JP5680383B2 - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an automatic analyzer that analyzes components contained in body fluids such as blood and urine collected from a subject.

  The automatic analyzer is intended for biochemical test items and immunological test items, and changes in color tone, etc. caused by the reaction of the mixture of the test sample collected from the sample and the reagent corresponding to each test item to be analyzed By measuring the amount of light transmitted, analytical data indicated by the concentrations of various components in the test sample and the enzyme activity values are obtained.

  In this automatic analyzer, an item selected in accordance with an inspection is analyzed from a number of inspection items. The test sample is accommodated in the sample container, and is dispensed from the sample container to the reaction container by the sample dispensing probe. The reagent is housed in a reagent container and dispensed from the reagent container to the reaction container by a reagent dispensing probe. The liquid mixture of the test sample and the reagent dispensed into the reaction container is measured by the photometric unit. The reagent containers for storing the reagents for each test item are stored in the reagent store so that they can be dispensed by the reagent dispensing probe, and each reagent is denatured in the reagent store. It is kept cool to prevent the analysis data from deteriorating.

JP 2005-283529 A

  However, the inside of the reagent storage is almost sealed to keep the temperature low. A large number of reagent containers are housed in the reagent storage. For this reason, if the component contained in the reagent in one reagent container evaporates and mixes with the reagent in the other reagent container and the other reagent is contaminated, the analysis data of the test item of the other reagent deteriorates. There's a problem.

  The embodiment has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an automatic analyzer that can prevent analysis data from being deteriorated due to contamination by components evaporated from a reagent.

In order to achieve the above object, an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment stores a reagent container in which the reagent is stored in an automatic analyzer that dispenses a sample and a reagent into a reaction container and measures a mixture thereof. a circular reagent storage having a circular reagent case and reagent cover for sealing the opening provided openings, and a ventilation unit for ventilating air in the reagent storage, from the outer edge of the bottom of the reagent case A flow path for guiding the external air provided along the vicinity of the upper end of the central protrusion of the circular reagent case, and cooling the air and the flow path in the reagent storage via the reagent case. a cooler for cooling the reagent of the reagent container, located near the upper end of the protrusion of the upper of the reagent case than the opening of the reagent containers housed in the reagent case, the in the reagent case external from the flow path A first outlet for flowing air, positioned below the opening of the housing has been the reagent containers in the reagent case, and a second outlet air in said reagent storage flows out, the The outside air that has flowed into the reagent container flows in the reagent case from above to below.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the automatic analyzer which concerns on embodiment. The perspective view which shows an example of a structure of the analysis part which concerns on embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows an example of a structure of the reagent part which concerns on embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an automatic analyzer according to the embodiment. This automatic analyzer 100 dispenses each sample such as a standard sample or test sample for each test item and a reagent used for analysis of each test item, measures the mixture, and obtains standard data or test data. An analysis unit 26 to be generated and an analysis control unit 27 that drives each unit of the analysis unit 26 to control a dispensing operation, a measurement operation, and the like are provided.

  The automatic analyzer 100 also processes the standard data and test data generated by the analysis unit 26 to generate calibration data and analysis data, and calibration data generated by the data processing unit 40. An output unit 50 that outputs analysis data, an operation unit 60 that inputs various command signals, and the like, an analysis control unit 27, a data processing unit 40, and a system control unit 70 that controls the output unit 50 in an integrated manner. ing.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the analysis unit 26. The analysis unit 26 includes a sample container 17 that stores a standard sample for each inspection item, a sample such as a test sample, and a sample container holder 5 that holds the sample container 17. In addition, a reagent container 6 that stores a first reagent or a two reagent system of a first reagent that reacts with a component of a test item included in each sample, a reagent unit 1 that stores the reagent container 6, and a second reagent system A reagent container 7 for storing a second reagent paired with one reagent and a reagent unit 2 for storing the reagent container 7 are provided. Moreover, the reaction disk 4 which hold | maintains the several reaction container 3 arrange | positioned on the periphery rotatably is provided.

  Further, the sample dispensing probe 16 for dispensing the sample in the sample container 17 held by the sample container holder 5 and sucking it into the reaction container 3, and the sample dispensing probe 16 can be rotated and moved up and down. And a sample dispensing arm 10 to be held in the chamber. In addition, a first reagent dispensing probe 14 for dispensing the first reagent in the reagent container 6 accommodated in the reagent unit 1 and sucking it into the reaction container 3 from which the sample has been discharged, and the first reagent dispensing A first reagent dispensing arm 8 that holds the dispensing probe 14 so as to be rotatable and vertically movable is provided.

