JP4817181B2 - Sample analyzer and identifier reading method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sample analyzer provided with a mechanism for reading an identifier attached to a sample container or a reagent container, and a method for reading an identifier attached to a sample container or a reagent container.

  In an automatic analyzer that automatically analyzes a sample such as blood, a container placement unit for placing a sample container containing a sample to be analyzed or a reagent container containing a reagent may be provided. For example, Patent Document 1 shows a rotary sampler in which a specimen container is arranged, and Patent Document 2 shows a rotary reagent container in which a reagent container is arranged. In Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, in order to prevent mistakes in container removal and labor saving, a barcode is affixed to the container, and a barcode reader reads the barcode to identify specimen and reagent information. The configuration to be shown is shown.

  Further, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 describe rotational container arrangement portions arranged in multiple concentric circles. Then, a slit is provided in the outer container placement portion, and the container placement portion is controlled so that the slit portion stops at a position facing the barcode reader. It is possible to read the barcode of the container arranged in the section.

  Incidentally, many automatic analyzers in recent years are required to analyze a large number of specimens in a short time or analyze many items. And in order to meet such a request | requirement, it is desired to ensure the space which arrange | positions many containers in a container arrangement | positioning part.

  However, if the space for container placement in the container placement portion is increased, it becomes necessary to reduce the width of the slit described above, which is caused by a shift in the stop position of the slit portion due to a control error of the apparatus, a shift in the barcode paste position, etc. In some cases, a barcode reading error occurs and the barcode cannot be read satisfactorily through the slit.

JP-A-6-230016 JP-A-9-72915

  The present invention provides a sample analyzer that can read an identifier satisfactorily without causing a reading error due to a stop position deviation of the gap portion or the like when the identifier is read by a reading unit through a gap such as a slit. An identifier reading method is provided.

In view of the above problems, the first invention of the present application is a sample analyzer for analyzing a measurement sample prepared by mixing a sample and a reagent, and includes a reading unit for reading an identifier and a container with the identifier in an annular shape. A first arrangement portion that is arranged and rotatable, and a concentrically arranged outer side of the first arrangement portion, and a container with an identifier can be arranged in an annular shape, A second arrangement part that is rotatably provided independently of the one arrangement part and has a gap, and reciprocates the second arrangement part, thereby swinging the gap of the second arrangement part at a position facing the reading unit. while is dynamic, by rotating the first arrangement section in one direction, and a Selle drive control unit reading the identifiers of the containers disposed in the first arrangement section through the gap by the reading unit Provided is a sample analyzer.

Further, the second invention of the present application is arranged such that the identifier of the container arranged in the inner container arrangement part among the plurality of container arrangement parts arranged concentrically and rotatable independently of each other is obtained from the inner container arrangement part. An identifier reading method that is read by a reading unit through a gap provided in an outer container arrangement unit, wherein the container arrangement unit on the outer side of the inner container arrangement unit is reciprocated to move the container at a position opposite to the reading unit. while swung the gap outside of the container positioning portion, to rotate the container positioning portion of the inner one direction, through the gap, the identifiers of the containers disposed in container positioning portion of the inner Provided is an identifier reading method read by a reading unit .

  According to the present invention, when an identifier is read by a reading unit through a gap such as a slit, the identifier can be read satisfactorily without causing a reading error due to a stop position shift of the gap portion or the like.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  The sample analyzer 1 is a device for optically measuring and analyzing the amount and activity level of a specific substance related to blood coagulation / fibrinolysis function, and uses plasma as a sample. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the sample analyzer 1 is electrically connected to the measurement mechanism unit 2, the transport mechanism unit 3 disposed on the front side of the measurement mechanism unit 2, and the measurement mechanism unit 2. It is comprised by the control apparatus 4.

  In order to supply the specimen to the fixed mechanism section 2, the transport mechanism section 3 sucks the rack 251 on which a plurality of (10 in the present embodiment) test tubes 250 containing the specimen are placed by the measurement mechanism section 2. It has the function to convey to the position 2a (refer FIG. 2).

  The control device 4 includes a personal computer 401 (PC) or the like, and includes a control unit 4a, a display unit 4b, and a keyboard 4c as shown in FIG. The control unit 4a transmits operation start signals of the measurement mechanism unit 2 and the transport mechanism unit 3 to the control unit 501 of the measurement mechanism unit 2 described later, and optical information of the specimen obtained by the measurement mechanism unit 2 It has a function to analyze. The control unit 4a includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The display unit 4b is provided for displaying the analysis result obtained by the control unit 4a.

  Next, the configuration of the control device 4 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 4a mainly includes a CPU 401a, a ROM 401b, a RAM 401c, a hard disk 401d, a reading device 401e, an input / output interface 401f, a communication interface 401g, and an image output interface 401h. ing. The CPU 401a, ROM 401b, RAM 401c, hard disk 401d, reading device 401e, input / output interface 401f, communication interface 401g, and image output interface 401h are connected by a bus 401i.

  The CPU 401a can execute computer programs stored in the ROM 401b and computer programs loaded in the RAM 401c. The computer 401 functions as the control device 4 when the CPU 401a executes an application program 404a as will be described later.

  The ROM 401b is configured by a mask ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, or the like, in which computer programs executed by the CPU 401a and data used for the same are recorded.

  The RAM 401c is configured by SRAM, DRAM, or the like. The RAM 401c is used to read out computer programs recorded in the ROM 401b and the hard disk 401d. Further, when these computer programs are executed, they are used as a work area of the CPU 401a.

  The hard disc 401d is installed with various computer programs to be executed by the CPU 401a, such as an operating system and application programs, and data used for executing the computer programs.

  The reading device 401e is configured by a flexible disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, a DVD-ROM drive, or the like, and can read a computer program or data recorded on the portable recording medium 404. The portable recording medium 404 stores an application program 404a according to the present embodiment, and the computer 401 reads the application program 404a from the portable recording medium 404 and installs the application program 404a on the hard disk 401d. It is possible.

  Note that the application program 404a is not only provided by the portable recording medium 404, but also from an external device communicatively connected to the computer 401 by an electric communication line (whether wired or wireless). It is also possible to provide through. For example, the application program 404a is stored in a hard disk of a server computer on the Internet, and the computer 401 can access the server computer to download the application program 404a and install it on the hard disk 401d. It is.

  In addition, an operating system that provides a graphical user interface environment such as Windows (registered trademark) manufactured and sold by US Microsoft Corporation is installed in the hard disc 401d. In the following description, it is assumed that the application program 404a according to the present embodiment operates on the operating system.

  The input / output interface 401f includes, for example, a serial interface such as USB, IEEE 1394, and RS-232C, a parallel interface such as SCSI, IDE, and IEEE1284, and an analog interface including a D / A converter and an A / D converter. Has been. A keyboard 4c is connected to the input / output interface 401f, and the user can input data to the computer 401 by using the keyboard 4c.

  The communication interface 401g is, for example, an Ethernet (registered trademark) interface. The computer 401 can transmit and receive data to and from the measurement mechanism unit 2 using a predetermined communication protocol through the communication interface 401g.

  The image output interface 401h is connected to a display unit 4b configured by an LCD or a CRT, and outputs a video signal corresponding to image data given from the CPU 401a to the display unit 4b. The display unit 4b displays an image (screen) according to the input video signal.

