JP4241434B2 - Automatic analysis system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analysis system that performs qualitative and quantitative analysis of biological samples such as blood and urine, and more particularly to an automatic analysis system in which a plurality of analysis modules are connected via a sample transport mechanism.

  In order to perform qualitative and quantitative analysis of target components in biological samples such as blood and urine, an automatic analyzer that adds a reagent to the sample and measures the color change of the reaction solution using a photometer, etc. It is widely used in large hospitals and inspection centers because it can improve the reproducibility and speed up the measurement. Recently, an automatic analysis system having a configuration in which a plurality of analysis modules are connected to a sample transport line has been used to further improve work efficiency. Such an automatic analysis system is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.

  On the other hand, in order to further automate the operation of the automatic analyzer, there is a technology that allows the start-up time and stop time of the device to be set with a timer, and the analysis preparation operation to be performed at the time of device start-up can be selectively executed. It is disclosed in Patent Document 2.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-282110 JP-A-8-338847

  In a conventional automatic analysis system composed of a plurality of analysis modules, the entire system is managed by one control computer, and the entire automatic analysis system can be started up or a plurality of preparation operations can be executed. However, as an actual automatic analysis system, for example, analysis is performed using all analysis modules during the day when there are a large number of samples to be analyzed. In order to save, etc., analysis is often performed with some analysis modules stopped.

  In the current automatic analysis system, it was not possible to stop only some of these analysis modules with a timer, start up the stopped analysis modules at the set time, or make preparations for measurement. Therefore, it is necessary for the operator to give an instruction to start / stop each analysis module. In addition, since the preparation operation for measurement is expected to vary depending on the state of each analysis module, it is necessary to individually set the measurement preparation operation for each analysis module when the apparatus is started up. Such an operation is a burden on the operator.

  An object of the present invention is to set and return a time for disconnecting or returning a part of a plurality of analysis modules from the system in an automatic analysis system in which a plurality of analysis modules are connected via a sample transport mechanism. An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analysis system in which a preparation operation for later measurement can be set for each analysis module.

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

  A plurality of analysis modules; a transport line for transporting a sample to the analysis module; and setting means for setting at least one of a power-on time and a power-off time of the analysis unit of the analysis module for each analysis module; Automatic analysis system with

  An object of the present invention is to reduce wasteful power consumption, water consumption, and the like by turning off the power when the module is not used in each of the analysis modules. The analysis unit that performs the analysis consumes the most power / water among the analysis modules. Therefore, the claims stipulate that at least one of the power-on time and power-off time of the analysis unit of the analysis module can be set for each analysis module. This means that at least the power on / off time of the analysis unit can be set, and the power on / off state of the control unit and operation unit of each analysis module is not particularly limited.

  In addition, each analysis module may be provided with a preparation operation setting means that can set in advance a preparation operation to be performed for measurement preparation when the analysis unit is powered on. Even if the analysis module is turned on, it cannot be immediately analyzed, and so-called measurement preparation operations such as reaction vessel water replacement and reaction vessel cleaning are required. Further, such a measurement preparation operation may be different for each analysis module. The above means that such a measurement preparation operation can be set for each analysis module.

  According to the present invention, a part of a plurality of analysis modules is disconnected from the entire system, a time for returning is set, and a plurality of preparatory operations are performed after the return, so that the operator is absent. However, it is possible to execute a preparation operation necessary for the analysis. The automatic analysis system of the present invention can unmanned processing that is not related to the original analysis work, and can reduce the burden on the customer.

  Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of an automatic analysis system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Initially, the whole structure of the automatic analysis system by this embodiment is demonstrated using FIG.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of an automatic analysis system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The automatic analysis system according to the present embodiment includes a sample rack input unit 1a, 1b, an ID reading unit 2, a transfer line 3, a return transfer line 4, analysis modules 5, 6, 7, and a sample rack standby unit 8. The sample rack collecting units 9a and 9b and the overall management computer 11 are provided. A sample rack holding a plurality of samples is loaded into the sample rack loading unit 1. A plurality of sample racks can be loaded into the sample rack loading units 1a and 1b. The analysis modules 5, 6, and 7 are detachably connected along the transfer line 3. The number of analysis modules may be arbitrary, but in the illustrated example, three cases are shown. In addition to the biochemical analysis module, the analysis module can be connected to an immune analysis module or a genetic test module blood test module. However, the illustrated example shows the case of a biochemical analysis module. The three analysis modules 5, 6, and 7 are composed of two analysis units. The first analysis unit is an analysis module for multi-sample processing of two upstream of the transfer line 3, that is, an analysis module 5 and an analysis module 6. The second analysis unit is composed of one downstream, that is, the multi-item processing analysis module 7. The detailed configuration of the analysis modules 5 and 6 will be described later with reference to FIG. The detailed configuration of the analysis module 7 will be described later with reference to FIG. The transport line 3 transports the sample racks input to the sample rack input units 1a and 1b to a predetermined analysis module among the analysis modules 5, 6, and 7, and the samples that have been analyzed in the analysis modules. The sample rack that holds the sample rack is transported to and stored in the sample rack collection units 9a and 9b. In the sample rack loading units 1a and 1b, the sample rack set in 1a is first loaded, and when all the sample racks in the sample rack loading unit 1a are transported, the sample rack set in 1b is loaded thereafter. The sample rack collection units 9a and 9b first collect the sample rack in 9a, and collect it in 9b when the sample rack is full in the collection unit of 9a. The analysis modules 5, 6 and 7 transfer the sample racks from the lead-in lines 5a, 6a and 7a and the transfer line 3 to the analysis modules 5, 6 and 7, respectively, to the lead-in lines 5a, 6a and 7a. Done by pulling in. The return transport line 4 is provided at the entrance of the transport line 3 when the sample rack analyzed by any of the analysis modules 5, 6 and 7 needs to be reexamined or analyzed by another analysis module. It is for returning to. When the sample rack standby unit 8 further analyzes the sample analyzed in each analysis module with another analysis module, the sample rack standby unit 8 determines whether or not to re-examine after dispensing and analysis in each analysis module. It is a part to make it wait temporarily. The analysis modules 5, 6, and 7 include computers 5b, 6b, and 7b that perform control for necessary processing in each analysis module. The sample rack input units 1a and 1b have a computer 1c that performs necessary control of the sample rack input units 1a and 1b, the transfer line 3, and the reinspection transfer line (return transfer line) 4. Furthermore, the sample rack collection units 9a and 9b have a computer 9c that performs necessary control in the sample rack collection units 9a and 9b. These computers 1c, 5b, 6b, 7b, 9c and the ID reading unit 2 are connected to a computer 11 for overall management. The computer 11 is further connected with an operation unit 12 for inputting necessary information and a display unit 13 for displaying analysis results. The sample held by the sample rack has a sample ID indicating information on the sample (reception number, patient name, requested analysis item, etc.), and the sample rack has a rack ID indicating rack identification information such as a rack number. Have. The sample racks of the sample rack loading units 1a and 1b are transported by the transport line 3, but when the sample rack moves to the transport line 3, the sample ID and the sample rack ID are read by the ID reading unit 2 (the whole Sent to the computer 11 for management). Based on the information, the computer 11 determines in which analysis module the analysis of the requested analysis item is performed, and sends the information to the computer of the determined analysis module.

Next, the configuration of the analysis modules 5 and 6 which are multi-sample processing biochemical analysis modules used in the automatic analysis system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a system block diagram showing a configuration of an analysis module used in an automatic analysis system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The reaction units 17 of the analysis modules 5 and 6 are provided with two concentric reaction containers 14 serving as optical cells, and each of the reaction container lines separates light transmitted from the light source 15 through the reaction container 14 to obtain a plurality of wavelengths. A multiwavelength photometer 16 for receiving light is provided. A sample dispenser 19 having a pipette nozzle connected to a sample pipetter pump 18 and a first reagent nozzle connected to a reagent dispenser pump 20 are provided in the vicinity of the reaction unit 17 so as to act on each reaction container row. A group holding unit 21 and a second reagent nozzle group holding unit 22, a first stirring mechanism 23 and a second stirring mechanism 24, and a reaction vessel cleaning mechanism 25 are arranged. In the reagent cooler 26, reagent bottles 27 for the first reagent and the second reagent (only for necessary analysis items) for a plurality of analysis items are arranged and cooled to a predetermined temperature. The reagent solution in each reagent bottle 27 is supplied to the corresponding reagent discharge nozzle on the reaction container row by the reagent dispenser pump 20 through the tube. The individual sample racks 28 supplied from the rack loading units 1a and 1b are transported by the transport line 3, and when the analysis processing by the analysis modules 5 and 6 is necessary, the lead-in lines 5a and 6a of the analysis modules 5 and 6 are used. Are transferred to the sampling line. The sample on the sample rack 28 that has reached the dispensing position is pipetted into the reaction container 14 by a predetermined amount by the pipette nozzle of the sample dispenser 19. In this reaction container, the reagent corresponding to the analysis item is discharged at a predetermined position on the reaction container row, and the reaction proceeds. After a predetermined time, the optical characteristics of the reaction solution in the reaction vessel 14 are measured by the multiwavelength photometer 16. The signal output from the multi-wavelength photometer 16 is processed by the logarithmic converter 29 and the analog / digital converter 30 under the control of the computers 5b and 6b, and transmitted to the overall management computer 11.

