JP5286314B2 - Nucleic acid analyzer - Google Patents

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to improvement in throughput of a device and prevention of sample deterioration in a nucleic acid analyzer in which a plurality of samples having different pretreatment times and fluorescence measurement times are continuously requested for analysis.

  In a nucleic acid analyzer in which a plurality of samples having different pretreatment times and fluorescence measurement times are continuously requested to be analyzed, the time from when the measurement of the sample is completed until it is discarded becomes random. In order to improve the throughput of such an instrument, the time at which the sample is discarded is tracked at a time when the time at which the sample is discarded and the time at which the nucleic acid amplification of the next sample is measured is minimized, It is important to start pretreatment of the next sample in advance.

  In addition, when a sample from which nucleic acid has been extracted is manually installed in the apparatus, if the sample can be installed immediately before the analysis can be started, the operating rate of the apparatus can be improved, and evaporation and deterioration of the sample can be prevented. . For this purpose, it is important for the operator to appropriately grasp the operating state of the apparatus. As a typical example of a nucleic acid analyzer, a product that is automated from nucleic acid extraction to real-time PCR is known, and a maximum of 96 samples can be analyzed at one time, but it does not correspond to an analysis flow that is continuously requested.

  In an analysis apparatus that requires pretreatment such as reaction liquid adjustment for a sample, the pretreatment time differs depending on the analysis item requested. Specific examples are a DNA amplification test and an RNA amplification test. For example, when the Nucleic Acid Sequence based Amplification method (hereinafter referred to as NASBA method) for detecting RNA as a template is used as a nucleic acid analysis method, RNA can be detected directly, but for DNA, there is a step of treating the template DNA with a restriction enzyme. Necessary and processing time varies greatly. Further, in the pretreatment of the template DNA, it is necessary to carry out a restriction enzyme treatment at 37 ° C. for 15 minutes and a heat denaturation treatment at 95 ° C. for 5 minutes, and there are time restrictions in the pretreatment step. In particular, after adding an enzyme at 41 ° C., it is necessary to immediately measure the reaction process of nucleic acid amplification, and this time difference greatly affects the analysis performance.

  Moreover, even if the pretreatment time is the same, a sample with a different measurement time may be requested depending on the analysis item. In the case of nucleic acid testing, since the amplification efficiency of the gene region to be amplified varies depending on the test item, the time until amplification reaches the maximum value varies greatly. For example, in the NASBA method, the time required to reach the maximum value of the amplification reaction is 60 minutes for the HIV virus test and 180 minutes for the Enterovirus test.

  In this way, it is essential that the nucleic acid analyzer is required to transport the sample to each step according to the time constraints and without stagnation in the reaction container in which the sample has been dispensed from the pretreatment step to the start of measurement after enzyme addition. It becomes a function.

  In order to improve the throughput of nucleic acid analyzers that have time constraints from such pretreatment to the start of measurement, the progress of all samples with different pretreatment time and measurement time must be grasped and analyzed. However, it is necessary to start the preprocessing at a timing at which the sample for which the next analysis is requested can be installed in the detection unit without stagnation and the time restriction can be observed.

  On the other hand, in order to prevent evaporation and deterioration of the sample, the operator of the apparatus needs to install a sample container on the apparatus immediately before the start of analysis, and also starts preparation of the sample in order to operate the apparatus efficiently. You need to know the right time.

  The nucleic acid analyzer of the present invention includes a pretreatment mechanism that preprocesses a plurality of samples at the same time, and a detection unit that mounts the plurality of samples pretreated by the pretreatment mechanism and measures fluorescence, and performs the detection in the detection unit. In an analyzer that performs preprocessing by the preprocessing mechanism in parallel with fluorescence measurement, the number of vacant detectors, the estimated end time of analysis of each sample during fluorescence measurement by the detector, and before each sample for the next analysis The timing for starting the preprocessing of the next analysis is controlled from the scheduled processing end time.

