JP6454518B2 - Analysis apparatus and analysis method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an analyzer and an analysis method for automatically analyzing a specimen.

  In an analysis using a plate having a plurality of recesses, an analyzer for analyzing a sample by dispensing a sample such as a biological sample into a recess in which an antibody is immobilized is known.

  As this type of analyzer, a technique is disclosed in which a sample is moved by a rotary table and dispensed a plurality of times by a dispensing unit for each dispensing operation provided adjacent to the rotary table (see Patent Document 1). ).

  In addition, a technique for performing a plurality of times of dispensing at one dispensing stage is disclosed (see Patent Document 2).

  Moreover, although it is not the analysis apparatus using a plate, the apparatus which has arrange | positioned the several dispensing mechanism with respect to dispensing operation | work is disclosed (refer patent document 3).

JP 2002-350452 A JP 2006-105754 A JP 2002-189033 A

  In the technique of Patent Document 1, one dispensing unit is required for one dispensing, and a rotating table is required, so that the entire analyzer is increased in size. In the technique of Patent Document 2, since all the dispensing is performed at one dispensing stage, other reagents cannot be dispensed during dispensing of one kind of reagent, and the processing capacity cannot be improved. Further, in the technique of Patent Document 3, since the dispensing mechanism and the conveyance device move as a unit, the conveyance operation cannot be performed while the dispensing operation is performed using the conveyance device, and the processing capacity is improved. I ca n’t plan.

  In consideration of the above facts, the present invention is to provide an analysis apparatus and an analysis method that can realize downsizing of the apparatus and can process many samples in a short time.

The invention according to claim 1 is an analyzer for a plurality of plates, wherein each plate of the plurality of plates has a plurality of recesses, and a plurality of specimens or reagents are dispensed to the plurality of plates . A dispensing area; a dispenser provided in each of the plurality of dispensing areas; an incubation area for incubating the plurality of plates on which dispensing has been performed; the incubation area and the dispensing area; An analyzer having a conveying means that conveys the plate between, the dispensing operation for the plurality of plates proceeds simultaneously, and dispensed by one dispenser in one dispensing area Immediately after completion of the incubation with the shortest incubation time for the plate, the next dispenser is dispensed with another dispenser in the other dispensing area. .

  According to the above configuration, since the dispensing after the step with the shortest incubation time is performed in a dispensing area different from the other dispensings and another dispensing machine, The work of the dispenser that performs other dispensing is not hindered. That is, since the dispensing after the step with the shortest incubation time and the other dispensing can proceed simultaneously, the analysis processing amount per hour increases.

In addition, since the conveying means is provided between the dispensing areas separately from the dispensing machine, the dispensing work is not hindered by the plate conveying work, and the dispensing work and the conveying work can proceed simultaneously. Therefore, the amount of analysis processing per hour increases.
Furthermore, all the dispensing operations other than the dispensing after the process with the shortest incubation time can be performed by one dispensing machine, and the apparatus is provided with the same number of dispensing machines as the number of dispensing operations. In comparison, the size of the apparatus can be reduced.
Furthermore, according to the above configuration, a plurality of specimens can be dispensed into a plurality of concave portions of the plate, and a plurality of specimens can be analyzed simultaneously by analyzing one plate. Since the dispensing operation can proceed simultaneously, a large number of samples can be processed in a short time.

The analyzer according to claim 2 is an analyzer used in a method including the following first to fourth steps, wherein the step with the shortest incubation time is the third step. Analysis equipment.
First step: Step of incubating the sample by dispensing the sample to the plate Second step: Step of washing the plate and dispensing the labeled antibody solution Third step: Dispensing the labeled antibody solution has been the plates were washed incubated performs dispensing of chromogenic substrate solution step fourth step: measuring the signal strength by performing the dispensing of stop solution to the plate dispensing was performed of the chromogenic substrate solution Process

  According to said structure, dispensing of the 4th process after the 3rd process with the shortest incubation time is performed with the dispenser different from the dispenser of a 1st-3rd process. Therefore, since the dispensing of the first to third steps and the dispensing of the fourth step can proceed simultaneously, the amount of analysis processing per hour increases. In addition, all of the dispensing operations in the first to third steps can be performed with a single dispenser, and the size of the device can be reduced compared to a device provided with the same number of dispensers as the number of dispensing operations. Can be realized.

The analyzer according to claim 3, wherein the plate, analyzer according to claim 2 which is a plate having a plurality of recesses antibody or antigen is immobilized.

  According to the above configuration, a plurality of specimens can be dispensed into a plurality of recesses in which the antibody or antigen of the plate is immobilized, and a plurality of specimens can be analyzed simultaneously by analyzing one plate. This increases the amount of analysis processing per hour.

The analysis method according to claim 4 is an analysis method of a plurality of plates, wherein each plate of the plurality of plates has a plurality of concave portions and is provided by a dispenser provided in each of a plurality of dispensing areas. A dispensing step of dispensing a specimen or a reagent to the plurality of plates , a washing step of washing the plurality of plates in a washing area, and an incubation step of incubating the plurality of plates in an incubation area, And in the analysis method including the dispensing step and the incubation step a plurality of times, including a transporting step of transporting the plurality of plates to the dispensing area, the washing area, and the incubation area , The dispensing operation for the plurality of plates proceeds simultaneously in the plurality of dispensing areas. To: dispensing at other dispenser immediately after the shortest set incubation time of incubation plates dispensed by one dispenser is completed, the other dispensing areas in the area.

