JP4175916B2 - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer having a cleaning means for a sampling probe.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, automatic analyzers used in hospital laboratories, etc., dispense test samples such as blood and urine (hereinafter referred to as “specimen”) and reagents in reaction tubes and react them. Then, the concentration or activity of the substance to be measured or the enzyme in the sample is measured by optically measuring the change in color tone caused by the reaction. A sampling probe is used for dispensing the sample. In order to prevent contamination between samples, it is necessary to clean the inside and outside of the sampling probe each time the sample is exchanged.
[0003]
For this reason, conventional automatic analyzers are provided with a cleaning tank configured to collect cleaning water or a cleaning tank configured to create a running water state between a sampler that supplies a sample and a reaction tube. In addition, the sampling probe is cleaned in each sampling operation by immersing the sampling probe in the cleaning tank.
[0004]
Here, as an example, the cleaning operation of the sampling probe will be described with reference to FIG. 6 showing a cross-sectional view of a cleaning tank provided between the sampler and the reaction tube in the configuration of the conventional automatic analyzer. As shown in FIG. 6, when the sampling probe 105 moves downward to a predetermined position in the cleaning tank 108 and stops, cleaning water is fed into the sampling probe 105 from a cleaning pump in the sampling probe (not shown), and the sampling probe 105. The inside of is cleaned. At the same time, cleaning water is continuously sprayed from the cleaning water pipe 112 provided so as to penetrate the inner peripheral wall of the cleaning tank 108 to the tip of the sampling probe 105, Washed. The cleaning water used for cleaning the inside and outside of the sampling probe 105 is drained through a drain 111 provided at the bottom of the cleaning tank 108 (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-133466 A (paragraphs [0005]-[0006], FIG. 8)
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In recent years, in addition to reducing measurement errors due to carry-over between specimens as described above, the measurement cycle time has been shortened due to high-speed processing, and the sampling probe cleaning time has also been decreasing, which is higher in that situation. Cleaning ability is needed.
[0007]
However, depending on the conventional cleaning means, there has been no effective improvement in the way of applying the cleaning water for cleaning the outer wall of the sampling probe (water pressure, water flow rate), and thus it has been difficult to achieve the desired cleaning performance. .
[0008]
For example, according to the cleaning means shown in FIG. 6, the cleaning water from the discharge port of the cleaning tub flows down along the sampling probe from the sampling probe insertion hole. Since the contaminated area was washed by free fall of the washing water, there was no water pressure on the outer wall of the sampling probe, and a sufficient washing effect could not be obtained unless the washing time was extended.
[0009]
In particular, in recent years, there has been a demand for an automatic analyzer that combines a biochemical analyzer and an immunoanalyzer that were often used independently for improving work efficiency. One of the important technical issues that must be solved in order to achieve this is a reduction in carry-over between samples mediated by a sampling probe.
[0010]
The solution of such a problem is desired because there is a considerable difference in sensitivity between the measurement item of the sample measured by the biochemical analyzer and the measurement item of the sample measured by the immune analyzer. Specifically, when measurement was performed only with a biochemical analyzer, there was no measurement item with high sensitivity, so high performance was not required for carryover between specimens. When measuring the same specimen as an immunoassay apparatus that requires higher sensitivity, if the biochemical analyzer contaminates the specimen, a measurement error may occur in the highly sensitive immunoanalyzer.
[0011]
That is, there is a significant difference in the measurement range between the biochemical analyzer and the immunoanalyzer, so in the automatic analyzer that combines the biochemical analyzer and the immunoanalyzer, the biochemical analyzer side must Reduction of carryover (for example, 0.1 ppm or less) has been demanded.
[0012]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sampling probe that does not cause measurement errors in immunological measurement items due to carry-over between specimens when combined with an immunological analyzer. It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic analyzer having a cleaning capability for a contaminated area of an outer wall.
[0013]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, an automatic analyzer according to the invention described in claim 1 includes a sampling probe for collecting a sample by immersing it in the sample and sucking it, a driving means for driving the sampling probe, and the sampling An automatic analyzer having a washing water pipe having a washing water pipe having an opening for discharging a washing liquid to an outer wall of the probe, the opening being sampled in order for the sampling probe to collect a sample The diameter is larger than the distance immersed in the specimen from the tip of the probe, and the openings are provided in at least two places of the cleaning bowl .
[0014]
Since the area where the sampling probe is immersed when the sample is collected is preset at the time of collection as in such a configuration, the maximum area that can be immersed on the outer wall surface of the sampling probe is found. By setting the opening area of the opening in anticipation, the sampling probe can be effectively cleaned, and an automatic analyzer in which a biochemical analyzer equipped with the cleaning tub is coupled to an immunoanalyzer can be used. , It does not cause errors in measurement items related to immunity.