  A second reagent dispensing probe 15 for aspirating the second reagent in the reagent container 7 housed in the reagent unit 2 and dispensing it into the reaction container 3 from which the first reagent has been discharged; A second reagent dispensing arm 9 that holds the reagent dispensing probe 15 so as to be rotatable and vertically movable, and a mixed solution of the sample and the first reagent in the reaction vessel 3 or a mixture of the sample, the first reagent, and the second reagent. A photometric unit 13 that optically measures the liquid by irradiating the liquid, and a reaction container cleaning unit 12 that cleans the inside of the reaction container 3 that has finished the measurement are provided.

  Then, the photometry unit 13 irradiates light, and detects light transmitted through the liquid mixture containing the standard sample and the test sample in the reaction vessel 3 that rotates and moves across the optical path of the irradiated light. Based on the detected detection signal, for example, standard data or test data represented by absorbance data is generated, and the generated standard data or test data is output to the data processing unit 40.

  The analysis control unit 27 includes a drive unit 28 that drives each unit of the analysis unit 26 and a drive control unit 29 that controls the drive unit 28 to operate each unit of the analysis unit 26. And the drive part 28 drives each unit of the reagent parts 1 and 2, respectively. Further, the sample container holder 5 is rotated. Further, the reaction disk 4 is rotated. Further, the sample dispensing arm 10, the first reagent dispensing arm 8, and the second reagent dispensing arm 9 are rotated and moved up and down, respectively. Further, the reaction container cleaning unit 12 is moved up and down.

  The drive control unit 29 includes control circuits for controlling the drive unit 28, respectively, and the reagent unit 1, reagent unit 2, sample container holder 5, reaction disk 4, sample dispensing arm 10, first reagent dispensing of the analysis unit 26. Each unit of the arm 8, the second reagent dispensing arm 9, and the reaction container cleaning unit 12 is operated.

  The data processing unit 40 shown in FIG. 1 includes a calculation unit 41 that processes the standard data and test data output from the photometry unit 13 of the analysis unit 26 to generate calibration data and analysis data for each inspection item, And a data storage unit 42 for storing the standard data and analysis data generated by the unit 41.

  The calculation unit 41 generates calibration data representing the relationship between the standard value and the standard data for each inspection item from the standard data output from the photometry unit 13 and the standard value preset for the standard sample of the standard data. The generated calibration data is output to the output unit 50 and saved in the data storage unit 42.

  Further, calibration data of the inspection item corresponding to the test data output from the photometry unit 13 is read from the data storage unit 42. Then, analysis data represented by a concentration value or an activity value is generated from the test data output from the photometry unit 13 using the read calibration data. The generated analysis data is output to the output unit 50 and stored in the data storage unit 42.

  The data storage unit 42 includes a memory device such as a hard disk, and stores the calibration data output from the calculation unit 41 for each inspection item. In addition, the analysis data of each inspection item output from the calculation unit 41 is stored for each test sample.

  The output unit 50 includes a printing unit 51 that prints and outputs calibration data and analysis data output from the calculation unit 41 of the data processing unit 40 and a display unit 52 that displays and outputs the data. The printing unit 51 includes a printer or the like, and prints the calibration data and analysis data output from the calculation unit 41 on printer paper or the like according to a preset format.

  The display unit 52 includes a monitor such as a CRT or a liquid crystal panel, and displays calibration data and analysis data output from the calculation unit 41. Further, an analysis parameter setting screen or the like for setting, for example, the amount of sample to be discharged into the reaction container 3 of the analysis unit 26 and the amount of reagent, which are analysis parameters of test items that can be analyzed by the automatic analyzer 100, is displayed.

  The operation unit 60 includes input devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, a button, and a touch key panel, and performs input for setting analysis parameters, reagent information, and the like for each test item.

  The system control unit 70 includes a CPU and a storage circuit, stores input information such as analysis parameters of each inspection item input by an operation from the operation unit 60 in the storage circuit, and then analyzes based on the input information. The control unit 27, the data processing unit 40, and the output unit 50 are integrated to control the entire system.

