JP5487176B2 - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique relating to calibration and state management of an automatic analyzer that analyzes the amount of components contained in a sample such as blood or urine (hereinafter also referred to as a sample).

  As an analyzer that analyzes the amount of components contained in a sample, light from a light source is irradiated to a sample or a reaction mixture in which a sample and a reagent are mixed, and the resulting transmitted light of a single or multiple wavelengths is measured. Then, an automatic analyzer that calculates the absorbance and calculates the amount of the component from the relationship between the absorbance and the concentration according to Lambert-Beer's law is widely used (see Patent Document 1).

  In these apparatuses, a large number of reaction containers holding reaction liquids are arranged circumferentially on a reaction disk that repeatedly rotates and stops, and about 10 times by a transmitted light measuring unit arranged in advance during the rotation of the reaction disk. The change in absorbance over time is measured at regular time intervals for minutes. After completion of the measurement, the reaction vessel is washed by the washing mechanism and used again for analysis.

  For the reaction of the reaction solution, two types of reactions are used: a color reaction between the substrate and the enzyme and an agglutination reaction between the antigen and the antibody.

  The former is biochemical analysis, and test items include LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), ALP (alkaline phosphatase), AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and the like. The latter is an immunoassay, and test items include CRP (C-reactive protein), IgG (immunoglobulin), RF (rheumatoid factor) and the like.

  Since the measurement substance measured by the latter immunoassay has a low blood concentration, a highly sensitive detection system is required. For example, when a latex particle is agglutinated by antigen-antibody reaction with an antigen contained in a sample using a reagent in which antibodies are sensitized (bound) on the surface of latex particles, latex is aggregated by irradiating the reaction solution with light. Higher sensitivity has been achieved by a latex agglutination method in which the amount of components contained in a sample is quantified by measuring the amount of light transmitted without being scattered by a lump.

  Furthermore, as an automatic analyzer, an attempt has been made to increase the sensitivity by measuring the amount of scattered light instead of measuring the amount of transmitted light.

  By the way, in the case of high sensitivity, a slight fluctuation of the light amount data depending on the device can be a big obstacle when detecting a very small light amount change with high sensitivity. In addition, when detecting with high sensitivity, it is necessary to stabilize the reference at the time of measurement, and it is necessary to perform stable apparatus calibration. In response to these requirements, a technique for correcting drift of a photometer based on the absorbance of a container filled with a transparent material (see Patent Document 2), and many melting marks by laser beams simulating particles inside a transparent member There is known a technique (see Patent Document 3) for producing a calibration plate that is not affected by variations in the material components of the calibration slope and the color lot depending on the lot.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,451,433 JP 2000-065744 A JP 2007-322206 A

  However, in the proposal of Patent Document 2, a cleaning nozzle for cleaning a reaction container cannot be inserted into a container enclosing a transparent material arranged on a reaction disk. There is a problem that the operation of the cleaning nozzle needs to be controlled independently and the mechanism becomes complicated. In addition, the proposal of Patent Document 3 is not a technique that can always manage the apparatus state because the calibration work is not automated.

  Of the inventions disclosed in the present application, the outline of typical ones will be briefly described as follows.

  The present invention includes a reaction disk on which a reaction vessel containing a mixed solution of a sample and a reagent is placed on the circumference, a light source that irradiates light to the reaction vessel, a photometer that detects light emitted from the light source, A plurality of nozzles for cleaning the reaction vessel, provided with a cushion mechanism for reducing the impact when contacting the bottom of the reaction vessel, and the nozzle is inserted at the place where the reaction vessel is placed It is an automatic analyzer provided with the calibration member for calibrating a photometer provided with the recessed part made.

  Another invention of the present application is an automatic analyzer that can automatically calibrate a photometer using the calibration member. It is also an automatic analyzer that is automatically performed regularly and periodically checks the status of the device analyzer, such as fluctuations in the light intensity of the photometer, contamination of the reaction vessel, contamination due to foreign matter from the circulating water in the thermostatic chamber, etc. is there.

  Among the inventions disclosed in the present application, effects obtained by typical ones will be briefly described as follows.

  According to the present invention, the calibration member disposed on the reaction disk enables the photometer to be calibrated and the state of the apparatus analyzer to be checked without increasing the size and complexity of the apparatus. In addition, the photometer can be automatically calibrated. Therefore, it is possible to provide an automatic analyzer capable of improving the accuracy and stability of data and capable of highly sensitive detection of a measurement target substance.