  By implementing the present invention, even if samples with different pretreatment time and measurement time are continuously requested, the time from the start of analysis to the end of measurement is managed for each sample. Even so, it is possible to appropriately determine whether the pretreatment of the sample requested to be analyzed next can be started, and the throughput of the apparatus can be improved.

The block block diagram of one Example of the nucleic acid extraction apparatus in this invention. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a nucleic acid analyzer according to the present invention. Detailed view of analysis process management information. The flowchart figure which shows operation | movement of the nucleic acid analyzer of an Example. The block block diagram of one Example of the nucleic acid extraction apparatus in this invention. Detailed view of unit management information. The flowchart figure which shows operation | movement of the nucleic acid analyzer of an Example.

  An example which is an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a nucleic acid extraction apparatus according to the present invention. An input / output device 1 for inputting analysis conditions and analysis items, an analysis plan unit 2 for generating schedule information 3 for operating the device based on the analysis items requested by the input / output device 1, and generation The analysis execution unit 4 that executes the apparatus in time series according to the schedule information 3 and the analysis that stores the estimated preprocessing end time and the fluorescence measurement end time for each sample calculated based on the requested analysis item Process control information (reservation) 5a, analysis process management information (results) 5b for storing preprocessing time and elapsed time of fluorescence measurement time during analysis, and apparatus control unit 6 for controlling the motor of the apparatus, etc. Is done.

  The operator inputs the analysis item of the sample requested to be analyzed to the input / output device 1 and requests the analysis planning unit 2 to perform analysis. The analysis planning unit 2 generates schedule information 3 for operating the apparatus from the requested analysis item, calculates a pre-processing process and a scheduled end time of the fluorescence measurement process, and analyzes process management information (for each sample) (Reservation) 5a is generated, and when the analysis is not executed, the analysis execution unit 4 is requested to start the analysis. At this time, the contents of the generated schedule information 3 enumerates the operations of mechanisms such as motors in time series. When the analysis is started, the analysis process management information (reservation) 5a is moved to the analysis process management information (result) 5b.

  The analysis execution unit 4 issues a command for operating the mechanism to the device control unit 6 according to the schedule information 3, and the device control unit 6 controls a mechanism such as a motor corresponding to the command. The analysis execution unit 4 periodically updates the preprocess elapsed time and the fluorescence measurement elapsed time from the start of analysis in the analysis process management information (actual result) 5b of each process for each sample.

  The progress state of each sample under analysis can be grasped by comparing the preprocessing process stored in the analysis process management information (actual result) 5b and the estimated end time and the elapsed time of the fluorescence measurement process.

  When an analysis request for the next sample is made from the input / output device 1 during the analysis, the analysis planning unit 2 generates new schedule information 3 and analysis process management information (reservation) 5a from the analysis items as described above.

  At this time, the analysis planning unit 2 acquires the fluorescence measurement elapsed time for each sample from the analysis process management information (actual result) 5b, and uses the newly generated analysis process management information (reservation) 5a as the preprocessing end scheduled time. Compare. In the case of “elapsed fluorescence measurement time of analysis process management information (result) 5b> scheduled pre-processing time of analysis process management information (reservation) 5a”, the time when the newly requested sample starts fluorescence measurement Considers that the fluorescence measurement of the sample under analysis is completed, and starts pretreatment of the newly requested sample. If “elapsed fluorescence measurement time of analysis process management information (actual) 5b <estimated preprocessing end time of analysis process management information (reservation) 5a”, calculate the time until preprocessing can be started. And output to the display unit 7.

  According to the block configuration diagram described above, the progress state of each sample under analysis is compared with the preprocessing step stored in the analysis step management information (actual result) 5b and the estimated end time and the elapsed time of the fluorescence measurement step. You can figure it out. Even if there is an analysis request for the next sample during the analysis, the fluorescence measurement elapsed time of the analysis process management information (result) 5b being analyzed and the analysis process management information (plan) 5a of the newly requested sample Predict the measurement end time of the sample during fluorescence detection from the expected preprocessing end time, start the sample pretreatment at an appropriate time without stagnation of the next sample and guaranteeing time constraints Can do.

