JP4783170B2 - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention samples the analyte (sample) by the probe, relates to an automatic analysis equipment for performing a biochemical analysis and immunological analysis for the analyte.

  For example, in a hospital, an automatic analyzer that analyzes a sample such as blood or urine for each measurement item is used. This automatic analyzer is formed by connecting a biochemical analysis unit that performs biochemical analysis of a specimen and an immunoanalysis unit that performs immunoassay. This automatic analyzer accommodates a specimen in a specimen container, and transports the specimen container between the biochemical analysis unit and the immune analysis unit by a transport system. The biochemical analysis unit is provided with a reaction tube, and when the sample container is transported by the transport system, the sample in the sample container is dispensed into the reaction tube.

  This dispensing is performed by a sampling mechanism provided in the biochemical analysis unit. The sampling mechanism includes, for example, a sampling probe (hereinafter abbreviated as a probe), a sampling arm provided with the probe, and a vertical mechanism for moving the sampling arm up and down. In addition, a sampling pump for aspirating or discharging the specimen by the probe is provided.

In this sampling mechanism, the sampling arm is lowered to immerse the probe in the sample in the sample container, and the sampling pump is driven to suck the sample by the probe. Next, the sampling mechanism raises and rotates the sampling arm, moves the probe above the reaction tube, lowers it, drives the sampling pump, and discharges the specimen from the probe into the reaction tube. Next, the sampling mechanism raises and rotates the sampling arm to place the probe at the cleaning position, and returns the sampling arm to the original position after cleaning the probe.
In such sample dispensing control of the specimen, the sampling of the specimen in the specimen container is repeated in one cycle from the lowering of the sampling arm to the suction of the specimen, the ejection of the specimen into the reaction tube, and the cleaning of the probe as one cycle. Dispense into tubes.

  In the sample dispensing control of the specimen, the sample suction or discharge speed by the sampling pump is changed according to the sampling amount of the specimen, that is, the dispensing amount. Specifically, the sampling pump is driven by a stepping motor. This stepping motor is controlled by a speed calculated by a function determined in advance according to the sampling amount of the specimen, or a table speed according to the sampling amount. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique related to a sample sampling operation.

  However, in the sample dispensing control of the specimen, the suction and discharge speed when sampling the specimen is assumed to be the worst condition, that is, the time required for the longest time for the suction and discharge is assumed. Allocating time such as ascending and descending. In such a time allocation in one cycle, when the dispensing amount is small, which requires high accuracy with respect to the dispensing amount of the sample, the suction and discharge speeds are set to be slow, and suction is performed as the dispensing amount increases. The discharge speed is set fast.

The sample dispensing amount of the specimen has a wide range of dispensing amounts, for example, 1.5 to 35 uL. With such a wide range of dispensing amounts, it is impossible to dispense all of the dispensing amounts within the same period. With a small dispensing volume, for example, 1.5 uL, all 1.5 uL can be dispensed within one cycle. On the other hand, for example, if the dispensing amount is 15 uL or more, there is not enough time to perform all the dispensing of 15 uL or more in one cycle. Dealing with cycles. For this reason, it takes time to dispense the specimen, and the throughput of specimen dispensing and specimen analysis is reduced. Since dispensing is performed using two cycles, the sample dispensing control of the specimen is complicated.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-11846

An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analysis equipment that can dispense volume even becomes more and be dispensed in one cycle improves the throughput, and simplifies the sample dispensing control of the specimen.

In the automatic analyzer according to the first aspect of the present invention, the probe is moved to the first container by the operation of the sampling arm, the sample or the reagent is aspirated by driving the sampling pump, and the probe is moved by the operation of the sampling arm. In an automatic analyzer that analyzes the sample by discharging the sample or reagent by driving the sampling pump and moving the probe to the first container, the sample or reagent is aspirated by moving the probe to the first container If the movement of the sample or reagent to discharge the sample or reagent is defined as one cycle period, the movement speed of the sampling arm that is set faster with the increase in the sampling amount of the sample or reagent within the one cycle period, and the sampling amount The suction speed of the air by the driving of the sampling pump set fast with the increase, A storage unit that stores the waiting time until the probe is moved after either or both of the sample and the reagent are aspirated or discharged by the probe and set short as the sampling amount increases, and sampling from the storage unit One or both of the moving speed of the sampling arm corresponding to the amount and the air suction speed by driving the sampling pump and the waiting time corresponding to the sampling amount are read out, and the read moving speed of the sampling arm and air suction are read out A sampling speed control unit that controls one or both of the operation of the sampling arm and the driving of the sampling pump according to one or both of the speed and the waiting time ;

