JP5222674B2 - Cleaning device, automatic analyzer and nozzle cleaning method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a cleaning device for cleaning a reaction container after completion of analysis, an automatic analyzer equipped with the cleaning device, and a nozzle cleaning method for the cleaning device.

  Conventionally, as a device that automatically analyzes specimens such as blood and body fluids, analysis is performed by optically detecting the reaction between the reagent in the reaction container and the specimen by adding the specimen to the reaction container in which the reagent has been dispensed The device is known. In such an analyzer, the reaction liquid in the reaction vessel in which the optical measurement is completed is sucked and discharged, and washing is performed by injecting and sucking washing water such as detergent and washing water, Used repeatedly. For this reason, the analyzer includes a suction nozzle that sucks the liquid to be discharged from the reaction container, a detergent discharge nozzle that injects detergent into the emptied reaction container, and a cleaning water discharge nozzle that injects cleaning water. The analyzer does not completely discharge the liquid in the reaction vessel due to clogging of the suction nozzle, etc., and in order to prevent the detergent and washing water from flowing out of the reaction vessel due to the subsequent discharge of detergent, etc. In addition to the nozzle, the apparatus further includes an overflow suction nozzle that sucks the overflow of the cleaning water (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-6-230014

  However, in the prior art described above, each nozzle is not regularly cleaned, and the detergent discharge nozzle employs a structure that discharges only the detergent and the cleaning water discharge nozzle discharges only the cleaning water. When the detergent is dried and the detergent is dried, a crystallized product of the detergent may be deposited. Further, with respect to the suction nozzle and overflow suction nozzle used in combination with the detergent discharge nozzle, there is a possibility that the detergent crystallization adheres to the nozzle due to the scattering of the detergent or the nozzle clogging due to the crystallization substance occurs. Note that, as a measure for preventing the adhesion of the crystallized product of the detergent and the clogging of the nozzle due to the crystallized product, manual cleaning of the detergent adhered to the nozzle has been performed, but this is very troublesome.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and prevents the deposition of crystals on the suction nozzle and the overflow suction nozzle used in combination with the detergent discharge nozzle and the detergent discharge nozzle, thereby ensuring nozzle clogging. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning device that can be prevented, an automatic analyzer including the cleaning device, and a nozzle cleaning method.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a cleaning device according to the present invention includes a suction nozzle for sucking a liquid containing a reaction liquid in a reaction vessel, a detergent discharge nozzle for discharging a detergent, and washing water. A cleaning apparatus comprising: a cleaning water discharge nozzle that discharges; an overflow suction nozzle that suppresses outflow of a liquid containing a reaction liquid from the reaction container; and a drying nozzle that dries the reaction container cleaned with the detergent and the cleaning water. A cleaning water distribution means having a pipe for connecting the cleaning water discharge nozzle and a cleaning water tank for storing cleaning water to distribute the cleaning water, the cleaning water discharge nozzle, and the cleaning water tank A wash water branching means for connecting the branch pipe and the pipe connecting the detergent discharge nozzle and the detergent tank, with a three-way valve and a branch pipe branched from the three-way valve on the pipe connecting the When cleaning the nozzle, the three-way valve is switched to flow the cleaning water toward the cleaning water branching means, and the cleaning water is discharged from the detergent discharge nozzle into the reaction vessel, and the discharged cleaning water is And a cleaning nozzle control means for cleaning by sucking with an overflow suction nozzle.

  In the cleaning device according to the present invention, in the above invention, the cleaning nozzle control unit controls the cleaning water in the reaction vessel to be sucked by the suction nozzle after the cleaning water is sucked by the overflow suction nozzle. Features.

  In the cleaning device according to the present invention, in the above invention, the cleaning nozzle control unit discharges cleaning water from the detergent discharge nozzle into the reaction container after the completion of the cleaning of the reaction container, and the discharged cleaning water flows into the overflow. Control is performed such that suction is performed by a suction nozzle.

