculating means
It is characterized by controlling the downward movement .

Further, in the invention according to claim 2, the arm is a mechanism for sandwiching the sample container by a plurality of arms, and the shape obtaining means is provided from the start to the completion of the sandwiching operation by the arms . It is characterized in that time is measured and data regarding the diameter of the sample container is acquired based on the time data.

Further, in the invention according to claim 3, the shape acquiring means is configured to store the sample container based on previously stored correspondence data between the diameter-related data of the sample container and the sandwiching operation time by the mechanism. It is characterized in that data regarding the diameter of is acquired.

[0012]

Further, in the invention according to claim 4 , further comprising an output means for outputting a warning when the shape data acquired by the shape acquisition means does not correspond to the sample container data of the measurement object registered in advance. Characterize.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the drive source for driving the mechanism of the arm is provided in each of a cylinder having a piston to which the arm is connected and two chambers partitioned by the piston in the cylinder. A solenoid valve connected via a flow path and a solenoid valve that applies air pressure to one of the two chambers and controls the solenoid valve to release the air pressure from the other of the two chambers to operate the piston. And a control means.

Further, the invention according to claim 6 is further provided with a pressure sensor for measuring the air pressure, and the shape obtaining means measures the time based on a change in the air pressure measured by the pressure sensor. And

[0016]

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

In the chemical analysis system CS provided with the automatic chemical analyzer 1 and the carrier 2 shown in FIG. 1, the carrier 2 carries a plurality of containers S ... S to the sampling position, and the automatic chemical analyzer 1 Sample the sample to be measured from the container S at the sampling position (aspirate and dispense)
It is supposed to do.

The automatic chemical analyzer 1 detects the concentration of a sample by reacting a sampling system 1a for sample dispensing, a reagent system (not shown) for reagent dispensing, etc., a sample and a reagent in a reaction tube R ... R. It is equipped with a reaction system 1b and the like.

The sampling system 1a is a sampling controller 3 which controls a series of operations relating to sample sampling.
And a sampling drive unit 4 which operates in response to a command from the control unit 3 and a sample dispensing probe 5 at the tip and which receives power from the sampling drive unit 4 to rotate within a predetermined arc orbit. And a sampling arm 6 that moves up and down
With.

Of these, the sampling control unit 3 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer having a CPU as a main part, and when the sampling permission signal S20 is received from the transport device 2, the sampling drive unit 4 receives a control signal S1 for starting sampling. give.

Further, when the sampling control section 3 receives the ID information of the sample (specimen) designated by the bar code from the carrier device 2, the sampling order (measurement item) necessary for the sample preset from the ID information. Etc.) and calculate the sampling amount of the sample from the determined measurement order.

Further, the sampling control section 3 receives the shape data D1 of the container S from the carrying device 2 and calculates the descending amount of the probe 4 into the container S from the shape data and the sampling amount calculated above. Then, the control signal S2 for moving the probe up and down is given to the sampling drive unit 4 based on the amount of the lowering. Further, when the shape data D1 from the carrier device 2 is other than the container data relating to the sample registered in advance (that is, different from the container for the sample to be measured by the automatic chemical analyzer), The process to output an alarm to is executed.

The sampling drive unit 4 includes a drive source and a suction pump (composed of cylinders, pistons, etc.) mounted on a normal device, and performs sampling when a control signal S1 is received from the sampling control unit 3. The container S in which the arm 6 has been transported to the sampling position of the transport device 2.
The probe 5 is caused to descend by a predetermined descending amount in the container S based on the control signal S2, and the sample is sucked. When the sample suction is completed, the sampling arm 6 is rotated toward the predetermined position of the reaction tube R of the reaction system 1b, and the probe 5 is lowered into the reaction tube R to dispense the sample. There is.

The reaction system 1b is provided with a circular reaction disk 7 which rotatably holds a plurality of reaction tubes R ... The concentration of the dispensed sample is optically detected.

The transport device 2 is an ordinary sample transfer device attached to the outside of the automatic chemical analysis device 1, and carries out a predetermined belt-conveyor-like operation to carry out a plurality of containers S for sample dispensing. … S for automatic chemical analyzer 1
Is automatically transferred to the sampling position Ps.