According to the present invention, even when the amount of the sample to be dispensed increases, the sample can be dispensed within one cycle, and in addition, the waiting time until the probe is moved can be shortened and the sample analysis throughput can be improved. An automatic analyzer capable of simplifying dispensing control can be provided.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of an automatic analyzer. This automatic analyzer is formed by connecting a biochemical analysis unit 1 and an immune analysis unit 2 and providing a transport unit 3 between the biochemical analysis unit 1 and the immunoanalysis unit 2. The transport unit 3 transports a plurality of sample containers 5 as first containers containing a sample 4 such as serum or urine from the biochemical analysis unit 1 to the immune analysis unit 2. Each sample 4 accommodated in each sample container 5 is collected from each different patient, for example.

The biochemical analysis unit 1 is provided with a sampling mechanism 6. The sampling mechanism 6 dispenses the specimen 4 accommodated in the specimen container 5 into the biochemical analysis unit 1 and is provided with a sampling probe 8 at the tip of the sampling arm 7.
The sampling mechanism 6 on the biochemical analysis unit 1 side immerses the sampling probe 8 in the sample 4 in the sample container 5 by moving the sampling arm 7, sucks the sample 4, and draws the sucked sample 4 into the biochemical analysis unit 1. Into the reaction container 9 as the second container. In addition, the reaction container 9 of the biochemical analysis unit 1 is shown at a position that is easy to show in the drawing. The biochemical analysis unit 1 performs biochemical analysis of the specimen 4 dispensed in the reaction vessel 9.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration diagram of the sampling mechanism 6. A rotation mechanism 11 is provided on the base 10, and an elevating mechanism 12 is erected on the rotation mechanism 11. The lifting mechanism 12 is provided with a sampling arm 7 in the horizontal direction, for example. A sampling probe 8 is provided at the tip of the sampling arm 7 with the discharge port 13 for the specimen 4 facing downward. As a result, the sampling mechanism 6 rotates the lifting mechanism 12 in the direction of arrow A by rotating the rotating mechanism 11 to rotate the sampling arm 7 around the lifting mechanism 12 and performs sampling by the lifting mechanism 12. The arm 7 is moved up and down in the direction of arrow B. FIG. 3 shows the locus of the rotational movement of the sampling arm 7. The sampling arm 7 rotates in the direction of arrow A to rotate between the sample container 5 on the transport unit 3 and the reaction container 9 in the biochemical analysis unit 1. The stop position of the sampling arm 7 on the transport unit 3 side is a position where the sampling probe 8 is arranged right above the sample container 5, and the stop position of the sampling arm 7 on the biochemical analysis unit 1 side is right above the reaction container 9. Has just been placed. The reaction vessel 9 on the biochemical analysis unit 1 side is moved in the arrow direction by the transport mechanism 14.

  The sampling mechanism 6 is provided with a sampling pump 15. The sampling pump 15 communicates with the sampling probe 8 through, for example, the sampling arm 7. The sampling pump 15 performs a suction or discharge operation. When the sampling pump 15 performs the suction operation, the sampling probe 8 sucks the specimen 4, for example. When the sampling pump 15 discharges and operates, the sampling probe 8 discharges the specimen 4, for example. Further, the sampling pump 15 performs a suction operation to suck the air gap of the sampling probe 8. Note that the air gap is provided in the sampling probe 8 in order to prevent the water for suction and the specimen 4 from being mixed.

  Next, the control system will be described. FIG. 4 shows a functional block configuration diagram of the control system of the automatic analyzer. This control system is composed of a computer and has a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an input / output port, and the like. The control system has the following functions when the computer executes an automatic analysis program stored in the ROM. The main control unit 20 is composed of a CPU and executes an automatic analysis program stored in the storage unit 21 to execute an automatic analysis unit 22, a sampling speed control unit 23, a sampling arm driving unit 24, a pump driving unit 25, and a cleaning driving unit. Each operation command is issued to 26.