  Further, by outputting the time until the pre-processing can be started to the display unit 7 in advance, the operator of the apparatus can know an appropriate time for mounting the sample container on the apparatus.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a nucleic acid analyzer according to the present invention.

  2 includes a sample container 10, a sample carry-in unit 11, a dispensing unit 12, a sample carry-out unit 13, a dispensing unit 14, a dispensing arm robot XY axis 15, a nozzle tip rack 16, a nozzle tip 17, Gripper unit 18, gripper arm robot XY axis 19, reaction container rack 20, reaction container 21, discharge station 22, reaction station 23, rotary reaction station 24, first waste box 25, second waste box 26, reagent container 27 , A stirring unit 28, a capping unit 29, and a detection unit 30.

  The dispensing unit 14 is a unit that sucks and discharges the sample and the reagent, and is connected to the dispensing arm robot XY axis 15 and can move in a plane. The gripper unit 18 has a mechanism for gripping the reaction vessel 21, is connected to the gripper arm robot XY axis 19, and can move in a plane similarly to the dispensing arm robot XY axis 15.

  The nozzle chip 17 is stored in the nozzle chip rack 16. The reaction container 21 is a container for discharging a sample / reagent, and is stored in the reaction container rack 20.

  The operator installs the sample container 10 to be analyzed on the sample carry-in unit 11. The constructed sample container 10 is automatically loaded into the dispensing unit 12 at the start of analysis, dispensed into one or a plurality of reaction containers 21, and is automatically carried out to the sample unloading unit 13 after the completion of dispensing.

  When dispensing the sample / reagent from the specimen container 10 carried into the dispensing unit and the reagent container 27, the reaction container 21 is transported to the discharge station 22 by the gripper unit 18, and the nozzle chip 17 is then dispensed. 14 is aspirated from a reagent container 27 containing a reagent such as an enzyme. It is discharged into the reaction vessel 21 arranged in the discharge station 22. Similarly, the sample to be analyzed is sucked from the sample container 10 carried into the dispensing unit 12 and discharged to the reaction container 21 of the discharge station 22. The nozzle tip 17 that has used the sample or reagent for suction / discharge is discarded in the first disposal box 25.

  The reaction container 21 that has discharged the sample and the reagent is transported to the reaction station 23 by the gripper unit 19, and is transported to the rotary reaction station 24 after waiting for a prescribed reaction time. By adding the enzyme sucked from the reagent container 27 by the dispensing unit 14 to the reaction container 21 installed in the rotary reaction station 24, the nucleic acid amplification reaction is started. After the addition of the enzyme, the rotary reaction station 24 is rotated, the lid of the reaction vessel 21 is closed and sealed with a capping unit 29, stirred with a stirring unit 28, and then transported to the detection unit 30. A plurality of reaction vessels 21 can be installed in the detection unit 30 to detect a reaction process of nucleic acid amplification of a plurality of samples at a time. The reaction vessel 21 that has been detected is discarded in the second disposal box 26.

  According to the nucleic acid analyzer described above, the plurality of reaction vessels 21 from which the sample / reagent has been discharged at the reaction station 22 is installed on the detection unit 30 via the reaction station 23 by the gripper unit 18 and the gripper arm robot XY shaft 19. And perform a fluorescence measurement for the planned scheduled time. In this state, when the next analysis request is made, the analysis planning unit 2 newly generates analysis process management information (schedule) for each sample. When the number of newly generated analysis process management information (planned) is less than the number of available detection units 30, the fact that analysis can be started immediately is output to the display unit 7. When the operator mounts the sample container 10 on the sample carry-in unit 11, the sample container 10 is carried into the dispensing unit, and preprocessing for the next analysis is immediately started.

  When the number of newly generated analysis process management information (scheduled) is larger than the number of empty detection units 30, the preprocessing end scheduled time of the analysis process management information (reservation) 5a and the fluorescence of the analysis process management information (result) 5b The measured elapsed time is compared, and if there is a sample with a longer preprocessing end scheduled time in the analysis process management information (reservation) 5a, the time until the preprocessing can be started is displayed on the display unit 7. .

