JP6333550B2 - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer for clinical examination.

  In recent years, there has been a demand for cost reduction in clinical laboratories, and it has become common for a small number of operators to operate and manage a plurality of testing instruments. Therefore, the amount of work required per operator is increasing. On the other hand, in a clinical test that analyzes components contained in a biological sample such as blood or urine of a patient, the sample is reacted with a reagent and the change in the color of the reaction solution is measured as a change in absorbance. The method of doing is common.

  In such a clinical analyzer, the stability of data when performing a large amount of item analysis is important. Here, as one of the factors that can ensure the stability of the analysis data, by carrying out the discharge amount of the washing liquid for washing the inside of the reaction container after the sample analysis appropriately, the carryover of the sample and the reagent is prevented, It is possible to prevent contamination. When cleaning the reaction vessel, a valve installed in the pump mechanism is installed to enable the cleaning operation after combining the liquid level before mixing the sample and reagent before cleaning with the cleaning liquid level during cleaning. It is necessary to adjust the discharge amount of the cleaning liquid to an appropriate value by adjusting. At this time, the valve adjustment is performed manually while confirming the discharge amount, or a cleaning operation based on the adjusted conditions. For this reason, the adjustment work becomes complicated, and the amount of the cleaning liquid is used, so that the cleaning liquid cannot be reduced.

JP 2001-337095 A JP 2008-058163 A JP 2011-022028 A JP-A-6-230014

  In the automatic immunization apparatus, carry-over of the specimen, reagent, etc. in the reaction container is a factor that causes a change in analysis data. Known Patent Document 1 aims to eliminate a carry-over by a technique having a higher cleaning effect and a stirring bar by discharging the cleaning liquid into the reaction tank and stirring the cleaning liquid with ultrasonic waves to wash the reaction tank. In this configuration, the discharge amount of the cleaning liquid is adjusted so that the discharge of the cleaning liquid by the pump is manually adjusted to a constant amount with respect to the reaction vessel. However, the manual adjustment work becomes complicated and the amount of the cleaning liquid is used, so that the cleaning liquid cannot be reduced.

  In order to perform the cleaning operation of these reaction vessels stably, the discharge amount of the cleaning liquid is detected by constantly performing the adjustment of the discharge amount and the function of monitoring the discharge amount, thereby improving the daily use and the inspection quality. It is hoped that. It is also desired to reduce the amount of cleaning liquid by monitoring the discharge amount to discharge an appropriate amount of liquid to the reaction vessel to be cleaned.

  Further, in the known Patent Document 2, the liquid flow detection unit that detects and measures the pressure change (pressure fluctuation) of the cleaning liquid in the flow path when the cleaning liquid is discharged into the reaction vessel or the flow rate change is normally operated. In addition, after detecting whether or not an appropriate amount of cleaning liquid is being discharged, the presence or absence of the cleaning liquid is detected by a liquid level detection sensor for the reaction vessel. However, since it is necessary to use a large number of mechanisms used for detection, an apparatus configuration considering cost merit is desired.

  Moreover, in the known patent document 3, the amount of each cleaning liquid is controlled by installing a water amount sensor in all of the discharge parts of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning pool. However, since the water amount sensor is a known unit and the number of installed units becomes enormous, an apparatus configuration considering cost merit is desired. Moreover, the washing | cleaning object in patent document 3 is limited to a probe and a stirring element.

  In the known patent document 4, a cleaning liquid is discharged from a nozzle into a reaction vessel, and the discharged liquid amount is detected by two liquid level sensors installed in the same mechanism as the nozzle. In this structure, the mechanism part must be composed of a cleaning liquid discharge nozzle and two liquid level sensors, and the structure of the mechanism part is increased and the liquid level sensor is used at a fixed position. Cannot be controlled. Therefore, since it does not lead to a reduction in the amount of liquid used, an apparatus configuration that takes into consideration the manufacturing cost merit and the reduction of the running cost of the apparatus is desired.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer that can stably discharge only a necessary amount of cleaning liquid and can reduce the cost of the apparatus.

  The present inventors have found that the above-mentioned problem can be solved by sensing a change in capacitance around the probe by a liquid amount detection mechanism in order to confirm the appropriateness of cleaning after discharging the cleaning liquid.

  In order to solve the above problems, for example, the configuration described in the claims is adopted. The present application includes a plurality of means for solving the above-mentioned problems. For example, a cleaning mechanism including a probe for discharging a cleaning liquid to a reaction vessel, and a liquid for detecting a capacitance around the probe. An amount detection mechanism, and a control unit that controls the operation of the probe, and the control unit determines whether or not the cleaning liquid has been discharged by detecting a change in the capacitance, An automatic analyzer is provided.