The transport device 2 receives the transport drive source 10 and the power from the transport drive source 10 via a belt mechanism (not shown), so that the plurality of containers S ... , "Lane"), and the belt-shaped carrier 1 that moves while being held side by side at regular intervals.
1 and a sample holder 12 arranged at a position substantially facing the arm 4 with the carrier 11 sandwiched therebetween.

In addition, a bar code reader 13 is arranged in the transfer device 2 at a position along the transfer body 11 and in front of the sample holder 12 in the transfer direction. This bar code reader 13 reads a bar code relating to the ID information of the sample from the label attached to the container S conveyed to the reading position prior to the sampling operation by the sampling arm 6 and automatically reads the read information. Supply to the device 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sample holding section 12 is a CPU as an arithmetic processing unit for controlling a series of operations and processing for obtaining the shape of the container S (which constitutes an essential part of the shape obtaining means of the present invention). 20, a drive source 21 for opening and closing the arm and a front-rear drive source 22 for moving the arm forward and backward, which operates in response to a predetermined command from the CPU 20, and a power received from the drive source 21 and the front-rear drive source 22 for sampling. Two arms (for example, composed of a chucking mechanism) 23, 23 that move back and forth toward the container S in the position and open and close.

The sample holder 12 also has a sample sensor 24 for detecting container information regarding the container at the sampling position Ps and a reset command S10 given by the CPU 20.
A time measuring unit (which constitutes a main part of the time measuring means of the present invention) 25, which is composed of a digital circuit such as a counter, is provided for measuring the operation elapsed time (time data) T required from to the stop command S11.

Of these, the CPU 20 gives a command S12 for arm forward movement to the forward / backward drive source 22 when container information regarding the container S at the sampling position Ps is input from the sample sensor 24. In addition, the drive source 2 at the start of container holding
A command S13 for arm closing operation is given to 1 and a reset command S10 is given to the time measuring unit 25. Further, when the container holding is completed, the stop command S11 is given to the time measuring unit 25, and the sampling permission signal S20 is output to the automatic chemical analyzer 1. Further, a command S14 for arm opening operation is given to the driving source 21 at the end of sampling, and a command S15 for arm backward movement is given to the front-rear driving source 22 at container opening.

Further, when the CPU 20 inputs the time data T relating to container holding of the arms 23 from the time measuring section 25, it relates to the correspondence relationship between the previously held time data T and the diameter F of the container S. The diameter F of the measurement target is calculated based on the information, and the shape data D1 including this is output to the automatic chemical analyzer 1.

Here, considering the time data T relating to container holding of the arms 23, 23, since the time of this time data T decreases substantially in proportion to the size of the diameter F of the container S, the diameter F increases. The shorter the diameter F, the longer the longer the diameter F. Therefore, the CPU 20 determines the diameter F of the container S.
By storing the corresponding data between the time data T and the time data T in the memory in advance, the diameter F can be measured from the time data T of the measurement object. For example, the time data T may be measured in advance for each container S having a different diameter F, and information about the correspondence between the two may be tabulated and held in the memory. In any case, the diameter F of the measurement object, that is, the shape data D1 can be obtained by measuring the time data T regarding the container holding of the arms 23, 23.

The drive source 21 is, for example, as shown in FIG.
It is formed of an actuator that uses air pressure as a driving force, and is configured to operate a valve to apply or release air pressure in the cylinder to obtain a driving force by piston movement.

The drive source 21 shown in FIG.
Cylinder 3 having piston 30 to which 3, 23 are connected
1 and inlets O1 and O of two chambers (chambers) SP1 and SP2 partitioned by the piston 30 in the cylinder 31.
2 is provided with a solenoid valve portion 32 which is connected via tubes C1 and C2. The solenoid valve unit 32 is electrically connected to the CPU 20.

Further, the drive source 21 is provided with pressure sensors 33, 33 for detecting the air pressure state of the electromagnetic valve portion 32 in the flow paths of the tubes C1 and C2. The air pressure detected by the pressure sensors 33, 33 is supplied to the preamplifier, A / D
CP via data converters 34, 34 including converters, etc.
It is supplied to U20 in real time.

The solenoid valve section 22 includes passages 22a and 22b to which the tubes C1 and C2 are connected, and the CPU 20.
In response to commands S10 and S11 from the passages 22a and 2a,
A solenoid valve 2 for switchingably connecting any one of 2b and an external air pressure source (not shown) such as a compressor.
2c.