  Here, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the display unit 4b can display a reagent arrangement screen 410 that displays the arrangement of reagents in the reagent storage unit 6 described later. The reagent arrangement screen 410 has a reagent arrangement display area 420, a reagent information display area 430, and a command display area 440. Further, the reagent arrangement screen 410 is provided with a measurement start button 411 for starting the measurement of the sample analyzer 1 and a measurement stop button 412 for stopping the measurement. The display unit 4b has a touch panel function, and can be selected or operated by a user directly touching a button or the like displayed on the reagent arrangement screen 410.

  The reagent arrangement display area 420 displays a plurality of first reagent display areas 421 in which reagents arranged in the first reagent table 11 described later are displayed, and reagents arranged in the second reagent table 12 described later. And a plurality of second reagent display areas 422. The first reagent display area 421 includes a position display unit 421a that displays the position of the reagent, a reagent name display unit 421b that displays the reagent name, and a remaining amount display unit 421c that displays the remaining amount of the reagent. The second reagent display area 422 includes a position display unit 422a that displays the position of the reagent, a reagent name display unit 422b that displays the reagent name, and a remaining amount display unit 422c that displays the remaining amount of the reagent. The positions of the reagents displayed on the reagent name display units 421a and 422a are read by a barcode reader 350 from barcodes 311b and 312b of the first reagent container rack 310 and barcodes 321b to 326b of the second reagent container rack 320 described later. Is displayed. The reagent names displayed in the reagent name display units 421b and 422b are displayed with reference to a list prepared separately based on the value obtained by reading the barcode 300a of the reagent container 300 with the barcode reader 350. . In addition, the remaining amount of the reagent displayed in the remaining amount display units 421c and 422c is displayed based on a value calculated from the type of container in which the reagent is stored, the number of times the reagent has been aspirated, and the like.

  In addition, the first reagent display area 421 is displayed by being divided into two for each of the areas corresponding to the five first reagent container racks 310 that can hold the two reagent containers 300 arranged in the first reagent table 11. The In addition, the second reagent display area 422 is divided and displayed for each of the areas corresponding to the five second reagent container racks 320 that can hold the six reagent containers 300 arranged in the second reagent table 12. The That is, on the reagent arrangement screen 410, which reagent table (first reagent table 11 or second reagent table 12) and which reagent container rack (first reagent container rack 310 or second reagent container rack 320) and which position are located. It is possible to confirm whether the reagent is arranged.

  Further, when the first reagent container rack 310 or the second reagent container rack 320 is not arranged on the first reagent table 11 or the second reagent table 12, the first reagent display area 421 or the second reagent display area 422 is displayed. Does not display anything. Further, when the first reagent container rack 310 or the second reagent container rack 320 is arranged on the first reagent table 11 or the second reagent table 12, and there is no reagent container 300 held in the reagent container rack, the first reagent container rack 310 or the second reagent container rack 320 is provided. The first reagent display area 421 or the second reagent display area 422 is displayed only on the position display section 421a or the position display section 422a. This point will be described in detail later.

  In the reagent information display area 430, the attribute information of the reagent specified in the first reagent display area 421 or the second reagent display area 422 (reagent name, use order, usable remaining amount (usable amount), remaining amount) The number of tests, presence / absence of agitation, lot number, reagent container type, reagent expiration date, set date, set time, etc.) and holder number are displayed. Based on the reagent attribute information, the user can determine the replacement time of the reagent.

  In the command display area 440, a replacement / addition instruction button 440a for instructing replacement or addition of a reagent, an editing button 440b for editing reagent information, and a reagent for manually inputting a reagent lot A lot setting button 440c. In the present embodiment, when the replacement / addition instruction button 440a is selected in a state where a reagent is designated, the first reagent container rack 310 or the second reagent holding the reagent container 300 containing the designated reagent is selected. The container rack 320 is configured to be moved to an extraction position where the container rack 320 can be extracted from the sample analyzer 1. When a reagent is added, the replacement / addition instruction button 440a is selected in a state where the first reagent display area 421 or the second reagent display area 422 where no reagent is arranged is specified. As a result, the first reagent container rack 310 or the second reagent container rack 320 that does not contain the reagent is moved to the removal position.

  The measurement mechanism unit 2 is configured to be able to acquire optical information regarding the supplied sample by performing optical measurement on the sample supplied from the transport mechanism unit 3. In the present embodiment, optical measurement is performed on the sample dispensed from the test tube 250 placed on the rack 251 of the transport mechanism unit 3 into the cuvette 200 of the measurement mechanism unit 2.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the measurement mechanism unit 2 includes a first drive unit 502, a second drive unit 503, a first lock detection unit 504, a second lock detection unit 505, a barcode reader 350, and an optical unit. And a control unit 501 electrically connected to the transport information unit 140 and the transport mechanism unit 3.

  The first drive unit 502 includes a first stepping motor (not shown) having a function of rotating a first reagent table 11 (see FIG. 4) described later, and a drive circuit (not shown) for driving the first stepping motor. )). Then, the first reagent table 11 rotates by an amount corresponding to the number of pulses of the drive pulse signal supplied from the control unit 501 to the first drive unit 502 and stops.

  Similarly, the second drive unit 503 includes a second stepping motor (not shown) having a function of rotating a second reagent table 12 (see FIG. 4) to be described later, and a drive circuit for driving the second stepping motor. (Not shown). Then, the second reagent table 12 rotates by an amount corresponding to the number of pulses of the drive pulse signal supplied from the control unit 501 to the second drive unit 503 and stops.

  The control unit 501 counts the number of pulses of the supplied drive pulse signal to determine the rotational movement amount of each reagent table 11, 12 from the origin position of the first reagent table 11 and the second reagent table 12. The rotational movement of the reagent tables 11 and 12 can be controlled.

  The first lock detection unit 504 has a function of detecting a locked state of a first lid 30 (see FIG. 13) described later and transmitting a lock signal to the control unit 501 when locked.

  Similarly, the second lock detection unit 505 has a function of detecting a lock state of a second lid unit 40 (see FIG. 13) described later and transmitting a lock signal to the control unit 501 when locked. .

  The bar code reader 350 has a function of reading each bar code on the first reagent table 11 and the second reagent table 12, and in the vicinity of a side surface 21 of the reagent storage unit 6 described later, (See FIGS. 2 to 4). The barcode reader 350 can transmit and receive data to and from the control unit 501 and includes a drive circuit (not shown) for ON / OFF control of the barcode reader 350. Note that the position of the barcode reader 350 is always fixed.

  The optical information acquisition unit 140 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) has a function for acquiring the optical information of the specimen, and can transmit and receive data to and from the control unit 501. It is configured as follows. Details of the optical information acquisition unit 140 will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 501 mainly includes a CPU 501a, a ROM 501b, a RAM 501c, and an input / output interface 501d.

The CPU 501a can execute a computer program stored in the ROM 501b and a computer program read out to the RAM 501c.
The ROM 501b stores a computer program to be executed by the CPU 501a, data used for executing the computer program, and the like.
The RAM 501c is used for reading a computer program recorded in the ROM 501b. Further, when these computer programs are executed, they are used as a work area of the CPU 501a.

  The communication interface 501d is connected to the control device 4 and transmits optical information of the specimen to the control device 4 and functions to receive a signal from the control unit 4a of the control device 4. The communication interface 501d is also connected to each part of the transport mechanism part 3 and the measurement mechanism part 2, and transmits a command from the CPU 501a for driving each part of the transport mechanism part 3 and the measurement mechanism part 2. Fulfills the function.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the measurement mechanism unit 2 includes a reagent storage unit 6 for storing the reagent and a reagent replacement unit 7 for replacing or adding the reagent.