  The cleaning device according to the present invention is the cleaning device according to the above invention, wherein the cleaning nozzle control means sucks the cleaning water discharged from the detergent discharge nozzle by sucking the cleaning water by the overflow suction nozzle. The overflow suction nozzle is adjusted to an amount that can be rinsed and washed with water.

  An automatic analyzer according to the present invention is an automatic analyzer that optically analyzes a reaction between a specimen and a reagent, and includes the cleaning device according to any one of the above.

  Further, the nozzle cleaning method of the present invention includes a suction nozzle that sucks a liquid containing a reaction liquid in a reaction container, a detergent discharge nozzle that discharges detergent, a cleaning water discharge nozzle that discharges cleaning water, and a reaction from the reaction container. A nozzle clogging prevention method for a cleaning apparatus, comprising: an overflow suction nozzle that suppresses outflow of liquid containing liquid; and a drying nozzle that dries a reaction container cleaned with the detergent and cleaning water. A cleaning water discharging step for discharging the cleaning water, and a cleaning water suction step for sucking the cleaning water discharged into the reaction container in the cleaning water discharging step by the overflow suction nozzle are included.

  Further, the nozzle cleaning method of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the cleaning water suction step sucks the cleaning water in the reaction vessel with the suction nozzle after the cleaning water is sucked with the overflow suction nozzle. To do.

  The nozzle cleaning method of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the cleaning water discharge step and the cleaning water suction step are performed after completion of the reaction container cleaning by the cleaning device.

  In the nozzle cleaning method of the present invention, in the above invention, in the cleaning water discharge step, the cleaning water discharge amount to be discharged from the detergent discharge nozzle may be determined by sucking the cleaning water by the overflow suction nozzle and performing the suction. The overflow suction nozzle is adjusted and controlled so as to be rinsed and washed with the washing water.

  According to the present invention, by connecting a pipe connecting the cleaning water discharge nozzle and the cleaning water tank and a pipe connecting the detergent discharge nozzle and the detergent tank, the cleaning water can flow to the detergent discharge nozzle side. Since the detergent discharge nozzle, suction nozzle and overflow suction nozzle can be washed with washing water, crystals are deposited on the detergent discharge nozzle and the suction nozzle and overflow suction nozzle used in combination with the detergent discharge nozzle. This prevents the nozzle clogging and prevents the nozzle clogging.

  Hereinafter, an automatic analyzer that analyzes a liquid specimen such as blood as a sample will be described as an example of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings referred to in the following description are schematic. When the same object is shown in different drawings, the dimensions, scales, and the like may be different. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. In the description of the drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an automatic analyzer 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic analyzer 1 according to the embodiment dispenses a sample and a reagent to be analyzed into a reaction vessel 5 and optically measures a reaction occurring in the dispensed reaction vessel 5. And a control mechanism 50 that controls the entire automatic analyzer 1 including the measurement mechanism 40 and analyzes the measurement result in the measurement mechanism 40. The automatic analyzer 1 automatically performs biochemical, immunological or genetic analysis of a plurality of specimens by cooperation of these two mechanisms.

  The measurement mechanism 40 is roughly divided into the first and second reagent tables 2 and 3, the reaction table 4, the first and second reagent dispensing devices 6 and 7, the sample container transfer mechanism 8, the rack 9, The analysis optical system 11, the cleaning mechanism 12, first and second stirring devices 13 and 14, and a sample dispensing device 20 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, each of the first and second reagent tables 2 and 3 includes a plurality of first reagent reagent containers 2a and second reagent reagent containers 3a arranged in the circumferential direction, and driving means (not shown). And the reagent containers 2a and 3a are conveyed in the circumferential direction. Each of the plurality of reagent containers 2a and 3a is filled with a reagent corresponding to the inspection item, and an information recording medium (not shown) on which information such as the type, lot, and expiration date of the stored reagent is recorded is added to the outer surface. ing. Here, on the outer periphery of the first and second reagent tables 2 and 3, a reading device (not shown) that reads the reagent information recorded on the information recording medium added to the reagent containers 2 a and 3 a and outputs it to the control unit 15. ) Is installed. Above the first and second reagent tables 2, 3, an openable / closable lid (not shown) is provided in order to suppress the evaporation and denaturation of the reagent, and the first and second reagent tables 2, 3 are provided. A constant temperature bath (not shown) for cooling the reagent is provided below the plate.