  Next, with reference to FIG.2 and FIG.3, the detail of a structure of the reagent part 1 in the analysis part 26 is demonstrated. The reagent part 2 is configured in the same manner as the reagent part 1 except that the place where the reagent part 2 is arranged is omitted.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the reagent unit 1. The reagent unit 1 is stored in a reagent store 30 that stores the reagent container 6, a ventilation unit 31 that ventilates the air in the reagent store 30 by the ventilation drive of the drive unit 28 in the analysis control unit 27, and the reagent store 30. In addition, a reagent tray 32 that holds a plurality of reagent containers 6 arranged on the circumference, a temperature detector 33 that detects the temperature of the air in the reagent storage 30, and a cooling that cools the reagent storage 30 by the cooling drive of the drive unit 28. And a container 35.

  The reagent container 6 has an opening at the top. In order to aspirate the first reagent, the first reagent dispensing probe 14 enters from the opening of the reagent container 6 held in the reagent tray 32.

  The reagent storage 30 is provided to prevent the reagent case 36 provided with a circular opening for storing the reagent container 6 and the cold air cooled by the cooler 35 from escaping from the reagent case 36 to the outside. A removable reagent cover 37 that seals the opening of the reagent case 36 is provided. A part of the reagent cover 37 is provided with a through hole into which the first reagent dispensing probe 14 enters so that the first reagent in the stored reagent container 6 can be aspirated.

  The reagent case 36 is made of, for example, an aluminum material having excellent thermal conductivity, and a portion in contact with the outside air is covered with a heat insulating material. And it has the column-shaped projection part 361 which the center part of the bottom part which comprises a circle protruded to the upper end vicinity. Moreover, it has the inlet 362 provided in the vicinity of one edge in the lower end part of a bottom part, and external air flows in by the ventilation part 31. FIG. In addition, a flow path 363 is provided along the bottom end of the bottom and the protrusion 361 for guiding the air flowing in from the inlet 362 into the reagent storage 30.

  The reagent case 36 is provided, for example, at the upper end of the protruding portion 361 above the opening of the reagent container 6 held in the reagent tray 32, and allows the air flowing through the flow path 363 to flow into the reagent storage 30. A first outlet 364. Also, a second outlet provided near the other edge at the lower end of the bottom, for example, below the opening of the reagent container 6 held in the reagent tray 32 and through which the air in the reagent storage 30 flows out by the ventilation unit 31. 365.

  The ventilation unit 31 includes an intake unit 38 that supplies external air into the reagent store 30 and an exhaust unit 39 that exhausts the air in the reagent store 30. The intake section 38 includes an intake duct 381 whose one end for guiding external air into the reagent storage 30 surrounds the inlet 362, an on-off valve 382 for opening and closing a pipe line in the intake duct 381, and an open pipe line The fan 383 is configured to allow outside air to flow in from the other end of the intake duct 381 and to flow out from one end. The exhaust unit 39 has an end for guiding the air in the reagent store 30 to the outside of the store, an exhaust duct 391 that surrounds the second outlet 365 of the reagent case 36, and an open / close that opens and closes the conduit in the exhaust duct 391. A valve 392 and a fan 393 that allows air in the reagent storage 30 to flow in from one end of the exhaust duct 391 having an open conduit and flow out from the other end. Further, the filter 394 is made of a porous film, activated carbon, water or the like that removes the components of the first reagent evaporated from each reagent container 6 contained in the air flowing out from the exhaust duct 391.

  And the ventilation part 31 is a fixed ventilation time reagent storage 30 when predetermined temperature passes, for example, when the temperature in the reagent storage 30 detected by the temperature detector 33 enters into the cold storage temperature range of 2-10 degreeC, for example. Ventilate the air inside. Further, while the temperature in the reagent store 30 is within the cold insulation temperature range, the air in the reagent store 30 is ventilated at predetermined time intervals.

  In this way, it is possible to ventilate the reagent storage 30 by supplying external air into the reagent storage 30 and exhausting the air in the reagent storage 30. Thereby, it can reduce that the 1st reagent component evaporated from the reagent container 6 adheres to the reagent case 36 and the reagent cover 37 inner surface, and the inside of the reagent storage 30 is contaminated. Further, the first reagent component evaporated from the reagent container 6 contained in the air exhausted from the reagent storage 30 can be removed. By removing the first reagent component, contamination around the exhaust duct 391 due to the first reagent component evaporated from the reagent container 6 can be prevented.