  The reagent storage unit 6 is provided to refrigerate and store the reagent container 300 containing the reagent added to the specimen in the cuvette 200 at a low temperature (about 10 ° C.) and to transport it in the rotation direction. By storing the reagent at a low temperature, the reagent is prevented from being altered. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the reagent storage unit includes a reagent transport unit 10 that holds and rotates and transports the reagent, and an outer wall 20 that is provided so as to cover the periphery and top of the reagent transport unit 10. Is included. In addition, the reagent transport unit 10 that holds the reagent is disposed in a refrigerated region formed by the outer wall 20 and a first lid 30 and a second lid 40 of the reagent replacement unit 7 described later.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the reagent transport unit 10 is arranged concentrically with respect to the first reagent table 11 on the outer side of the circular first reagent table 11 and the circular first reagent table 11. And an annular second reagent table 12. The first reagent table 11 and the second reagent table 12 are configured such that a first reagent container rack 310 and a second reagent container rack 320 that hold the reagent containers 300 are detachably arranged, respectively. The outer wall portion 20 includes a side surface 21, an upper surface 22 fixed to the side surface 21, and a removable lid portion 23.

  The first reagent table 11 and the second reagent table 12 are configured to be able to rotate both in the clockwise direction and in the counterclockwise direction, and to be able to rotate independently of each other. As a result, the first reagent container rack 310 and the second reagent container rack 320 that hold the reagent container 300 containing the reagent are conveyed in the rotation direction by the first reagent table 11 and the second reagent table 12, respectively. Further, by transporting the reagent container 300 in the rotation direction, it is possible to arrange the reagent to be dispensed in the vicinity of the reagent dispensing arm 130 when the reagent dispensing arm 130 described later dispenses the reagent. is there.

  Further, a heat insulating material (not shown) is attached to the side surface 21 of the outer wall portion 20 so that the cold air in the reagent storage portion 6 (refrigerated region) is not released. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, an openable / closable shutter 21 a is provided at a position facing the barcode reader 350 on the side surface 21 of the outer wall portion 20. The shutter 21a is configured to be opened only when the barcode of the reagent container 300, the first reagent container rack 310, and the second reagent container rack 320 is read by the barcode reader 350. Thereby, it is suppressed that the cold in the reagent storage part 6 (refrigeration area | region) escapes outside.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 13, the upper surface 22 of the outer wall portion 20 includes three holes 22a, 22b, and 22c. The reagent stored in the reagent storage unit 6 is aspirated by the reagent dispensing arm 130 through the three holes 22a, 22b and 22c. The hole 22a is located above the reagent container 300 held in the first reagent container rack 310. The reagent is aspirated from the reagent container 300 held in the first reagent container rack 310 through the hole 22a. The holes 22b and 22c are located above the reagent containers 300 held in the rear row and the front row of the second reagent container rack 320, respectively. The reagent is aspirated from the reagent containers 300 held in the rear row and the front row of the second reagent container rack 320 through the holes 22b and 22c.

  Further, when the lid portion 23 is removed together with the first lid portion 30 and the second lid portion 40 which will be described later, a semicircular opening is formed in the reagent storage portion 6 (refrigerated region). When the measurement is started in the sample analyzer 1 through the opening, the first reagent container rack 310 and the second reagent container rack 320 are arranged in the reagent storage unit 6.

  As shown in FIG. 4, five first reagent container racks 310 can be arranged on the first reagent table 11. Then, the reagent containers 300 are annularly arranged in the five first reagent container racks 310. As shown in FIG. 9, the first reagent container rack 310 includes two holding parts 311 and 312 for holding the reagent container 300, and cutout parts 311a and 312a provided on the front side of the holding parts 311 and 312 respectively. And a grip portion 313 provided so as to protrude upward. Further, the holding portions 311 and 312 are formed in a circular shape when seen in a plan view, and as shown in FIG. 10, the reagent container 300 can be held by inserting the cylindrical reagent container 300. Further, by attaching an adapter (not shown) to the holding unit 311 or 312, the reagent container 300 having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the holding unit 311 or 312 can be held by the holding unit 311 or 312. is there. The reagent container 300 contains various reagents added when preparing a measurement sample from a specimen. The first reagent container rack 310 includes two types of racks formed so that combinations of inner diameters of the holding portions 311 and 312 are different. The user can cope with reagent containers 300 of various sizes by appropriately changing the type of rack. Further, barcodes 311b and 312b are provided on the front side of the outer surface of the holding portions 311 and 312 respectively, and barcodes 311c and 312c are provided on the inner side surfaces of the holding portions 311 and 312 respectively. ing.

  The notches 311a and 312a are provided for reading the barcodes 311c and 312c by the barcode reader 350, respectively. In addition, the gripping unit 313 is gripped when the first reagent container rack 310 is taken out from the reagent storage unit 6.

  The bar codes 311b and 312b include position information for identifying the positions of the holding units 311 and 312 respectively. The barcodes 311c and 312c include information (reagent absence information) indicating that the reagent container 300 held in the holding units 311 and 312 does not exist. In addition, the barcode 300a of the reagent container 300 includes information for specifying the attribute information (information such as the reagent name, reagent container type, lot number, and reagent expiration date) stored in the reagent container 300. It is included. That is, the reagent name, the type of reagent container, the lot number, the expiration date of the reagent, and the like are specified by referring to a separately prepared list based on the barcode 300a of the reagent container 300 read by the barcode reader 350. Is done. The holder number is specified based on the barcodes 311b and 312b read by the barcode reader 350.

  When the reagent container 300 is held by the holding unit 311, the barcode 311 c is not read and the barcode 300 a of the reagent container 300 is read. That is, when the barcode 300a is read after the barcode 311b is read by the barcode reader 350, the control unit 501 recognizes that the reagent having the reagent information by the barcode 300a is held in the holding unit 311. Further, when the barcode 311 c is read after the barcode 311 b is read by the barcode reader 350, the control unit 501 recognizes that the reagent container 300 does not exist in the holding unit 311. Further, when neither the barcode 300a nor the barcode 311c is read after the barcode 311b is read by the barcode reader 350 (for example, when the reagent container 300 faces sideways), the control unit 501 reads the barcode 311b. While recognizing the error, the display unit 4b displays that reading has failed.

  Further, five second reagent container racks 320 can be arranged on the second reagent table 12 as shown in FIG. The reagent containers 300 are annularly arranged in the five second reagent container racks 320. Further, the second reagent is arranged such that one of the five gaps of the second reagent container rack 320 adjacent to each other arranged on the second reagent table 12 has an interval larger than the interval of the other four gaps. The arrangement position of the second reagent container rack in the table 12 is predetermined. The first reagent table located inside the second reagent table 12 by the barcode reader 350 located outside the reagent storage unit 6 through the gap 12a having a large interval (see FIGS. 4 and 17 to 18). 11 and the barcode 300a of the reagent container 300 held in the first reagent container rack 310 (the barcodes 311c and 312c if the reagent container 300 is not present). ) And are read. The width of the gap 12a (see FIGS. 4 and 17 to 18) is about 10 mm. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the second reagent container rack 320 includes six holding parts 321 to 326 for holding the reagent container 300 and notch parts 321a provided on the front side of the holding parts 321 to 326, respectively. 326a and a gripping portion 327 provided so as to protrude upward. Further, the holding portions 321 to 326 of the second reagent container rack 320 are formed in a circular shape when seen in a plan view, similarly to the first reagent container rack 310, and as shown in FIG. The reagent container 300 can be held by inserting the container 300. The second reagent container rack 320 includes three types of racks formed so that the combinations of the inner diameters of the holding portions 321 to 326 are different from each other. Further, the second reagent container rack 320 is configured such that the same reagent as the reagent arranged in the first reagent container rack 310 can be arranged.