  According to said structure, the dispensing process performed after the incubation process with the shortest time among the dispensing processes performed in multiple times is performed by the dispensing area different from other dispensing processes, and another dispensing machine. Therefore, the work of other dispensing processes is not hindered. That is, since the dispensing process performed after the incubation process with the shortest time and the other dispensing processes can proceed simultaneously, the amount of analysis processing per hour increases.

In addition to the dispensing process, it includes a transporting process for transporting the plate to the dispensing area, the washing area, and the incubation area, so that the dispensing process is not hindered for transporting the plate. Since the transport process can proceed simultaneously, the amount of analysis processing per hour increases.
Furthermore, all the dispensing processes other than the dispensing process performed after the incubation process with the shortest time can be performed by one dispenser, and the apparatus is provided with the same number of dispensing machines as the number of dispensing processes. In comparison, the size of the apparatus can be reduced.
According to the above configuration, a plurality of specimens can be dispensed into a plurality of concave portions of the plate, and a plurality of specimens can be analyzed simultaneously by the analysis process of one plate. Can be processed simultaneously, so that a large number of specimens can be processed in a short time.

The method according to claim 5 is a method comprising the following first to fourth steps, the the most time is short incubation step third step analysis method according to claim 4.
First step: Step of performing incubation step after sample dispensing step Second step: Step of performing labeled antibody solution dispensing step after the plate washing step, followed by incubation step Third step: Labeled antibody solution The step of dispensing the chromogenic substrate solution after the washing step of the plate on which the aliquot was dispensed, followed by the incubation step. Fourth step: the reaction stop solution on the plate on which the chromogenic substrate solution was dispensed A process of measuring the signal intensity after the dispensing process

  According to said structure, the dispensing process of the 4th process after the 3rd process which is an incubation process with the shortest time is performed with the dispenser different from the dispenser of a 1st-3rd process. Accordingly, since the dispensing process of the first to third processes and the dispensing process of the fourth process can proceed simultaneously, the amount of analysis processing per hour increases. In addition, all of the dispensing processes of the first to third processes can be performed with one dispenser, and the apparatus is downsized compared to the apparatus provided with the same number of dispensers as the number of dispensing processes. Can be realized.

The analysis method according to claim 6 is the analysis method according to claim 5, wherein the plate has a plurality of recesses in which an antibody or an antigen is immobilized.

  According to the above configuration, a plurality of specimens can be dispensed into a plurality of recesses in which the antibody or antigen of the plate is solid-phased, and a plurality of specimens can be analyzed simultaneously by the analysis process of one plate. This increases the amount of analysis processing per hour.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the analyzer which can implement | achieve size reduction of an apparatus, and can process many samples in a short time is provided.

It is a front view which shows schematic structure of the analyzer of this invention. (A) is a perspective view which shows the reaction plate of this invention, (B) is a perspective view which shows a sample plate. It is a front view of the analyzer in which the conveying apparatus of this invention was shown. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of the analyzer shown in FIG. It is a flowchart (the 1) for demonstrating the analysis procedure of this invention. It is the flowchart (the 2 following the 1) for demonstrating the analysis procedure of this invention. It is a flowchart (the 3 following the 2) for demonstrating the analysis procedure of this invention. It is a flowchart (the 4 following the 3) for demonstrating the analysis procedure of this invention. It is a flowchart (the 5 following the 4) for demonstrating the analysis procedure of this invention. It is a time chart for demonstrating the analysis procedure of this invention.

Hereinafter, an analysis apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Overall configuration of analyzer]
As shown in FIG. 1, the analysis apparatus 10 includes a box-shaped housing 12, and a first shelf plate 14 that divides the interior of the housing vertically is disposed in the middle portion of the housing 12 in the vertical direction. Has been.
A reaction plate stocker 18 that can store a plurality of reaction plates 16 is provided on the left side of the apparatus (in the direction of arrow L in the drawing) on the upper side of the first shelf 14. The reaction plate stocker 18 includes twelve storage units for storing the reaction plates 16 before dispensing on the left side of the apparatus, and 12 storage units for storing the reaction plates 16 after dispensing on the right side of the apparatus (in the direction of the arrow R in the drawing). I have one.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the reaction plate 16 is formed in a rectangular shape, and a plurality of (in this embodiment, 8 × 12 = 96) concave portions 16A are formed in the upper portion. A primary antibody is immobilized on these recesses 16A in advance. A bar code 17 for identifying the reaction plate 16 is provided on the side surface of the reaction plate 16.

  As shown in FIG. 1, two reagent container stages 19 for loading reagent containers are provided on the right side of the reaction plate stocker 18. For example, the labeled antibody solution can be placed in the reagent container 20 of the reagent container stage 19 on the left side of the apparatus, and the chromogenic substrate solution can be placed in the reagent container 22 of the reagent container stage 19 on the right side of the apparatus. Alternatively, the coloring substrate solution may be put into the reagent container 20 of the reagent container stage 19 on the left side of the apparatus, and the labeled antibody solution may be put into the reagent container 22 of the reagent container stage 19 on the right side of the apparatus. Here, the labeled antibody is obtained by binding a label capable of generating a detectable substance (for example, color, fluorescence, light, etc.) to the antibody. Examples of the label include an enzyme, a fluorescent substance, and a luminescent substance.