  The first reagent dispensing device 6 includes an arm 6a that freely moves up and down in the vertical direction and rotates around a vertical line passing through its base end as a central axis. A probe 6b for aspirating and discharging the first reagent is attached to the tip of the arm 6a. The first reagent dispensing device 6 includes an intake / exhaust mechanism using an unillustrated intake / exhaust syringe or piezoelectric element. The first reagent dispensing device 6 sucks the first reagent from the reagent container 2a transferred to the predetermined position on the first reagent table 2 by the probe 6b, and rotates the arm 6a clockwise in the drawing. Then, the first reagent is discharged into the reaction vessel 5 to perform dispensing.

  The second reagent dispensing device 7 includes an arm 7a that freely moves up and down in the vertical direction and rotates around the vertical line passing through the base end of the second reagent as a central axis. A probe 7b for aspirating and discharging the second reagent is attached to the tip of the arm 7a. The second reagent dispensing device 7 includes an intake / exhaust mechanism using an unillustrated intake / exhaust syringe or piezoelectric element. The second reagent dispensing device 7 sucks the second reagent from the reagent container 3a transferred to the predetermined position on the second reagent table 3 by the probe 7b, and turns the arm 7a counterclockwise in the figure. Then, the second reagent is discharged into the reaction vessel 5 to perform dispensing.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the reaction table 4 includes a plurality of reaction vessels 5 arranged in the circumferential direction, and is different from the driving means for driving the first and second reagent tables 2 and 3 (FIG. The reaction vessel 5 is moved in the circumferential direction by being rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow. The reaction table 4 is disposed between the light source 11a and the spectroscopic unit 11b, and has a holding unit 4a that holds the reaction vessel 5 and an optical path 4b that includes a circular opening that guides the light beam emitted from the light source 11a to the spectroscopic unit 11b. doing. The holding part 4a is arranged on the outer periphery of the reaction table 4 at a predetermined interval along the circumferential direction, and an optical path 4b extending in the radial direction is formed on the inner peripheral side of the holding part 4a. An openable / closable lid (not shown) is provided above the reaction table 4, and a thermostat (not shown) for promoting the reaction between the specimen and the reagent is provided below the reaction table 4.

  The reaction vessel 5 is an optically transparent material that transmits 80% or more of the light contained in the analysis light (340 to 800 nm) emitted from the analysis optical system 11, such as glass containing heat-resistant glass, cyclic olefin, or polystyrene. It is a container called a cuvette formed into a square cylinder shape by the like. In the reaction container 5, reagents are dispensed from the reagent containers 2 a and 3 a of the first and second reagent tables 2 and 3 by first and second reagent dispensing devices 6 and 7 provided in the vicinity. Here, the first and second reagent dispensing devices 6 and 7 are respectively provided with dispensing probes 6b and 7b that rotate in a horizontal plane and dispense reagents to arms 6a and 7a that are moved up and down in the vertical direction. And a washing tank (not shown) for washing the dispensing probes 6b and 7b with washing water.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the specimen container transfer mechanism 8 transfers the plurality of arranged racks 9 while stepping one by one along the arrow direction. The rack 9 holds a plurality of sample containers 9a that store samples. Here, the sample container 9a records the information of the contained sample, but an information recording medium (not shown) is affixed, and every time the step of the rack 9 transferred by the sample container transfer mechanism 8 stops, The sample is dispensed into each reaction container 5 by the dispensing device 20. The sample dispensing apparatus 20 is provided with a dispensing probe 20b that rotates in a horizontal plane and dispenses a reagent to an arm 20a that is moved up and down in the vertical direction. Here, on the outer periphery of the rack, there is a reading device (not shown) that reads the sample information and the container information of the sample container 9a recorded on the information recording medium attached to the sample container 9a and outputs them to the control unit 15. is set up.

