JP4231809B2 - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that performs qualitative and quantitative analysis of biological samples such as blood and urine, and more particularly to an automatic analyzer that includes a plurality of sets of reagent container holding mechanisms.

  In the automatic analyzer, the reagent installed in the apparatus is consumed by continuing the analysis for a long time, and eventually the reagent runs out. When a reagent shortage occurs, there are two ways to deal with it: the analysis device that does not allow subsequent analysis items to be analyzed, and the analysis is continued. There are two methods of performing reagent replacement according to, and then restarting the analysis. Various methods have been proposed as reagent replacement methods.

  In Patent Document 1, when a reagent registration interrupt request for reagent replacement is input, the analysis operation state (operation state) is changed to a state where reagent registration is possible (a state in which no new specimen is analyzed: a sampling stop state). . That is, a predetermined operation of the analysis operation is temporarily stopped. Thereafter, the remaining amount of the reagent is displayed on the display unit. The user sees this display and replaces the reagent. The exchanged reagent is stored in the storage unit, and when the reagent exchange is completed, the suspension of the analysis operation is released and the analysis operation is started. Therefore, even during analysis such as during operation or sampling stop, reagent replacement is possible without transitioning to the standby state.

  In Patent Document 2, in an automatic analyzer provided with a plurality of reagent racks equipped with a plurality of reagent containers, when there is a shortage of reagents on one reagent rack, the reagent rack is removed for reagent replacement while the reagent is being replaced. Controls the analysis to stop the analysis using the reagents on the rack.

JP-A-10-142230 JP 2000-346851 A

  In the technique described in Patent Document 1, the apparatus is stopped by temporarily changing the apparatus state from an analysis operation state (operation state) to a state where reagent replacement is possible (a state in which no new specimen is analyzed: a sampling stop state). However, it is considered that reagent replacement cannot be performed in the analysis operation state. That is, a decrease in analysis efficiency (total analysis speed) is inevitable.

In the technique described in Patent Document 2, if there are a large number of reagent racks (reagent container holding means such as a reagent disk) in which reagent containers that need to be replaced are set (10 sets in the embodiment of Patent Document 2), replace them. Even if the execution of the analysis item using the reagent rack in which the necessary reagent container is set is interrupted (skip), it is considered that the analysis efficiency does not decrease so much. This is because the probability of performing the analysis using the reagent on the reagent rack is 1/10. However, if the analysis using the reagent on the reagent rack happens to be continuous, the analysis speed may be reduced. Further, in an analyzer having only two to three reagent holding means, the analysis is hindered if the analysis using the reagent container mounted on the reagent holding means that requires reagent replacement is skipped. The thing is clear.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer having a plurality of sets of reagent holding means and capable of exchanging reagents while continuing the analysis without reducing the analysis efficiency.

  The configuration of the present invention for achieving the above object is as follows.

A plurality of sets of reagent holding means for holding a plurality of reagent containers, an analysis order storage means for storing a preset analysis order, a reagent replacement instruction means for instructing reagent replacement, and reagent replacement by the reagent replacement means The analysis order storage means stores the analysis of the analysis item using the reagent placed on the reagent holding means on which the designated reagent container is placed so as to be removed from the analysis order only within a predetermined period. Control means to re-arrange the analysis sequence;
Automatic analyzer equipped with.

  The reagent (container) holding means preferably has a function of holding a plurality of reagent containers and aspirating the reagent from a target reagent container among the plurality of reagent containers. As such a mechanism, a reagent container is arranged in a line at a circumferential position on a disk, and the target reagent container is moved to a reagent aspirating position by rotating the disk (commonly referred to as a reagent disk). Is common. However, a mechanism may be used in which a plurality of reagent containers are arranged side by side and a target reagent is aspirated using a reagent aspirating mechanism mounted on a robot arm that can be moved three-dimensionally. Of course, the reagent rack described in Patent Document 2 may be used. Further, even if the target reagent container is sucked, various methods such as a method of moving the reagent container on a belt conveyor can be adopted.

  Usually, the order of analysis is set so that analysis is performed in the order requested for analysis except for samples designated as requiring urgent analysis (First-In First-Out), and the control computer controls the analysis Stored in the memory. According to the analysis order set in this way, the target reagent is aspirated from the reagent holding means on which the reagent container necessary for the analysis is placed, and the analysis is executed. In the case of providing a plurality of sets of reagent container holding means, when the target reagent container is mounted on only one reagent container holding means, the reagent is aspirated from the reagent container holding means, and the target is stored in the plurality of reagent holding means. When the reagent container is held, it is determined from which reagent container holding means the reagent is sucked in consideration of the remaining amount of the reagent, and the reagent is sucked. When there are a plurality of reagent container holding means, depending on the preset analysis order and the arrangement of the reagent containers, when the reagent is continuously sucked from one reagent container holding means, or even in a plurality of reagent container holding means There is also a case of accessing.