  The reagent tray 32 is arranged away from the reagent case 36 along the bottom in the reagent case 36 of the reagent storage 30, and the rotation axis of the analysis control unit 27 passes through the upper end of the protrusion 361 of the reagent case 36. It is supported by the drive unit 28. Moreover, it has the some opening part 321 provided in the side wall of the same height as the 1st exit 364 of the reagent case 36 over the perimeter at predetermined intervals.

  As described above, by providing the first outlet 364 of the reagent case 36 and the opening 321 of the reagent tray 32 above the opening of the reagent container 6, external air that has flowed into the reagent storage 30 by the ventilation unit 31. Can flow above the opening of the reagent container 6.

  The temperature detector 33 detects the temperature of the air in the reagent storage 30 and outputs the detected signal to the drive control unit 29 of the analysis control unit 27. The drive control unit 29 controls the drive unit 28 based on the detection signal from the temperature detector 33. In the drive unit 28, the cooler 35 is driven to be cooled. Further, after opening and closing the open / close valves 382 and 392 of the intake section 38 and the exhaust section 39 in the ventilation section 31, the fans 383 and 393 are rotationally driven. Further, after the rotational driving of the fans 383 and 393 is stopped, the on-off valves 382 and 392 are driven to close.

  The cooler 35 includes, for example, a Peltier element that cools the reagent case 36 of the reagent storage 30. And the air in the reagent storage 30 is cooled via the reagent case 36, and the 1st reagent in the reagent container 6 hold | maintained at the reagent tray 32 is cooled by this air cooling. Further, the air flowing in the flow path 363 is cooled through the reagent case 36.

  In addition, you may implement so that a part of flow path 363 may be provided in the lower end part of the reagent case 36 bottom part, for example in a spiral shape. As a result, the outside air flows in the flow path 363 for a longer time, and the outside air can be cooled more strongly.

  As described above, by providing the flow path 363 in the reagent case 36, the cooler 35 cools the first reagent in the reagent container 6 stored in the reagent container 30 and before flowing into the reagent container 30. External air can be cooled. Thereby, since the temperature rise in the reagent storage 30 by ventilation can be prevented, denaturation | denaturation of the 1st reagent in the reagent container 6 can be prevented.

Hereinafter, an example of the operation of the reagent unit 1 in the analysis unit 26 of the automatic analyzer 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.
When the automatic analyzer 100 is turned on, the drive control unit 29 of the analysis control unit 27 drives the drive unit 28 based on the detection signal output from the temperature detector 33 of the reagent storage 30 in the reagent unit 1 of the analysis unit 26. And the cooler 35 of the reagent unit 1 is operated. The cooling unit 35 cools the air in the reagent storage 30 via the reagent case 36 of the reagent storage 30. The operator of the automatic analyzer 100 stores the reagent container 6 in the reagent case 36 and attaches the reagent cover 37 to the reagent case 36.

  When a predetermined time elapses after the temperature detected by the temperature detector 33 enters the temperature keeping temperature range, the drive control unit 29 causes the drive unit 28 to drive ventilation. Further, information for ventilating the inside of the reagent storage 30 is output to the system control unit 70. The system control unit 70 causes the display unit 52 to display information indicating the state in which the reagent storage 30 is ventilated.

  Thus, by displaying information indicating the ventilation state on the display unit 52, it is possible to notify the operator that the reagent storage 30 is ventilated.

  The drive unit 28 drives the fans 383 and 393 to rotate after opening the opening / closing valves 382 and 392 of the intake unit 38 and the exhaust unit 39 in the ventilation unit 31.

  By this driving, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 3, external air flows in from the other end of the intake duct 381 and flows out from one end. The air that has flowed out flows into the flow path 363 from the inlet 362 of the reagent case 36, and the air that flows in flows through the flow path 363. The air flowing in the flow path 363 is cooled by the cooler 35 through the reagent case 36. The air cooled in the flow path 363 flows into the reagent storage 30 from the first outlet 364.

  The air that has flowed into the reagent storage 30 flows above the opening of the reagent container 6 via the opening 321 of the reagent tray 32, and the air that has passed above the reagent container 6 further flows between the reagent case 36 and the reagent container 6. Flows downward. The downwardly flowing air flows out from the second outlet 365, and the outflowed air flows into the exhaust duct 391. The inflowing air flows in the exhaust duct 391 and flows out from the other end. The air flowing out from the exhaust duct 391 passes through the filter 394 and is exhausted to the outside.