  The sample dispensing device 20 includes an arm 20a that freely moves up and down in the vertical direction and rotates around a vertical line passing through the base end of the sample dispensing apparatus 20 as a central axis. A probe 20b for aspirating and discharging the specimen is attached to the tip of the arm 20a. The sample dispensing apparatus 20 includes an intake / exhaust mechanism using an intake / exhaust syringe or a piezoelectric element (not shown). The sample dispensing apparatus 20 aspirates the sample by the probe 20b from the sample container 9a transferred to the predetermined position on the sample transfer mechanism 8 described above, rotates the arm 20a clockwise in FIG. Dispensing the sample.

  The analysis optical system 11 is an optical system for analyzing by transmitting the analysis light (340 to 800 nm) through the liquid sample in the reaction container 5 in which the reagent and the sample have reacted, and includes a light source 11a, a spectroscopic unit 11b, and a light receiving unit. 11c. The analysis light emitted from the light source 11a passes through the liquid sample in the reaction vessel 5 and is received by the light receiving unit 11c provided at a position facing the spectroscopic unit 11b.

  The first and second stirring devices 13 and 14 stir the dispensed specimen and reagent with the stirring rods 13a and 14a to promote the reaction.

  The cleaning device 12 is a part that cleans the reaction vessel 5 after the analysis, and is disposed in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the reaction table 4 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning device 12 includes cleaning nozzles 12A and 12B for injecting detergents connected by piping, cleaning nozzles 12C to 12F for discharging cleaning water, a cleaning water suction nozzle 12G, and a drying nozzle 12H. , Waste liquid tanks 12J and 12K, detergent tank 12L, washing water tank 12M, liquid feed pumps 12N and 12O, vacuum pumps 12P and 12Q, holding member 12I, holding member drive unit 12T, and terminals 12R and 12S. And a three-way valve 12U and a washing nozzle control unit 15a, and the reaction vessel 5 conveyed along the direction of the arrow by the rotation of the reaction table 4 is washed under the control of the washing nozzle control unit 15a. Wash sequentially while moving 12A-12H up and down. The cleaning nozzles 12A to 12F, the cleaning water suction nozzle 12G, and the drying nozzle 12H are held by the holding member 12I and are moved up and down integrally by a holding member drive unit 12T that drives the holding member 12I. The detergent used in the embodiment of the present invention can use various detergents effective for washing reaction liquids including blood and body fluids, and the washing water is distilled water, ultrafiltration water in addition to ion exchange water. Or a combination of these may be used.

  Here, the cleaning nozzles 12 </ b> A and 12 </ b> B for injecting the detergent and the cleaning nozzles 12 </ b> C to 12 </ b> F for injecting the cleaning water are the suction nozzle 12 a inserted to the bottom in the reaction container 5 and the discharge inserted to the middle in the reaction container 5. The nozzle 12b and the overflow suction nozzle 12c inserted up to the upper part in the reaction vessel 5 are provided. Here, the discharge nozzle 12b of the cleaning nozzle for injecting the detergent is the detergent discharge nozzle 12b ′, and is connected to the terminal 12R via the pipe 12d. The terminal 12R is further connected to the liquid feed pump 12N and the detergent via the pipe 12d. Connected to the tank 12L. Further, the discharge nozzle 12b of the cleaning nozzle that discharges the cleaning water is a cleaning water discharge nozzle 12b '', which is connected to the terminal 12S via the pipe 12e, and the terminal 12S is further connected to the liquid feed pump 12O via the pipe 12e, And connected to the washing water tank 12M.