According to the present invention, it is possible to stably discharge only a necessary amount of cleaning liquid and reduce the cost of the apparatus.
Further features related to the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings. Further, problems, configurations and effects other than those described above will be clarified by the description of the following examples.

It is a whole block diagram of the Example of the automatic analyzer for clinical examinations in this invention. It is the figure which showed the detailed structure about the connection of each control object in a present Example. It is a figure explaining the 1st condition of control of the probe in a present Example, and is a figure which shows the position before the washing | cleaning liquid discharge operation | movement of a probe. It is a figure explaining the 1st example in the liquid quantity detection of a present Example, and is a figure which shows the cleaning liquid discharge height position movement of a probe. It is a figure explaining the 1st example in the liquid quantity detection of a present Example, and is a figure which shows the cleaning liquid discharge start of a probe. It is a figure explaining the 1st example in the liquid quantity detection of a present Example, and is a figure which shows during the cleaning liquid discharge of a probe. It is a figure explaining the 1st example in the liquid quantity detection of a present Example, and is a figure which shows the cleaning liquid amount prescribed | regulated height detection of a probe. It is a figure explaining the 1st example in the liquid quantity detection of a present Example, and is a figure which shows the position after the washing | cleaning liquid discharge operation | movement of a probe. It is a figure explaining the 1st example in the liquid quantity detection of a present Example, and is a figure which shows the position before the liquid quantity confirmation operation | movement of a probe. It is a figure explaining the 1st example in the liquid quantity detection of a present Example, and is a figure which shows the position at the time of the liquid quantity confirmation detection of a probe. It is a figure explaining the 1st example in the liquid quantity detection of a present Example, and is a figure which shows the position after the liquid quantity confirmation of a probe. It is the graph which showed the detailed change of the electrostatic capacitance value in FIG. 3A-FIG. 3I regarding the liquid quantity detection mechanism of a present Example. It is a figure explaining the 2nd example in the liquid quantity detection of a present Example, and is a figure which shows the position before the washing | cleaning liquid discharge operation | movement of a probe. It is a figure explaining the 2nd example in the liquid quantity detection of a present Example, and is a figure which shows the cleaning liquid discharge height position movement of a probe. It is a figure explaining the 2nd example in the liquid quantity detection of a present Example, and is a figure which shows the cleaning liquid discharge start of a probe. It is a figure explaining the 2nd example in the liquid quantity detection of a present Example, and is a figure which shows during the cleaning liquid discharge of a probe. It is a figure explaining the 2nd example in the liquid quantity detection of a present Example, and is a figure which shows the cleaning liquid amount prescribed | regulated height detection of a probe. It is a figure explaining the 2nd example in the liquid quantity detection of a present Example, and is a figure which shows the position after the washing | cleaning liquid discharge operation | movement of a probe. It is a figure explaining the 2nd example in the liquid quantity detection of a present Example, and is a figure which shows the position before the liquid quantity confirmation operation | movement of a probe. It is a figure explaining the 2nd example in the liquid quantity detection of a present Example, and is a figure which shows the position at the time of the liquid quantity confirmation detection of a probe. It is a figure explaining the 2nd example in the liquid quantity detection of a present Example, and is a figure which shows the position after the liquid quantity confirmation of a probe. It is the graph which showed the detailed change of the electrostatic capacitance value in FIG. 5A-FIG. 5I regarding the liquid quantity detection mechanism of a present Example. It is a figure explaining the 3rd example in the liquid quantity detection of a present Example, and is a figure which shows the position before the washing | cleaning liquid discharge operation | movement of a probe. It is a figure explaining the 3rd example in the liquid quantity detection of a present Example, and is a figure which shows the cleaning liquid discharge height position movement of a probe. It is a figure explaining the 3rd example in the liquid quantity detection of a present Example, and is a figure which shows the cleaning liquid discharge start of a probe. It is a figure explaining the 3rd example in the liquid quantity detection of a present Example, and is a figure which shows during the cleaning liquid discharge of a probe. It is a figure explaining the 3rd example in the liquid quantity detection of a present Example, and is a figure which shows the cleaning liquid prescribed | regulated height detection of a probe. It is a figure explaining the 3rd example in the liquid quantity detection of a present Example, and is a figure which shows the position after the washing | cleaning liquid discharge operation | movement of a probe. It is a figure explaining the 3rd example in the liquid quantity detection of a present Example, and is a figure which shows the position before the liquid quantity confirmation operation | movement of a probe. It is a figure explaining the 3rd example in the liquid quantity detection of a present Example, and is a figure which shows the position at the time of the liquid quantity confirmation detection of a probe. It is a figure explaining the 3rd example in the liquid quantity detection of a present Example, and is a figure which shows the position after the liquid quantity confirmation of a probe. It is the graph which showed the detailed change of the electrostatic capacitance value in FIG. 7A-FIG. It is the figure which showed the determination flow of the liquid quantity detection in a present Example.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings show specific embodiments in accordance with the principle of the present invention, but these are for the understanding of the present invention, and are never used to interpret the present invention in a limited manner. is not.