  Further, barcodes 321b and 322b are provided on both sides of the notch 321a. Similarly, barcodes 323b and 324b and barcodes 325b and 326b are provided on both sides of the notch 323a and on both sides of the notch 325a, respectively. In addition, barcodes 321c to 326c are provided on the inner side surfaces of the holding portions 321 to 326, respectively.

  The bar codes 321b to 326b include position information for identifying the positions of the holding units 321 to 326, respectively. Further, the barcodes 321c and 326c include information (reagent absence information) indicating that the reagent container 300 held in the holding units 321 to 326 does not exist.

  The reagent information or the reagent container absence information read by the barcode reader 350 is stored in a hard disk (not shown) of the control unit 501 in association with the position information. The information stored in the hard disk is reflected on the reagent arrangement screen 410 of the display unit 4b by the control unit 4a of the control device 4.

  Bar codes 311b, 312b and 321b to 326b indicate four-digit values. The first digit takes a value of “A” or “B”, “A” indicates that the reagent container 300 is arranged in the second reagent table 12, and “B” indicates that the reagent container 300 is the first one. 1 indicates that it is arranged in the reagent table 11. The second digit takes a value of “1” to “5”, and “1” to “3” indicate the three types of shapes of the second reagent container rack 320, respectively, “4” and “5”. "Indicates two types of shapes of the first reagent container rack 310, respectively. The third digit takes a value of “0” to “9” and indicates the number of the first reagent container rack 310 or the second reagent container rack 320. The fourth digit takes a value of “1” or “2” in the barcodes 311b and 312b of the first reagent container rack 310, and “1” and “2” indicate the holding units 311 and 312 respectively. Show. Further, the barcodes 321b to 326b of the second reagent container rack 320 take values of “1” to “6”, and “1” to “6” indicate the holding units 321 to 326, respectively. The values of the barcodes (barcodes 311b, 312b and 321b to 326b) are the positions of the reagent display area (first reagent display area 421 or second reagent display area 422) on the reagent arrangement screen 410 as shown in FIG. It is reflected on the display unit 421a or 422a. For example, when the barcode value is “A15-6”, it can be placed in the second reagent table 12 and the rack corresponding to “1” of the three types (second reagent container rack 320). ) And represents the sixth holding part (holding part 326) of the second reagent container rack 320 of rack number 5.

  Further, the reagent name or the reagent container absence information in the attribute information is reflected in the reagent name display portions 421b and 422b of the first reagent display area 421 and the second reagent display area 422 of the reagent arrangement screen 410. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, when a reagent is arranged, the reagent name is displayed on the reagent name display part 421b or 422b. When no reagent is arranged, the reagent name display part 421b or 422b is displayed. Does not display anything. For example, in FIG. 6, the reagent name “PT-TPC +” is arranged at the reagent position “A15-6”, and no reagent is arranged at the reagent position “A28-1”. Note that, when the reagent container rack itself is not arranged, the barcode reader 350 does not read the barcode, and therefore, in an area where the first reagent container rack 310 or the second reagent container rack 320 is not arranged. Nothing is displayed in the corresponding first reagent display area 421 or second reagent display area 422.

  Note that the number of reagent containers 300 arranged in each of the reagent tables 11 and 12 varies depending on the measurement item, the number of samples, the type of reagent used for analysis, and the like. Therefore, not all the two reagent containers 300 are held in the first reagent container rack 310, and all six reagent containers 300 are not necessarily held in the second reagent container rack 320. Similarly, not all five first reagent container racks 310 are arranged on the first reagent table 11, and all five second reagent container racks 320 are also arranged on the second reagent table 12. Not necessarily.

  In addition, the reagent replacement unit 7 is provided in the vicinity of the center of the sample analyzer 1 as shown in FIGS. Here, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the reagent replacement part 7 is provided with a removable first lid part 30 and second lid part 40 each having a lock mechanism (not shown), and to the user. And a notification unit 60 for notifying the transport state of the first reagent table 11 and the second reagent table 12.

  The first lid 30 is configured to be removable when the reagent container 300 disposed on the first reagent table 11 (first reagent container rack 310) is exchanged. The first lid 30 has a fan shape and is attached above the first reagent table 11. Further, the size and shape of the first lid 30 are formed such that only one first reagent container rack 310 can be taken out with the first lid 30 removed. Further, a locking mechanism (not shown) of the first lid 30 locks the first lid 30 so that it does not come off during the analysis operation of the sample analyzer 1 or after the replacement or addition of the reagent is completed. At the same time, it is provided to allow the control unit 501 to recognize that the replacement or addition of the reagent in the first reagent table 11 has been completed.

  The second lid 40 is configured to be removable when replacing the reagent container 300 disposed on the second reagent table 12 (second reagent container rack 320). The second lid portion 40 is attached to the outside of the first lid portion 30 and attached above the second reagent table 12. Further, the size and shape of the second lid portion 40 are formed such that only one second reagent container rack 320 can be taken out with the second lid portion 40 removed. Further, a locking mechanism (not shown) of the second lid portion 40 locks the second lid portion 40 so as not to be removed during the analysis operation of the sample analyzer 1 or after the replacement of the reagent is completed. It is provided in order for the control unit 501 to recognize that the replacement or addition of the reagent in the second reagent table 12 has been completed.

  The notification unit 60 includes three LED indicators 61, 62, and 63. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 13, the three LED indicators 61, 62, and 63 are arranged in a row at a predetermined interval in the vicinity of the second lid portion 40, so that the user can connect from the outside of the sample analyzer 1. Is visible.

  The LED indicator 61 is located at the take-out position (below the first lid 30) where the first reagent container rack 310 corresponding to the reagent in the first reagent table 11 specified by the user on the reagent arrangement screen 410 can be replaced. It has a function of notifying the user that it has been moved. Thereby, it is possible to notify a user of the timing which removes the 1st cover part 30 for replacement | exchange or addition of a reagent.

  In addition, the LED indicator 62 is an extraction position where the second reagent container rack 320 corresponding to the reagent of the second reagent table 12 specified on the reagent arrangement screen 410 by the user can be replaced (below the second lid 40). ) To notify the user that it has been moved.

  The LED indicator 63 has a function of notifying the user of the operation status of a cuvette transport table 71 described later. That is, when a user measures a predetermined substance, when a dedicated cuvette (not shown) is added to or replaced with the cuvette transport table 71, the lid 73 (see FIG. 13) located above the cuvette transport table 71 is used. ) Can be confirmed by the LED indicator 63.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the measurement mechanism unit 2 further includes a cuvette transport unit 70, a sample dispensing arm 80, a heating unit 110, a cuvette transfer unit 120, and a reagent dispensing arm 130. And an optical information acquisition unit 140, a cuvette supply mechanism unit 170, and the like.

  The cuvette transport unit 70 has a function of transporting the cuvette 200 to each part of the sample analyzer 1. The cuvette transport unit 70 is provided on the cuvette transport table 71 on the outer side of the annular second reagent table 12 and on the cuvette transport table 71 at a predetermined interval along the circumferential direction. And a lid 73 (see FIG. 13) provided above the cuvette transport table 71. The cuvette holder 72 is provided to hold the cuvettes 200 one by one. The lid 73 is provided with a hole 73a, and a sample is dispensed to the cuvette 200 via the hole 73a by a sample dispensing arm 80 described later. The cuvette 200 held in the cuvette holding unit 72 of the cuvette transfer table 71 is dispensed with the sample stored in the test tube 250 of the transfer mechanism unit 3 and the reagent stored in the reagent storage unit 6 for measurement. A sample is prepared.