[0015]
For solving the above problems, an automatic analyzer according to the second aspect of the invention, the opening is characterized that you drive the sampling probe so as to face to a region immersed in the specimen.
[0016]
Since the area where the sampling probe is immersed when the sample is collected is preset at the time of collection as in such a configuration, the maximum area that can be immersed on the outer wall surface of the sampling probe is found. By driving the sampling probe so that it is accommodated in the opening in anticipation, the sampling probe can be effectively cleaned, and the biochemical analyzer equipped with the cleaning tub is coupled to the immunological analyzer. Even automatic analyzers do not cause errors in measurement items related to immunity.
[0017]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the automatic analyzer according to the invention described in claim 3 is the automatic analyzer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening has a long side in the length direction of the sampling probe. It has an oval shape.
[0018]
With such a configuration, the opening area is smaller than that of the circular opening surface, so that the pressure for discharging the cleaning liquid can be increased. In particular, in order for the opening surface to reliably cover the contaminated area, it is desirable that the oval long side portion is set to the height of the opening. Here, the length direction of the sampling probe refers to a direction in which the sampling probe is inserted into a cleaning bowl formed for cleaning the sampling probe (the opening is formed on the wall surface of the cleaning bowl). .
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A configuration of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration in an embodiment of an automatic analyzer according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the biochemical analyzer in one embodiment of the automatic analyzer according to the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the automatic analyzer according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which a biochemical analyzer and an immunoanalyzer are combined, each of which contains a plurality of reagents that react with various components of a specimen. The reagent racks 2 and 3 in which the reagent rack 1 containing the reagent bottles 1 can be installed, and the reaction disk 5 in which a plurality of reaction tubes 4 are arranged in an annular shape. The reagent containers 2 and 3 and the reaction disk 5 are rotated by a driving device (driving means). Reagents necessary for the measurement are transferred from the reagent bottle 7 stored in the reagent rack 1 of the reagent storage 2 or the reagent storage 3 to the reaction tube 4 on the reaction disk 5 using the dispensing arm 8 or the dispensing arm 9 respectively. It is dispensed. Each of the biochemical analyzer and the immune analyzer is provided with a rotatable sampling arm 10. The sampling arm 10 is provided with a sampling probe 16 that sucks a sample and dispenses it into the reaction tube 4. .
[0020]
Furthermore, a sampler 6 that transports a sample rack 18 containing a predetermined number of sample containers 17 is installed on the front and side surfaces of the biochemical analyzer and the immune analyzer. That is, the sample container 17 transported by the sampler 6 is aspirated by the sampling probe 16 of the rotatable sampling arm 10 installed in each of the biochemical analyzer and the immune analyzer, and is divided into each reaction tube 4. The analysis / inspection will be carried out by placing a note.
[0021]
Specifically, in the analysis relating to the specimen 18, first, in the biochemical analyzer, the specimen rack 18 is attached to the carry-in port (not shown) of the biochemical analyzer. Then, the sampling arm 10 is rotated, and the sampling probe 16 sucks the sample in the sample container 17 and dispenses it into the reaction tube 4. Next, the reagent is aspirated from the reagent bottle 7 stored in the reagent rack 1 by the dispensing arm 8 or 9, and the reagent is dispensed into the reaction tube 4. The reaction tube 4 into which the sample and the reagent are dispensed moves to the stirring position by the rotation of the reaction disk 5, and the mixed solution of the sample and the reagent is stirred by the stirring unit 11. By the above operation, a reaction between a specific component in the sample and the reagent occurs in the reaction tube 4, and the absorbance of the sample changes. Therefore, if the absorbance of the reaction tube 4 is measured by the photometric unit 13, the concentration of the specific component in the sample can be known. Then, the mixed liquid in the reaction tube 4 that has been analyzed is discarded, and then the reaction tube 4 is washed by the washing unit 12.
[0022]
On the other hand, the sample container 17 group collected by the sample probe 16 of the biochemical analyzer in the sample rack 18 unit is transported by the sampler 6 to the carry-in port (not shown) of the immunoanalyzer, and is the same as the above biochemical analyzer. The sample is sucked by the sampling probe 16a, and dispensing and absorbance measurement are performed.
[0023]
Here, in the automatic analyzer of the present embodiment, a control unit (not shown) for comprehensively controlling movement and the like of the sampler 6 is provided.