  A dispensing stage 26 is provided on the right side of the reagent container stage 19. The dispensing stage 26 includes a first dispensing table 26A on which the reaction plate 16 is placed, and a second dispensing table 26B on which the sample plate 23 is mounted. The first dispensing table 26A and the second dispensing table 26B are provided with a vibration device (not shown).

  2B, the sample plate 23 is also formed in a rectangular shape like the reaction plate 16, and a plurality of (in this embodiment, 8 × 12 = 96) recesses 23A are formed in the upper portion. Has been. A specimen (liquid sample) to be inspected is placed in these recesses 23A. Further, a barcode 24 for identifying the sample plate 23 is provided on the side surface of the sample plate 23.

  On the right side of the dispensing stage 26, a disposable chip placement section 30 for placing a disposable chip box 28 is provided. The disposable chip box 28 accommodates a plurality of replacement disposable chips (not shown) used for the first dispensing unit 38 to be described later.

  A sample plate stocker 32 for storing a plurality of sample plates 23 is provided on the right side of the disposable chip placement unit 30. The sample plate stocker 32 includes twelve storage units for storing the sample plates 23 before use on the left side of the apparatus, and twelve storage units for storing the sample plates 23 after use on the right side of the apparatus.

  A dispensing unit support rail 36 is attached to a back plate 34 provided on the back side of the housing 12 along the left-right direction of the apparatus. A guide block (not shown) is slidably supported on the dispensing unit support rail 36, and a first dispensing unit 38 is attached to the guide block. In addition, a drive device (not shown) that moves the first dispensing unit 38 is attached to the back plate 34.

  The first dispensing unit 38 includes eight dispensing nozzles 38A that detachably support the disposable chip at the lower end, a driving device 38B that moves the dispensing nozzle 38A in the vertical direction, vacuum suction of liquid, and vacuum suction. An unillustrated intake / exhaust device for discharging the liquid is provided. A dispensing tip (not shown) is attached to the tip of the dispensing nozzle 38A, and the first dispensing unit 38 can vacuum-suck liquid from the disposable tip and discharge the vacuum-sucked liquid.

  A space between the first shelf plate 14 and the bottom plate 40 of the housing 12 is partitioned in the apparatus width direction by a partition wall 42, and a plurality of (12 in the present embodiment) are provided on the left side of the partition wall 42. An incubator 44 is arranged. The incubator 44 includes a heater (not shown), accommodates the reaction plate 16 and holds (incubates) it at a predetermined reaction temperature.

A second shelf plate 46 that divides the first shelf plate 14 and the bottom plate 40 vertically is disposed on the right side of the partition wall 42.
Between the first shelf plate 14 and the second shelf plate 46, a second dispensing unit 48, a photometric analysis unit 50, and a cleaning unit 52 are sequentially arranged from the left side of the apparatus.

  The second dispensing unit 48 is for dispensing the reaction stop solution, and includes one dispensing nozzle 48A, a drive device 48B that moves the dispensing nozzle 48A in the vertical direction, and a reaction stop solution container 49. And a dispensing table 53, a suction / discharge device and a vibration device (not shown). The second dispensing unit 48 discharges the reaction stopping liquid contained in the reaction stopping liquid container 49 to the recess 16A of the reaction plate 16 through the dispensing nozzle 48A.

The cleaning unit 52 discharges the cleaning liquid to the recess 16A of the reaction plate 16, and sucks the cleaning liquid discharged to the recess 16A.
The photometric analysis unit 50 includes a light projector for projecting light of a predetermined wavelength to the concave portion 16A of the reaction plate 16, a light receiver for receiving light transmitted through the concave portion 16A, and the like. The specimen (sample) is analyzed by measuring the intensity (absorbance, fluorescence intensity, emission intensity, etc.) at a predetermined wavelength.

  A storage portion 55A is provided between the second shelf plate 46 and the bottom plate 40, and a rack storage device 55 is provided in the storage portion 55A. The rack storage device 55 stores disposable chip racks 54 that store a plurality (16 in this embodiment) of disposable chip boxes 28 that store a plurality of disposable chips.

[Conveyor]
The configuration of the transport device 56 that transports the reaction plate 16, the sample plate 23, and the disposable chip box 28 will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, elevating slide rails 58 are vertically attached to the right side wall 12 </ b> R and the left side wall 12 </ b> L on the front side of the apparatus.
Between one lifting slide rail 58 and the other lifting slide rail 58, a horizontal arm 60 whose longitudinal direction is the apparatus width direction is disposed.
At both ends of the horizontal arm 60, an elevating slide block 61 that is movably supported along the elevating slide rail 58 is attached.

Further, a feed screw 62 arranged in the vertical direction is rotatably attached to the right side wall 12R and the left side wall 12L via a bearing 64 in the vicinity of the elevating slide rail 58. The feed screw 62 is supported at its upper and lower portions by a pair of bearings 64 so as not to shake during rotation.
A feed screw timing pulley 68 around which an endless elevating timing belt 66 described below is wound is attached to the lower end of the feed screw 62.

  A pair of direction changing timing pulleys 70 is arranged in the center of the bottom plate 40 in the apparatus width direction. The direction changing timing pulley 70 is rotatably supported by a shaft 71 fixed to the bottom plate 40.

At the center of the bottom plate 40 in the apparatus width direction, an elevating motor 72 having a rotating shaft (not shown) directed downward is disposed on the back side of the apparatus. An elevating drive timing pulley 74 is attached to the rotating shaft of the elevating motor 72.