  The details of the analysis process management information (reservation) 5a and the analysis process management information (actual result) 5b will be described with reference to FIG.

  The analysis process management information (reservation) 5a and the analysis process management information (actual result) 5b include at least a unique sample ID for identifying a sample, an analysis item, and a pretreatment process planned from the operation time of the mechanism and fluorescence detection. The scheduled end time of the process and the actual elapsed time in the process can be recorded. The process elapsed time is updated every time when the time in each process elapses in the analysis execution unit 4, and the remaining time obtained by subtracting the process elapsed time from the process end scheduled time becomes the measurement end time for each sample ID. Next, in the analysis process management information (reservation) 5a of the sample requested to be analyzed, a time for ending the pretreatment time is planned in advance in the same manner as the analysis process management information (result) 5b being analyzed. When the sample ID is shorter than the remaining fluorescence measurement time of the analysis process management information (actual result) 5 being analyzed, the time required for the processing can be dispensed from the sample container 10 and the preprocessing can be started.

  According to the example of FIG. 3, the pre-processing scheduled time of the sample ID (T9) requested to be analyzed is shorter than the remaining fluorescence measurement time of the sample ID (T7) of the analysis process management information (actual result) 5b. It is predicted that the fluorescence measurement of the sample ID (T7) is completed at the timing when the fluorescence measurement of T9) is started, and the pretreatment of the sample ID (T9) is started.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart at the start of analysis in the same embodiment.

  The operator inputs analysis request information of the sample to be analyzed next to the input / output device 1 (S1). Analysis process management information (planned) 5a for each sample is generated from the analysis item requested to be analyzed (S2). After the analysis process management information (scheduled) is generated, the operating state of the apparatus is confirmed (S3). In this case, the display unit 7 is notified that the next analysis can be started immediately and is notified to the operator (S4). When the operator mounts the sample container 10 on the sample carry-in unit 11 (S5), the sample container is immediately carried into the dispensing unit 12 (S12), and analysis is started (S13).

  Further, when the apparatus is in an analysis state and the number of samples to be analyzed next is larger than the number of available detection units 30, “fluorescence measurement scheduled time−fluorescence measurement elapsed time” is calculated from the analysis process management information (actual result) 5 b, The number (n) of samples to be analyzed next is extracted in the order of shorter time (S7).

  Next, all the analysis process management information (planned) 5a is compared with the n pieces of analysis process management information (results) 5b extracted above (S8), and at least one fluorescence measurement of the analysis process management information (results) 5b is measured. If there is a sample with a long remaining time, the time until the next analysis can be started is output to the display (S9).

  Thus, the operator can grasp the time until the next analysis can be started, and can determine an appropriate timing for installing the sample container 10 from the time output to the display unit 7 (S10). When all the analysis process management information (planned) is longer than the remaining time of the fluorescence measurement of n pieces of analysis process management information (actual results), the pretreatment of the sample to be analyzed next is immediately started (S13).

  The present invention can be expressed. A specimen container carrying-in part for laying the specimen container, a pre-processing mechanism for dispensing a plurality of samples in the specimen container and simultaneously pre-treating, a specimen container carrying-out part for carrying out the dispensed specimen container, and the front A pretreatment time and a fluorescence measurement time in a detection unit capable of simultaneously measuring fluorescence by installing a plurality of samples pretreated by a processing mechanism and in a nucleic acid analyzer capable of performing pretreatment in parallel during fluorescence measurement by the detection unit Even if multiple samples of different samples are requested to be analyzed continuously, the planned time from the start of analysis to the end of measurement is planned for all samples, and the pretreatment elapsed time and fluorescence measurement elapsed time from the start of analysis are managed. Thus, a nucleic acid analyzer that predicts the time at which pretreatment can be started and starts pretreatment of the next sample requested for analysis during analysis at an appropriate time. By implementing the present invention, even if samples with different pretreatment time and measurement time are continuously requested, the time from the start of analysis to the end of measurement is managed for each sample. Even so, it is possible to appropriately determine whether the pretreatment of the sample requested to be analyzed next can be started, and the throughput of the apparatus can be improved.