  The storage unit 21 includes a RAM and a ROM. The storage unit 21 stores an automatic analysis program and, for example, a sampling rate control table 27 as shown in FIG. In the sampling speed control table 27, for example, the suction and discharge speed of the sampling pump 15 according to the sampling amount of the specimen 4, the speed of the vertical movement of the sampling arm 7, the speed of the rotation of the sampling arm 7, the speed of the sampling pump 15 The air suction speed by driving and the waiting time are stored. The sampling amount of the specimen 4 is divided into, for example, 1.5 to 5 uL, 5 to 10 uL, 10 to 15 uL, and 15 to 35 uL. The method of dividing the sampling amount of the specimen 4 can be arbitrarily set.

  The suction and discharge speeds of the sampling pump 15 are set faster as the sampling amount of the specimen 4 increases. The speed of the vertical movement of the sampling arm 7 and the speed of the rotational movement are also set faster as the sampling amount of the specimen 4 increases. The air suction speed by driving the sampling pump 15 is also set faster as the sampling amount of the specimen 4 increases. The waiting time is a period of time until the sampling probe 8 is moved either after or after the sample 4 is aspirated or after the sample 4 is discharged. This waiting time is also set shorter as the sampling amount of the specimen 4 increases.

  The suction and discharge speed of the sampling pump 15 corresponding to the sampling amount of the specimen 4 stored in the sampling speed control table 27, the speed of the vertical movement of the sampling arm 7, the speed of the rotation of the sampling arm 7, the speed of the sampling pump 15 The air suction speed and the waiting time by driving are as follows: the operation of moving the sampling probe 8 to the sample container 5 to suck the sample 4 and moving the sampling probe 8 to the reaction container 9 to discharge the sample 4 is one cycle. In this one cycle period, for example, the sampling rate of the sampling pump 15 for dispensing the sample 4 into the reaction vessel 9 with a sampling amount of 1.5 to 35 uL over the entire range of the sample 4, Vertical movement speed, sampling arm 7 rotational speed, sampling position Air suction speed of the flop 15 is stored.

The automatic analysis unit 22 analyzes the specimen 4 such as blood and urine for each measurement item, and performs each analysis of a biochemical analysis unit that performs biochemical analysis of the specimen 4 and an immune analysis unit that performs immune analysis. Make it.
The sampling speed controller 23 moves the sampling arm 7 according to the sampling amount of the specimen 4, that is, the speed of the vertical movement of the sampling arm 7, the speed of the rotation of the sampling arm 7, and the suction of the specimen 4 by driving the sampling pump 15. Further, the discharge speed and the suction speed of air mixed in the specimen 4 by driving the sampling pump 15 are varied.

  Specifically, the sampling rate control unit 23 adjusts the sampling amount (for example, 1.5 to 5 uL, 5 to 10 uL, 10 to 15 uL, 15 to 35 uL) of the specimen 4 stored in the sampling rate control table 27 shown in FIG. The corresponding suction and discharge speeds of the sampling pump 15, the vertical movement speed of the sampling arm 7 a, the rotation speed of the sampling arm 7 a, the air suction speed by driving the sampling pump 15 and the waiting time are read out. The sampling arm drive unit 24 and the pump drive unit 25 follow the suction and discharge speeds of the sampling arm 7a, the vertical movement speed of the sampling arm 7a, the rotation speed of the sampling arm 7a, the air suction speed by driving the sampling pump 15 and the waiting time. Send each control signal to That.

The sampling arm drive unit 24 receives a control signal from the sampling rate control unit 23, and according to the control signal, the elevating mechanism 12 and the rotation mechanism 11 in the sampling mechanism 6 are stored in the sampling rate control table 27, respectively. Is driven at the speed of the up / down movement of the head and the speed of the rotation of the sampling arm 7.
The pump drive unit 25 receives a control signal from the sampling rate control unit 23, and in accordance with this control signal, the sampling pump 15 sucks and discharges the sampling pump 15 stored in the sampling rate control table 27, or sucks air. Drive at speed.