  The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

1 is a system block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the schematic of the calibration member and reaction container washing | cleaning mechanism in one embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic of the calibration member for the origin and the reference light quantity integrated in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a calibration member for the origin and for the reference light amount in one embodiment of the present invention. (A)-(h) is an operation | movement flowchart of the calibration by the reference | standard light source in the automatic analyzer of this invention. (A)-(l) is an operation | movement flowchart of the calibration by the apparatus light source in the automatic analyzer of this invention. (A)-(l) is an operation | movement flowchart of the origin in analysis and a reference | standard light quantity check in the automatic analyzer of this invention. (A)-(m) is an operation | movement flowchart of the reference light quantity calibration member check in the automatic analyzer of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same function are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings for describing the embodiment, and the repetitive description thereof is omitted as much as possible.

  FIG. 1 is a system block diagram showing the overall configuration of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic analyzer 1 mainly includes a reaction disk 10, a sample disk 20, reagent disks 30a and 30b, a light source 40, a photometer 41, and a computer 50. The photometer 41 may be a multi-wavelength absorptiometer or a light scattering photometer.

  The reaction disk 10 is provided so as to be capable of intermittent rotation, and a large number of reaction vessels 11 made of a translucent material are mounted on the disk along the circumferential direction. The reaction vessel 11 is maintained at a predetermined temperature (for example, 37 ° C.) by a constant temperature bath 12. The temperature of the fluid in the constant temperature bath 12 is adjusted by the constant temperature maintaining device 13.

  On the sample disk 20, a large number of specimen containers 21 for storing biological samples such as blood and urine are placed along the circumferential direction in a double manner in the illustrated example. A sample dispensing mechanism 22 is disposed in the vicinity of the sample disk 20. The sample dispensing mechanism 22 mainly includes a movable arm 23 and a pipette nozzle 24 attached to the movable arm 23. With this configuration, the sample dispensing mechanism 22 allows the pipette nozzle 24 to be appropriately moved to the dispensing position by the movable arm 23 during sample dispensing, so that a predetermined amount of sample is taken from the specimen container 21 located at the suction position of the sample disk 20. Inhalation is performed, and the sample is discharged into the reaction container 11 at the discharge position on the reaction disk 10.

  The reagent disks 30a and 30b are disks having substantially the same diameter and the same shape, and the reagent coolers 31a and 31b are arranged along the circumferential direction, respectively. In the reagent coolers 31a and 31b, a plurality of reagent bottles 32a and 32b with labels displaying reagent identification information such as barcodes are placed along the circumferential direction of the reagent disks 30a and 30b, respectively. ing. These reagent bottles 32 a and 32 b contain reagent solutions corresponding to analysis items that can be analyzed by the automatic analyzer 1. Each reagent cool box 31a, 31b is attached with a barcode reading device 33a, 33b, and these devices read the barcode displayed on the outer wall of each reagent bottle 32a, 32b at the time of reagent registration. The read reagent information is registered in the memory 56 together with the positions on the reagent disks 30a and 30b.

  In addition, reagent dispensing mechanisms 34a and 34b that are substantially similar to the sample dispensing mechanism 22 are disposed in the vicinity of the reagent disks 30a and 30b, respectively. At the time of reagent dispensing, the reagent solution is sucked from the reagent bottles 32 a and 32 b corresponding to the inspection item positioned at the reagent receiving position on the reaction disk 10 by the pipette nozzles provided in these, and discharged into the corresponding reaction container 11.

  Agitation mechanisms 35a and 35b are arranged at positions surrounded by the reaction disk 10, the reagent disks 30a and 30b, and the reagent dispensing mechanisms 34a and 34b. The mixed solution of the sample and the reagent accommodated in the reaction vessel 11 is stirred by the stirring mechanisms 35a and 35b to promote the reaction.

  Here, the light source 40 is disposed near the center of the reaction disk 10, and the photometer 41 is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the reaction disk 10, and the row of reaction vessels 11 that has been stirred is sandwiched between the light source 40 and the photometer 41. Rotate so that it passes through the photometric position. The photometer 41 may be provided with a multi-wavelength absorptiometer or a light scattering photometer at another position of the thermostatic chamber 12, and may perform concentration calculation using both scattered light and transmitted light. The light source 40 and the photometer 41 constitute a light detection system.