  On the other hand, the suction nozzle 12a of the cleaning nozzle, the cleaning water suction nozzle 12G, and the drying nozzle 12H are connected to the waste liquid tank 12J and the vacuum pump 12P through the pipe 12f. The overflow suction nozzle 12c of the cleaning nozzle is connected to the waste liquid tank 12K and the vacuum pump 12Q via the pipe 12g.

  When the vacuum pump 12P generates a suction pressure (negative pressure), the cleaning nozzle 12A sucks the reaction liquid in the reaction vessel 5 by the suction nozzle 12a and discards it in the waste liquid tank 12J. Then, the inside of the reaction vessel 5 is cleaned by discharging the detergent in the detergent tank 12L from the detergent discharge nozzle 12b 'by the liquid feed pump 12N. At this time, the overflow suction nozzle 12c is brought into a suction state by the suction pressure of the vacuum pump 12Q, sucks excess detergent and discards it into the waste liquid tank 12K via the pipe 12g so that the detergent does not overflow from the reaction vessel 5. In addition, the amount of the detergent in the reaction vessel 5 is kept constant. After the cleaning is finished, the reaction table 4 is rotated while the holding member driving unit 12T moves up and down the cleaning nozzle held by the holding member 12I, and the reaction container 5 is conveyed in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG.

  The washing nozzle 12B sucks the detergent discharged by the washing nozzle 12A into the reaction vessel 5 by the suction nozzle 12a by the suction pressure of the vacuum pump 12P and discards it in the waste liquid tank 12J, and then in the detergent tank 12L by the liquid feed pump 12N. The inside of the reaction vessel 5 is washed by sucking the overflow detergent nozzle 12c by the vacuum pump 12Q while discharging the detergent from the detergent discharge nozzle 12b ′. After the cleaning is finished, the reaction table 4 is rotated while the holding member driving unit 12T moves up and down the cleaning nozzle held by the holding member 12I, and the reaction container 5 is conveyed in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG.

  The cleaning nozzle 12C sucks the detergent discharged by the cleaning nozzle 12B into the reaction vessel 5 by the suction nozzle 12a by the suction pressure of the vacuum pump 12P and discards it in the waste liquid tank 12J, and then the cleaning water tank 12M by the liquid feed pump 12O. The inside of the reaction vessel 5 is rinsed and washed by being sucked by the overflow suction nozzle 12c by the vacuum pump 12Q while discharging the washing water from the washing water discharge nozzle 12b ″. After the rinsing cleaning is completed, the reaction table 4 is rotated while the holding member driving unit 12T moves up and down the cleaning nozzle held by the holding member 12I, and the reaction vessel 5 is conveyed in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG.

  The washing nozzle 12D sucks the washing water discharged from the washing nozzle 12C into the reaction vessel 5 by the suction nozzle 12a by the suction pressure of the vacuum pump 12P and discards it in the waste liquid tank 12J, and the washing water tank 12M by the liquid feed pump 12O. The inside of the reaction vessel 5 is rinsed and washed by being sucked by the overflow suction nozzle 12c by the vacuum pump 12Q while discharging the washing water from the washing water discharge nozzle 12b ″. Thereafter, the cleaning nozzles 12E and 12F repeat the same operation. Here, the terminals 12R and 12S have a function of branching and supplying the detergent and washing water sucked from the detergent tank 12L and the washing water tank 12M by the liquid feed pumps 12N and 12O to the plurality of discharge nozzles, respectively.

  The cleaning water suction nozzle 12G sucks the cleaning water discharged from the cleaning container 12F into the reaction container 5 and rinsed inside the reaction container 5, and discards it into the waste liquid tank 12J. The drying nozzle 12H has a synthetic resin chip 12h attached to the lower end, sucks the cleaning water left by the cleaning water suction nozzle 12G, and discards it in the waste liquid tank 12J.