  An elevating timing belt 66 is wound around the elevating driving timing pulley 74, the feed screw timing pulley 68, and the direction changing timing pulley 70 in a substantially T-shape. Thereby, the pair of feed screws 62 can be rotated in synchronization by rotating the lifting motor 72.

  Nut members 76 that are screwed into the feed screw 62 are attached to both ends of the horizontal arm 60. Therefore, by rotating the feed screw 62, the nut member 76 moves along the axial direction of the feed screw 62, and the horizontal arm 60 can be moved up and down.

  The horizontal arm 60 includes a hand unit 78 that transfers the reaction plate 16, the sample plate 23, and the disposable chip box 28, and a hand unit left-right moving device 80 that moves the hand unit 78 in the arm longitudinal direction (device left-right direction). Is provided.

(Hand unit left / right moving device)
First, the configuration of the hand unit left / right moving device 80 will be described.
A slide rail 82 is attached to the upper surface of the horizontal arm 60 along the longitudinal direction of the arm. A slide block (not shown) is slidably supported on the slide rail 82 in the rail longitudinal direction, and a hand unit 78 is attached to the upper surface of the slide block.

In addition, an endless timing belt 84 spanned between a pair of timing pulleys (not shown) is disposed on the horizontal arm 60 in parallel with the slide rail 82. One timing pulley is rotated by the apparatus width direction moving motor 88.
The hand unit 78 is connected to the timing belt 84, and the hand unit 78 can be moved along the longitudinal direction of the horizontal arm 60 by driving the timing belt 84 with the apparatus width direction moving motor 88.

The hand unit 78 includes an opening / closing hand device 100, and the opening / closing hand device 100 is moved in the longitudinal direction of the device (arrow F direction and arrow B direction) by an actuator (not shown).
The open / close hand device 100 includes a pair of hands 102 that grip the reaction plate 16, the sample plate 23, and the disposable chip box 28 from the side. The pair of hands 102 extend along the front-rear direction of the apparatus, and are opened and closed in a direction (apparatus width direction) in which they are brought into and out of contact with each other by an actuator not shown.

  In addition, the open / close hand device 100 is provided with a barcode reader 90 that reads the barcode 17 of the reaction plate 16 and the barcode 24 of the sample plate 23.

The analyzer 10 according to the present embodiment operates each part of the apparatus such as the dispensing stage 26, the first dispensing unit 38, the incubator 44, the transport device 56, the second dispensing unit 48, the photometric analysis unit 50, the cleaning unit 52, and the like. A control device 91 for controlling is provided.
The control device 91 is configured to include a computer or the like, and includes an input device 92 such as a keyboard for performing various settings and inputs, a display device 93 for displaying input information, the operating status of the device, and an alarm device 94 such as a buzzer. Is connected. The computer stores a program for controlling each part of the apparatus.

  When the hand unit 78 is moved in the apparatus width direction by the transport device 56 of the present embodiment, the timing belt 84 is driven by rotating the apparatus width direction moving motor 88. Thereby, the hand unit 78 connected to the timing belt 84 can be moved in the apparatus width direction.

  On the other hand, when raising / lowering the hand unit 78, the raising / lowering motor 72 is rotated. The rotational force of the elevating motor 72 is transmitted to the feed screw 62 via the elevating drive timing pulley 74, the elevating timing belt 66, and the feed screw timing pulley 68, and the feed screw 62 rotates, whereby the hand unit. The horizontal arm 60 carrying 78 is moved up and down.

  In the transport device 56 of this embodiment, gripping objects such as the reaction plate 16, the sample plate 23, and the disposable chip box 28 can be gripped and transported.

  For example, when holding the reaction plate 16 with the hand unit 78, the hand unit 78 is moved to the front of the reaction plate 16, the pair of hands 102 is opened, and the hand unit 78 is advanced toward the reaction plate 16. . The reaction plate 16 can be gripped by placing the hand 102 on the side of the reaction plate 16 and then closing the pair of hands 102.

After the reaction plate 16 is gripped by the hand 102, the reaction plate 16 is lifted slightly to retract the hand unit 78, and the hand unit 78 is moved in the apparatus width direction and the vertical direction to move the reaction plate 16 to a desired delivery place. Can be moved.
The sample plate 23 and the disposable chip box 28 can also be transported in the same manner as the reaction plate 16.

  According to this embodiment, the conveying device 56 is provided separately from the first dispensing unit 38 and the second dispensing unit 48, and the first dispensing unit 38, the second dispensing unit 48, and the conveying device. 56 are driven independently without interfering with each other.

  Next, a sample analysis method and analysis procedure in the analyzer 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. In the following embodiment, an example of a two-step sandwich immunoassay method in which a primary antibody is solid-phased in a recess of a reaction plate and an enzyme-labeled antibody solution is used as a labeled antibody solution is shown.

  First, a new reaction plate 16 in which the primary antibody is solid-phased in the recess 16A is set in the storage portion on the left side of the reaction plate stocker 18, and the storage portion on the right side of the reaction plate stocker 18 is left empty. Further, the sample plate 23 in which the sample (for example, serum or the like) is placed in the recess 23A is set in the sample plate stocker 32 in the left storage unit, and the right storage unit of the sample plate stocker 32 is left empty. An enzyme-labeled antibody solution is placed in the reagent container 20 of the reagent container stage 19 on the left side of the apparatus, and a coloring substrate solution is placed in the reagent container 22 of the reagent container stage 19 on the right side of the apparatus. Further, the reaction stop solution is put into the reaction stop solution container 49 of the second dispensing unit 48 and the cleaning solution is prepared in the cleaning unit 52.