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer capable of adjusting the amount of cleaning liquid discharged into a reaction vessel, constantly monitoring the amount of cleaning liquid discharged during cleaning, and managing the state by detecting bubbles in the cleaning liquid.

  FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an embodiment of an automatic biochemical analyzer according to the present invention. The analysis unit 101 is in a state of a main SW 102 that is a main switch for receiving power, an operation SW 103 that is a switch for activating the apparatus during use, a control unit 104, a mechanism drive unit 105, and an operation SW 103. Regardless of this, it is constituted by the reagent cold-reserving unit 106 for keeping the analysis reagent cold at all times.

  The control unit 104 converts the control power source 107, the CPU 108, the memory 109, the storage medium 110, the I / O 111 that is an input / output for controlling the mechanism driving unit 105, and the analog signal into a digital signal and performs measurement. It comprises an ADC 112 for capturing data and an I / F 114 that is an interface unit for communicating with the operation unit 113. The operation unit 113 includes, for example, an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse and an output device such as a display, and is a terminal operated by an operator of the biochemical automatic analyzer.

  The mechanism driving unit 105 includes a mechanism power supply 115, a drive circuit 116, a sample dispensing mechanism 119 that dispenses the sample in the sample container 117 into the reaction container 118, and a reagent dispensing mechanism that injects a reagent into the reaction container 118. 120, a stirring mechanism 121 for stirring the mixed solution in the reaction vessel 118, a multi-wavelength photometer 122 for measuring the absorbance of the mixed solution in the reaction vessel 118, and a cleaning mechanism 123 for washing the used reaction vessel 118. And a reaction vessel 124 for keeping the reaction system at a constant temperature in order to stabilize the reaction, a reaction vessel temperature control unit 125 for controlling the temperature of the reaction vessel 124, and the like.

  In the analysis unit 101, the mechanism power supply 115 and the drive circuit 116 are controlled by a signal from the I / O 111 of the control unit 104 to drive each mechanism and mix the sample and the reagent in the reaction container 118. Then, the sample is analyzed by measuring the absorbance of the mixed solution at a wavelength corresponding to each analysis item using the multi-wavelength photometer 122 and the ADC 112. The reagent cooler 106 stabilizes the analysis operation by storing the reagent at a low temperature, while functioning as a reagent cooler while the apparatus is turned off and the analysis operation is not performed. For this reason, the reagent cooler 106 is energized even when the control unit 104 and the mechanism drive unit 105 are powered off.

  FIG. 2 shows a detailed configuration of the control of the liquid amount detection and the connection between the cleaning mechanism 123 to be managed and the control unit 104. The cleaning mechanism 123 includes a probe 201 that discharges the cleaning liquid. A flow path 204 is connected to the probe 201, and a pump 205 and an electromagnetic valve 206 are provided in the flow path 204. The pump 205 and the electromagnetic valve 206 are controlled by the control circuit 207, and the cleaning liquid is sent to the probe 201 through the flow path 204. With this configuration, the probe 201 can discharge the cleaning liquid into the reaction vessel 118. Note that the control circuit 207 is controlled by the CPU 108 of the control unit 104.

  A driving circuit 116 is connected to the probe 201. The CPU 108 can control the vertical movement of the probe 201 with respect to the drive circuit 116 via the I / O 111. The probe 201 is connected to a liquid amount detection mechanism 202 for measuring the capacitance value around the probe 201. The liquid amount detection mechanism 202 is connected to the CPU 108 via the liquid amount detection ADC 203. The CPU 108 calculates a capacitance value around the probe 201 acquired from the liquid amount detection mechanism 202 via the liquid amount detection ADC 203, determines whether or not an appropriate amount of cleaning liquid can be discharged before cleaning, and is appropriate after cleaning. It is possible to determine whether a proper amount of cleaning liquid has been discharged.