  Furthermore, by notifying the operator of the device in advance of the appropriate timing for installing the sample, the device can be operated efficiently and the time for which the sample is allowed to stand at room temperature can be minimized. It can be deteriorated.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the nucleic acid extraction apparatus of the present invention.

  An input / output device 1 for inputting analysis conditions and analysis items, an analysis plan unit 2 for generating schedule information 3 for operating the device based on the analysis conditions requested by the input / output device 1, and In accordance with the schedule information 3, the analysis execution unit 4 that executes the apparatus in time series and the temperature condition, sample processing time, and temperature adjustment time (detailed later) of each temperature control unit (for example, the reaction station 23) are requested. Unit management information 5 for storing the time (hereinafter referred to as “pretreatment time”) until the sample calculated based on the analyzed conditions and analysis items reaches the temperature control unit, and the elapsed time for each sample; The apparatus control unit 6 controls the motor of the apparatus.

  The operator inputs analysis conditions and analysis items (hereinafter referred to as “RUN”) for the sample group to be analyzed under the same conditions to the input / output device 1 and requests the analysis planning unit 2 to perform analysis. The analysis planning unit 2 generates schedule information 3 for operating the apparatus from the requested RUN information, and unit manages the temperature condition / sample processing time, sample preprocessing time, and sample ID of each temperature control unit. Register in information 5.

  When the analysis is not executed, the analysis planning unit 2 requests the analysis execution unit 4 to start the analysis. At this time, the content of the schedule information 3 generated is a list of operations of mechanisms such as a motor in time series. The analysis execution unit 4 issues a command for operating the mechanism to the device control unit 6 according to the schedule information 3, and the device control unit 6 controls a mechanism such as a motor corresponding to the command.

  When the analysis is started, the analysis execution unit 4 periodically updates the elapsed time after the sample is carried into the temperature control unit in the unit management information 5 for each sample. The usage status of each temperature control unit can be grasped by comparing the sample processing time stored in the unit management information 5 with the elapsed time for each sample (see FIG. 6 described later).

  When the next RUN is input from the input / output device 1 during the analysis, the analysis planning unit 2 generates new schedule information 3 and unit management information 5 as described above.

  At this time, the analysis planning unit 2 obtains the temperature condition / sample processing time of the current RUN and the elapsed time for each sample from the unit management information 5, and calculates “the current temperature adjustment of the current RUN from the elapsed time for each sample processing time / sample. The remaining usage time in the unit (hereinafter referred to as “remaining processing time”) ”is calculated. Further, “time required for temperature adjustment (hereinafter referred to as“ temperature adjustment time ”)” is calculated from the temperature conditions of the current RUN and the next RUN.

  Here, it supplements about temperature adjustment time. In FIG. 6, it is necessary to set the temperature control unit to 65 ° C. in RUN1, and to 95 ° C. in RUN2. At this time, the time required to change the temperature control unit from 65 ° C. to 95 ° C. is referred to as temperature adjustment time.

  In the case of “remaining processing time + temperature adjustment time <pre-processing time of next RUN”, the final sample of the current RUN passes and the temperature adjustment is completed at the time when the sample of the next RUN is carried into the temperature control unit. As soon as possible, preprocessing of the next RUN is started. Further, after the final sample of the current RUN has passed, temperature control of the temperature control unit is started.

  In the case of “remaining processing time + temperature adjustment time> preprocessing time of next RUN”, the preprocessing start time at which the sample of the next RUN can be carried in is calculated at the timing when the temperature adjustment of the temperature control unit is completed.