  The three-way valve 12U is installed on a pipe 12e that connects the washing water discharge nozzle 12b ″ and the washing water tank 12M, and a branch pipe 12i from the three-way valve 12U connects the detergent discharge nozzle 12b ′ and the detergent tank 12L. It connects with the piping 12d to perform. The branch pipe 12i forms a wash water branch pipe together with the pipe 12d. When the reaction vessel 5 is washed, the three-way valve 12U is opened so that washing water flows from the washing water tank 12M to the terminal 12S side, and after washing of the reaction vessel 5 is finished, the washing water nozzle pairs 12A and 12B. When the detergent discharge nozzle 12b ′, the suction nozzle 12a, and the overflow suction nozzle 12c are cleaned, the three-way valve 12U is opened so that the cleaning water flows from the cleaning water tank 12M to the terminal 12R side through the branch pipe 12i.

  Next, the control mechanism 50 will be described. The control mechanism 50 includes a control unit 15, an input unit 16, an output unit 17, an analysis unit 18, and a storage unit 19. Each unit included in the measurement mechanism 40 and the control mechanism 50 is electrically connected to the control unit 15. In order to control the operation of these units, a microcomputer or the like is used as the control unit 15. The control unit 15 performs predetermined input / output control on information input / output to / from each of these components, and performs predetermined information processing on the information. The control unit 15 includes a cleaning nozzle control unit 15a. The cleaning nozzle control unit 15a includes the liquid feed pumps 12N and 12O, the vacuum pumps 12P and 12Q, the holding member driving unit 12T, the terminals 12R and 12S, and the like illustrated in FIG. The three-way valve 12U is controlled to clean the reaction vessel 5 and the cleaning nozzles 12A and 12B.

  The input unit 16 is configured by using a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and acquires various information necessary for analyzing the sample, instruction information for the analysis operation, and the like from the outside. The output unit 17 is configured using a printer, a communication mechanism, and the like, and outputs various information including the analysis result of the sample. The analysis unit 18 calculates absorbance and the like based on the measurement result acquired from the analysis optical system 11, and performs component analysis of the specimen. The storage unit 19 is configured using a hard disk that magnetically stores information and a memory that loads various programs related to the process from the hard disk and electrically stores them when the automatic analyzer 1 executes the process. Various information including the analysis result of the specimen is stored. The storage unit 19 may include an auxiliary storage device that can read information stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a PC card.

  In the automatic analyzer 1 configured as described above, the first reagent dispensing device 6 dispenses the first reagent in the reagent container 2a to the plurality of reaction containers 5 that are sequentially conveyed in a row. Thereafter, the sample dispensing mechanism 20 dispenses the sample in the sample container 9a, the second reagent dispensing device 7 dispenses the second reagent in the reagent container 3a, and the analysis optical system 11 causes the sample and the reagent to be dispensed. The sample is in a state of being reacted with each other, and the analysis unit 18 analyzes the measurement result, so that the component analysis of the specimen is automatically performed. In addition, the cleaning device 12 is cleaned while transporting the reaction vessel 5 transported after the measurement by the analysis optical system 11 is completed, so that a series of analysis operations are continuously repeated.

  As described above, the automatic analyzer 1 uses the cleaning device 12 to clean the reaction vessel 5 after the analysis with a detergent or cleaning water and uses it for a new analysis. Since the detergent discharge nozzle 12b ′ discharges only the detergent, the detergent discharge nozzle 12b ′ may repeatedly discharge the detergent and leave it to deposit a crystallized product of the detergent. Further, with respect to the suction nozzle 12a and the overflow suction nozzle 12c used in combination with the detergent discharge nozzle 12b ′, similarly, there is a risk that the crystallization product of the detergent adheres to the nozzle due to the scattering of the detergent or the nozzle clogging due to the crystallization product occurs. There is. Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, the three-way valve 12U is installed on the pipe 12e connecting the cleaning water discharge nozzle 12b '' and the cleaning water tank 12M, and the detergent discharge nozzle 12b 'and the detergent tank 12L are connected. By connecting the pipe 12d to be connected, the pipe 12e for connecting the cleaning water discharge nozzle 12b ″ and the cleaning water tank 12M with the branch pipe 12i, the cleaning water is discharged from the detergent discharge nozzle 12b ′, and the detergent is discharged. The nozzle 12b ′ and the overflow suction nozzle 12c used in combination with the nozzle 12b ′ can be washed with washing water. The nozzle cleaning method according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The nozzle cleaning method according to the first embodiment is preferably performed after the end of the routine analysis and after the maintenance of the analytical apparatus such as the cleaning of the reaction vessel from the viewpoint of analysis efficiency, but the detergent crystals adhere to the cleaning nozzle. It can also be done at any time, such as when you notice it.