  The sample dispensing arm 80 sucks the sample stored in the test tube 250 transported to the suction position 2 a by the transport mechanism unit 3, and also holds the suctioned sample in the cuvette holding unit 72 of the cuvette transport table 71. 200 has a function of dispensing through the hole 73a.

  The cuvette transfer unit 120 is provided to transfer the cuvette 200 between the cuvette transport unit 70, the heating unit 110, and the optical information acquisition unit 140.

  2 to 4, the reagent dispensing arm 130 dispenses the reagent in the reagent container 300 placed on the reagent storage unit 6 to the cuvette 200, thereby supplying the reagent to the specimen in the cuvette 200. Provided for mixing. Specifically, the reagent is aspirated through the holes 22a, 22b or 22c of the outer wall portion 20 of the reagent storage unit 6 described above, and the transfer catcher unit 121 heats the cuvette 200 after the heating is completed. The aspirated reagent is dispensed into the cuvette 200 while being taken out from the cuvette holder 111a and held. The pipette portion of the reagent dispensing arm 130 is provided with a heating function, and the aspirated reagent is instantaneously heated to about 37 ° C. That is, the reagent stored at a low temperature (about 10 ° C.) in the reagent storage unit 6 is mixed with the sample at about 37 ° C. where the heating is completed while being heated to about 37 ° C. by the reagent dispensing arm 130. The

  Here, in this embodiment, when the reagent replacement is instructed during the operation of the reagent dispensing arm 130, the dispensing operation of the reagent to be dispensed is performed from the reagent table including the designated reagent. If so, the dispensing operation of the reagent to be dispensed by the reagent dispensing arm 130 from the reagent table containing the designated reagent is stopped. In this case, when the reagent to be dispensed is also included in a reagent table that includes the designated reagent and another reagent table, the reagent dispensing arm 130 dispenses the reagent table that includes the designated reagent. The dispensing operation of the target reagent is stopped, and the dispensing operation is continued from the reagent to be dispensed included in the other reagent table. In addition, when the reagent to be dispensed is arranged only in the reagent table including the reagent instructed to be replaced, the reagent dispensing arm 130 is heated by the heating unit 110 when the replacement is instructed. The dispensing operation is stopped after the dispensing of the reagent to be dispensed is stopped. As a result, the sample that is being heated in the heating unit 110 at the time of replacement is also measured within a certain period of time after being heated.

  The optical information acquisition unit 140 has a function for acquiring optical information from the measurement sample. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the optical information acquisition unit 140 includes a cuvette placement unit 141 and a detection unit 142 disposed below the cuvette placement unit 141.

  The detection unit 142 is configured to perform optical measurement on the measurement sample in the cuvette 200 under a plurality of conditions. The optical information acquisition unit 140 is electrically connected to the control unit 4a of the control device 4 via the control unit 501, and the acquired data (optical information) is transferred to the control unit 4a of the control device 4. Send. Thereby, in the control apparatus 4, the data (optical information) transmitted from the optical information acquisition unit 140 are analyzed and displayed on the display unit 4b.

  The cuvette supply mechanism 170 is configured to be able to sequentially supply a plurality of cuvettes 200 that are randomly inserted by the user to the cuvette transport unit 70.

[Analyzing operation of the sample analyzer 1]
Next, the sample analysis operation of the sample analyzer 1 will be described.

  First, the sample analyzer 1 is initially set by turning on the power of the measurement mechanism unit 2 and the control device 4 of the sample analyzer 1 shown in FIG. As a result, the mechanism for moving the cuvette 200 and each dispensing arm (sample dispensing arm 80 and reagent dispensing arm 130) return to the initial position, and the first reagent table 11 and the second reagent table. 12 origin detection and initialization of software stored in the control unit 4a of the control device 4 and the control unit 501 of the measurement mechanism unit 2 are performed.

  Then, by arranging the first reagent container rack 310 and the second reagent container rack 320 holding the reagent containers 300 on the first reagent table 11 and the second reagent table 12, respectively, the controller 501 automatically The reagent tables 11 and 12 and the barcode reader 350 are controlled to read each reagent container rack and the barcode attached to each reagent container. When the reagent container 300 is accommodated in the reagent container rack, the barcode 300a is arranged so as to face outward. The barcode reading operation will be described later.

  After the barcode reading operation, the user inputs an analysis operation start. When the input for starting the analysis operation is performed, the transport mechanism unit 3 transports the rack 251 on which the test tube 250 containing the sample is placed. Thereby, the rack 251 in the rack setting area 3a is transported to a position corresponding to the suction position 2a of the measurement mechanism unit 2.

  Then, a predetermined amount of sample is aspirated from the test tube 250 by the sample dispensing arm 80. Then, the specimen dispensing arm 80 is moved above the cuvette 200 held on the cuvette transport table 71 of the cuvette transport unit 70. Thereafter, the sample is dispensed into the cuvette 200 by discharging the sample from the sample dispensing arm 80 into the cuvette 200 of the cuvette transport table 71.

  Then, the cuvette 200 is transferred from the cuvette transfer table 71 to the heating unit 110 by the cuvette transfer unit 120. Then, the cuvette 200 containing the specimen that has reached about 37 ° C. in the heating unit 110 is held by the transfer catcher unit 121 of the cuvette transfer unit 120. Then, in a state where the cuvette 200 is gripped by the transfer catcher unit 121, the reagent dispensing arm 130 is driven and the reagent container 300 placed on the reagent table (the first reagent table 11 or the second reagent table 12). The reagent inside is added to the specimen in the cuvette 200, and the sample for measurement is prepared. Then, the cuvette 200 containing the measurement sample is moved to the cuvette placement unit 141 of the optical information acquisition unit 140 by the cuvette transfer unit 120 as it is.

  Then, optical information is acquired from the measurement sample by performing optical measurement on the measurement sample in the cuvette 200 under a plurality of conditions by the detection unit 142 of the optical information acquisition unit 140. . The acquired optical information is sequentially transmitted to the control unit 4a of the control device 4.

  And the control part 4a of the control apparatus 4 outputs an analysis result based on the received optical information, and displays the obtained analysis result on the display part 4b of the control apparatus 4. In this way, the sample analysis operation of the sample analyzer 1 is completed.

[Bar code reading operation]
14 to 16 show a first barcode reading operation which is automatically performed after the first reagent container rack 310 and the second reagent container rack 320 are placed on the first reagent table 11 and the second reagent table 12. It is the flowchart which showed this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 17, five first reagent container racks 310 and five second reagent container racks 320 are placed on the first reagent table 11 and the second reagent table 12 respectively.

  First, the control unit 501 determines whether or not the placement of the first reagent container rack 310 and the second reagent container rack 320 on the first reagent table 11 and the second reagent table 12 is completed (step S1). Specifically, when the first lid 30 is locked by the lock mechanism, a lock signal is output from the first lock detector 504. Based on the reception of the lock signal, the control unit 501 determines whether the first reagent container rack 310 has been placed on the first reagent table 11. Similarly, when the second lid 40 is locked by the lock mechanism, a lock signal is output from the second lock detector 505, and the control unit 501 outputs the second signal to the second reagent table 12 based on the lock signal. It is determined whether or not the two reagent container racks 320 have been placed. When it is determined that the placement of the first reagent container rack 310 and the second reagent container rack 320 is completed, the process proceeds to step S2.