Next, a configuration example of the multi-item processing analysis module 7 will be described with reference to FIG. In the reaction vessel 32 arranged in the reaction unit 31 of the analysis module 6, the reaction between the sample and the reagent relating to a predetermined analysis item is advanced. The sample rack 28 transferred from the transport line 3 to the sampling line is transported to the dispensing position, the sample is collected by the pipette nozzle of the sample dispenser 33, and a predetermined amount of the sample is discharged to the reaction container 32. The sample dispenser 33 has a sample pipetter pump 34. The reaction unit 31 is maintained at a constant temperature (for example, 37 ° C.) by a constant temperature liquid supplied from the constant temperature bath 35. The reagent supply unit 36 includes a reagent disk 36a for the first reagent and a reagent disk 36b for the second reagent. Reagent identification information is displayed on the outer wall surfaces of the reagent bottles 37a and 37b including various reagents prepared for a large number of analysis items by barcodes, and the reagent bottles 37a and 37b are stored in the reagent disks 36a and 37b. After being placed on 36b, the reagent identification information of each reagent bottle is read by the barcode readers 38a and 38b, and the information is set on the reagent disk of the reagent bottle, the corresponding analysis item, and the reagent bottle is set. Is registered together with the analysis device number and the like. The reagent dispensers 39a and 39b include a reagent pipette pump 46 connected to each pipette nozzle capable of rotating and moving up and down. The column of the reaction containers 32 into which the sample has been dispensed is rotated and a predetermined amount of reagent solution is aspirated by the reagent dispenser 39a from the reagent bottle 37a positioned at the reagent inhalation position according to the analysis item. Is discharged into the reaction vessel 32 at the reagent addition position. After the contents are stirred by the stirring mechanism 40a at the stirring position, the reaction container row is transferred a plurality of times, and when the reaction container 32 reaches the second reagent addition position, the reagent dispenser 39b determines the reagent according to the analysis item. The reagent solution is sucked from the reagent bottle 37b positioned at the suction position, and the reagent is discharged into the reaction container. Next, the contents of the reaction vessel are stirred by the stirring mechanism 40b. Thereafter, the reaction container 32 passes through the light beam from the light source 41 as the reaction container row rotates, and the light transmitted through the reaction solution in the reaction container 32 is detected by the multiwavelength photometer 42. The signal of the wavelength corresponding to the analysis item is processed by the logarithmic converter 43 and the analog / digital converter 44 controlled by the computer 7 b, and the digital signal is transmitted to the general management computer 11. The measured reaction container 32 is cleaned by the cleaning mechanism 45 and reused.

  This embodiment of the present invention in such an automatic analysis system will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 4 shows a processing operation for setting a time for disconnecting a part of the analysis module from the control of the entire system, setting a time for returning a part of the disconnected analysis module to the entire system, and a power supply for the disconnected analysis module. It is description about the registration process of the preparation operation | movement implemented after ON. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a process in which the analysis module separated from the control of the entire system in FIG. 4 returns to the entire system. In the following description, the case where the analysis modules 5 and 6 are separated from the control of the entire system in the automatic analysis system according to the present embodiment will be described as an example. The same applies to other analysis modules. In addition, the work of separating a part of the analysis module from the control of the entire system (the work of turning off the power of the control unit including the analysis part, which is turned on), was separated from the sleep. The operation of returning a part of the analysis module to the entire system is referred to as “wake release” and will be described below.

In step s3 of FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not the operator sets sleep. When the operator sets the sleep, the operator operates the operation unit 12 connected to the overall management computer 11 to display the sleep setting screen. 13 (step s4). As in the screen example shown in FIG. 6, the operator selects the sleep button 61 on the screen, and displays the sleep window 62 on the screen. The configuration example of the analysis module is displayed in the sleep window 62, the current usage status (in use or sleep) of each analysis module is displayed, and the sleep designated time / release time 63 is also displayed. Is displayed in an easy-to-understand manner. Subsequently, an analysis module for designating sleep, a designated time and a sleep release time are set (step s5), and a preparatory operation to be performed after sleep release is registered (step s6). The setting is ON / OFF as shown in the screen example of FIG.
The operator selects the OFF time setting button 64, and an ON / OFF time setting window 65 is displayed as in the screen example shown in FIG. When the operator designates sleep, first, the day of the week in the ON / OFF time setting window 65 is selected, and then the analysis module that designates sleep is selected. At this time, the display color of the analysis module is changed so that the operator can easily understand whether or not sleep is designated. Subsequently, a sleep designated time (OFF time) is set, and a release time (ON time) is set. Further, when setting a preparatory operation when sleep is canceled, the preparatory operation registration button 66 is selected, and a preparatory operation registration window 67 is displayed as shown in the screen example of FIG. The setting of the preparation operation is displayed on the preparation operation execution list 69 after the operator selects a target preparation operation from the preparation operation list 68, selects when to perform the operation, and selects a setting button. When multiple preparatory operations are registered, they are performed in the order of registration. When selecting when to perform (1) “After power-on” (performed after sleep is released and the predetermined initial operation ends) , (2) “Continue” (implemented immediately after the preparatory operation previously registered), or (3) “After“ ”” (perform after the preparatory preparatory operation has been performed) The operator selects the registration button 70 after setting, returns to the ON / OFF time setting window 65, and displays the name and order of the preparatory operation to be performed on the screen. The setting is completed by the operator selecting the post-registration button 71. After setting the sleep, the operator determines whether the management computer is at the sleep designated time (step s1), and the analysis module designated by the operator is set to sleep. Status (Power OFF) (Step s7) Note that it is possible to determine whether to execute sleep before the operator reaches the specified time (Step s2), and the operator can also specify manually. As shown in Example 6, it is executed by selecting the execution button 72 in the sleep window 62.