  First, under the control of the cleaning nozzle control unit 15a, the three-way valve 12U is switched to the terminal 12R side in order to distribute the cleaning water stored in the cleaning water tank 12M to the detergent discharge nozzle 12b 'side (step S100). By switching the three-way valve 12U, the cleaning water in the cleaning water tank 12M is driven from the detergent discharge nozzle 12b ′ of the cleaning nozzles 12A and 12B via the branch pipe 12i, the pipe 12d, and the terminal 12R by driving the liquid feed pump 12O. It is discharged into the reaction vessel 5 (step S101). Since the detergent remaining in the detergent discharge nozzle 12b 'is washed by the washing water discharged from the detergent discharge nozzle 12b', the generation of the crystallized product of the detergent is suppressed. Simultaneously with the discharge of the cleaning water from the detergent discharge nozzle 12b ', the vacuum pump 12Q is driven to suck the cleaning water with the overflow suction nozzle 12c of the cleaning nozzles 12A and 12B. The overflow suction nozzle 12c sucks wash water by the negative pressure generated by driving the vacuum pump 12Q (step S102), and the sucked wash water is discarded from the pipe 12g to the waste liquid tank 12K. The amount of washing water discharged from the detergent discharge nozzle 12b 'is adjusted to an amount that allows the washing water to be sucked by the overflow suction nozzle 12c and the overflow suction nozzle 12c to be sufficiently rinsed with the sucked washing water. By suction of the washing water by the overflow suction nozzle 12c, it is possible to prevent the detergent crystallization from adhering to the nozzle and the nozzle clogging due to the crystallization from the overflow suction nozzle 12c.

  After suction of the cleaning water by the overflow suction nozzle 12c, the vacuum pump 12P is driven to suck the cleaning water remaining in the reaction vessel 5. The suction nozzle 12a sucks the cleaning water by the negative pressure generated by driving the vacuum pump 12P (step S103). The sucked washing water is discarded from the pipe 12f to the waste liquid tank 12J. The detergent remaining in the suction nozzle 12a is also washed by the washing water suction by the suction nozzle 12a. Further, since the cleaning water is stored in the reaction vessel 5, the detergent remaining on the outer walls of the cleaning nozzles 12A and 12B is also cleaned.

  After the washing water in the reaction vessel 5 is discharged, the reaction table 4 is rotated and dried while the holding member 12I is moved up and down by the drive of the holding member drive unit 12T in order to dry the reaction vessel 5 with the drying nozzle 12H. The reaction container 5 to be conveyed is conveyed to the lower part of the drying nozzle 12H. After the conveyance, the drying nozzle 12H is inserted into the reaction vessel 5 by the lowering of the holding member 12I, and the remaining cleaning water is sucked and dried by the drying nozzle 12H by driving the vacuum pump 12P (step S104). In the first embodiment, the two nozzles having the detergent discharge nozzle 12b 'are the cleaning nozzles 12A and 12B, and the reaction vessel 5 used for cleaning the cleaning nozzle 12B closer to the drying nozzle 12H is first dried. While the holding member driving unit 12T is driven to move the holding member 12I up and down, the reaction container 5 under the cleaning nozzle 12B that rotates and dry the reaction table 4 is transferred by six in the arrow direction shown in FIG. Then, it is conveyed to the lower part of the drying nozzle 12H and dried. Thereafter, one reaction table 4 is moved in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 2 while the holding member driving unit 12T is driven to move the holding member 12I up and down in order to dry the reaction vessel 5 that has cleaned the washing nozzle 12A. Rotate by minute and dry with drying nozzle 12H. In the embodiment of the present invention, since there are two cleaning nozzles that discharge detergent, the drying process is performed twice, but drying is performed by the number of cleaning nozzles that discharge detergent. Finally, the three-way valve 12U is switched so that the washing water flows to the terminal 12S side for washing the reaction vessel 5 in the normal operation (step S105).