  Next, control of the cleaning mechanism 123 will be described. First, the probe 201 of the cleaning mechanism 123 is moved from the normal standby position to the liquid amount appropriate position. The CPU 108 calculates the required discharge amount of the cleaning liquid from the total amount of the specimen and the reagent, which are the analysis targets that have been performed in advance in the reaction vessel 118 for the purpose of cleaning. For example, information such as the amount of specimen and reagent and information such as the size of the reaction container 118 are recorded in advance in the storage medium 110 of the control unit 104. Therefore, the CPU 108 calculates the required discharge amount of the cleaning liquid from the total amount of the sample and the reagent based on these pieces of information. After calculating the required discharge amount, the CPU 108 calculates the cleaning liquid discharge height position of the probe 201 of the cleaning mechanism 123 based on the required discharge amount. Here, the cleaning liquid discharge height position is the liquid level height of the cleaning liquid calculated from the required discharge amount, and indicates the position to which the tip of the probe 201 is moved. Thus, in the present embodiment, the control unit 104 can automatically calculate the appropriate liquid amount and the cleaning liquid discharge height position. Next, the CPU 108 instructs the I / O 111 to lower the probe 201 to the cleaning liquid discharge height position. The drive circuit 116 receives the input from the I / O 111 and lowers the probe 201 to the cleaning liquid discharge height position.

  After the probe 201 has moved to the cleaning liquid discharge height position, the CPU 108 controls the pump 205 and the electromagnetic valve 206 via the control circuit 207 to start discharging the cleaning liquid. The liquid amount detection mechanism 202 measures the capacitance value around the probe 201. As will be described in detail below, when the cleaning liquid level in the reaction vessel 118 rises, the capacitance value fluctuates, and particularly fluctuates significantly when the liquid amount becomes appropriate. The CPU 108 continues to sense the capacitance value acquired through the liquid amount detection mechanism 202 and the liquid amount detection ADC 203, and instructs the control circuit 207 to stop the discharge of the cleaning liquid when the capacitance value greatly fluctuates. To do. The control circuit 207 controls the pump 205 and the electromagnetic valve 206 to stop the discharge of the cleaning liquid.

  Next, after stopping the discharge of the cleaning liquid, the CPU 108 instructs the I / O 111 to move the probe 201 from the cleaning liquid discharge height position to the normal standby position. The drive circuit 116 receives the input from the I / O 111 and raises the probe 201 to the normal standby position. Thereafter, the probe 201 stands by at the normal standby position for a predetermined time. After waiting for a predetermined time, the CPU 108 instructs the I / O 111 to lower the probe 201 to the cleaning liquid discharge height position again. The drive circuit 116 receives the input from the I / O 111 and lowers the probe 201 to the cleaning liquid discharge height position. The CPU 108 continues to sense the electrostatic capacitance value acquired via the liquid amount detection mechanism 202 and the liquid amount detection ADC 203, and detects a point in time when the electrostatic capacitance value fluctuates significantly. When the capacitance value at the time of the significant fluctuation is the same as the peak of the capacitance value when the cleaning liquid is discharged or is within a predetermined allowable range with respect to the peak, the CPU 108 determines that the appropriate cleaning liquid is used. It is determined that the amount has been discharged. In this way, it is confirmed that the cleaning operation is being performed by confirming that an appropriate amount of cleaning liquid has been discharged.

  3A to 3I are diagrams illustrating a first example in the liquid amount detection of the present embodiment. First, the probe 201 is at a position before the cleaning liquid discharge operation (normal standby position) (FIG. 3A). Thereafter, the probe 201 is lowered from the normal standby position to the cleaning liquid discharge height position (FIG. 3B). Thereafter, the probe 201 starts discharging the cleaning liquid (FIG. 3C). Thereafter, the probe 201 continues to discharge the cleaning liquid (FIG. 3D), and the cleaning liquid reaches the tip of the probe 201 (that is, the cleaning liquid discharge height position) (FIG. 3E). When the cleaning liquid reaches the cleaning liquid discharge height position, the probe 201 stops discharging the cleaning liquid. Next, the probe 201 rises from the cleaning liquid discharge height position to the normal standby position (FIG. 3F). Thereafter, the probe 201 waits at the normal standby position for a predetermined time (FIG. 3G). Next, the probe 201 descends from the normal standby position to the cleaning liquid discharge height position (position in FIG. 3B) (FIG. 3H). Thereafter, the probe 201 rises from the cleaning liquid discharge height position to the normal standby position (FIG. 3I). The liquid amount detection mechanism 202 measures the capacitance value via the probe 201 between FIGS. 3A to 3I.