  The reaction liquid of the sample and the reagent in each reaction vessel 11 is measured each time it crosses the front of the photometer 41 during the rotating operation of the reaction disk 10. The scattered light analog signal measured for each sample is input to an A / D (analog / digital) converter 54. The used reaction vessel 11 is internally cleaned by a reaction vessel cleaning mechanism 36 disposed in the vicinity of the reaction disk 10 to enable repeated use.

  Next, a control system and a signal processing system in the automatic analyzer 1 of FIG. 1 will be briefly described. The computer 50 is connected to a sample dispensing control unit 52, a reagent dispensing control unit 53, and an A / D converter 54 via an interface 51. The computer 50 sends a command to the sample dispensing control unit 52 to control the sample dispensing operation. The computer 50 also sends a command to the reagent dispensing control unit 53 to control the reagent dispensing operation. Further, the computer 50 includes a control unit, and controls the rotation of the reaction disk 10, the light source 40 and the photometer 41.

  The photometric value converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 54 is taken into the computer 50.

  Connected to the interface 51 are a printer 55 for printing, a memory 56 as a storage device, an external output medium 57, a keyboard 58 for inputting operation commands and the like, and a CRT display (display device) 59 for screen display. ing. As the display device 59, a liquid crystal display or the like can be adopted in addition to the CRT display. The memory 56 is configured by, for example, a hard disk memory or an external memory. The memory 56 stores information such as the password of each operator, the display level of each screen, analysis parameters, analysis item request contents, calibration results, and analysis results.

  Next, a sample analysis operation in the automatic analyzer 1 of FIG. 1 will be described. Analysis parameters relating to items that can be analyzed by the automatic analyzer 1 are input in advance via an information input device such as the keyboard 58 and stored in the memory 56. The operator uses the operation function screen to select an inspection item requested for each sample.

  At this time, information such as a patient ID is also input from the keyboard 58. In order to analyze the inspection item designated for each sample, the pipette nozzle 24 of the sample dispensing mechanism 22 dispenses a predetermined amount of sample from the specimen container 21 to the reaction container 11 according to the analysis parameter.

  The reaction container 11 into which the sample has been dispensed is transferred by the rotation of the reaction disk 10 and stops at the reagent receiving position. The pipette nozzles of the reagent dispensing mechanisms 34a and 34b dispense a predetermined amount of reagent solution into the reaction vessel 11 according to the analysis parameter of the corresponding inspection item. The dispensing order of the sample and the reagent may be reversed from this example, and the reagent may precede the sample.

  Thereafter, the sample and the reagent are agitated and mixed by the agitating mechanisms 35a and 35b. When the reaction vessel 11 crosses the photometric position, the photometer 41 measures the transmitted light and / or scattered light of the reaction solution. The measured transmitted light or / and scattered light is converted into a numerical value proportional to the light amount by the A / D converter 54 and taken into the computer 50 via the interface 51.

  Using the converted numerical value, concentration data is calculated based on a calibration curve measured in advance by an analysis method designated for each inspection item. The component concentration data as the analysis result of each inspection item is output to the screen of the printer 55 or the CRT display 59.

  Before the measurement operation described above is executed, the operator sets various parameters necessary for analysis measurement and registers the sample via the operation screen of the CRT display 59. Further, the operator confirms the analysis result after measurement on the operation screen on the CRT display 59.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the calibration member of the light detection system and the reaction vessel cleaning mechanism 36 in one embodiment of the present invention. In the example, the origin calibration member 66 and the reference light quantity calibration member 67 are incorporated in the reaction disk 10 together with the reaction container 11. That is, these calibration members are placed on the place where the reaction vessel 11 is placed. An arrow 69 in the figure represents the height b of the photometric unit irradiated with light from the light source 40, and is set higher than the minimum photometric liquid amount of the light detection system. For example, if the cell width is 4.5 mm, the optical path length is 5 mm, and the minimum photometric liquid volume is 120 μL, the liquid volume height is 5.33 mm, so that b> 5.33 mm is set.