  The cleaning drive unit 26 operates the cleaning pump 29 in the cleaning mechanism 28 to inject the cleaning liquid into the cleaning tank 30. The cleaning mechanism 28 includes a cleaning pump 29 in the cleaning tank 30, and cleans the sampling probe 8 by spraying a cleaning liquid to the sampling probe 8 inserted in the cleaning tank 30 by driving the cleaning pump 29.

Next, sampling control of the specimen 4 in the apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to a timing chart in one cycle shown in FIG. This timing chart shows a comparison between the sampling amount of the specimen 4, for example, 15 uL or less and 15 uL or more. The period ts to te of one cycle is the same when the sampling amount is 15 uL or less and when it is 15 uL or more.
First, a case where the sampling amount of the specimen 4 is 15 uL or less will be described.
The main control unit 20 executes an automatic analysis program stored in the storage unit 21 to operate the automatic analysis unit 22, the sampling speed control unit 23, the sampling arm drive unit 24, the pump drive unit 25, and the cleaning drive unit 26. Issue a command.

  The sampling rate control unit 23 performs suction of the sampling pump 15 corresponding to a sampling amount of 15 uL or less (for example, 1.5 to 5 uL, 5 to 10 uL, or 10 to 15 uL) stored in the sampling rate control table 27 shown in FIG. And the discharge speed, the vertical movement speed of the sampling arm 7, the rotation speed of the sampling arm 7, the air suction speed and the waiting time by driving the sampling pump 15, and the suction and discharge speeds of the sampling pump 15. Each control signal is sent to the sampling arm drive unit 24 and the pump drive unit 25 according to the speed of the vertical movement of the sampling arm 7, the speed of the rotation operation of the sampling arm 7, the suction speed of air by driving the sampling pump 15, and the waiting time. To do.

Accordingly, the sampling arm driving unit 24 at time t ₁ from the time ts, the rotation mechanism 11 in the sampling mechanism 6a is rotated at a rotational speed corresponding to the following sampling amount 15 uL, arrows indicating the sampling arm 7 in FIG. 3 The sample probe 8 is rotated in the A direction, and the sampling probe 8 is disposed immediately above the sample container 5 of the transport unit 3. Simultaneously, the pump drive unit 25 at time t ₁ from substantially the same time ts, at a speed of air suction corresponding to the following sampling amount 15 uL, sucked operated sampling pump 15 to suck the air gap.

Next, from time t ₁ to time t ₂ , the sampling arm drive unit 24 moves the elevating mechanism 12 in the sampling mechanism 6 downward at a descending speed corresponding to a sampling amount of 15 uL or less, and the sampling arm 7 is shown in FIG. Lower in the direction of arrow B. As the sampling arm 7 is lowered, the sampling probe 8 is lowered toward the sample container 5. When the sampling probe 8 penetrates into the specimen 4 accommodated in the specimen container 5, in the time t _2, the sampling arm driving unit 24 stops the downward movement of the lifting mechanism 12.

Next, from time t ₂ to time t ₃ , the pump drive unit 25 causes the sampling pump 15 to perform suction operation at a suction speed corresponding to a sampling amount of 15 uL or less, and the sample stored in the sample container 5 by the sampling probe 8. Aspirate 4 When the suction operation of the sampling pump 15 ends at time t ₃ , the sample 4 is held in the sampling probe 8.

Next, after the sample 4 is aspirated by the sampling probe 8 and the waiting time w ₁ elapses, the sampling arm driving unit 24 performs sampling at a rising speed corresponding to a sampling amount of 15 uL or less from time t ₃ to time t ₄ . The raising / lowering mechanism 12 in the mechanism 6 is raised, and the sampling arm 7 is raised in the direction of arrow B shown in FIG. As a result, the sampling probe 8 moves out of the sample 4 accommodated in the sample container 5 and moves directly above the sample container 5.