  FIG. 4 is a graph showing a detailed change in the capacitance value in FIGS. 3A to 3I regarding the liquid amount detection mechanism 202 of the present embodiment. (1) to (9) in FIG. 4 correspond to FIGS. 3A to 3I, respectively. As shown in FIG. 4, when the probe 201 is moved from the normal standby position (1) to the cleaning liquid discharge height position (2), the capacitance hardly changes. Thereafter, when the discharge of the cleaning liquid (3) is started, the liquid level in the reaction vessel 118 rises due to the discharge of the cleaning liquid, and the capacitance fluctuates gently (4). When the discharge amount of the cleaning liquid reaches the tip of the probe 201 (cleaning liquid discharge height position), the electrostatic capacitance fluctuates significantly (5), and thus the discharge of the cleaning liquid is stopped. At this time, the CPU 108 continues to sense the capacitance value acquired via the liquid amount detection mechanism 202 and the liquid amount detection ADC 203, and determines a large fluctuation (peak) of the capacitance. As an example, the CPU 108 may determine that the peak of the capacitance value has been reached when the capacitance value exceeds a predetermined threshold value and instruct the control circuit 207 to stop the discharge of the cleaning liquid. .

  After stopping the discharge of the cleaning liquid, the probe 201 rises to the normal standby position (6) and completes the cleaning liquid discharge operation. At this time, the capacitance drops to the value at the normal standby position. Thereafter, in order to confirm whether or not an appropriate amount of cleaning liquid has been discharged after waiting for a predetermined time, the probe 201 is moved from the normal standby position (7) to the position at which the liquid amount is detected (that is, the cleaning liquid discharge height position). (8). The CPU 108 determines a change in capacitance when the probe 201 moves to the liquid amount confirmation detection position (8). As an example, the CPU 108 has the same fluctuation (peak) of the capacitance value when moving to the liquid amount confirmation detection position (8) as the peak of (5) or a predetermined value with respect to the peak of (5). When it is within the allowable range, it is determined that an appropriate amount of cleaning liquid has been discharged. In the example of FIG. 3H, the height of the cleaning liquid substantially coincides with the cleaning liquid discharge height position of FIG. 3B. Therefore, since the fluctuation (peak) of the capacitance value when moving to the liquid amount confirmation detection position (8) is substantially the same as the peak of (5), it is determined that an appropriate amount of cleaning liquid has been discharged. Finally, the probe 201 rises from the liquid amount confirmation detection position (8) to the normal standby position (9).

  5A to 5I are diagrams for explaining a second example in the liquid amount detection of the present embodiment. The probe control in FIGS. 5A to 5I is the same as that in FIGS. 5A to 5I differ from FIGS. 3A to 3I in that bubbles are attached to the surface of the cleaning liquid during the discharge of the cleaning liquid. FIG. 6 is a graph showing a detailed change in the capacitance value in FIGS. 5A to 5I regarding the liquid amount detection mechanism of the present embodiment. (1) to (9) in FIG. 6 correspond to FIGS. 5A to 5I, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the probe 201 moves from the normal standby position (1) to the cleaning liquid discharge height position (2), the capacitance hardly changes. Thereafter, when the discharge of the cleaning liquid (3) is started, the liquid level in the reaction vessel 118 rises due to the discharge of the cleaning liquid, and the capacitance fluctuates gently (4). In this example, as shown in FIG. 5D, bubbles are attached to the cleaning liquid surface during the discharge of the cleaning liquid. Thereafter, when the discharge amount of the cleaning liquid reaches the tip of the probe 201 (cleaning liquid discharge height position), the electrostatic capacitance fluctuates significantly (5), and thus the discharge of the cleaning liquid is stopped. The CPU 108 continues to sense the capacitance value acquired via the liquid amount detection mechanism 202 and the liquid amount detection ADC 203, and determines a large variation (peak) in the capacitance.

  After stopping the discharge of the cleaning liquid, the probe 201 rises to the normal standby position (6) and completes the cleaning liquid discharge operation. Thereafter, in order to confirm whether or not an appropriate amount of cleaning liquid has been discharged after waiting for a predetermined time, the probe 201 is moved from the normal standby position (7) to the position at which the liquid amount is detected (that is, the cleaning liquid discharge height position). (8). At this time, as shown in FIG. 5H, before the probe 201 reaches the cleaning liquid discharge height position of FIG. 5B, the probe 201 contacts the bubbles on the cleaning liquid surface. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, before the probe 201 reaches the cleaning liquid discharge height position of FIG. 5B, the fluctuation (peak) of the capacitance value appears. In this case, the CPU 108 determines that there is a possibility that an appropriate amount of cleaning liquid is not discharged. This determination can be made, for example, by detecting that the capacitance value has reached the peak (5) before the probe 201 reaches the cleaning liquid discharge height position in FIG. 5B. As another example, the discharge abnormality of the cleaning liquid is determined by determining that the slope of the increase in the capacitance value is steeper compared to the ideal variation registered in advance (dotted line in FIG. 6). May be.