  The photometric part of the origin calibration member 66 has circulating water in the thermostat 12, and stable photometry is possible regardless of the contamination of the origin calibration member 66. That is, with respect to the origin calibration member 66, there is no member in the optical path between the light source and the photometer. Furthermore, if a deaerator is added to the thermostatic chamber circulation flow path to suppress the generation of small bubbles in the circulating water, or a filter is added to remove foreign substances in the circulating water, more stable photometry can be achieved. It becomes possible.

  The reference light quantity calibration member 67 is made of a transparent material in which fine particles for scattering light are uniformly dispersed, or a material colored so as to absorb light, and transmitted light and scattered light when irradiated with light. It is designed to be kept constant. In particular, when a light scattering photometer is calibrated, a transparent material does not generate scattered light in principle, and thus cannot be calibrated. Therefore, there is a technique to calibrate with a mixture of latex standard particles, etc., but in a calibration liquid of solid-liquid mixing, the dispersion of particles is fluid and the scattered light is not stable, and the influence on photometry due to mixing of bubbles and foreign matters From the viewpoint of cost, it can be said that using a calibration member that is a solid material such as the reference light amount calibration member 67 is a very effective means.

  The reaction vessel cleaning mechanism 36 includes a reaction liquid suction / detergent discharge nozzle 61, a detergent suction / wash water discharge nozzle 62, a wash water suction nozzle 63, a blank water discharge nozzle 64, and a blank water suction nozzle 65, and is used for the analysis. The container 11 is washed. Further, in order to calculate a cell blank value for canceling the optical individual difference of the reaction vessel 11, blank water is discharged into the reaction vessel 11, and the transmitted light amount and / or scattered light amount is measured by the photometer 41, and the next analysis is performed. Prepare for. Each nozzle, particularly the suction nozzle, is brought into contact with the bottom of the reaction vessel 11 in order to reliably suck the liquid in the reaction vessel. At that time, each nozzle is provided with a cushion mechanism 60 for reducing the impact for the purpose of surely contacting the tip of the nozzle with the bottom of the reaction vessel 11 and reducing the impact on the nozzle. An arrow 68 in the drawing represents the stroke amount a of the cushion mechanism 60. The stroke amount “a” is “the amount of cushion during the reaction container cleaning operation” + “the photometric part height b of the calibration member” + “the degree of freedom”. Both calibration members 66 and 67 are provided with dummy reaction container-like parts, and even if the nozzle of the reaction container cleaning mechanism 36 is lowered into the calibration member, there is a margin in the stroke amount of the cushion mechanism 60. The structure allows stroke. Therefore, the calibration member can be installed in the reaction disk without using a special mechanism. A common feature of both calibration members is the provision of a recess into which a nozzle is inserted, and this feature can be applied to a conventional automatic analyzer without using a special mechanism. Further, the sample dispensing control unit 52 and the reagent dispensing control unit 53 are controlled so that the sample and the reagent are not dispensed to these calibration members during the analysis.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the origin / reference light quantity integrated calibration member 70 according to the embodiment of the present invention. This calibration member is made of a transparent material in which fine particles for scattering light are uniformly dispersed, or a material colored so as to absorb light. A positioning hole is provided so that the reaction disk 10 can be accurately attached to a predetermined position.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the origin / reference light quantity separate type calibration member in one embodiment of the present invention. The calibration member includes a calibration member holder 71, a first reference light quantity calibration member 72, and a second reference light quantity calibration member 73. As shown in the figure, if the reference light quantity calibration member can be placed at a plurality of locations, multi-point calibration using materials having different light scattering characteristics and absorption characteristics and a light detection system can be checked. Further, when the reference light quantity calibration member is replaced due to dirt or deterioration, it can be individually handled. Further, a configuration in which calibration members for the absorptiometer and the light scattering photometer are individually provided is also conceivable. That is, a calibration member made of a material colored so as to absorb light can be combined with a calibration member made of a transparent material in which particles for scattering light are uniformly dispersed. Further, it is possible to combine coloring materials whose color densities are changed in order to change the transmittance, or to combine transparent materials whose scattering amount is changed by changing the particle density for scattering. More sophisticated calibration can be performed by combining a plurality of reference light quantity calibration members. About the kind and number of reference | standard light quantity calibration members, you may set arbitrarily as needed.