Next, from time t ₄ to time t ₅ , the sampling arm drive unit 24 rotates the rotation mechanism 11 in the sampling mechanism 6 to rotate the sampling arm 7 in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. It moves right above the reaction vessel 9 in the biochemical analysis unit 1.
Next, the sampling arm driving unit 24, at time t ₆ from the time t _5, and downward movement of the lifting mechanism 12 at the sampling mechanism 6a, lowering the sampling arm 7. As the sampling arm 7 is lowered, the sampling probe 8 is lowered into the reaction vessel 9. When the sampling probe 8 is inserted into the reaction vessel 9, for example, the sampling arm driving unit 24 stops the lowering operation of the elevating mechanism 12 at this time t ₆ .

Next, from time t ₆ to time t ₇ , the pump driving unit 25 discharges the sampling pump 15 at a discharge speed corresponding to a sampling amount of 15 uL or less, and operates the sample 4 held by the sampling probe 8. The reaction vessel 9 is discharged. As a result, the sample 4 sampled to 15 uL or less is dispensed into the reaction vessel 9.
Next, after discharging the sample 4 from the sampling probe 8, the sampling arm driving unit 24 raises the lifting mechanism 12 in the sampling mechanism 6 from time t ₇ to time t ₈ after the elapse of the waiting time w _2. The sampling arm 7 is raised. As a result, the sampling probe 8 leaves the reaction vessel 9 and moves directly above the reaction vessel 9.

Next, from time t ₈ to time t ₉ , the sampling arm driving unit 24 rotates the rotation mechanism 11 in the sampling mechanism 6 to rotate the sampling arm 7 in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. It moves into the cleaning tank 30 of the cleaning mechanism 28. Cleaning mechanism 28 at time t ₁₀ from the time t _9, by injecting the cleaning liquid by driving the washing pump 29 with respect to the sampling probe 8 inserted into the cleaning tank 30 for cleaning the sampling probe 8.

Next, a case where the sampling amount of the specimen 4 is 15 uL or more will be described.
The main control unit 20 executes an automatic analysis program stored in the storage unit 21 to operate the automatic analysis unit 22, the sampling speed control unit 23, the sampling arm drive unit 24, the pump drive unit 25, and the cleaning drive unit 26. Issue a command.

  The sampling speed control unit 23 is configured to draw and discharge the sampling pump 15 corresponding to a sampling amount (for example, 15 to 35 uL) of 15 uL or more stored in the sampling speed control table 27 shown in FIG. The speed of operation, the speed of rotation of the sampling arm 7, the suction speed and waiting time of air by driving the sampling pump 15 are read out, the suction and discharge speed of the sampling pump 15, the speed of up and down movement of the sampling arm 7, sampling Each control signal is sent to the sampling arm drive unit 24 and the pump drive unit 25 according to the rotational speed of the arm 7, the air suction speed by the driving of the sampling pump 15, and the waiting time.

Thus, the sampling arm driving unit 24 at time t ₁₁ from the time ts, the rotation mechanism 11 in the sampling mechanism 6a is rotated at a rotational speed corresponding to the sampling of not less than 15 uL, sample transport unit 3 a sampling arm 7 Arrange just above the container 5. At this time, the rotation speed of the sampling arm 7 is set faster than the rotation speed in the case where the sampling amount is 15 uL or less. Accordingly, the period of rotation moves the sampling arm 7 (ts~t ₁₁₎ is shorter than the sampling volume 15uL following period (ts~t _1).

Simultaneously, the pump drive unit 25 at time t ₁₁ from approximately the same time ts, the sampling pump 15 and sucked operate at the speed of the air suction corresponding to the sampling amount of more than 15 uL, sucks the air gap of the sampling probe 8 . At this time, the suction speed of the air gap is set faster than the suction speed when the sampling amount is 15 uL or less. Accordingly, the period of sucking the air gap (ts~t ₁₁₎ is also shorter than the following periods sampling amount 15uL (ts~t _1).

