JP6077075B2 - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that automatically analyzes components such as blood.

  In recent years, automatic analyzers require high-speed and multi-item processing. In addition, a reduction in the number of parts is required in order to save labor and reduce the installation area.

  As an apparatus that enables multi-item processing, for example, a configuration that performs blood coagulation analysis that is an item that requires a reagent temperature increase and biochemical analysis that does not require a temperature increase is conceivable.

  Here, the reagent for blood coagulation analysis is kept cold at around 2 to 10 ° C. during storage, and is analyzed by raising the temperature to about 37 ° C. before the reaction. Generally, as in Patent Document 1, for example, a heater is incorporated in the reagent dispensing mechanism, and the reagent is sucked, heated, and discharged for each dispensing cycle.

  On the other hand, in recent years, especially in biochemical analysis, the amount of reagents has been reduced from the viewpoint of reducing running costs, and strict management of reagent dispensing accuracy is required. Therefore, it is necessary to strictly control the dispensing accuracy.

  In this way, because the test methods differ between blood coagulation analysis items that require a reagent temperature increase and unnecessary biochemical analysis items, the reagent dispensing mechanism can be used when the device configuration is capable of analyzing these simultaneously. It is possible to prepare each separately.

JP 2008-70355 A

  However, if the reagent dispensing mechanism is provided separately for each item, the apparatus configuration is complicated and the cost is unavoidable.

  If the reagent dispensing mechanism is shared, if the temperature of the reagent is constantly increased in the reagent dispensing probe, the reagent may expand due to the increased temperature during biochemical analysis. It becomes difficult.

  Furthermore, as in Patent Document 1, if a heater is provided in the reagent dispensing mechanism, the control of the heater must be changed according to the amount of liquid. Therefore, a dispensing cycle time including a certain time until the reagent in the dispensing mechanism is heated to the target temperature and stabilized must be taken.

  Therefore, in order to reduce the number of parts and to enable both stable reagent temperature increase and precision control of minute dispensing, when using a common reagent dispensing mechanism, with or without reagent temperature increase Can be switched, and it is necessary to increase the temperature with good reproducibility when the temperature is increased.

  Although there are various problems in the automatic analyzer, the object of the present invention is to increase the temperature with good reproducibility without being affected by the amount of the reagent and to enable the discharge of the reagent at a more stable temperature. Is to provide an automatic analyzer.

  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.

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

The automatic analyzer according to the present invention includes a first container for storing a first container, functions as a thermostatic chamber and measures the absorbance of transmitted light, holds a second container, and measures scattered light. And a reagent dispensing mechanism for dispensing the reagent into the second container. The reagent dispensing mechanism includes a heater disposed over a predetermined area in the height direction from above the tip, and after aspirating the reagent for measuring scattered light that has been heated in the first container, And the liquid level of the aspirated reagent is raised, the temperature of the reagent is maintained by the heater, and the reagent maintained at the temperature is discharged to the second container.

  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 temperature can be increased with good reproducibility without being affected by the amount of the reagent, and the reagent can be discharged at a more stable temperature. Thereby, temperature management becomes easy.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the outline of a structure of the automatic analyzer of one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining a reagent temperature rising method. (A)-(c) is explanatory drawing explaining the reagent suction method of a reagent dispensing probe.

  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 schematic configuration diagram showing an outline of a configuration of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic analyzer 1 includes a first reaction unit 100 that performs biochemical analysis, which is an item that does not require a reagent temperature increase, and a first blood coagulation analysis that performs an item that requires a reagent temperature increase. 2 reaction units 200. Then, the dispensing to these reaction parts is performed by one reagent dispensing mechanism 300. In addition, a computer 400, a keyboard 401, a CRT 402, an A / D converter 403, an interface 404, a printer 405, and a memory 406 are provided as control system units commonly used for both items.

  The unit used for biochemical analysis includes the first reaction unit 100, the sample dispensing mechanism 101 for biochemical analysis, the sample disk 104, the reagent disk 107, the sample syringe pump (sample syringe) 110, the luminous intensity. There are a total 111, a cleaning mechanism 112, a cleaning syringe pump (cleaning syringe) 113, and the like.

  At the time of biochemical analysis, first, the sample dispensing arm 102 of the sample dispensing mechanism 101 for biochemical analysis moves up and down and rotates, and the sample dispensing probe 103 attached to the tip of the sample dispensing arm 102 is used. Then, the sample (sample) in the sample container 105 arranged on the sample disk 104 for biochemical analysis is aspirated. And it discharges to the reaction container (reaction container for the item which does not require reagent temperature rising) 106 arrange | positioned at the 1st reaction part 100.