  In step S <b> 2, the barcode reader 350 applies each barcode attached to each second reagent container rack 320 on the second reagent table 12 and each reagent container 300 held in each second reagent container rack 320. Read the attached barcode. Hereinafter, this barcode reading is abbreviated as “barcode reading of the second reagent table 12”. When the barcode reader 350 is in the on state, the barcode reader 350 can irradiate the reading light about 500 times per second and read the reflected light from the barcode.

  First, the control unit 501 supplies a drive pulse signal having a pulse number N1 to the first drive unit 502 (step S21). The number of pulses N1 indicates that the first reagent container rack 310 located near the first reagent container rack 310B in FIG. 17 is placed in the first reagent container rack when the placement of the reagent container rack on the first reagent table 11 is completed. The number of pulses to be moved to the position 310B. By the operation in this step, the first reagent table 11 is rotated, and the first reagent table 11 stops when the first reagent container rack 310B reaches the predetermined position shown in FIG. . The predetermined position described above is a position where the left front surface of the notch 312a of the first reagent container rack 310B faces the barcode reader 350 (see FIG. 10). The left front surface of the notch 312a is a wall surface to which no barcode is attached. For this reason, when reading the barcode of the second reagent table 12 while rotating the second reagent table 12, the barcode reader 350 uses the barcode on the first reagent table 11 through the gap 12a. It is possible to prevent erroneous reading of the barcode attached to one reagent container rack 310 and the barcode attached to each reagent container 300 accommodated in the first reagent container rack 310.

  Next, the control unit 501 supplies a drive pulse signal having a pulse number N2 to the second drive unit 503 (step S22). The pulse number N2 is a pulse number for moving the second reagent container rack 320A when the reagent container rack is completely placed on the second reagent table 12 to the position of the second reagent container rack 320A shown in FIG. By the operation in this step, the second reagent table 12 is rotated, and when the point A of the second reagent container rack 320A reaches the opposite position of the barcode reader 350 as shown in FIG. Stops. The point A is a portion corresponding to the right front surface of the rightmost barcode 321b of the second reagent container rack 320A (see FIG. 12).

  Next, the control unit 501 turns on the barcode reader 350 (step S23). Then, a drive pulse signal having a pulse number N3 is supplied to the second drive unit 503 (step S24). The pulse number N3 is a pulse number that makes the second reagent table 12 make one round counterclockwise. By the operation in this step, the second reagent table 12 makes a round in the counterclockwise direction, and the second reagent table 12 stops when the point A of the second reagent container rack 320A reaches the position facing the barcode reader 350. Along with this rotation, the position information (barcodes 321b to 326b), reagent information corresponding to the position information (barcode 300a) or no container information (barcodes 321c to 326c) are sequentially read by the barcode reader 350. The position information, reagent information, and no container information read by the barcode reader 350 are stored in a hard disk (not shown).

  When the second reagent table 12 stops, the control unit 501 turns off the barcode reader 350 (step S25). After the barcode reader 350 is turned off, the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S <b> 3, the barcode reader 350 is attached to the barcode attached to each first reagent container rack 310 on the first reagent table 11 and each reagent container 300 held in each first reagent container rack 310. Read the barcode. Hereinafter, this barcode reading is abbreviated as “barcode reading of the first reagent table 11”.

  First, the control unit 501 reciprocates and rotates the second reagent table 12 so that the point A and the point B shown in FIG. 18 alternately reach the position opposed to the barcode reader 350 via the gap 12a ( Step S31). The point B is a part corresponding to the left front surface (see FIG. 11) of the notch 326a of the second reagent container rack 320B. The reciprocating rotation of the second reagent table 12 in step S31 will be described below.

  First, the control unit 501 supplies a drive pulse signal having a pulse number N4 to the second drive unit 503. The pulse number N4 is a pulse number that causes the second reagent table 12 to rotate clockwise to reach the point B from the above-mentioned point A to the position facing the barcode reader 350. As a result, the second reagent table 12 rotates clockwise, and the second reagent table 12 stops when the point B from the above-mentioned point A reaches the position opposed to the barcode reader 350 (see FIG. 19). Subsequently, the control unit 501 supplies a drive pulse signal having a pulse number N5 to the second stepping motor. The pulse number N5 is a pulse number that causes the second reagent table 12 to rotate counterclockwise to reach the point A from the point B to the position facing the barcode reader 350. As a result, the second reagent table 12 rotates counterclockwise, and the second reagent table 12 stops when the above-mentioned point A reaches the position facing the barcode reader 350 again (see FIG. 18). By repeating the above operation, the control unit 501 reciprocally rotates the second reagent table 12 so that the above-mentioned points A and B alternately reach the position opposed to the barcode reader 350 via the gap 12a. Let The second reagent table 12 reciprocally rotates, so that the gap 12a reciprocates through the position facing the barcode reader 350.

  Next, the control unit 501 supplies a drive pulse signal having a pulse number N6 to the first drive unit 502 (step S32). The pulse number N6 is a pulse number for rotating the first reagent table 11 counterclockwise to move the first reagent container rack 310A shown in FIG. 19 to the position of the first reagent container rack 310A shown in FIG. . By the operation in this step, the first reagent table 11 is rotated counterclockwise, and the first reagent container rack 310A of the first reagent table 11 has reached the predetermined position shown in FIG. Sometimes, the rotation of the first reagent table 11 stops. The predetermined position shown in FIG. 20 is a position at which the right front surface (see FIG. 10) of the rightmost barcode 311b of the first reagent container rack 310A faces the barcode reader 350.

  Next, the control unit 501 turns on the barcode reader 350 (step S33). Then, a driving pulse signal having a pulse number N7 is supplied to the first driving unit 502 (step S34). The pulse number N7 is a pulse number that makes the first reagent table 11 make one round counterclockwise. By the operation in this step, the first reagent table 11 makes a round in the counterclockwise direction and stops. As the first reagent table 11 rotates, the position information (barcodes 311b and 312b), the reagent information corresponding to the position information (barcode 300a), or the absence of container information (barcodes 311c and 312c) are sequentially read by the barcode reader 350. Is read by. The position information, reagent information, and no container information read by the barcode reader 350 are stored in a hard disk (not shown).

  When the first reagent table stops, the control unit 501 turns off the barcode reader 350 (step S35). Thereafter, the control unit 501 stops the reciprocating rotation of the second reagent table 12 by stopping the supply of the drive pulse signal to the second drive unit 503 (step S36).

  As described above, in this embodiment, the barcode reading of the first reagent table 11 by the barcode reader 350 is performed while the gap 12a is swung by the reciprocating rotation of the second reagent table 12. By doing so, the barcode reader is compared with a case where each barcode on the first reagent table 11 is read by the barcode reader 350 through the gap 12a with the second reagent table 12 stopped. It is possible to prevent occurrence of a reading error due to a positional deviation of the gap 12a of the second reagent table 12 with respect to 350, a deviation in the pasting position of each barcode on the first reagent table 11, and the like.

  Further, since the reading accuracy of the barcode on the first reagent table 11 is improved by swinging the second reagent table 12, the width of the gap 12a can be reduced. Therefore, more space for placing the second reagent container rack 320 on the second reagent table 12 can be secured, and as a result, more reagent containers 300 can be held.