  Further, by operating the input device 92, the ID of the sample plate 23 into which the sample is put (included in the barcode 24), information on which concave portion 23A of the sample plate 23 is put, and the sample are analyzed. The ID of the reaction plate 16 (included in the barcode 17) is associated with the ID of the sample (for identifying the person who provided the sample).

  When the start button is pressed, first, in step 200, the hand unit 78 moves to the left storage section of the sample plate stocker 32, and the barcode reader 90 reads the barcode 24 of the sample plate 23 and performs collation.

  In step 200, if it is determined that the collated sample plate 23 is a regular one to be transported, the process proceeds to step 202, where the hand unit 78 grasps the collated sample plate 23 from the sample plate stocker 32 and performs the second operation. Transport to dispensing table 26B. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 200 that the verified sample plate 23 is not a regular one to be transported, the process proceeds to step 204 where an alarm is issued by the alarm device 94 and the operation of the transport device 56 is stopped.

In step 206, the hand unit 78 moves to the reaction plate stocker 18, and the barcode reader 90 reads the barcode 17 of the reaction plate 16 to check the reaction plate 16.
If it is determined that the collated reaction plate 16 is a regular one to be transported, the process proceeds to step 208, and the hand unit 78 grips the collated reaction plate 16 and transports it to the first dispensing table 26A. On the other hand, if it is determined that the verified reaction plate 16 is not a proper one to be transported from now on, the routine proceeds to step 210 where an alarm is issued by the alarm device 94 and the operation of the transport device 56 is stopped.

In step 212, the first dispensing unit 38 aspirates the sample placed in the recess 23A of the sample plate 23, and dispenses the sucked sample into the recess 16A of the reaction plate 16 (as the dispensing time, for example, 5 minutes) .)
When the first dispensing unit 38 sucks and discharges a liquid such as a specimen, a new disposable chip stored in the disposable chip box 28 previously arranged in the disposable chip placement unit 30 is used as the dispensing nozzle 38A. Is lowered and attached to the tip of the dispensing nozzle 38A. After the discharge is finished, the used disposable tip is removed from the dispensing nozzle 38A and collected in a collection box (not shown). Thereafter, the same operation is performed when the first dispensing unit 38 aspirates and discharges a liquid such as a sample (in the flowcharts of FIGS. 5, 7, and 8, the step of attaching and removing the disposable chip is omitted). doing.).

  In step 213, the hand unit 78 moves to the second dispensing table 26B, the barcode reader 90 reads the barcode 24 of the sample plate 23 arranged on the second dispensing table 26B, and collates the sample plate 23. Do. If it is determined that the collated specimen plate 23 is a regular one (used) to be transported from now on, the process proceeds to step 214, and the hand unit 78 holds the collated specimen plate 23 to the right side of the specimen plate stocker 32. Transport to storage. On the other hand, if it is determined that the collated specimen plate 23 is not a proper one to be transported, the process proceeds to step 215, where an alarm is issued by the alarm device 94, and the operation of the transport device 56 is stopped.

  In the next step 216, the hand unit 78 moves to the first dispensing table 26A, the bar code reader 90 reads the bar code 17 of the reaction plate 16, and collates the reaction plate 16. If it is determined that the collated reaction plate 16 is a regular one to be transported, the process proceeds to step 217, and the hand unit 78 grips the collated reaction plate 16 and transports it to the incubator 44. On the other hand, if it is determined that the verified reaction plate 16 is not a proper one to be transported, the process proceeds to step 218, where an alarm is issued by the alarm device 94 and the operation of the transport device 56 is stopped.

  In step 220, an incubation operation is performed in the incubator 44. That is, in the incubator 44, the reaction plate 16 is kept at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time (for example, 60 minutes). Thereby, the reaction (primary reaction) between the primary antibody and the antigen in the specimen is promoted. By the primary reaction, an immune complex 1 of the primary antibody and the antigen is generated. Further, while the reaction plate 16 is kept warm in the incubator 44, the above steps 200 to 218 are executed on the next specimen.

  In the next step 222, the bar code reader 90 of the hand unit 78 reads the bar code 17 of the reaction plate 16 arranged in the incubator 44 and verifies the reaction plate 16. If it is determined that the collated reaction plate 16 is a regular one to be transported, the process proceeds to step 224, and the hand unit 78 grips the collated reaction plate 16 and transports it to the cleaning unit 52. On the other hand, if it is determined that the verified reaction plate 16 is not a proper one to be transported from now on, the routine proceeds to step 226 where an alarm is issued by the alarm device 94 and the operation of the transport device 56 is stopped.

In step 228, the cleaning liquid is discharged from the cleaning unit 52 into the recess 16A of the reaction plate 16, and then the mixed liquid containing the cleaning liquid is sucked from the recess 16A to wash away unnecessary impurities in the recess 16A (as the cleaning time). , For example, 3 minutes). This discharge and suction may be repeated a plurality of times.
In step 230, the barcode reader 90 of the hand unit 78 reads the barcode 17 of the reaction plate 16 arranged in the cleaning unit 52 and collates the reaction plate 16. If it is determined that the collated reaction plate 16 is a proper one to be transported, the process proceeds to step 232, and the hand unit 78 grips the collated reaction plate 16 and transports it to the first dispensing table 26A. On the other hand, if it is determined that the verified reaction plate 16 is not a proper one to be transported from now on, the process proceeds to step 234 where an alarm is issued by the alarm device 94 and the operation of the transport device 56 is stopped.