  Next, the flow of releasing from sleep will be described with reference to FIG. First, it is determined whether or not the general management computer 11 is in the sleep release time (power ON time) (step s11), and if it is the power ON time, the sleep is canceled (step s12). Is executed (step s13). After executing the preparatory operation, the overall management computer 11 displays the power-on time, the preparatory operation execution time, and the like as in the screen example shown in FIG. Note that the operator can determine whether to cancel the sleep before the designated cancellation time is reached, and can be manually canceled by the operator. In this case, as shown in screen example 6, it is executed by selecting a cancel button 73 in the sleep window 62.

The figure which shows the whole structure of the automatic analysis system in this invention. The figure which shows the biochemical analysis module for multi-sample processing in this invention. The figure which shows the biochemical analysis module for multi-item processing in this invention. The figure which shows an example of the operation flow of Claim 1 in this invention. The figure which shows an example of the operation flow of Claim 2 in this invention. The figure which shows an example of the sleep window in this invention. The figure which shows an example of the ON / OFF time setting window in this invention. The figure which shows an example of the preparatory operation registration window in this invention. The figure which shows an example of the operation | movement content display at the time of power ON in this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1a, 1b ... Sample rack insertion part, 1c, 5b, 6b, 7b, 9c ... Computer, 2 ... ID reading part, 3 ... Conveyance line, 4 ... Return conveyance line, 5, 6, 7 ... Analysis module, 8 ... Sample Rack standby section, 9a, 9b ... sample rack collection section, 11 ... computer for overall management, 12 ... operation section, 13 ... display section, 14 ... reaction container also serving as optical cell, 15, 41 ... light source, 16, 42 ... Multi-wavelength photometer, 17, 31 ... reaction unit, 18, 34 ... sample pipetter pump, 19, 33 ... sample dispenser, 20 ... reagent dispenser pump, 21 ... first reagent nozzle group holding unit, 22 ... second Reagent nozzle group holding unit, 23 ... first stirring mechanism, 24 ... second stirring mechanism, 25 ... reaction vessel washing mechanism, 26 ... reagent cooler, 27, 37, 37a, 37b ... reagent bottle,
28 ... Specimen rack, 29, 43 ... Logarithmic converter, 30, 44 ... Analog / digital converter, 32 ... Reaction vessel, 35 ... Constant temperature bath, 36 ... Reagent supply section, 36a ... Reagent disk for first reagent, 36b A reagent disk for the second reagent, 38a, 38b, a bar code reader, 39a, 39b, a reagent dispenser, 40a, 40b, a stirring mechanism, 45, a cleaning mechanism, 46, a pipette pump for the reagent.

Claims (4)

An automatic analyzer equipped with a preparatory operation setting means capable of presetting a preparatory operation including any one of replacement of reaction tank water and washing of the reaction vessel, which is executed for measurement preparation when the analysis unit is turned on,
(1) The preparation operation setting means executes the preparation operation after the automatic analysis apparatus is turned on after the predetermined initial operation is completed. 3) An automatic analyzer characterized by comprising setting means that can be selected from any one of the above-mentioned operations that are performed after a pre-registered preparatory operation . The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein
A plurality of analysis modules including the analysis unit;
A transport line for transporting the sample to the analysis module;
Setting means for setting at least one of the power-on time and the power-off time of the analysis unit of the analysis module for each analysis module;
An automatic analyzer characterized by comprising: The automatic analyzer according to claim 2,
An automatic analysis system comprising a preparation operation setting means capable of presetting a preparation operation to be executed for measurement preparation when the analysis unit is powered on for each analysis module. In the automatic analyzer in any one of Claims 1-3,
An automatic analyzer comprising display means for displaying at least one of a power-on time and a preparation operation execution time of an analysis unit of the analysis module.

Images