  Even if there is an analysis request for the next sample during the analysis, the remaining processing time + temperature adjustment time is compared with the preprocessing time, so that the next RUN sample can be carried into the temperature control unit without stagnation. The preprocessing of the next RUN can be started at the timing. In addition, by grasping the remaining processing time, the temperature adjustment of the temperature adjustment unit can be started immediately after passing the final sample of the current RUN. Thereby, each temperature control unit can be used without waste, and the waiting time until the start of the next RUN can be shortened.

  In addition, since the nucleic acid analyzer of a present Example is the same as FIG. 2, the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  According to the nucleic acid analyzer described above, the plurality of reaction containers 21 discharged from the sample / reagent in the reaction station 22 are divided into the reaction station 23, the rotary incubator 24, the stirring device by the gripper unit 18 and the gripper arm robot XY shaft 19. Through 28, it is installed in the detection unit 30 and performs amplification and detection for the planned scheduled time. In this state, when the next analysis is requested, unit management information 5 for each temperature control unit (for example, the reaction station 23, the rotary incubator 24, the stirring device 28, and the detection unit 30) is newly generated by the analysis planning unit 2. The

  Details of the unit management information 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The unit management information 5 includes a unique ID for identifying the RUN that is analysis request information, the temperature condition of the temperature control unit of the current RUN, the time for processing the sample in the temperature control unit, the analysis item and the operation time of the mechanism It is possible to record the pre-processing time until the sample reaches the planned temperature control unit, and the elapsed time after the ID and the sample are loaded for each sample.

  The elapsed time is updated every time after the sample is loaded by the analysis execution unit 4, and the time until the sample is unloaded from the temperature control unit is the remaining time obtained by subtracting the elapsed time from the processing time (residual processing) Time). Further, the remaining processing time of the current RUN for the temperature control unit is the time of the sample with the longest remaining time obtained by subtracting the elapsed time from the processing time.

  The unit management information 5 of the RUN requested to be analyzed next also has the same temperature, processing time, and preprocessing time as the current RUN, and the remaining processing time / temperature adjustment time of the current RUN and before the next RUN are planned. By comparing the processing times, the preprocessing of the next RUN can be started at an appropriate time that can be carried into the temperature control unit without the sample of the next RUN stagnating. Further, by grasping the remaining processing time of the current RUN, the temperature adjustment of the temperature adjustment unit can be started immediately after passing through the final sample.

  According to the example of FIG. 6, in the temperature control unit, RUN1 is processed for all samples, and RUN2 is processed for sample ID6. If the time obtained by adding the remaining processing time of RUN2 and the temperature adjustment time from RUN2 to RUN3 is shorter than the preprocessing time of RUN3, the time when the sample of RUN3 (ID7) is carried into the temperature control unit is the final time of RUN2. The sample (ID6) passes and the temperature adjustment can be completed, and pretreatment of the sample ID7 of RUN3 is started. Moreover, temperature control is started immediately after the sample ID 6 of RUN2 passes.

  Since the elapsed time (1 min) of the sample ID 6 of RUN 2 has not reached the processing time (3 min), it can be understood that the sample of ID 6 remains on the temperature control unit. The remaining processing time of ID6 is 2 minutes of “processing time−elapsed time”.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart at the start of analysis in the same embodiment.

  The operator inputs analysis request information of the sample to be analyzed next to the input / output device 1 (S1).

  The preprocessing time of the next RUN is calculated from the analysis conditions and analysis items requested for analysis (S2).

  Unit management information 5 is generated from the analysis conditions requested for analysis and the preprocessing time calculated in S2 (S3).

  The sample container 10 is set in the sample carry-in unit 11 by the operator (S4).

  After the unit management information 5 is generated, the operating state of the apparatus is confirmed (S5). If the analysis is not in progress, the sample container is immediately carried into the dispensing unit 12 (S12), and the analysis is started (S13).

  When the apparatus is in the analysis state, the remaining processing time of the temperature adjustment unit in the current RUN (S6), and the temperature adjustment time of the temperature adjustment unit are calculated from the unit management information 5 from the temperature conditions of the current RUN and the next RUN (S7) In addition, the preprocessing time of the next RUN is extracted from the unit management information 5 (S8).