  In step 236, the first dispensing unit 38 aspirates the enzyme-labeled antibody (labeled secondary antibody) solution from the reagent container 20, dispenses the sucked enzyme-labeled antibody solution into the recess 16A of the reaction plate 16, and the reaction plate. 16 is vibrated to stir the enzyme-labeled antibody solution (enzyme-labeled antibody dispensing operation. The dispensing and stirring time is, for example, 3 minutes).

  In step 238, the barcode reader 90 of the hand unit 78 reads the barcode 17 of the reaction plate 16 arranged on the first dispensing table 26A, and collates the reaction plate 16. If it is determined that the collated reaction plate 16 is a regular one to be transported, the process proceeds to step 240, and the hand unit 78 grips the collated reaction plate 16 and transports it to the incubator 44. On the other hand, if it is determined that the verified reaction plate 16 is not a proper one to be transported, the process proceeds to step 242 where an alarm is issued by the alarm device 94 and the operation of the transport device 56 is stopped.

  In step 244, the reaction plate 16 is kept at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time (for example, 60 minutes) in the incubator 44 (incubation operation). Thereby, the reaction (secondary reaction) between the immune complex 1 of the primary antibody and the antigen produced by the primary reaction and the enzyme-labeled antibody is promoted. By the secondary reaction, an immune complex 2 of the primary antibody, the antigen, and the enzyme-labeled antibody is generated. Further, while the reaction plate 16 is kept warm in the incubator 44, the above steps 222 to 242 are executed for the next specimen.

In step 246, the barcode reader 90 of the hand unit 78 reads the barcode 17 of the reaction plate 16 disposed in the incubator 44 and collates the reaction plate 16. If it is determined that the collated reaction plate 16 is a regular one to be transported, the process proceeds to step 248, and the hand unit 78 grips the collated reaction plate 16 and transports it to the cleaning unit 52. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 250, where the cleaning liquid is discharged from the cleaning unit 52 to the recess 16A of the reaction plate 16, and then the mixed liquid containing the cleaning liquid is sucked from the recess 16A to wash away unnecessary enzyme-labeled antibodies in the recess 16A. (The cleaning time is, for example, 3 minutes). This discharge and suction may be repeated a plurality of times.
On the other hand, if it is determined that the verified reaction plate 16 is not a proper one to be transported, the process proceeds to step 252 where an alarm is issued by the alarm device 94 and the operation of the transport device 56 is stopped.

  In step 254, the barcode reader 90 of the hand unit 78 reads the barcode 17 of the reaction plate 16 disposed in the cleaning unit 52 and collates the reaction plate 16. If it is determined that the collated reaction plate 16 is a regular one to be transported, the process proceeds to step 256, and the hand unit 78 grips the collated reaction plate 16 and transports it to the first dispensing table 26A. On the other hand, if it is determined that the verified reaction plate 16 is not a proper one to be transported from now on, the routine proceeds to step 258, where an alarm is issued by the alarm device 94, and the operation of the transport device 56 is stopped.

In step 256, the first substrate unit 38 aspirates the chromogenic substrate solution from the reagent container 22, dispenses the aspirated chromogenic substrate solution into the recess 16A of the reaction plate 16, and vibrates the reaction plate 16 to provide the chromogenic substrate solution. Stir (coloring substrate dispensing operation. Dispensing and stirring time is, for example, 3 minutes).
In step 260, the barcode reader 90 of the hand unit 78 reads the barcode 17 of the reaction plate 16 arranged on the first dispensing table 26A, and collates the reaction plate 16. If it is determined that the collated reaction plate 16 is a regular one to be transported, the process proceeds to step 262, and the hand unit 78 grips the collated reaction plate 16 and transports it to the incubator 44.
On the other hand, if it is determined that the verified reaction plate 16 is not a proper one to be transported, the process proceeds to step 264, where an alarm is issued by the alarm device 94, and the operation of the transport device 56 is stopped.

  In step 266, the reaction plate 16 is kept at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes) in the incubator 44 (incubation operation). As a result, the reaction (color development reaction) between the label contained in the immune complex 2 produced by the secondary reaction and the color development substrate is promoted to develop color. Further, while the reaction plate 16 is kept warm in the incubator 44, the above steps 246 to 264 are executed for the next sample.

  In step 268, the barcode reader 90 of the hand unit 78 reads the barcode 17 of the reaction plate 16 disposed in the incubator 44 and collates the reaction plate 16. If it is determined that the collated reaction plate 16 is a regular one to be transported, the process proceeds to step 270, and the hand unit 78 grips the collated reaction plate 16 and transports it to the second dispensing unit 48. On the other hand, if it is determined that the verified reaction plate 16 is not a proper one to be transported from now on, the routine proceeds to step 272 where an alarm is issued by the alarm device 94 and the operation of the transport device 56 is stopped.

  In step 273, the second dispensing unit 48 dispenses the reaction stop solution into the recess 16A of the reaction plate 16 (as a dispensing time, for example, 3 minutes), and vibrates the reaction plate 16 to stir the reaction stop solution. . Thereby, the reaction (color development reaction) between the label contained in the immune complex 2 and the color development substrate is stopped.