  Hereinafter, a specific calibration flow will be described with reference to FIGS. The following flows are automatically controlled by the control unit provided in the computer 50. For example, the control unit rotates and moves the reaction disk so that the light source and the photometer perform photometry with the origin calibration member and the reference light quantity calibration member, and the control unit calibrates the photometer based on the photometry result. To do. 5 and 6 are flows relating to calibration of the reference light quantity, while FIGS. 7 and 8 are flows for detecting various abnormalities separately from the calibration. These are all controlled using both or one of the origin calibration member 66 and the reference light quantity calibration member 67.

FIGS. 5A to 5H are operation flowcharts of calibration using a reference light source in the automatic analyzer of the present invention. This calibration is performed as necessary, such as during the manufacture of automatic analyzers. (A) When calibration of the light detection system by the reference light source is started, the origin calibration member 66 moves to the photometry unit, and (b) multiple times (for example, 34 times) at a preset time (for example, 10 minutes). Then, I _R0 photometry is performed. At this time, the origin calibration member 66 may be stopped at the photometry unit, and photometry may be performed, or the reaction disk 10 may be rotated to perform photometry in the same manner as a normal analysis operation. When the photometry of I _R0 is completed, (c) it is confirmed whether the fluctuation of I _{R0 within} a predetermined time is within a preset default range, and it is checked whether the measurement has been performed correctly. When the fluctuation of I _R0 is within the predetermined range, the origin is calibrated by the average value or the median value of the measurement results of I _R0 , and the result is stored in the memory 56. If the fluctuation of I _R0 is out of the predetermined range, I _R0 photometry is performed again.

Then move the reference light amount calibration member 67 to the photometric unit performs photometry I _RS multiple times to (e) preset predetermined time. At this time, the reference light quantity calibration member 67 may be stopped at the photometry unit, and photometry may be performed, or the reaction disk 10 may be rotated to perform photometry in the same manner as a normal analysis operation. When photometric I _RS is completed, the variation of I _RS in (f) the default time is confirmed whether it is within a predetermined range set in advance, the measurement is checked whether correctly. When the variation of I _RS is within predetermined range, the calibration of the reference amount of light photometer is performed by the average or median of the measurement values of the I _RS, the result is stored in the memory 56. The calibration of the reference light quantity described here refers to the calibration of the light output value of the photometer using a reference light source with a known light quantity in advance and a reference light quantity calibration member 67 with a known scattered light intensity due to the irradiation light of the reference light source. , And is used as a check standard for calibration of the light detection system by the apparatus light source described in FIG. If the fluctuation of I _RS is outside the predetermined range, photometry is performed again from I _R0 . In this way, the calibration value unique to the apparatus, which is the most basic of the light detection system, is obtained. Since the reference light quantity calibration member 67 has a known light absorptance and degree of scattering, the reference light quantity calibration member 67 can know in advance how much the light quantity is within the predetermined range, so that the reference light quantity can be calibrated.

FIGS. 6A to 6L are operation flowcharts for calibration of the light detection system by the apparatus light source in the automatic analyzer of the present invention. This calibration is performed periodically (for example, once a day) and becomes a reference until the next calibration by the apparatus light source. The calibration of the light detection system by the apparatus light source described here is the calibration of the light output value of the photometer in the apparatus mounting state by the apparatus light source, and can cancel the decrease in measurement sensitivity due to the light intensity decrease of the light source. However, in order to cancel the decrease in measurement sensitivity, it is necessary that the minimum unit of the A / D converter 54 is sufficiently smaller than the minimum unit of the light output of the apparatus. (A) When calibration by the apparatus light source is started, (b) I ₀ photometry is performed a plurality of times at a preset time. At this time, the reference light quantity calibration member 67 may be stopped at the photometry unit, and photometry may be performed, or the reaction disk 10 may be rotated to perform photometry in the same manner as a normal analysis operation. When the photometry of I ₀ is completed, (c) it is confirmed whether the fluctuation of I _{0 at} the predetermined time is within a preset default range, and it is checked whether the measurement is correctly performed. When the fluctuation of I ₀ is within the predetermined range, (d) I ₀ is compared with I _R0 and it is confirmed whether the difference between the two is within the predetermined range. For the comparison, for example, I ₀ / I _R0 is used. When the difference between I ₀ and I _R0 is within the predetermined range, (e) the origin is calibrated by the average value or median value of the measured values of I ₀ , and the result is stored in the memory 56.