  When it is desired to replace a reagent container mounted on one reagent container holding means, it is necessary to stop access to the reagent container holding means (reagent aspiration, rotation of a reagent disk for reagent aspiration, etc.). In the present invention, when a reagent container placed on one reagent container holding means needs to be replaced, the analysis order set before it is recognized that replacement is necessary is changed, and the reagent to be replaced is loaded. The analysis order is rearranged so that there is no access to the placed reagent holding means for a certain period of time (preferably time required for replacing the reagent container + α). As described in Patent Document 2, an algorithm that determines whether or not access to a reagent rack to be replaced with a reagent is necessary on the spot and skips the analysis when the access is necessary is efficient. In the present invention, when it is found that reagent replacement is necessary, the analysis order is changed to allow reagent replacement during analysis without reducing analysis efficiency. When the operator specifies reagent replacement, a certain amount of time is required until the change of the analysis order is completed, so when the reagent replacement preparation is completed, a message is displayed indicating that the reagent can be replaced and alerting the operator. . During reagent replacement, the remaining time for reagent replacement may be counted down.

  Most preferably, the analyzer has a function to monitor the remaining amount of the reagent, determine in advance how long the reagent needs to be replaced, and automatically change the analysis procedure in advance according to the replacement time. Is good. The replacement itself only needs to have a function automatically performed by the analyzer, but the replacement itself may be performed by an operator.

  To provide an automatic analyzer that can continue an analysis without stopping the analysis operation even when a reagent shortage occurs in an automatic analysis system having only one analyzer and does not reduce the total processing efficiency as much as possible. Things are possible.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a top view of a first embodiment of the present invention. The reaction vessels 35 are arranged on the circumference of the reaction disk 36 on the housing 62. A reagent disk 42 is disposed inside the reaction disk 36 and a reagent disk 41 is disposed outside. A plurality of reagent containers 40 can be placed on the circumference of each of the reagent disks 41 and 42. Two reagents enter one reagent container 40. A transport mechanism 12 for moving the rack 11 on which the sample container 10 is placed is installed near the reaction disk 36. Rails 25 and 26 are arranged on the reagent disk 41 and the reagent disk 42. The rail 25 includes reagent probes 20 and 21 movable in a direction parallel to the rail and in the vertical direction. Removable reagent probes 22 and 23 are installed. The reagent probes 20, 21, 22, and 23 are connected to reagent pumps not shown in the figure. Between the reaction vessel 35 and the transport mechanism 12, sample probes 15 and 16 that can be rotated and moved up and down are installed. Each of the sample probes 15 and 16 is connected to a sample pump not explicitly shown in the figure. Around the reaction disk 36, stirring devices 30 and 31, a light source 50, a detection optical device 51, and a container cleaning mechanism 45 are arranged. The container cleaning mechanism 45 is connected to a cleaning pump not explicitly shown in the figure. Sample probes 15, 16, reagent probe 20,
A cleaning port 54 is installed in each operation range of the 21, 22, 23, and the stirring devices 30, 31. A replenishing reagent storage 71 is installed on the reagent disk 41. A plurality of reagent containers 40 can be mounted in the replenishment reagent storage 71. Sample pumps, reagent pumps, cleaning pumps, detection optical device 51, reaction vessel 35, reagent disk 41, reagent probes 20, 21, 22, 23, and sample probes 15, 16 not shown in the figure are controllers. 60.

  The sample (sample) which is pulled into the rack 11 by the transport mechanism 12 and held in the rack 11 and positioned at the sample suction position is sucked by the sample probes 15 and 16, and the sample is put into the reaction container 35 of the reaction disk 36. (Sample) Released at the dispensing position. The reaction container 35 from which the specimen has been released is moved to the first reagent dispensing position by the rotation of the reaction disk 36, where the reagent container 40 held on the reagent disk 41 or 42 is placed in the reaction container 35. Dispensed by the first reagent probe 22 or 23. The reaction vessel 35 into which the first reagent has been dispensed is moved to the stirring position, where the sample and the first reagent are stirred by the stirring device 31 or 32.

  Further, when the second reagent needs to be added, the stirred reaction container 35 is moved to the second reagent dispensing position, where the reaction container 35 is held by the reagent disk 41 or 42. The reagent in the second reagent container 40 is dispensed by the second reagent probe 22 or 23. The dispensed reaction container 35 is moved to the stirring position, and the sample, the first reagent, and the second reagent in the reaction container 35 are stirred by the stirring device 31 or 32, and the reaction solution is generated. Is done.