  Next, the reagent dispensing arm 301 of the reagent dispensing mechanism 300 moves up and down and rotates, and using the reagent dispensing probe 302 attached to the tip of the reagent dispensing arm 301, a reagent disk 107 for biochemical analysis. The reagent is aspirated from the reagent container 108 arranged in the above and discharged to the reaction container 106.

  The first reaction unit 100 and the sample disk 104 are both disk-shaped units that can rotate to the left and right. The first reaction unit 100 is connected to a constant temperature water supply device 109, and functions as a constant temperature tank by the constant temperature water supplied from the constant temperature water supply device 109. Usually, the reaction vessel 106 is set at about 37 ° C. Keep warm. Note that the sample disk 104 has a structure that can handle not only the case where the sample container 105 is directly arranged but also a universal arrangement that can be placed on a test tube.

  Similarly to the first reaction unit 100 and the like, the reagent disk 107 is also a unit that can be rotated right and left, and the reagent container 108 holds reagents corresponding to a plurality of analysis items to be analyzed in biochemical analysis, respectively. doing.

  The sample dispensing probe 103 performs a sample suction operation and a discharge operation in accordance with the operation of the sample syringe pump 110. Similarly, the reagent dispensing probe 302 executes each operation as the reagent syringe pump (reagent syringe) 303 operates. The sample syringe pump 110 and the reagent syringe pump 303 can be finely operated and controlled by the computer 400 so that the dispensing accuracy can be strictly managed to a minute value.

  Information on items to be analyzed for each sample is input from an input device such as a keyboard 401 or a cathode ray tube (CRT) 402 screen. This also applies to the blood coagulation analysis. The operation of each unit of the automatic analyzer 1 is controlled by the computer 400 via the interface 404.

  The operation of each unit during biochemical analysis will be described in more detail. First, the sample container 105 is transferred to the sample suction position with the intermittent rotation of the sample disk 104, and the sample dispensing probe 103 descends into the stopped sample container 105. When the tip of the sample dispensing probe 103 comes into contact with the liquid level of the sample along with the descending operation, a detection signal is output from a liquid level detection circuit (not shown), and the computer 400 drives the sample dispensing arm 102 based on the output. Control to stop the descent operation.

  When a predetermined amount of sample is aspirated into the sample dispensing probe 103 after descending, the sample dispensing probe 103 rises to an ascending limit position called top dead center. Here, while the sample dispensing probe 103 is sucking the sample, the pressure fluctuation between the flow paths of the sample dispensing probe 103 and the sample syringe pump 110 is monitored by a pressure inspection circuit (not shown). When an abnormality is found in the pressure fluctuation during suction, it is highly possible that a predetermined amount is not sucked, so an alarm is generated for the analysis data based on the predetermined amount.

  Next, the sample dispensing arm 102 pivots in the horizontal direction, lowers the sample dispensing probe 103 at the position of the reaction vessel 106 on the first reaction unit 100, and discharges the held sample into the reaction vessel 106. To do.

  The reaction container 106 from which the sample has been discharged moves to the reagent addition position. Then, a predetermined amount of reagent is transferred from the reagent container 108 to the reaction container 106 by substantially the same suction and discharge operations as the sample dispensing arm 102 and the sample dispensing probe 103 of the reagent dispensing probe 302 to which the reagent dispensing arm 301 is attached. To dispense.

  The mixture in the reaction vessel 106 to which the sample and the reagent have been added is stirred and transferred to a photometer 111 position as a measuring means, and the absorbance of transmitted light from a light source (not shown) is measured. The photometric signal of the transmitted light passes through the A / D converter 403 and enters the computer 400 via the interface 404, and the concentration of the analysis item is calculated. The calculated analysis result is output to the printer 405 via the interface 404 or output to the cathode ray tube 402 and stored in the hard disk as the memory 406. The output and storage are the same during blood coagulation analysis.

  Finally, the reaction vessel 106 for which the measurement has been completed is transferred to the position of the cleaning mechanism 112, the mixed liquid is discharged by the cleaning syringe 113, and cleaning water is supplied and cleaned.

  On the other hand, as a unit used for blood coagulation analysis, in addition to the second reaction unit 200, a sample dispensing mechanism 201 for blood coagulation analysis, a sample disk 204, a reagent disk 207, a sample syringe pump 210, and a reaction container supply Section 211, reaction container transfer mechanism 213, light source 215, detector 216, reaction container discarding section 217, and the like. Although the reagent dispensing mechanism 300 has already been described, a heater 304, which is a reagent heat retaining means used only during blood coagulation analysis, is built in as the other configuration.