In step 274, the barcode reader 90 of the hand unit 78 reads the barcode 17 of the reaction plate 16 arranged in the second dispensing unit 48 and collates the reaction plate 16. If it is determined that the collated reaction plate 16 is a regular one to be transported, the process proceeds to step 276, and the hand unit 78 grips the collated reaction plate 16 and transports it to the photometric analysis unit 50.
On the other hand, if it is determined that the verified reaction plate 16 is not a proper one to be transported from now on, the routine proceeds to step 278, where the alarm device 94 issues an alarm, and the operation of the transport device 56 is stopped.

  In step 280, in the photometric analysis unit 50, light of a predetermined wavelength is projected onto the recess 16A of the reaction plate 16, and the absorbance of the solution in the recess 16A is measured to analyze the sample, that is, measure the amount of antigen in the sample. (Analysis time is, for example, 3 minutes).

In step 282, the barcode reader 90 of the hand unit 78 reads the barcode 17 of the reaction plate 16 arranged in the photometric analysis unit 50, and collates the reaction plate 16. If it is determined that the collated reaction plate 16 is a regular one to be transported, the process proceeds to step 284, and the hand unit 78 grips the collated reaction plate 16 and transports it to the right side of the reaction plate stocker 18. Thereby, the analysis of the sample is completed.
On the other hand, if it is determined that the verified reaction plate 16 is not a proper one to be transported, the process proceeds to step 286, where an alarm is issued by the alarm device 94, and the operation of the transport device 56 is stopped.

  As described above, the transport device 56 according to the present embodiment uses the barcode reader 90 to perform barcode processing before the hand unit 78 grips the reaction plate 16 or the sample plate 23 that is the object to be transported. 17 or bar code 24 is read and collated with the process table. If it is determined that the collated reaction plate 16 or sample plate 23 is genuine, the collated reaction plate 16 or sample plate 23 is Since it is nipped and transported to the next process, for example, the operator mistakenly changes the arrangement of the reaction plate 16 or the sample plate 23 in the middle of the process, or another unit or the like that vacates another reaction plate 16 or the sample plate 23. Even if it is placed, the reaction plate 16 and the sample plate 23 are not transported to the wrong process and processed incorrectly. It can be analyzed.

Further, when the reaction plate 16 or the sample plate 23 that the hand unit 78 intends to hold is not a proper one to be processed from now on, the alarm device 94 gives an alarm, so that the operator can output the reaction plate 16 or the sample plate 23. It can be seen that there is a mistake in the arrangement.
Further, when the alarm is issued and the transport device 56 is stopped, the hand unit 78 is stopped in front of the reaction plate 16 or the sample plate 23 which is misplaced, so that the operator is placed in front of the stopped hand unit 78. It can be seen that the reaction plate 16 or the sample plate 23 is wrongly arranged.

  In the above analysis method and analysis procedure, a series of operations have been described focusing on the specific reaction plate 16. However, in the actual analysis method and analysis procedure, the first dispensing unit 38, the transport device 56, and the second dispensing unit 48 are operated in parallel, so that the analysis of the plurality of reaction plates 16 is slightly performed. This is done at different timings.

  FIG. 10 shows a state of the plurality of reaction plates 16 when the procedure proceeds in the time exemplified above. The reaction plate 16 is first dispensed with a sample for 5 minutes and kept warm for 60 minutes (first warming). Thereafter, washing is performed for 3 minutes, and an enzyme-labeled antibody solution is dispensed for 3 minutes. Then, after being kept warm for 60 minutes (second warming), washing is performed for 3 minutes, and then the coloring substrate solution is dispensed for 3 minutes. Finally, after being kept warm for 30 minutes (the third warming), the reaction stop solution is dispensed for 3 minutes, and after stirring the reaction stop solution, photometric analysis is performed for 3 minutes.

  As shown in FIG. 10, during the first incubation in the incubator 44 of the first reaction plate 16 (step 220), the first dispensing unit 38 reacts 11 sheets from the 2nd sheet to the 12th sheet. The dispensing operation (step 212) of the plate 16 can be performed. Further, during the second heat insulation of the first reaction plate 16 (step 244), the first dispensing unit 38 dispenses 11 reaction plates 16 from the second to the 12th (step 236). )It can be performed.

  In the time exemplified above, the third heat retention time (step 266) of the reaction plate 16 is 30 minutes, which is shorter than the first heat insulation time and the second heat retention time of 60 minutes. Therefore, when the third heat retention of the first reaction plate 16 is completed, the first dispensing unit 38 is still in the dispensing operation of the seventh reaction plate 16 (step 256). Here, in this embodiment, since the reaction stop liquid dispensing operation after the third heat retention of the reaction plate 16 is performed by the second dispensing unit 48 different from the first dispensing unit 38, the first dispensing unit The 38 dispensing operation is not hindered. Therefore, since the dispensing operation of the first dispensing unit 38 and the dispensing operation of the second dispensing unit 48 can proceed simultaneously, many samples can be analyzed in a short time.

Further, a transport device 56 is provided separately from the first dispensing unit 38 and the second dispensing unit 48, and the movement of the reaction plate 16 and the sample plate 23 is all performed by the transport device 56. Therefore, the dispensing operation of the first dispensing unit 38 and the second dispensing unit 48 is not hindered, and the dispensing operation and the transporting operation by the transporting device 56 can proceed simultaneously, so that a large number of samples can be obtained in a short time. Can be analyzed.