[0024]
Furthermore, in the biochemical analyzer and the immunological analyzer constituting the automatic analyzer, the sampling probes 14 to 16 of the dispensing arms 8 to 10 are washed corresponding to the dispensing arms 8 to 10, respectively. A cleaning tank is provided for each. In FIG. 2, only the cleaning tank 20 for cleaning the sampling probe 16 after dispensing the specimen to the reaction disk 5 is shown, but the cleaning tank corresponds to each of the dispensing arms 8 to 10. It shall be provided. Hereinafter, the cleaning tank 20 for cleaning the sampling probe 16 will be described as an example, but the cleaning tanks provided for the other sampling probes 14 and 15 have the same configuration.
[0025]
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the cleaning tank 20 for the sampling probe 16 in the present embodiment. Note that the sampling probe and the cleaning bowl in this embodiment mean at least the sampling probe and the cleaning bowl provided in the biochemical analyzer, and preferably the biochemistry of the automatic analyzer composed of the biochemical analyzer and the immune analyzer. It is a sampling probe and a cleaning bowl provided in the analyzer. As shown in FIG. 3, the cleaning tank 20 includes a cylindrical cleaning tank block 21 provided in a manner embedded in an automatic analyzer, and a holding block 22 that fixes the cleaning tank block 21 to the apparatus side. ing. The holding block 22 is provided with a cleaning water pipe (cleaning nozzle) 24 for discharging cleaning water to the sampling probe 16 inserted into the cleaning tank 20 during cleaning.
[0026]
Here, the immersion area of the sampling probe 16 immersed in the specimen in the step of sucking the specimen is set in advance in the control unit 35 of the biochemical analyzer. That is, since the size and position of the reaction tube and the amount of the sample in the reaction tube are also specified in advance, the maximum value of the immersion region of the sampling probe 16 is naturally specified. Therefore, the diameter of the cleaning water pipe 24 (diameter of the opening 24a) is set to a size including the maximum value of the immersion region. Specifically, the maximum area of the immersion area of the sampling probe 16 is determined based on the requirements of each apparatus constituting the apparatus, and the length in the direction in which the sampling probe 16 is accommodated in the cleaning bowl is determined in the maximum area. The shape of the washing water pipe 24 is provided in the diameter of the washing water pipe 24 exceeding the maximum value, and the control unit 35 makes the immersion area of the sampling probe 16 face the opening 24a and completely inserts it. Therefore, the control amount necessary for this is stored, and the control amount is instructed to the probe drive unit 33.
[0027]
Further, the surface on which the cleaning water pipe 24 is opened (the opening surface of the opening 24a) has an oval shape (for example, an elliptical shape) having a long side in the direction in which the sampling probe 16 is accommodated in the cleaning tub. ) Is desirable. By doing so, since the opening area of the cleaning water pipe 24 is reduced while maintaining the immersion region, the cleaning water discharge pressure during cleaning can be increased, and the sampling probe 16 can be cleaned efficiently. . Furthermore, the shape of the opening surface of the opening 24a in this embodiment is not determined only by the magnitude relationship with the immersion region. That is, since the region where the cleaning water is applied to the sampling probe 16 may include the immersion region, the shape of the opening 24a is radial so that the region where the cleaning water is applied to the sampling probe 16 is larger than the immersion region. It may be formed so as to discharge washing water.
[0028]
Thus, the wash water discharged from each wash water pipe 24 in a continuous running water state so as to hit the immersion area of the sampling probe 16 ishes and drains the specimen adhering to the sampling probe 16.
[0029]
Next, the overall control flow of the sample component analysis test in the automatic analyzer of the embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining a control flow of the automatic analyzer according to this embodiment.
[0030]
When the analysis is started, the control unit 35 controls the drive system 34 to drive the sampler 6, the reaction disk 5, and the reagent storage 2 or 3, and the sample rack on the sampler 6 is first loaded into the biochemical analyzer. When reaching the mouth (not shown), the sampling probe 16 and the dispensing arm 8 or 9 of the biochemical analyzer are driven and controlled via the sampling probe driving unit 33, and the sample and the reagent necessary for the analysis are transferred to the reaction disk. Dispense into predetermined reaction tubes 4 in 5.
[0031]
Thereafter, the control unit 35 controls the reaction tube 4 in which the sample and the reagent are dispensed to move to the stirring position by the rotation of the reaction disk 5, and controls the stirring unit 11 so that the mixed solution of the sample and the reagent is stirred. Control. Thereafter, the reaction disk 5 is controlled to rotate, and the mixed solution is controlled to move to the photometric position, and the change in absorbance is measured by irradiating light from the photometric system 13 to the reaction tube 4 containing the mixed solution. Thus, the component analysis of the specimen is performed. After the analysis is completed, the mixed solution in the reaction tube 4 is discarded, and the reaction tube 4 in which the mixed solution is discarded is cleaned by the cleaning unit 12.