Then move the reference light amount calibration member 67 to the photometric unit performs photometry of I _S a plurality of times in (f) a preset predetermined time. At this time, the reference light quantity calibration member 67 may be stopped at the photometry unit, and photometry may be performed, or the reaction disk 10 may be rotated to perform photometry in the same manner as a normal analysis operation. When photometric I _S is completed, the variation of I _S in (g) the default time is confirmed whether it is within a predetermined range set in advance, the measurement is checked whether correctly. When the variation of I _S is within the predetermined range, (h) I _S is compared with I _RS to confirm whether the difference between the two is within the predetermined default range. For comparison, for example, I _S / I _RS is used. When the difference between I _S and I _RS is within a predetermined range, (i) the reference light quantity of the photometer is calibrated by the average value or the median value of the I _S measurement values, and the result is stored in the memory 56. .

On the other hand, if the divergence between I ₀ and I _R0 and I _S and I _RS is outside the predetermined range, (j) a light quantity abnormality alarm is added, and (k) a light source replacement request is output to prompt replacement of the light source. In this way, the calibration value that is the basis for the daily analysis of the light detection system is acquired.

FIGS. 7A to 7L are operation flowcharts for checking the origin and reference light amount during analysis in the automatic analyzer of the present invention. With this function, the light amount of the light source, the drift of the light detection system, the state of the reaction vessel 11 and the like are checked immediately before and during the analysis. (A) When the analysis is started, (b) I _0i is measured at the timing when the origin calibration member 66 passes the photometry unit, and (c) I _0i is compared with I _0, and the difference between the two is set in advance. It is confirmed that it is within the specified default range. For comparison, for example, I _0i / I ₀ is used. When the difference between I _0i and I ₀ is within the predetermined range, (d) I _Si is measured at the timing when the reference light quantity calibration member 67 passes the photometry unit, and (e) I _Si is compared with I _S. Then, it is confirmed whether the difference between the two is within a preset default range. The comparison, for example, I _Si / I _S, is used. When the deviation between I _Si and I _S is within the predetermined range, (f) cell blank I _CBi is measured, and (g) I _CBi is compared with I _0, and the deviation between the two is set in advance. Is confirmed. For comparison, for example, I _CBi / I ₀ is used. As conventionally confirmed, the cell blank value may be determined by comparing with a cell blank value acquired in advance or by comparing values acquired a plurality of times. However, the confirmation method of a conventional cell blank value, but if bubbles or the like to the reaction vessel inner wall when the cell blank value acquisition as a reference is attached the correct value led to be not alarm measurements, I ₀ is no effect of the bubble By using it as a reference, a correct and stable result can be obtained. If I _CBi is within the predetermined range, it is confirmed whether there is an analysis request remaining, and if it remains, the analysis and check are repeated.

On the other hand, when I _0i , I _Si , and I _CBi are outside the predetermined ranges, (i) origin abnormality alarm, (j) reference light quantity abnormality alarm, and (k) cell blank abnormality alarm are given.

  For the calibration and checking of the light detection system described in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, it is preferable to perform multipoint calibration and multipoint check using the origin calibration member 66 and the reference light quantity calibration member 67. A method that uses only the member 66 or the reference light quantity calibration member 67 is also conceivable.