Next, the barcode reading operation when the user performs the replacement / addition work of the reagent container 300 in the course of the measurement work will be described.
[Barcode reading operation during reagent replacement / addition]
The sample analyzer 1 reads the barcodes 300a of all the reagent containers 300 held in the first reagent container rack 310 or the second reagent container rack 320 in which the replaced or added reagent container 300 is accommodated. It is configured. Accordingly, for example, when replacement of one reagent is instructed, even if a reagent that is not instructed to be replaced in the same reagent container rack is replaced, the replacement of the reagent after replacement is correctly displayed on the reagent arrangement screen 410. Reflected.

  For example, when the reagent container 300 of the second reagent container rack 320 is replaced / added, the reagent containers 321b to 326b of the second reagent container rack 320 and the reagent containers held in the second reagent rack 320 are used. 300 bar codes 300a or 321c to 326c are read. At that time, the barcode 321b for identifying the position information is first read while the second reagent table 12 is rotated counterclockwise. Thereafter, the barcode 300a for identifying the reagent information or the barcode 321c for identifying the non-container information is read, and then the barcode 322b representing the position information is read. Thus, the position information (barcodes 321b to 326b) and the reagent information (barcode 300a) or the container absence information (barcodes 321c to 326c) corresponding to the position information are alternately read.

  In addition, when the reagent container 300 of the first reagent container rack 310 is replaced / added, the outer second reagent table 12 starts reciprocating rotation, and the first and second reagent containers 300 containing the replaced / added reagent containers 300 are accommodated. The inner first reagent table 11 rotates so that the barcode 311b of the one reagent container rack 310 stops at the position opposite to the barcode reader 350. Then, while the first reagent table 11 is rotated counterclockwise, the barcode 311b for identifying the position information is first read. Thereafter, the barcode 300a for identifying the reagent information or the barcode 311c for identifying the non-container information is read, and then the barcode 312b representing the position information is read. In this manner, the position information (barcodes 311b and 312b) and the reagent information (barcode 300a) or the container absence information (barcodes 311c and 312c) corresponding to the position information are alternately read.

In this embodiment, when each barcode on the first reagent table 11 is read (step S3 shown in FIG. 14), the control unit 501 makes the first reagent table 11 go around without stopping. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the barcode reading operation (step S3A) of the first reagent table 11 in the second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, when the barcode reading of the first reagent table 11 is executed, each time each barcode on the first reagent table reaches the position facing the barcode reader 350, the first reagent table 11 The rotation is stopped, and each barcode on the first reagent table 11 is read by the barcode reader 350 while the first reagent table 11 is stopped. Each step in step S3A will be described below. First, the control unit 501 reciprocally rotates the second reagent table 12 (step S31A), and supplies a driving pulse signal having a pulse number N6 to the first driving unit 502 (step S31A). S32A), the barcode reader 350 is turned on (step S33A). The operations of Steps S31A to S33A are the same as Steps S31 to S33 in the first embodiment. At this time, the first reagent container rack 310A of the first reagent table 11 is shown in FIG. Has reached the position.

  Next, the control unit 501 supplies a drive pulse signal having a predetermined number of pulses to the first drive unit 502 so that each barcode on the first reagent table 11 reaches the opposite position of the barcode reader 350 and stops. (Step S34A). As a result, each barcode is stopped at a position opposite to the barcode reader 350, so that the barcode can be read more accurately.

  Next, the control unit 501 determines whether or not the total number of pulses of the drive pulse signal supplied to the first drive unit 502 after step S33A has reached N7 (step S35A). When the total number of pulses reaches N7, the first reagent table 11 is in a state of making a round from the position shown in FIG. If it is determined that the total number of pulses has not reached N7, after a predetermined time T has elapsed (step S36A), the process returns to step S34A.

  If it is determined in step S35A that the total number of pulses has reached N7, the control unit 501 turns off the barcode reader 350 (step S37A). Thereafter, the control unit 501 stops the reciprocating rotation of the second reagent table 12 by stopping the supply of the drive pulse signal to the second drive unit 503 (step S38A).

  In the second embodiment, the barcode reader 350 is turned off while each barcode on the first reagent table 11 has not reached the position facing the barcode reader 350, and each barcode is When the position facing the reader 350 is reached, the barcode reader 350 may be turned on.

  As a third embodiment, when the barcode reading of the first reagent table 11 is executed, the control unit 501 controls the rotation / stop of the first reagent table 11 in accordance with the reciprocal rotation of the second reagent table 12. May be. In the third embodiment, for example, by the reciprocating rotation of the second reagent table 12, the second reagent container rack 320B is moved from the point A of the second reagent container rack 320A shown in FIG. In synchronization with the arrival of the point B, the first reagent table 11 is rotated counterclockwise so that the barcode on the first reagent table 11 passes through the position facing the barcode reader 350. Next, in synchronization with the second reagent table 12 being inverted and the point A reaching the position opposite to the barcode reader 350 from the point B, the next barcode on the first reagent table 11 is a barcode. The first reagent table 11 is rotated counterclockwise so as to pass the position facing the reader 350. By repeating such an operation, all barcodes on the first reagent table 11 are read. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the barcode reading operation (step S3B) of the first reagent table 11 in the third embodiment of the present invention. Each step in step S3B will be described below.

  First, the control unit 501 reciprocally rotates the second reagent table 12 (step S31B), supplies a driving pulse signal having a pulse number N6 to the first driving unit 502 (step S32B), and turns on the barcode reader 350. (Step S33B). The operations in steps S31B to S33B are the same as steps S31 to S33 in the first embodiment and steps S31A to S33A in the second embodiment. At this time, the first reagent container rack 310A of the first reagent table 11 has reached the position shown in FIG. 20 with respect to the barcode reader 350, and the opposite position of the barcode reader 350 is The point B of the two reagent container rack 320B has arrived.

  Next, the control unit 501 supplies a drive pulse signal having a predetermined number of pulses to the first drive unit 502 substantially simultaneously with the inversion of the second reagent table 12 (step S34B). By the operation in this step, for example, in synchronization with the barcode 311b of the first reagent container rack 310 passing through the facing position of the barcode reader 350, the above-mentioned point B to point A are moved to the facing position of the barcode reader 350. Reach.

  Next, the control unit 501 determines whether or not the total number of pulses of the drive pulse signal supplied to the first drive unit 502 after step S33B has reached N7 (step S35B). When the total number of pulses reaches N7, the first reagent table 11 is in a state of making a round from the position shown in FIG.

  When determining in step S35B that the total number of pulses has reached N7, the control unit 501 turns off the barcode reader 350 (step S36B). Thereafter, the control unit 501 stops the reciprocating rotation of the second reagent table 12 by stopping the supply of the drive pulse signal to the second drive unit 503 (step S37B).

  Also in the third embodiment, the barcode reader 350 is turned off while each barcode on the first reagent table 11 has not reached the position facing the barcode reader 350, and each barcode is When the position facing the reader 350 is reached, the barcode reader 350 may be turned on.

  In each of the above embodiments, the first reagent table 11 and the second reagent table 12 are configured so that the first reagent container rack 310 and the second reagent container rack 320 containing the reagent containers 300 can be detachably held. For this reason, when the reagent container 300 is replaced or added, the reagent container rack can be taken out, and the reagent container can be replaced or added.

  In each of the above embodiments, the reagent containers 300 are accommodated in a staggered manner in the second reagent container rack 320. As a result, more reagent containers 300 can be accommodated in the second reagent container rack 320, and the barcode 300a of the reagent container 300 can be satisfactorily read by the barcode reader 350.