Next, from time t ₁₁ to time t ₁₂ , the sampling arm drive unit 24 moves the lifting mechanism 12 in the sampling mechanism 6 at a lowering speed corresponding to a sampling amount of 15 uL or less, and lowers the sampling arm 7. At this time, the descending speed of the sampling arm 7 is set faster than the descending speed when the sampling amount is 15 uL or less. Thereby, the period (t _{11 to} t ₁₂ ) required for the sampling probe 8 to penetrate into the specimen 4 accommodated in the specimen container 5 is shortened compared with the case where the sampling amount is 15 uL or less. When the sampling arm 7 is lowered, the sampling probe 8 is lowered toward the sample container 5, and when the sampling probe 8 penetrates into the sample 4 accommodated in the sample container 5, the descent of the sampling probe 8 is stopped.

Next, from time t ₁₂ to time t ₁₃ , the pump drive unit 25 causes the sampling pump 15 to perform a suction operation at a suction speed corresponding to a sampling amount of 15 uL or more, and the sample stored in the sample container 5 by the sampling probe 8. Aspirate 4 At this time, the suction speed of the specimen 4 is set faster than the suction speed when the sampling amount is 15 uL or less.
By the way, when sampling the specimen 4 with a sampling amount of 15 uL or more, even if the suction speed of the specimen 4 is set faster than the suction speed when the sampling amount is 15 uL or less, the period for sucking the specimen 4 with a sampling amount of 15 uL or less (for example, The suction may not be completed in substantially the same period as t _{2 to} t ₃ ) and may take longer than the period (eg, t _{2 to} t ₃ ). In this case, since each period during which the sampling arm 7 rotates and descends and the sampling arm 7 to be described later rises is shortened, the period (t _{12 to} t ₁₃ ) required for aspirating the sample 4 with a sampling amount of 15 uL or more can be lengthened.

Next, the sampling arm driving unit 24, after sucking the specimen 4 by the sampling probe 8, after the elapse of the waiting time _{w 11,} at time _{t 14} from the time _{t 13,} sampled at a rising speed corresponding to the sampling amount of more than 15uL The arm 7 is raised and moved right above the sample container 5. Incidentally, the waiting time _{w 11} is shorter than the waiting time _{w 1} when the 15uL following sampling amount. The rising speed of the sampling arm 7 is set faster than the rising speed when the sampling amount is 15 uL or less. Thereby, the period (t _{13 to} t ₁₄ ) required until the sampling probe 8 comes out of the sample container 5 and is directly above the sample container 5 is shortened compared to the case where the sampling amount is 15 uL or less.

Then move the sampling arm driving unit 24 at time t ₁₅ from the time t _14, as in the case of the following sampling amount 15 uL, by rotating the sampling arm 7 just above the reaction vessel 9 in the biochemical analysis unit 1 To do.
Next, the sampling arm driving unit 24 at time _{t 16} from the time _{t 15,} as in the case of the following sampling amount 15 uL, lowering the sampling arm 7. When the sampling arm 7 is lowered, the sampling probe 8 is lowered toward the reaction container 9 and stops when it is inserted into the reaction container 9, for example.

Next, from time t ₁₆ to time t ₁₇ , the pump drive unit 25 discharges the sampling pump 15 at a discharge speed corresponding to a sampling amount of 15 uL or more, and operates the specimen 4 held by the sampling probe 8. The reaction vessel 9 is discharged. At this time, the discharge speed of the specimen 4 is set faster than the discharge speed when the sampling amount is 15 uL or less.

By the way, when the sample 4 with a sampling amount of 15 uL or more is discharged, even if the discharge speed of the sample 4 is set to be faster than the discharge speed when the sampling amount is 15 uL or less, the period for discharging the sample 4 with a sampling amount of 15 uL or less (for example, t ₆ ~t ₇₎ and not always may terminate discharge at approximately the same time, it may take longer than the period (e.g. _t 6 ~t _7). In this case, since the period during which the sampling arm 7 rotates and descends and the period when the sampling arm 7 to be described later rises is shortened, the period (t _{16 to} t ₁₇ ) required for discharging the specimen 4 with a sampling amount of 15 uL or more can be lengthened. As a result, 15 uL or more of the specimen 4 is dispensed into the reaction container 9.