Here, the solenoid valve 22c is connected to the one passage 22b.
When you are contacted (see arrow c in Figure 3),
Air pressure from the outside is supplied from the solenoid valve 22c through the passage 22b to the cylinder 30 via the tube C2 and the inflow port O2 to pressurize one chamber SP2 (arrow d in the figure).
reference). As a result, the piston 30 moves to the upper side shown in the figure (see the upward direction in the figure), and the air pressure in the other chamber SP1 is changed from the inlet O1 to the other passage 2 via the tube C2.
It is opened to 2a.

Further, when the solenoid valve 22c is connected to the other passage 22a, the air pressure passes through a route opposite to the above,
The piston 30 moves to the lower side shown in the figure. Therefore, by switching the contact position of the solenoid valve 22c, the air pressure in each of the two chambers SP1 and SP2 changes, and the piston 30 moves up and down, and the piston operation is transmitted to the arms 23, 23 as a driving force. It has become so. The changing states of the air pressures of the two rooms SP1 and SP2 are sequentially supplied from the pressure sensors 33, 33 to the CPU 20.

Here, the overall operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. First, the chemical analysis system CS is started, and the container S to be measured placed on the carrier 11 is a barcode. It is assumed that the document has been conveyed to the reading position of the reader 13. On this move,
The ID information of the container S is read by the barcode reader 13, the measurement item to be measured is discriminated by the automatic chemical analyzer 1, and the sampling amount of this is calculated.

Next, the container S placed on the carrier 11 is moved from the reading position of the bar code reader 13 to the sample holding unit 12.
When it is transported to the sampling position Ps (see FIG. 2) of the container, the container information detected by the sample sensor 24 is transferred to the CPU.
20 and the command S12 is given from the CPU 20 to the front-rear drive source 22 so that the two arms 23, 23 are kept in the open state from the initial positions P1, P1 outside the lane to the pinching start positions P2, P2 in the lane. Move to (Fig. 2
(See arrow a in the inside).

Next, when the arms 23, 23 reach the sandwiching start positions P2, P2 in this way, the CPU 20 gives the drive source 21 a command S13 and the time measuring unit 25 a reset command S10. As a result, the time measuring unit 25 starts measuring the time data T regarding container holding, and the solenoid valve unit 32 operates to operate the cylinder 31.
The position of the piston 30 inside moves, the arms 23, 23 shift from the open state to the closed state by receiving the power associated with the piston operation, and from the pinch start positions P2, P2 to the holding positions P3, P3 to be measured. Move (arrow b in FIG. 2)
reference).

In this way, the arms 23, 23 are held at the holding position P.
When reaching 3, P3, the CPU 20 gives a stop command S11 to the time measuring unit 25, the measurement of the time data T by the time measuring unit 25 is completed, and this is output to the CPU 20. Therefore, the diameter F of the measurement target is calculated from the time data T, the shape data D1 including this is supplied to the automatic chemical analyzer 1, and the descending amount of the probe 5 is calculated from the shape data D1 and the sampling amount held in advance. Is calculated.

Next, the CPU 20 gives the sampling permission signal S20 to the automatic chemical analyzer 1, and the sampling arm 6 starts sampling. here,
The sample suction is executed based on the descending amount of the probe 5 calculated as described above.

Then, when sampling is completed, CP
The command S14 is given from the U20 to the drive source 21, and the two arms 23 and 23 shift from the closed state to the open state,
It returns from the holding positions P3, P3 to the sandwiching start positions P2, P2 (see arrow b in FIG. 2). Arm 2
When 3 and 23 return to the pinching start positions P2 and P2, CP
A command S15 is given from the U20 to the front-rear drive source 22, and the arm 23, 23 is kept in the open state, and the sandwiching start position P2,
Return from P2 to the initial positions P1 and P1. Therefore, after waiting for the next measurement target to be conveyed to the sampling position Ps, the same operation as described above is repeatedly executed.