  In each of the above embodiments, the first reagent table 11 and the second reagent table 12 that are concentrically arranged in a double manner are used. However, the reagent tables that are concentrically arranged in a triple manner are used. Also good. In that case, each reagent table other than the innermost reagent table is provided with a gap 12a for reading a barcode on the inner reagent table.

  In each of the above embodiments, when each barcode on the first reagent table 11 is read through the gap 12a, the second reagent table 12 having the gap 12a is reciprocally rotated. Alternatively, the second reagent table 12 may be configured to rotate in one direction.

  In each of the above embodiments, the second reagent table 12 swings with respect to the fixed barcode reader 350 when the barcode reader 350 executes barcode reading of the first reagent table 11. However, the barcode reader 350 may be swung with respect to the gap 12a while the second reagent table 12 is stopped. That is, as shown in FIG. 23, a barcode reader (not shown) is arranged so that the barcode reader 350 reciprocates between the opposing position of point A of the second reagent container rack 320A and the opposing position of point B of the second reagent container rack 320B. The barcode reader 350 is swung by the driving device. Then, the barcode reader 350 is turned on and the first reagent table 11 is rotated counterclockwise so that each barcode on the first reagent table 11 can be read through the gap 12a. Even if configured in this way, it is possible to read the barcode favorably through the gap 12a without causing a reading error due to a stop position shift of the gap 12a or the like.

  Further, as the identifier, in addition to the one-dimensional barcode used in each of the above embodiments, a two-dimensional barcode may be used. In this case, a barcode reader capable of reading the two-dimensional barcode is used. Good. If a two-dimensional barcode is used as an identifier, more identification information can be recorded.

  In each of the above embodiments, the barcode 300a is affixed to the reagent container 300 that accommodates the reagent. However, the barcode is affixed to the sample container that accommodates a specimen such as blood, and the barcode reader displays the barcode. The identification information of the specimen may be acquired by reading.

  In each of the above embodiments, a configuration in which one barcode reader 350 and one gap 12a are provided is shown, but the configuration is not limited to one, and two or more each may be provided. With this configuration, even when a large number of reagent containers 300 are placed on the same reagent table, the barcode 300a of the desired reagent container 300 can be read within a short time.

  In each of the above embodiments, the barcode is read through the gap 12a that protrudes upward and downward. However, the barcode is read through the gap that is closed by at least one of the upper and lower sides. May be.

1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a sample analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view which shows the whole structure of the sample analyzer by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the inside of the sample analyzer by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the inside of the sample analyzer by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the control apparatus of the sample analyzer by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the reagent arrangement | positioning screen displayed on the display part of the control apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the control part of the measurement mechanism part by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the control part of the measurement mechanism part by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the 1st reagent container rack by one Embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the reagent container is held in the first reagent container rack shown in FIG. 9. It is a perspective view which shows the 2nd reagent container rack by one Embodiment. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state in which the reagent container is held in the second reagent container rack shown in FIG. 11. It is a top view which shows the reagent preservation | save part, reagent replacement | exchange part, cuvette conveyance part, 1st cover part, and 2nd cover part of the sample analyzer by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure for barcode reading of the control part by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure for barcode reading of the control part by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure for barcode reading of the control part by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the operation | movement condition of the 1st reagent table at the time of barcode reading by one Embodiment of this invention, and a 2nd reagent table. It is a schematic diagram which shows the operation | movement condition of the 1st reagent table at the time of barcode reading by one Embodiment of this invention, and a 2nd reagent table. It is a schematic diagram which shows the operation | movement condition of the 1st reagent table at the time of barcode reading by one Embodiment of this invention, and a 2nd reagent table. It is a schematic diagram which shows the operation | movement condition of the 1st reagent table at the time of barcode reading by one Embodiment of this invention, and a 2nd reagent table. It is a schematic diagram which shows the operation | movement condition of the 1st reagent table at the time of barcode reading by one Embodiment of this invention, and a 2nd reagent table. It is a schematic diagram which shows the operation | movement condition of the 1st reagent table at the time of barcode reading by one Embodiment of this invention, and a 2nd reagent table. It is a schematic diagram which shows the operation condition of the 1st reagent table at the time of barcode reading by one Embodiment of this invention, a 2nd reagent table, and a barcode reader.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sample analyzer 2 Measurement mechanism part 4a Control part 11 1st reagent table 12 2nd reagent table 300 Reagent container 310 1st reagent container rack 311, 312 Holding part 320 2nd reagent container rack 321-326 Holding part 350 Barcode reader
300a Bar code 311b, 312b, 321b to 326b Bar code 311c, 312c, 321c to 326c Bar code
501 Control unit 502 First drive unit 503 Second drive unit

Claims (12)

A sample analyzer for analyzing a measurement sample prepared by mixing a sample and a reagent,
A reading unit for reading the identifier;
A first disposition unit that can be disposed annularly and can be disposed in a circular manner with the identifier attached thereto;
The container disposed concentrically on the outside of the first placement portion, and the container with the identifier attached thereto can be annularly arranged, is rotatably provided independently of the first placement portion, and has a gap. A second placement section;
While the gap between the second placement portions is swung at a position opposite to the reading portion by reciprocating the second placement portion, the first placement portion is rotated in one direction, and the reading portion a sample analyzer and a Selle drive control unit reading the identifier of the arranged containers to the first arrangement section through the gap. The first placement unit can place a plurality of containers with identifiers in a ring shape,
The drive control unit does not stop the first arrangement unit while swinging the gap of the second arrangement unit at a position facing the reading unit by reciprocating the second arrangement unit. by round in one direction, the sample analyzer according to 請 Motomeko 1 to identifier read these plurality of containers disposed in the first arrangement section by the reading unit.   The gap of the second arrangement part is formed between the first part and the second part,
  The drive control unit reciprocates the second arrangement unit so that the first position in the first part and the second position in the second part alternately reach the facing position of the reading unit, The sample analyzer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the gap is swung.   The sample analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the containers arranged in the first arrangement unit and the second arrangement unit are sample containers or reagent containers.   5. The first placement unit is capable of detachably holding a first rack capable of accommodating a plurality of containers with an identifier and a second rack capable of accommodating a plurality of containers with an identifier. The sample analyzer according to any one of claims.   6. The second placement unit is capable of detachably holding a third rack capable of accommodating a plurality of containers with identifiers and a fourth rack capable of accommodating a plurality of containers with identifiers. The sample analyzer according to any one of claims.   The sample analyzer according to claim 6, wherein the second placement unit holds the third rack and the fourth rack so that the gap is formed between the third rack and the fourth rack.   The sample analyzer according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein an identifier is attached to each of the first rack, the second rack, the third rack, and the fourth rack.   The sample analyzer according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein at least one of the third rack and the fourth rack is capable of accommodating containers in a staggered manner.   When the reading unit reads the identifier of the container arranged in the second arrangement unit, the drive control unit is configured so that the identifier of the container arranged in the first arrangement unit does not face the reading unit. The sample analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 9, which controls the placement unit.   The sample analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the identifier is a barcode, and the reading unit is a barcode reader. The identifier of the container arranged in the inner container arrangement part among the plurality of container arrangement parts arranged concentrically and rotatable independently of each other is provided in the container arrangement part outside the inner container arrangement part. An identifier reading method for reading by a reading unit through a gap,
While the gap between the outer container placement portions is swung at the position opposed to the reading portion by reciprocating the outer container placement portion from the inner container placement portion, the inner container placement portion is moved to the same position. An identifier reading method in which an identifier of a container placed in the inner container placement section is read by the reading section through the gap.

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