Next, the sampling arm driving unit 24, similarly to the case of the following sampling amount 15 uL, after discharging a specimen 4 by the sampling probe 8, after the lapse of waiting time w12, at time _{t 18} from the time _{t 17,} the sampling arm 7 is moved up and just above the reaction vessel 9. Incidentally, the waiting time _{w 12} is shorter than the waiting time _{w 2} when the 15uL following sampling amount.
Next, the sampling arm driving unit 24 at time t ₁₉ from the time t _18, the sampling arm 7 is rotated to move the sampling probe 8 into the cleaning tank 30 of the cleaning mechanism 28. From time t ₁₉ to time t ₂₀ , the cleaning mechanism 28 cleans the sampling probe 8 by spraying the cleaning liquid to the sampling probe 8 inserted into the cleaning tank 30 by driving the cleaning pump 29.

  As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the vertical movement speed and rotational speed of the sampling arm 7 and the air suction speed by the sampling pump 15 are rapidly changed in accordance with the increase in the sampling amount of the specimen 4. The period required for the ascending operation, the descending operation, and the rotating operation of the arm 7 can be shortened, and the aspiration period and ejection period of the specimen 4 in one cycle period can be lengthened. In other words, for example, when the sampling amount increases to 15 uL to 35 uL, it is possible to compensate for the extension of the suction period and the discharge period of the specimen 4, and thus, for example, the specimen 4 having a sampling amount of 15 uL to 35 uL within one cycle period. Can be dispensed. Therefore, the analysis throughput of the specimen 4 can be improved, and the sample dispensing control of the specimen 4 is not complicated.

  In addition, for example, the waiting time until the sampling probe 8 is moved either after or after the sample 4 is aspirated by the sampling arm 7 or after the sample 4 is discharged can be shortened, which contributes to the improvement of the throughput of the analysis of the sample 4. it can.

  When changing the moving speed of the sampling arm 7, the air suction speed, and the waiting time until the sampling probe 8 is moved after one or both of the samples 4 are aspirated or discharged, the following is considered. It is good to do.

  If the moving speed of the sampling arm 7 is high, an error due to vibration or the like due to the movement, for example, mixing of water for suction into the specimen 4 is likely to occur. In the sampling probe 8, for example, when water for suction is slightly mixed into the specimen 4, when the sample amount of the specimen 4 is large, the error is small and does not cause a problem. However, when the amount of the specimen 4 is small, the error becomes large, which is a problem. Therefore, when sampling a small amount of specimen 4, it is preferable to slow down the moving speed of the sampling probe 8.

  In the case of the air suction speed, if the suction time of the specimen 4 is early, an error factor such as an increase in the remaining amount of the sampling probe 8 on the suction pipe is likely to occur. When the number of specimens 4 is large, the ratio of the error to the total amount is small, so even if the suction speed is shortened, the influence on the error is small. Accordingly, when the number of specimens 4 is small, an error with respect to the entire amount becomes relatively large, and therefore it is preferable to reduce the suction speed.

  In the case of a pause time in which the sampling probe 8 is stopped without moving, if the pause time is short, fluctuations in the air gap portion may not be sufficiently cured and cause an error. When the number of specimens 4 is large, the ratio of the error to the total amount is small, so even if the pause time is shortened, the influence on the error is small. Therefore, when the number of specimens 4 is small, an error with respect to the entire amount becomes relatively large, and therefore it is preferable to increase the pause time.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said one Embodiment, You may deform | transform as follows.
The above-described embodiment has been applied to the case where the sample 4 is dispensed. However, for example, the present embodiment can also be applied to the case where the reagent is introduced into the sample 4 accommodated in the reaction container 9. In this case, the reagent sampling arm sets the ascending / descending speed and the rotation speed faster in accordance with the increase in the amount of the reagent. Also, the suction speed and discharge speed of the sampling probe for reagent are set to be high.
In the above-described embodiment, the vertical movement speed and rotational speed of the sampling arm 7 and the air suction speed by the sampling pump 15 are varied rapidly according to an increase in the sampling amount of the specimen 4. The operating time of at least one device that contributes to extending the sampling time of the specimen 4 or reagent other than the ascending / descending speed and rotational speed of the vertical movement and the air suction speed by the sampling pump 15 is shortened according to the sampling amount of the specimen 4 or reagent. May be.