  The reaction vessel 35 containing the reaction solution is moved to the measurement position, where the detection optical device 51 performs multi-wavelength absorbance measurement of the reaction solution and obtains the analysis result of the biochemical analysis item.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the case where reagent replacement is performed during the execution of the analysis operation in the automatic analysis system according to the present embodiment will be described. In the following description, a case will be described as an example where reagent replacement on the reagent disk (right) is performed during execution of automatic analysis processing in the automatic analyzer according to the present embodiment.

  FIG. 2 shows a processing flow at the time of normal reagent replacement during operation.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a setting example of a reagent replacement request in the input / output device of the automatic analyzer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  During the analysis operation, in order to replace the reagent for one reagent disk in the automatic analyzer in step 200, the reagent replacement is set from the setting screen of FIG.

  The reagent replacement disk selection button 301 is used to select a reagent disk for reagent replacement. In FIG. 3, the reagent disk (right) is selected. In addition, in the reagent replacement level setting 302, the reagent replacement priority is designated from this setting screen. Here, a case where normal reagent replacement is selected will be described. After completing the setting, the execution button 303 is pressed to execute the reagent replacement process. If not, the cancel button 304 is pressed to end the process.

  If a new analysis request occurs after the reagent replacement request in step 201, an analysis plan is created in step 202 so that the reagent on the reagent replacement request disk is not used. In step 203, if the request for analysis using the reagent on the reagent disk for which a reagent replacement request has been issued has been made before the reagent replacement request, or if the analysis operation has already been performed using the reagent on the reagent disk In step 204, the process waits until an operation that hinders reagent replacement, such as rotation of the reagent disk or aspiration of the reagent by the reagent probe, is completed, and permission for reagent replacement is not given to the user.

  If the reagent replacement can be performed, a display as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the input / output screen in step 205 to notify the user that the reagent replacement preparation is completed. Here, a method of notifying the user by another means such as voice or lighting of a lamp may be considered.

  In step 205, the user confirms the completion of reagent replacement preparation displayed on the input / output screen, and presses the OK button 401 on the reagent replacement preparation completion screen in FIG. carry out. Even during the reagent replacement operation, it is possible to perform the analysis using the reagents installed on other reagent disks, so that the reagent replacement can be performed without stopping the analysis.

When the reagent replacement is completed in step 206, the user notifies the apparatus that the reagent replacement is completed by some means. As the notification means, an input from an input / output device or an operation with the lid of the reagent disk closed can be considered. The reagent registration operation is automatically performed in step 207 for the reagent disk whose reagent has been replaced.

  When the reagent registration is completed, the reagent disk whose reagent has been replaced is returned to the analysis in step 206. Samples requested to be analyzed after the reagent disk is restored can be analyzed using the reagent on the reagent replacement disk.

  Next, a case where reagent replacement is performed during the execution of an analysis operation in an automatic analysis system according to another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, an example in which the reagent on the reagent disk (right) is urgently replaced while the automatic analysis process is being executed in the automatic analyzer according to the present embodiment will be described as an example.

  If the reagent replacement priority is urgent on the reagent replacement setting screen, the processing flow is as follows.

  In the state under analysis, in step 500, the reagent replacement is set from the setting screen of FIG.

  The reagent replacement disk selection button 301 is used to select a reagent disk for reagent replacement. In FIG. 3, the reagent disk (right) is selected. In addition, in the reagent replacement level setting 302, the reagent replacement priority is designated from this setting screen. Here, emergency reagent replacement is selected. After completing the setting, the execution button 303 is pressed to execute the reagent replacement process. If not, the cancel button 304 is pressed to end the process.

  If the reagent replacement level is set to urgent reagent replacement in the reagent replacement setting, if there is a request item that has already been requested for analysis in step 501 but has not started analysis, the reagent for which a reagent replacement request has been issued in step 502 The analysis request plan is executed again so as not to perform the analysis using the reagent on the disk. By replanning, it is possible to change the analysis items that have already been requested to be analyzed using reagents on reagent disks other than the reagent replacement request disk. And can be stopped.

  If a new analysis request is generated after a reagent replacement request in step 503, a plan is created in step 504 so that the reagent on the reagent replacement request disk is not used when the analysis plan is created.

  If the analysis operation using the reagent on the reagent disk has already been performed in step 505, the operation that hinders reagent replacement such as rotation of the reagent disk or aspiration of the reagent by the reagent probe is completed in step 506. Wait until the user is allowed to replace the reagent.

  If the reagent can be exchanged, the display as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the input / output screen in step 507 to notify the user that the apparatus is ready for reagent replacement. Here, a method of notifying the user by another means such as voice or lighting of a lamp may be considered.

  In step 507, the user confirms the completion of reagent replacement preparation displayed on the input / output screen. After pressing the 401 OK button on the reagent replacement preparation completion screen of FIG. 4, the reagent replacement of the stopped reagent disk is performed in step 508. To do. Since analysis using another reagent disk is possible even during reagent replacement work, reagent replacement can be performed during analysis.