  The time obtained by adding the remaining processing time and the temperature adjustment time is compared with the preprocessing time (S9). If the preprocessing time is longer, even if the next RUN processing is started immediately, the current RUN is still included in the preprocessing time. This sample is taken out from the temperature control unit, and the subsequent temperature adjustment is considered to be completed, the sample container is carried into the dispensing unit 12 (S12), and the temperature adjustment of the temperature control unit is started and the analysis is started. (S13).

  When the time obtained by adding the remaining processing time and the temperature adjustment time is longer, the pretreatment start time during which the sample can be carried into the temperature control unit is calculated at the timing when the temperature adjustment is completed (S10), and the time calculated in S10 After the elapse of time, the sample container is carried into the dispensing unit 12 (S12), and the temperature adjustment of the temperature control unit is started to start the analysis (S13).

  In a nucleic acid analyzer in which a plurality of samples having different pretreatment times and fluorescence measurement times are continuously requested to be analyzed, the analysis time can be shortened by starting pretreatment of the next sample during analysis, and By notifying the operator of an appropriate time for installing the sample, it is possible to minimize deterioration due to the sample being left at room temperature.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Input / output device 2 Analysis plan part 3 Schedule information 4 Analysis execution part 5 Unit management information 5a Analysis process management information (reservation, plan)
5b Analysis process management information (results)
6 Device control unit 7 Display unit

Claims (6)

A pre-processing mechanism for pre-processing a plurality of samples at the same time and a detection unit for measuring fluorescence by installing a plurality of samples pre-processed by the pre-processing mechanism, and pre-processing in parallel with the fluorescence measurement performed by the detection unit In the nucleic acid analyzer that performs the pretreatment by the mechanism,
Control the timing of the preprocessing start of the next analysis from the number of vacant detectors, the estimated end time of analysis of each sample during fluorescence measurement at the detecting unit, and the estimated preprocessing end time of each sample of the next analysis ,
Compare the number of vacant detectors and the number of samples for the next analysis. If the number of vacant detectors is smaller than the number of samples for the next analysis, analyze the following (a) and (b) A nucleic acid analyzer characterized by comparing the number of samples in (1) and displaying the time until the pretreatment can be started if at least one (a) is longer .
(A) Scheduled analysis end time for each sample during fluorescence measurement
(B) Estimated completion time of each sample for the next analysis A pre-processing mechanism for pre-processing a plurality of samples at the same time and a detection unit for measuring fluorescence by installing a plurality of samples pre-processed by the pre-processing mechanism, and pre-processing in parallel with the fluorescence measurement performed by the detection unit In the nucleic acid analyzer that performs the pretreatment by the mechanism,
Control the timing of the preprocessing start of the next analysis from the number of vacant detectors, the estimated end time of analysis of each sample during fluorescence measurement at the detecting unit, and the estimated preprocessing end time of each sample of the next analysis ,
Compare the number of vacant detectors and the number of samples for the next analysis. If the number of vacant detectors is smaller than the number of samples for the next analysis, analyze the following (a) and (b) A nucleic acid analyzer characterized by comparing the number of samples in (1) and starting pretreatment when all (a) are shorter .
(A) Scheduled analysis end time for each sample during fluorescence measurement
(B) Estimated completion time of each sample for the next analysis In claim 1 or 2 ,
A nucleic acid analyzer characterized by comparing the number of available detectors with the number of samples for the next analysis, and starting pretreatment when the number of available detectors is equal to or greater than the number of samples for the next analysis. In claim 1 ,
The nucleic acid analyzer characterized in that the time until the pretreatment can be started is the time until the scheduled end time of analysis for all the samples in the next analysis becomes shorter. In claim 1 or 2 ,
The pretreatment end scheduled time and the analysis end scheduled time are calculated based on analysis conditions and analysis items. In claim 1 or 2 ,
A nucleic acid analyzer characterized by displaying the timing of the start of preprocessing for the next analysis.

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