  Note that, for example, when the sample 4 is dispensed by the sampling probe 8, if the suction speed and the discharge speed are set to be slow, the sampling amount can be dispensed with high accuracy, and the sampling speed is increased as the suction speed and the discharge speed are increased. The accuracy of the sampling amount to be poured decreases. Therefore, for example, when dispensing the sample 4 having a sampling amount of 15 uL to 35 uL, two cycles may be used for dispensing the sample 4 when there is a request to dispense the sampling amount with high accuracy.

The block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the automatic analyzer which concerns on this invention. The schematic block diagram which shows the sampling mechanism in the apparatus. The figure which shows the locus | trajectory of the rotational movement of the sampling arm in the same apparatus. The functional block block diagram which shows the control system in the apparatus. The schematic diagram which shows the sampling speed control table in the same apparatus. The timing chart in 1 cycle which shows the sampling control in the same apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

  1: biochemical analysis unit, 2: immunological analysis unit, 3: transport unit, 4: sample, 5: sample container, 6: sampling mechanism, 7: sampling arm, 8: sampling probe, 9: reaction container, 10: base 11: rotation mechanism, 12: lifting mechanism, 13: discharge port, 14: transport mechanism, 15: sampling pump, 20: main control unit, 21: storage unit, 22: automatic analysis unit, 23: sampling rate control unit, 24: Sampling arm drive unit, 25: Pump drive unit, 26: Cleaning drive unit, 27: Sampling speed control table, 28: Cleaning mechanism, 29: 29: Cleaning pump, 30: Cleaning tank.

Claims (5)

The probe is moved to the first container by the operation of the sampling arm, the specimen or reagent is aspirated by the driving of the sampling pump, and the probe is moved to the second container by the operation of the sampling arm, and the sampling pump is driven. In the automatic analyzer for discharging the sample or the reagent and analyzing the sample,
When the operation of moving the probe to the first container and sucking the sample or the reagent and moving the probe to the second container and discharging the sample or the reagent is one cycle period, The moving speed of the sampling arm that is set faster with an increase in the sampling amount of at least the specimen or the reagent within one cycle period, and the air by driving the sampling pump that is set faster with an increase in the sampling amount And a waiting time until the probe is moved either after or after the sample or the reagent is aspirated or discharged by the probe and is increased as the sampling amount increases. A storage unit for storing;
Read one or both of the moving speed of the sampling arm corresponding to the sampling amount and the suction speed of the air by driving the sampling pump from the storage unit, and the waiting time corresponding to the sampling amount, Sampling speed for controlling one or both of the operation of the sampling arm and the driving of the sampling pump according to one or both of the moving speed of the sampling arm and the suction speed of the read and the waiting time A control unit;
An automatic analyzer characterized by comprising: The storage unit stores the speed of the vertical movement of the sampling arm according to the sampling amount within the one cycle period and the speed of the rotational movement of the sampling arm,
The sampling rate control unit reads out one or both of said upper and lower operating speed and the speed of the rotational movement of the sampling arm corresponding to the sampling value from the storage unit, the upper and lower the read said sampling arm controlling the sampling arm according one or both of the speed of operation and speed of the rotation,
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1. The storage unit stores suction and discharge speeds of the sampling pump for dispensing the sample or the reagent into the second container within the one cycle period,
The sampling speed control unit is configured to perform the suction and discharge speeds of the sampling pump according to the sampling amount from the storage unit, the vertical movement speed of the sampling arm, the rotational speed of the sampling arm, or the Reading the air suction speed by driving the sampling pump, controlling the sampling pump according to the read suction and discharge speed of the sampling pump, and the speed of the vertical movement and the speed of the rotation of the sampling arm The automatic analyzer according to claim 2, wherein the sampling arm is controlled according to one or both of them, or the sampling pump is controlled according to the suction speed of the air . The storage unit includes the sampling pump suction and discharge speed according to the sampling amount of the sample or the reagent, the vertical movement speed of the sampling arm, the rotational speed of the sampling arm, the sampling pump 4. The automatic analyzer according to claim 3 , wherein at least one of the air suction speed by driving and the waiting time is stored as a table . The first container has a sample container for storing the sample,
The second container has a reaction tube for reacting the specimen and the reagent.
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 .

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