  It should be noted that the present invention can include various embodiments and the like not described herein, and various design changes and the like can be made without departing from the technical idea specified by the claims. Is possible.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the principal part of the automatic analyzer which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the principal part of the washing | cleaning apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the nozzle cleaning method in Embodiment 1 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic analyzer 2, 3 1st and 2nd reagent table 2a, 3a Reagent container 4 Reaction table 4a Holding part 4b Optical path 5 Reaction container 6, 7 1st and 2nd reagent dispensing apparatus 8 Sample container transfer mechanism 9 Rack 9a Sample container 11 Analysis optical system 12 Washing device 12A to 12F Washing nozzle 12G Washing water suction nozzle 12H Drying nozzle 12I Holding member 12N, 12O Liquid feed pump 12R, 12S Terminal 12J, 12K Waste liquid tank 12P, 12Q Vacuum pump 12L Detergent tank 12M Washing Water tank 12T Holding member drive unit 12U Three-way valve 12a Suction nozzle 12b Discharge nozzle 12b 'Detergent discharge nozzle 12b''Washing water discharge nozzle 12c Overflow suction nozzle 12d, 12e, 12f, 12g Piping 12i Branch piping 12h Chip 13, 14 1st Oh And second stirring device 15 control unit 15a cleaning nozzle control unit 16 input unit 17 output unit 18 analysis unit 19 storage unit 20 sample dispensing device 40 measurement mechanism 50 control mechanism

Claims (5)

A suction nozzle that sucks the liquid containing the reaction liquid in the reaction container, a detergent discharge nozzle that discharges the detergent, a cleaning water discharge nozzle that discharges the cleaning water, and an overflow that suppresses the outflow of the liquid containing the reaction liquid from the reaction container. A cleaning device comprising a suction nozzle and a drying nozzle for drying the reaction container cleaned with the detergent and the cleaning water,
Wash water distribution means having a pipe for connecting the wash water discharge nozzle and a wash water tank for storing the wash water and circulating the wash water;
A pipe connecting the cleaning water discharge nozzle and the cleaning water tank; a three-way valve; a branch pipe branching from the three-way valve; and a pipe connecting the branch pipe, the detergent discharge nozzle, and the detergent tank. A washing water branching means to be coupled;
When cleaning the nozzle, the three-way valve is switched to flow the cleaning water toward the cleaning water branching means, the cleaning water is discharged from the detergent discharge nozzle into the reaction vessel, and the discharged cleaning water is Cleaning nozzle control means for cleaning by sucking with an overflow suction nozzle;
A cleaning apparatus comprising:   The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning nozzle control unit controls the cleaning water in the reaction container to be sucked by the suction nozzle after the cleaning water is sucked by the overflow suction nozzle.   The cleaning nozzle control unit controls discharge of cleaning water from the detergent discharge nozzle into the reaction container after completion of cleaning of the reaction container, and suction of the discharged cleaning water by the overflow suction nozzle. Item 3. The cleaning device according to Item 1 or 2.   The cleaning nozzle control means adjusts the cleaning water discharge amount discharged from the detergent discharge nozzle to an amount capable of rinsing and cleaning the overflow suction nozzle with the cleaning water sucked by the overflow suction nozzle. The cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein An automatic analyzer for optically analyzing the reaction between a sample and a reagent,
An automatic analyzer comprising the cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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