  In addition, when the fluctuation | variation (peak) of an electrostatic capacitance is detected before the probe 201 reaches | attains the cleaning liquid discharge height position of FIG. 5B, the probe 201 stops a descent | fall operation | movement, and after that, a normal standby position (9) To rise. Then, the electrostatic capacity fluctuates before reaching the proper cleaning position, so the operator is notified via the output device (display, etc.) that the cleaning operation may not have been performed normally.

  7A to 7I are diagrams illustrating a third example in the liquid amount detection of the present embodiment. The control of the probe in FIGS. 7A to 7I is the same as that in FIGS. 7A to 7I are different from FIGS. 3A to 3I in that the cleaning liquid level is lower than the appropriate value (the liquid amount is insufficient). FIG. 8 is a graph showing a detailed change in the capacitance value in FIGS. 7A to 7I regarding the liquid amount detection mechanism of the present embodiment. (1) to (9) in FIG. 8 correspond to FIGS. 7A to 7I, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the probe 201 is moved from the normal standby position (1) to the cleaning liquid discharge height position (2), the capacitance hardly changes. Thereafter, when the discharge of the cleaning liquid (3) is started, the liquid level in the reaction vessel 118 rises due to the discharge of the cleaning liquid, and the capacitance fluctuates gently (4). In this example, as shown in FIG. 7D, bubbles are included in the cleaning liquid during the discharge of the cleaning liquid.

  Thereafter, when the discharge amount of the cleaning liquid reaches the tip of the probe 201 (cleaning liquid discharge height position), the electrostatic capacitance fluctuates significantly (5), and thus the discharge of the cleaning liquid is stopped. The CPU 108 continues to sense the capacitance value acquired via the liquid amount detection mechanism 202 and the liquid amount detection ADC 203, and determines a large variation (peak) in the capacitance.

  After stopping the discharge of the cleaning liquid, the probe 201 rises to the normal standby position (6) and completes the cleaning liquid discharge operation. Thereafter, the probe 201 waits for a predetermined time. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7G, the bubbles in the cleaning liquid disappear, and the cleaning liquid level falls. After waiting for a predetermined time, the probe 201 is lowered from the normal standby position (7) to the liquid amount confirmation detection position in order to confirm whether or not an appropriate amount of cleaning liquid has been discharged (8). At this time, as shown in FIG. 7H, the probe 201 does not reach the cleaning liquid surface. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, when the probe 201 reaches the cleaning liquid discharge height position, the fluctuation (peak) of the capacitance value does not appear. In this case, the CPU 108 determines that there is a possibility that an appropriate amount of cleaning liquid is not discharged. This determination can be made by detecting that the capacitance value has not reached a predetermined threshold value when the probe 201 reaches the cleaning liquid discharge height position.

  Finally, the probe 201 rises from the liquid amount confirmation detection position (8) to the normal standby position (9). And, since the capacitance does not fluctuate significantly when the proper cleaning position is reached, it is possible that the cleaning operation may not have been performed normally for the operator via an output device (display, etc.). Notice.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a determination flow of liquid amount detection in the present embodiment. After starting the cleaning of the reaction container 118, the CPU 108 calculates the liquid height used in the reaction container 118 from the reagent amount and the sample amount in the used container, and calculates the required discharge amount of the cleaning liquid. The CPU 108 calculates the liquid level height (cleaning liquid discharge height position) of the cleaning liquid from the necessary discharge amount (901). Next, the CPU 108 moves the probe 201 to the cleaning liquid discharge height position via the drive circuit 116 (902).

  The CPU 108 commands the start of discharge of the cleaning liquid via the control circuit 207, and performs liquid amount detection 1 from the capacitance value acquired from the liquid amount detection mechanism 202 (903). In the liquid amount detection 1, the CPU 108 detects whether or not the capacitance value fluctuates within a certain time (for example, whether the capacitance value becomes a predetermined threshold value or more). Here, if the electrostatic capacitance value does not change within a certain time, the operator is notified of the possibility of insufficient cleaning liquid amount via an output device (such as a display) (904). For example, if a change in capacitance value is not detected within a certain time, it is considered that the pump 205 or the electromagnetic valve 206 has a problem. On the other hand, when the capacitance value fluctuates within a certain time in step 903, the peak of the capacitance value is determined as described above, the discharge of the cleaning liquid is stopped, and the probe 201 rises to the normal standby position. . Thereafter, the processing proceeds to step 905.