  Thus, the external air that has flowed into the reagent storage 30 by the ventilation unit 31 can flow above the opening of the reagent container 6 and flow out of the reagent storage 30. This makes it possible to prevent the first reagent component evaporated from the reagent container 6 from staying in the vicinity of the opening of the reagent container 6, and the first reagent component evaporated from one reagent container 6 is contained in the other reagent container 6. It is possible to prevent contamination of the first reagent and contamination of the other first reagent.

  According to the embodiment described above, the reagent by the first reagent component evaporated from the reagent container 6 is provided by providing the ventilation unit 31 that supplies external air into the reagent storage 30 and exhausts the air in the reagent storage 30. Contamination in the storage 30 can be reduced. In addition, by providing a filter 394 that removes the first reagent component evaporated from the reagent container 6 contained in the air exhausted from the reagent storage 30, contamination around the exhaust duct 391 due to the first reagent component evaporated from the reagent container 6 can be prevented. Can be prevented.

  Further, by providing the first outlet 364 of the reagent case 36 and the opening 321 of the reagent tray 32 above the opening of the reagent container 6 accommodated in the reagent storage 30, an external portion that has flowed into the reagent storage 30 is provided. Can flow out of the reagent container 30 by flowing above the opening of the reagent container 6. As a result, it is possible to prevent the first reagent component evaporated from one reagent container 6 from being mixed into the first reagent in the other reagent container 6 and contaminating the other first reagent. It can be prevented from getting worse.

  Further, by providing the flow path 363 in the reagent case 36, the first reagent in the reagent container 6 stored in the reagent storage 30 is cooled by the cooler 35, and before flowing into the reagent storage 30, an external device is provided. The air can be cooled. Thereby, the temperature rise in the reagent storage 30 by ventilation can be prevented.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reagent part 6 Reagent container 28 Drive part 30 Reagent storage part 31 Ventilation part 32 Reagent tray 33 Temperature detector 35 Cooler 36 Reagent case 37 Reagent cover 38 Inhalation part 39 Exhaust part 321 Opening part 361 Protrusion part 362 Inlet 363 Channel 364 1st One outlet 365 Second outlet 381 Intake duct 382, 392 On-off valve 383, 393 Fan 391 Exhaust duct 394 Filter

Claims (4)

In an automatic analyzer that dispenses samples and reagents into a reaction vessel and measures the mixture,
A circular reagent storage having a reagent cover for sealing the circular reagent case and the opening having an opening portion for accommodating a reagent container in which the reagent is accommodated,
A ventilation unit for ventilating the air in the reagent storage;
A flow path for guiding the external air provided along the vicinity of the upper end of the central protrusion of the circular reagent case from the outer edge side of the bottom of the reagent case;
A cooler for cooling the reagent in the reagent container by cooling the air in the reagent storage and the flow path through the reagent case ;
A first position that is located near the upper end of the protrusion of the reagent case above the opening of the reagent container housed in the reagent case, and that allows external air from the flow path to flow into the reagent case. Exit,
A second outlet that is located below the opening of the reagent container housed in the reagent case and from which the air in the reagent container flows out;
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the outside air that has flowed into the reagent chamber flows in the reagent case from above to below. The ventilation unit has an intake unit that supplies external air into the reagent storage,
The intake portion includes an intake duct whose one end surrounds an inlet through which external air flows in , an open / close valve that opens and closes a pipe line in the intake duct, and the other end of the intake duct whose pipe line is opened by the open / close valve The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 , further comprising a fan that allows outside air to flow in from the section and flow out from one end. The ventilation unit has an exhaust unit for exhausting air in the reagent storage,
The exhaust portion includes an exhaust duct whose one end portion surrounds the second outlet, an on-off valve that opens and closes a pipeline in the exhaust duct, and an end portion of the exhaust duct that is opened by the on-off valve. A fan that causes the air in the reagent chamber to flow in and out from the other end, and a reagent component that is disposed at the other end of the exhaust duct and that has evaporated from the reagent container contained in the air that has flowed out from the exhaust duct. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 , wherein the automatic analyzer is configured by a filter to be removed. The automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , further comprising a display unit that displays and outputs information indicating a state in which the inside of the reagent storage is ventilated.

Images