  When the reagent replacement is completed in step 508, the user notifies the apparatus that the reagent replacement is completed by some means. As a notification means, it is conceivable to use an input from an input / output device or an operation of closing a reagent disk lid as a trigger. The reagent disk that has undergone reagent replacement in step 509 performs a reagent registration operation.

  When the reagent registration is completed, the reagent disk whose reagent has been replaced is returned to the analysis in step 510. Items requested after the reagent disk is restored can be analyzed using the reagent on the reagent replacement disk.

  In the above, an example of a single automatic analyzer has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to an analysis system including a plurality of analysis modules.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 6, a case will be described in which the reagent replacement is performed without reducing the analysis efficiency as much as possible by generating a reagent replacement request from the analyzer in the automatic analysis system according to another embodiment.

  Install the reagent on the analyzer and start the analysis. In step 601, the analyzer is determined from the currently remaining liquid amount of each reagent bottle installed in the reagent disk, the usage tendency of the reagent, and the item requested to be analyzed at the present time. The expected time when the reagent runs out is calculated. The expected time is periodically updated in consideration of the request trend of analysis.

In step 602, it is determined whether or not the estimated time of reagent shortage is shorter than the threshold value. Do not use the reagent on the reagent disk on which is installed. Similarly, when a new analysis item is generated in step 605, similarly, it is planned not to use the reagent on the reagent disk on which the reagent bottle in which the reagent runs out is built in step 606. In this automatic re-planning process, it is possible to select a reagent replacement method according to the operation method of the apparatus by enabling the operator to select valid / invalid. By the above process, the operation that prevents the reagent replacement of the reagent disk after the time when the occurrence of the reagent out is expected is eliminated.

  When it is notified in step 607 that the reagent disk device is ready for reagent replacement, in step 608, the operator replaces the reagent disk that has been stopped. At this time, the analyzer can automatically perform reagent replacement.

  By the above means, it is possible to minimize a decrease in analysis efficiency due to reagent replacement and reduce the burden on the operator.

It is a top view of the analyzer of an example. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation at the time of reagent replacement | exchange in the analysis in the automatic analysis system by one Embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the reagent replacement | exchange screen in the automatic analyzer system by one Embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the screen display as a means to notify a user that preparation for reagent replacement is completed. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation | movement at the time of the emergency reagent replacement | exchange in the analysis in the automatic analysis system by one different embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation | movement in which the apparatus in the analysis in the automatic analysis system by different one Embodiment of this invention issues a reagent replacement execution request automatically.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Sample container, 11 ... Rack, 12 ... Conveyance mechanism, 14 ... Sample pump, 15, 16 ... Sample probe, 20, 21, 22, 23 ... Reagent probe, 24 ... Reagent pump, 25, 26, 72 ... Rail, 30, 31 ... Stirrer, 35 ... Reaction vessel, 36 ... Reaction disc, 40 ... Reagent vessel, 41, 42 ... Reagent disc, 45 ... Container cleaning mechanism, 46 ... Cleaning pump, 50 ... Light source, 51 ... Detection Optical device 54... Washing port 60. Controller 62.

Claims (3)

A plurality of sets of reagent holding means for holding a plurality of reagent containers;
By providing a plurality of sets of the reagent holding means, one of the reagent holding means continues the analysis using the reagent installed on the other reagent holding means even during the reagent replacement operation;
Analysis order storage means for storing a preset analysis order;
Reagent replacement instruction means for instructing reagent replacement;
Of the analyzes using the reagent on the reagent holding means on which the reagent container instructed for reagent replacement by the reagent replacement instruction means is used, the analysis requested before the reagent replacement is instructed, or the reagent the exchange has been carried out at the indicated time points analyzed, after the operation that would prevent the reagent replacement is waited until completion, a notification unit for notifying that the reagent replacement ready,
If a new analysis request using a reagent on the reagent holding means on which the reagent container instructed to replace the reagent is generated after the reagent replacement is instructed, the reagent holding means is not used. an automatic analyzer and a control means reassembled analysis order stored in the analysis order storing unit,
The reagent replacement instruction means can designate the level of urgency of reagent replacement,
When the level of urgency is high, the control means instructs the reagent replacement for the analysis not performed at the time when the reagent replacement is instructed even if the analysis is requested before the reagent replacement is instructed. An automatic analyzer that re-arranges the analysis order stored in the analysis order storage means so as not to use the reagent holding means on which the reagent container placed is placed . The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the reagent replacement instruction means can designate a reagent holding means for performing reagent replacement. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 or 2,
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the reagent holding means is a rotating reagent disk in which reagent containers are arranged in a row on a circumference.

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