  After the probe 201 is lifted, the CPU 108 waits for a certain time, and the CPU 108 moves the probe 201 to the cleaning liquid discharge height position again, and performs liquid amount detection 2 (905). In step 905, the capacitance change (first capacitance change) in the liquid amount detection 1 when the cleaning liquid is discharged, and the liquid amount detection when the probe 201 is moved again to the cleaning liquid discharge height position. 2 is compared with the variation in capacitance (second variation in capacitance) to determine whether or not the cleaning liquid has been discharged in an appropriate amount. If the peak of the capacitance variation in the liquid amount detection 1 is equal to the peak of the capacitance variation in the liquid amount detection 2, the CPU 108 determines that the cleaning liquid has been discharged and proceeds to step 907. Then, the CPU 108 displays on the output device that the cleaning liquid has been discharged in an appropriate amount (907). As another example, if the difference between the capacitance fluctuation peak in the liquid amount detection 1 and the capacitance fluctuation peak in the liquid amount detection 2 is within a predetermined allowable range, the cleaning liquid is an appropriate liquid. It may be determined that the amount has been discharged.

  In step 905, if the peak of the capacitance variation in the liquid amount detection 2 is smaller than the peak of the capacitance variation in the liquid amount detection 1, the CPU 108 determines that the cleaning is abnormal and proceeds to step 906. Then, the CPU 108 notifies the operator by displaying on the output device that the liquid in the reaction vessel 118 that has discharged the cleaning liquid may contain bubbles (906).

  In step 905, the CPU 108 determines that the height of the probe 201 at the peak of the capacitance fluctuation in the liquid amount detection 2 is the height of the probe 201 at the peak of the capacitance fluctuation in the liquid amount detection 1. If the value is higher than the peak, that is, if the probe 201 reaches the same value as the capacitance fluctuation peak in the liquid amount detection 1 before arriving at the cleaning liquid discharge height position, it is determined that the cleaning is abnormal. Go to 908. Then, the CPU 108 notifies the operator by displaying on the output device that bubbles may exist on the liquid surface of the reaction vessel 118 that has discharged the cleaning liquid (908). A cleaning operation is performed after the liquid amount detection 2 is processed. In the above-described case, the operation (905) of the liquid amount detection 2 may be variable with respect to the timing as long as the cleaning liquid is discharged.

In the conventional system, the cleaning liquid discharged for cleaning the reaction vessel is adjusted manually while checking whether the discharge amount of the cleaning liquid is appropriate by adjusting the valve of the pump mechanism. Therefore, there is a problem that becomes complicated. Moreover, since the maximum amount of the cleaning liquid is always used based on the capacity of the reaction vessel, there is a problem that the amount of the cleaning liquid consumed cannot be reduced.
According to the present embodiment, it is possible to systematically monitor whether or not the cleaning operation is performed reliably by performing the cleaning operation while checking the amount of the cleaning liquid discharged to the reaction container 118 of the automatic analyzer every time. Thereby, it is possible to maintain the stability of the analysis data by the cleaning operation.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, when the cleaning liquid is discharged from the probe 201 of the cleaning mechanism 123 to the reaction vessel 118, the liquid amount detection mechanism 202 detects a change in capacitance around the probe 201, and It is possible to manage the discharge amount so as to obtain an appropriate liquid level. Furthermore, in order to confirm the appropriateness of the cleaning after the cleaning liquid is discharged, the height of the cleaning liquid in the reaction container 118 is converted from the amount of movement of the probe 201 of the cleaning mechanism 123 when the liquid level of the cleaning liquid in the reaction container 118 is detected. It is possible to determine whether an appropriate cleaning operation can be performed as compared with the liquid height when the sample and the reagent in the reaction container 118 are mixed. Further, since the discharge of the cleaning liquid is minimized, it is possible to reduce the amount of the cleaning liquid used.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to detect whether or not the cleaning liquid is discharged in an appropriate amount by sensing the amount of the cleaning liquid discharged from the cleaning mechanism 123 to the reaction vessel 118. Therefore, adjustment work is not necessary, and only the necessary amount of cleaning liquid is discharged, so that the cleaning liquid can be discharged stably. As a result, the operator performs a stable cleaning operation for cleaning the reaction vessel 118 after the analysis, and confirms a lack of liquid amount that causes a lack of cleaning based on a warning from the apparatus as a result of system detection. can do. Therefore, it is possible to contribute to the speed by improving the quality assurance and the reanalysis for the analytical work after judging the validity of the analytical data. Furthermore, since the necessary cleaning liquid is stably discharged, the amount of the cleaning liquid used can be reduced, which can contribute to the reduction of the running cost of the apparatus. Further, since the discharge of the cleaning liquid is monitored from the detection of the actual liquid level, the overflow mechanism for preventing the overflow of the cleaning liquid can be deleted, which can contribute to the simplification of the mechanism structure (manufacturing cost merit).