  During blood coagulation analysis, the sample dispensing arm 202 and the sample dispensing probe 203 of the sample dispensing mechanism 201 for blood coagulation analysis rotate to the left and right by the same operation as the sample dispensing mechanism 101 for biochemical analysis. The sample in the sample container 205 disposed on the sample disk 204 for blood coagulation analysis is aspirated. And it discharges to the reaction container (reaction container for the item which requires reagent temperature rising) 206 arrange | positioned at the 2nd reaction part 200. FIG.

  Next, with the reagent dispensing arm 301 and the reagent dispensing probe 302 of the reagent dispensing mechanism 300, the reagent is aspirated from the reagent container 208 disposed on the reagent disk 207 for blood coagulation analysis, and the first reaction unit 100 Once discharged into the reaction vessel 106. Then, it is sucked again and discharged into the reaction vessel 206 of the second reaction unit 200.

  Here, the sample dispensing probe 203 performs a sample suction operation and a discharge operation in accordance with the operation of the sample syringe pump 210.

  The reaction vessel 206 is held in the reaction vessel supply unit 211 and is carried out from the vessel carry-out port 212. The unloaded reaction vessel 206 is held by the vessel holding unit 214 of the reaction vessel transfer mechanism 213 that rotates to the left and right, rotates, and is installed at a predetermined position of the second reaction unit 200. In FIG. 1, for convenience of explanation, the second reaction unit 200 is depicted at a position away from the reaction vessel transfer mechanism 213 and the like, but is actually located within the operating range of the reaction vessel transfer mechanism 213. .

  When the reagent is discharged into the reaction container 206, the blood coagulation reaction is immediately started at this reagent discharge pressure. That is, the light from the light source 215 is irradiated to the reaction vessel 206, and the scattered light is detected by a detector 216 such as a photodiode. The detected photometric signal enters the computer 400 through the same path as the photometric signal at the time of biochemical analysis, the coagulation reaction time is calculated, and the result is output and stored.

  The reaction container 206 that has been measured is transferred by the reaction container transfer mechanism 213 and discarded to the reaction container discarding unit 217.

  Next, a reagent dispensing method at the time of blood coagulation analysis will be described. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the reagent temperature raising method. In FIG. 2, members unnecessary for explanation are omitted for convenience.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the reagent for blood coagulation analysis which is sucked from the reagent dispensing mechanism 300 and once discharged into the reaction container 106 of the first reaction unit 100 is left for a certain period of time, and the first reaction unit 100 is left. The temperature is raised to 37 ° C. Thereafter, the reagent is dispensed again by the reagent dispensing mechanism 300 and discharged into the reaction container 206 of the second reaction unit 200. From this re-suction to discharge, the heater 304 is operated to keep the reagent at 37 ° C. Done. Note that the reaction vessel 106 of the first reaction unit 100 may include a container for a pretreatment liquid for performing dilution or the like. Further, the heater 304 may be operated until the reagent is sucked from the reagent container 208 and discharged to the reaction container 106 of the first reaction unit 100.

  Thus, in the automatic analyzer 1 of the present invention, during the blood coagulation analysis, the temperature of the reagent for blood coagulation analysis is raised in the first reaction unit 100 functioning as a thermostat, so that it is not affected by the amount of the reagent. The temperature can be increased with good reproducibility.

  Further, since the suction and discharge are performed while keeping the temperature by the heater 304 of the reagent dispensing mechanism 300, the reagent can be discharged at a more stable temperature, and the temperature management becomes easy.

  Furthermore, as compared with a method in which the reagent is aspirated for each dispensing cycle and the temperature is raised only by the heater in the reagent dispensing mechanism, the amount of heat given to the heater can be reduced, and the processing capacity can be improved.

  Furthermore, by not operating the heater 304 of the reagent dispensing mechanism 300 at the time of biochemical analysis, but at the time of blood coagulation analysis, the accuracy of minute dispensing required at the time of biochemical analysis is facilitated. Therefore, the reagent dispensing mechanism 300 can be shared, and the number of parts can be reduced and the space can be saved.

  Furthermore, in the analysis device for blood coagulation analysis alone, there was no device equipped with a thermostatic chamber for the temperature rise of the reagent. Effects can be obtained.

  Next, a reagent aspirating method using the reagent dispensing probe 302 of the reagent dispensing mechanism 300 will be described. 3A to 3C are explanatory views for explaining a reagent suction method of the reagent dispensing probe.