Therefore, in the chemical analysis system according to the present embodiment, since the container shape is recognized from the operation of the existing holding mechanism in the transfer device, it is possible to easily know the container shape and to separate it. Shape recognition mechanism (for example,
Since it is not necessary to newly provide a relatively expensive optical system as in the conventional case, it is possible to suppress the increase in the number of parts and the arrangement space as much as possible, and thus the device configuration can be simply constructed. Also, since the descending amount of the probe in the container can be acquired based on the container shape before sampling, it is possible to avoid the situation in which the probe is unnecessarily immersed in the container, and the situation in which the probe is contaminated is greatly reduced. However, the adhesion of the sample around the probe is reduced, and the sampling accuracy is significantly improved.

In this embodiment, the sample-holding portion has two arms, but the present invention is not limited to this. In short, the number of arms is not particularly limited as long as it is an arm that accurately holds the container, and may be, for example, three or more.

Further, in the present embodiment, the sample holding portion is provided with the front-back drive source, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and for example, two arms keep the pinching start position. A drive source that moves up and down in the state may be used.

Further, in the present embodiment, the operation elapsed time required from the pinching start position of the arm to the holding position is measured, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and the container shape and A configuration may be employed in which the operation elapsed time from a predetermined position that is set in association with, for example, the initial position to the holding position is measured. In short, any configuration may be used as long as the time data regarding the holding of the container of the arm is measured.

Although the time measuring unit is individually provided in the present embodiment, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and the time measuring unit may be integrated with the CPU, for example.

[0051]

As described above, according to the chemical analysis system of the present invention, the shape data of the sample container can be acquired with a simple structure, and the probe descending amount is controlled based on this shape data. It is possible to eliminate the inconvenience caused by the containers having different shapes, for example, the situation where the probe is unnecessarily dipped in the sample.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a main part showing an overall configuration of a chemical analysis system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a main part configuration of a sample holding unit in a transfer system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a main configuration of a drive source of a sample holding unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

CS chemical analysis system 1 Automatic chemical analyzer 1a Sampling system 1b reaction system 2 Conveyor 3 Sampling controller 4 Sampling driver 5 Sampling probe 6 sampling arms 7 Reaction disc 10 Transport drive source 11 Carrier 12 Sample holder 13 Bar Code Reader 20 CPU 21 Drive source 22 Front-rear drive source 23, 23 arms 24 Sample sensor 25 hours measurement section 30 pistons 31 cylinders 32 Solenoid valve 33, 33 Pressure sensor 34, 34 data converter

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Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A sampling device that has a probe for sample dispensing, and lowers this probe into a sample container at a predetermined sampling position to aspirate the sample and dispense it into a reaction tube.
An arm, and a sampling control unit for controlling the driving of the sampling arm, the said sample container to be transported by the transport means sampling
An arm for holding at ring position, and arm driving means for driving so that the arm holding the sample container, when according to the holding of the sample container by the arm driving means
Shape acquisition means for acquiring shape data including the diameter of the sample container from between , and sample suction in the sample container based on the shape data acquired by the shape acquisition means and the measurement order of the sample in the sample container And a calculating unit that calculates the amount of descending of the probe at the time, and the sampling control unit controls the descending movement of the probe based on the calculation result of the calculating unit. 2. The arm is a mechanism for sandwiching the sample container by a plurality of arms, and the shape obtaining means comprises:
The chemical analysis system according to claim 1, wherein the time from the start to the completion of the pinching operation by the arm is measured, and the data regarding the diameter of the sample container is acquired based on the time data. 3. The shape obtaining means obtains data regarding the diameter of the sample container based on previously stored correspondence data between the diameter regarding the sample container and the sandwiching operation time by the mechanism. The chemical analysis system according to claim 2, wherein 4. A to claim 1, characterized in that when the shape data obtained by the shape acquiring unit does not correspond to the sample vessel data to be measured has previously been registered, further comprising output means for outputting a warning 3. The chemical analysis system according to any one of 3 above. 5. A driving source for driving the mechanism of the arm comprises a cylinder having a piston which said arm is connected, is connected via a respective second passage of the two chambers partitioned by the piston within the cylinder And a solenoid valve control means for operating the piston by controlling the solenoid valve to apply air pressure to one of the two chambers and release the air pressure from the other of the two chambers. The chemical analysis system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is characterized. 6. further comprising a pressure sensor for measuring the air pressure, the shape obtaining means, according to claim 5, wherein the measuring the time based on the change in air pressure measured by the pressure sensor Chemical analysis system.