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail for easy understanding of the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described. In addition, a part of the configuration of one embodiment may be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment, and the configuration of another embodiment may be added to the configuration of one embodiment. Further, it is possible to add, delete, and replace other configurations for a part of the configuration of each embodiment.

  In the above-described embodiment, it is determined whether or not the cleaning liquid has been discharged by detecting the change in the electrostatic capacity using the probe 201 of the cleaning mechanism 123. Variations may be detected. In this case, after the cleaning liquid is discharged by the probe 201, the reaction vessel 118 is moved to the position of the second probe, and the capacitance variation is detected by the liquid amount detection mechanism that detects the capacitance around the second probe. Detect. The control unit 104 may perform the above determination by comparing the change in capacitance of the probe 201 with the change in capacitance of the second probe.

  The processing performed by the control unit 104 may be realized by hardware by designing a part or all of the processing by, for example, an integrated circuit. The processing performed by the control unit 104 may be realized by software by the processor interpreting and executing a program that realizes each function. Information such as programs, tables, and files for realizing each function can be stored in a storage device such as a memory, a hard disk, or an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a recording medium such as an IC card, an SD card, or a DVD.

  In the above-described embodiments, control lines and information lines are those that are considered necessary for the explanation, and not all control lines and information lines on the product are necessarily shown. Actually, it may be considered that almost all the components are connected to each other.

101 Analysis unit 102 Main SW
103 Operation SW
104 Control Unit 105 Mechanism Drive Unit 106 Reagent Cooling Unit 107 Control Power Supply 108 CPU
109 Memory 110 Storage medium 111 I / O
112 ADC
113 Operation unit 114 I / F
115 mechanism power supply 116 drive circuit 117 sample container 118 reaction container 119 sample dispensing mechanism 120 reagent dispensing mechanism 121 stirring mechanism 122 multi-wavelength photometer 123 washing mechanism 124 reaction tank 125 reaction tank temperature control unit 201 probe 202 liquid amount detection mechanism 203 Liquid level detection ADC
204 Flow path 205 Pump 206 Solenoid valve 207 Control circuit

Claims (7)

A cleaning mechanism comprising a probe for discharging a cleaning liquid for cleaning the reaction container with respect to the reaction container ;
A liquid amount detection mechanism for detecting a capacitance around the probe;
A control unit for controlling the operation of the probe;
With
The controller is
After the discharge of the cleaning liquid of the probe at a certain discharge position is completed and rises to a predetermined standby position, the probe is moved again from the standby position to the discharge position,
By comparing the fluctuation of the first capacitance when the cleaning liquid is discharged and the fluctuation of the second capacitance when the probe is moved again from the standby position to the discharge position, An automatic analyzer characterized by determining whether a proper amount of cleaning liquid has been discharged . The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 ,
It further includes an output unit for notifying the operator,
The controller discharges an appropriate amount of the cleaning liquid when a peak in the first capacitance variation and a peak in the second capacitance variation are equal or within a predetermined allowable range. This is displayed on the output unit. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 ,
It further includes an output unit for notifying the operator,
When the height of the probe at the peak in the second capacitance variation is higher than the height of the probe at the peak in the first capacitance variation In addition, the automatic analyzer displays the cleaning abnormality on the output unit. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 ,
It further includes an output unit for notifying the operator,
The control unit causes the output unit to display a cleaning abnormality when a peak in the second capacitance variation is smaller than a peak in the first capacitance variation. apparatus. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1,
The controller is
Move the probe to a position that is the level of the cleaning liquid,
An automatic analyzer that stops the discharge of the cleaning liquid when the capacitance exceeds a predetermined threshold while the probe is discharging the cleaning liquid. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1,
It further includes an output unit for notifying the operator,
The controller is
Move the probe to a position that is the level of the cleaning liquid,
When the probe is discharging the cleaning liquid, if the predetermined threshold value is not exceeded within a predetermined period, the lack of the cleaning liquid is displayed on the output unit. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1,
The controller is
Calculate the required discharge amount of the cleaning liquid from the total amount of specimen and reagent used in the reaction container,
An automatic analyzer that calculates a cleaning liquid discharge height position of the probe from the required discharge amount.

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