[0032]
Next, the flow of cleaning control of the sampling probe 16 will be described with reference to FIGS. Hereinafter, the cleaning control of the sampling probe 16 will be described as an example, but the same applies to the cleaning control of the dispensing arms 8 and 9. FIG. 5 is a top view showing the configuration of the reaction disk 5, the sampler 6, the sampling arm 10 and the cleaning tank 20 provided in the automatic analyzer, particularly, the biochemical analyzer in this embodiment.
[0033]
First, when the sampling probe 16 is not driven, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the sampling probe 16 is in a standby state at a substantially intermediate position (home position) between the reaction disk 5 and the sampler 6. The controller 35 is controlled to move to the sampler 6 side as shown by the dotted line trajectory in FIG. 5, and after the sample stored in the sample container is aspirated, the movement is controlled to the reaction disk 5 side to the reaction tube 4. The aspirated specimen is dispensed.
[0034]
Next, when the dispensing is finished, the control unit 35 instructs the probe driving unit 33 based on the control amount stored in advance, and the sampling probe 16 is positioned approximately in the middle of the cleaning tank 20 shown in FIG. The movement is controlled to position A. Then, after this movement control, the immersion region of the sampling probe 16 completely enters the opening 24 a of the cleaning water pipe 24 in the cleaning tank 20. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the sampling probe 16 is accommodated in the cleaning tank 20.
[0035]
When the sampling probe 16 is accommodated in the cleaning tank 20 as described above, the control unit 35 drives and controls the cleaning pump 32 shown in FIG. Accordingly, the cleaning water is supplied into the sampling probe 16 through the cleaning pump 32, and the cleaning water is discharged from both side surfaces of the sampling probe 16 through the cleaning water pipe 24 and adheres to the inside and outside of the sampling probe 16. The collected specimen is washed.
[0036]
Thus, when the cleaning of the sampling probe 16 is completed, the control unit 35 stops the cleaning pump 32 and stops the supply of the cleaning water. And the waste liquid after washing | cleaning the sampling probe 16 is drained. In addition, the sampling probe 16 accommodated in the cleaning tank 20 is lifted and controlled to move to the home position shown in FIG. 5, and the home position is controlled to stand by until the next sampling instruction is given.
[0037]
The control unit 35 performs such cleaning control of the sampling probe 16 every time the sample is dispensed by the sampling probe 16.
[0038]
Each above-mentioned embodiment is an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to each embodiment.
[0039]
Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, the case of the sampling probe has been shown, but the same effect can be applied to the sampling probe for reagent dispensing, and the same effect as that obtained by applying to the sampling probe. Can be obtained. In addition, various modifications can be made according to the design and the like as long as they do not depart from the technical idea of the present invention.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since the biochemical analyzer is provided with the cleaning means for appropriately cleaning the sampling probe, even when the biochemical analyzer is coupled to the immune analyzer. It is possible to reduce the occurrence of errors due to carryover in measurement items related to immunity. In addition, an automatic analyzer having a biochemical analyzer and an immunoanalyzer equipped with the above-described cleaning means for performing appropriate cleaning on the sampling probe enables an automatic analyzer that is labor-saving and has less measurement error than conventional ones. Can be provided.
[0041]
That is, as a biochemical analyzer according to the present invention realizes reduction of carryover between samples of 0.1 ppm or less, which is not required when used alone, as an automatic analyzer combined with an immune analyzer. The usefulness of is further increased.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a biochemical analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a cleaning tank provided in the automatic analyzer according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining a control flow of the automatic analyzer according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a main part for explaining a control flow of the automatic analyzer according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a cleaning tank provided in a conventional automatic analyzer.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reagent rack 2 Reagent storage 3 Reagent storage 4 Reaction tube 5 Reaction disk 6 Sampler 7 Reagent bottle 8 Dispensing arm 9 Dispensing arm 10 Dispensing arm 11 Stirring unit 12 Washing unit 13 Photometry system 14 Sampling probe 15 Sampling probe 16 Sampling probe 17 Sample container 18 Sample rack 20 Wash tank 21 Wash tank block 22 Holding block 24 Wash water pipe 32 Wash pump 33 Sampling probe drive unit 34 Drive system

Claims (3)

A sampling probe for collecting a sample by immersing it in the sample and sucking it, a driving means for driving the sampling probe, and a cleaning water pipe having an opening for discharging a cleaning liquid to the outer wall of the sampling probe are formed. The opening has a diameter larger than the distance that the sampling probe has immersed in the sample from the tip of the sampling probe in order to collect the sample. An automatic analyzer provided in at least two places of the washing bowl .   The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the driving unit drives the sampling probe so that the opening is opposed to a region immersed in the specimen.   The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the opening has an oval shape having a long side in a length direction of the sampling probe.

Images