FIGS. 8A to 8M are operation flowcharts of the reference light quantity calibration member check in the automatic analyzer of the present invention. This function is performed periodically (for example, once a day) prior to analysis to prepare for the analysis. (A) When the reference light quantity calibration member check is started, the origin calibration member 66 moves to the photometry unit, and (b) I _0i photometry is performed a plurality of times at a preset time. At this time, the origin calibration member 66 may be stopped at the photometry unit, and photometry may be performed, or the reaction disk 10 may be rotated to perform photometry in the same manner as a normal analysis operation. When the photometry of I _0i is completed, (c) it is checked whether the fluctuation of I _{0i at} the predetermined time is within a preset default range, and it is checked whether the measurement is correctly performed. When the fluctuation of I _0i is within the predetermined range, (d) I _0i is compared with I _R0, and it is confirmed whether the difference between the two is within the preset default range. For the comparison, for example, I _0i / I _R0 is used. When I _0i is within the predetermined range, the reference light quantity calibration member 67 moves to the photometry unit, and (e) I _Si photometry is performed a plurality of times at a preset time. At this time, the reference light quantity calibration member 67 may be stopped at the photometry unit, and photometry may be performed, or the reaction disk 10 may be rotated to perform photometry in the same manner as a normal analysis operation. When the photometry of I _Si is completed, (f) it is checked whether the fluctuation of I _{Si at} a predetermined time is within a preset default range, and it is checked whether the measurement is correctly performed. When the variation of I _Si is within the predetermined range, (g) I _Si is compared with I _RS and it is confirmed whether the difference between the two is within the preset default range. For comparison, for example, I _Si / I _RS is used. If I _Si is within the predetermined range, it is confirmed whether (h) the value of I _Si / I _0i is within the preset default range. I _0i is the result of photometric measurement of water and is always stable since it is not easily affected by deterioration with time due to dirt or the like. Since the effects of contamination and deterioration of the optical system are the same for I _Si and I _0i , the contamination and optical deterioration of I _Si can be detected based on I _0i . If I _Si / I _0i is within the predetermined range, the reference light quantity calibration member check ends. When I _Si / I _0i is outside the predetermined range, (k) a reference light quantity calibration member abnormality alarm is added, and (l) a reference light quantity calibration member replacement request is output to prompt replacement of the reference light quantity calibration member.

  As mentioned above, the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say.

  The present invention is applicable to an automatic analyzer that analyzes the amount of components contained in a sample such as blood or urine.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic analyzer 10 Reaction disk 11 Reaction container 12 Constant temperature tank 13 Constant temperature maintenance apparatus 20 Sample disk 21 Sample container 22 Sample dispensing mechanism 23 Movable arm 24 Pipette nozzle 30a, 30b Reagent disk 31a, 31b Reagent cooler 32a, 32b Reagent bottle 33a, 33b Barcode readers 34a, 34b Reagent dispensing mechanisms 35a, 35b Stirring mechanism 36 Reaction vessel cleaning mechanism 40 Light source 41 Photometer 50 Computer 51 Interface 52 Sample dispensing control unit 53 Reagent dispensing control unit 54 A / D conversion Device 55 Printer 56 Memory 57 External output media 58 Keyboard 59 CRT display (display device)
60 Cushion mechanism 61 Reaction liquid suction / detergent discharge nozzle 62 Detergent suction / wash water discharge nozzle 63 Wash water suction nozzle 64 Blank water discharge nozzle 65 Blank water suction nozzle 66 Origin calibration member 67 Reference light quantity calibration member 68 Cushion mechanism stroke 69 Calibration member Metering section height 70 Origin / reference light quantity integrated calibration member 71 Calibration member holder 72 First reference light quantity calibration member 73 Second reference light quantity calibration member

Claims (6)

A reaction disk for placing a reaction vessel containing a mixture of a sample and a reagent on the circumference;
A light source for irradiating the reaction vessel with light;
A photometer for detecting the light emitted from the light source;
A plurality of nozzles for cleaning the reaction vessel, comprising a cushion mechanism that reduces shock when contacting the bottom of the reaction vessel;
An automatic analyzer comprising: a calibration member for calibrating the photometer, which is provided at a place where the reaction container is placed and has a recess into which the nozzle is inserted. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein
The automatic calibration apparatus, wherein the calibration member includes the concave portion, and a photometric portion that is formed below the concave portion and disposed in an optical path between the light source and the photometer. The automatic analyzer according to claim 2,
The automatic photometric device is characterized in that the photometric unit is made of a transparent material in which particles for scattering light are uniformly dispersed or a material colored so as to absorb light. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the calibration member has no member in an optical path between the light source and the photometer. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein
The calibration member includes the concave portion, and a photometric portion formed below the concave portion and disposed in an optical path between the light source and the photometer,
And a second calibration member for calibrating the photometer, which is placed at the place where the reaction vessel is placed and has a recess into which the nozzle is inserted,
2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 2, wherein no member exists in the optical path between the light source and the photometer. The automatic analyzer according to claim 2,
And a control unit for controlling the reaction disk, the light source, and the photometer,
The controller rotates and moves the reaction disk so that the calibration member and the second calibration member are measured by the light source and the photometer,
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the controller calibrates the photometer based on the photometric result.