  First, as shown in FIG. 3A, a heater 304 that keeps the reagent 218 for blood coagulation analysis warmed is built in the reagent dispensing probe 302, and extends from the top of the reagent dispensing probe 302 over a predetermined area in the height direction. It is arranged so that it is not arranged at the tip of the probe.

  Accordingly, since the probe tip is not warmed, even if the warmed reagent dispensing probe 302 is inserted into the reagent container 208, the fear that the reagent 218 deteriorates can be solved.

  Then, the reagent dispensing probe 302 moves down to the reagent container 208 and ascends after sucking the reagent 218. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3B, the reagent dispensing probe 302 reaches the tip of the reagent dispensing probe 302. Is filled. Therefore, if dispensing is performed in this state, the reagent 218 in the portion where the heater 304 at the tip is not disposed is not kept warm, and a temperature difference occurs between that portion and the portion in contact with the heater 304. Stable heat retention at the target temperature becomes difficult.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3C, after the reagent is aspirated, the liquid level of the reagent 218 is raised by aspirating air from the tip of the reagent dispensing probe 302 into the probe, and the entire reagent 218 is transferred to the heater 304. Move to the position where it touches.

  As a result, the entire reagent is kept warm, the occurrence of a temperature difference is reduced, and the temperature can be controlled with higher reproducibility.

  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.

  For example, in the present embodiment, the temperature of the reagent is raised to 37 ° C. in the first reaction unit 100, but when an item that needs to be raised to a temperature different from this occurs, the temperature is reduced to that temperature. The temperature may be raised.

  If the target temperature is reached when the reagent is discharged into the reaction vessel 206 of the second reaction unit 200, the reagent is heated only by the first reaction unit 100, and the reagent dispensing mechanism 300 keeps the heat. May not be performed.

  The present invention is applicable to an automatic analyzer that automatically analyzes components such as blood.

1 automatic analyzer 100 first reaction part 101 sample dispensing mechanism 102 (for biochemical analysis) sample dispensing arm 103 sample dispensing probe 104 sample disk 105 (for biochemical analysis) sample container 106 reaction container (reagent) (Reaction vessel for items that do not require temperature rise)
107 Reagent disc 108 (for biochemical analysis) Reagent container 109 Constant temperature water supply device 110 (For biochemical analysis) Sample syringe pump (sample syringe)
111 Photometer 112 Cleaning mechanism 113 Cleaning syringe pump (cleaning syringe)
200 Second reaction section 201 Sample dispensing mechanism 202 (for blood coagulation analysis) Sample dispensing arm 203 Sample dispensing probe 204 Sample disk 205 (for blood coagulation analysis) Sample container 206 Reaction container (reagent heating is required) Reaction container for various items)
207 Reagent disc 208 (for blood coagulation analysis) Reagent container 210 Sample syringe pump (for blood coagulation analysis) (sample syringe)
211 Reaction container supply section 212 Container outlet 213 Reaction container transfer mechanism 214 Container gripping section 215 Light source 216 Detector 217 Reaction container discard section 218 Reagent 300 (for blood coagulation analysis) Reagent dispensing mechanism 301 Reagent dispensing arm 302 Reagent distribution Note Probe 303 Reagent Syringe Pump (Reagent Syringe)
304 heater 400 computer 401 keyboard 402 cathode ray tube (CRT)
403 A / D converter 404 interface 405 printer 406 memory

Claims (4)

A first reaction section that includes a disk containing the first container, functions as a thermostatic chamber, and measures the absorbance of transmitted light;
A second reaction part for holding the second container and measuring scattered light;
A reagent dispensing mechanism for dispensing the reagent into the second container,
The reagent dispensing mechanism includes a heater disposed over a predetermined area in the height direction from above the tip,
After aspirating the reagent for measuring scattered light that has been heated in the first container, the air is aspirated to raise the liquid level of the aspirated reagent, and the temperature of the reagent is maintained by the heater. An automatic analyzer which discharges a reagent whose temperature is maintained to the second container. An automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein
In the first reaction part, an item that does not require a reagent temperature increase is analyzed,
An automatic analyzer characterized in that the second reaction part analyzes items that require a reagent temperature increase. An automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein
In the first reaction part, biochemical analysis is performed,
An automatic analyzer characterized in that blood coagulation analysis is performed in the second reaction part. An automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein
An automatic analyzer that operates the heater when measuring the scattered light and does not operate the heater when measuring the absorbance.

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