  Further, only the dispensing operation of the reaction stop solution after the third heat retention of the reaction plate 16 is completed can be performed by the second dispensing unit 48, and all other dispensing operations can be performed by the first dispensing unit 38. Therefore, only two dispensing units are required, and the apparatus can be downsized.

[Other Embodiments]
Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above, and other various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It is.

  In the above embodiment, since the third incubation time of the reaction plate 16 is the shortest, the subsequent dispensing operation of the reaction stop solution was performed by the second dispensing unit 48. It is not necessary to carry out the reaction stop solution. For example, when the second incubation time of the reaction plate 16 is the shortest, the subsequent chromogenic substrate dispensing operation is performed by the second dispensing unit 48. Even in such a case, the enzyme-labeled antibody dispensing operation performed in the first dispensing unit 38 is not hindered. Therefore, the dispensing operation of the first dispensing unit 38 and the dispensing of the second dispensing unit 48 are not performed. The injection operation can be performed simultaneously, and many samples can be analyzed in a short time.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the dispensing operation of the 11th reaction plate 16 of the second to twelfth sheets is performed while the first reaction plate 16 is kept warm, but the dispensing operation is performed while keeping the temperature. The number of reaction plates 16 that can be increased or decreased depending on the heat retention time of the reaction plates 16 and the dispensing time.

  In the above-described embodiment, three types of reagent solutions are used: an enzyme-labeled antibody solution, a chromogenic substrate solution, and a reaction stop solution, but various sample solutions are used depending on the sample analysis method, the type of sample to be analyzed, and the analysis target. be able to. Further, the primary antibody is immobilized in advance in the recess 16A of the reaction plate 16, but the antigen may be immobilized in advance instead of the antibody.

As an analysis method of the sample in the embodiments other than the above-described embodiment, for example, the step of incubating the sample and the labeled antibody solution by dispensing the sample and the labeled antibody solution to the plate (recess 16A of the reaction plate 16) on which the antibody or antigen is immobilized is performed. Washing the plate and dispensing the chromogenic substrate solution and incubating; and dispensing the reaction stop solution to the plate on which the chromogenic substrate solution has been dispensed and measuring the signal intensity including, 1-step sandwich immunoassay; analyte to plate competitor is immobilized (recess 16A of the reaction plate 16), and a step of incubating performing dispensing of the labeled antibody solution, color development and washing the plate a step of incubating performing dispensing of substrate solution, and, responsive to said plate subjected to dispensing of the chromogenic substrate solution Comprising the step of measuring the signal intensity by performing the dispensing of stop solution, the competitive method 1; the sample (recess 16A of the reaction plate 16) plates antibody is immobilized, and the dispensing of a labeled competitor reagent conducted Incubating the plate , washing the plate and dispensing the chromogenic substrate solution, incubating, and dispensing the reaction stop solution to the plate on which the chromogenic substrate solution has been dispensed. The competitive method 2 etc. including the process to measure are mentioned.

  In the one-step sandwich immunoassay method, three types of test solutions, an enzyme-labeled antibody solution, a chromogenic substrate solution, and a reaction stop solution, can be used, and the antibody or antigen is immobilized in advance in the recess of the reaction plate 16. In the competition method 1, three types of test solutions, ie, an enzyme-labeled antibody solution, a chromogenic substrate solution, and a reaction stop solution, can be used, and a competitor substance is immobilized in advance in the recess of the reaction plate 16. In competition method 2, three types of reagent solutions, ie, enzyme-labeled competitor substance solution, chromogenic substrate solution, and reaction stop solution, can be used, and the antibody is solid-phased in the recess of the reaction plate 16 in advance.

10 Analyzer 12 Housing 16 Reaction plate ( plate )
23 Sample plate 38 1st dispensing unit (1st dispensing machine)
44 Incubator 48 Second dispensing unit (second dispensing machine)
50 Photometric analysis unit 52 Cleaning unit 56 Conveying device (conveying means)

Claims (6)

A plurality of plate analyzers,
Each plate of the plurality of plates has a plurality of recesses,
A plurality of dispensing areas for dispensing specimens or reagents on the plurality of plates ;
A dispenser provided in each of the plurality of dispense areas;
An incubation area for incubating the plurality of dispensed plates;
Transport means for transporting the plate between the incubation area and the dispensing area ;
An analyzer comprising:
Immediately after completion of the incubation in which the dispensing operation for the plurality of plates proceeds simultaneously and the incubation time of the plate dispensed with one dispenser in one dispensing area is set to be the shortest. Analyzer that dispenses the next with another dispenser in the dispensing area . The analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the analyzer is used in a method including the following first to fourth steps, and the step having the shortest incubation time is the third step.
First step: Step of incubating the sample by dispensing the sample to the plate Second step: Step of washing the plate and dispensing the labeled antibody solution Third step: Dispensing the labeled antibody solution has been the plates were washed incubated performs dispensing of chromogenic substrate solution step fourth step: measuring the signal strength by performing the dispensing of stop solution to the plate dispensing was performed of the chromogenic substrate solution Process The analyzer according to claim 2 , wherein the plate is a plate having a plurality of recesses in which an antibody or an antigen is immobilized. A method for analyzing a plurality of plates,
Each plate of the plurality of plates has a plurality of recesses,
A dispensing step of dispensing a sample or a reagent to the plurality of plates by a dispenser provided in each of a plurality of dispensing areas;
A cleaning step of cleaning the plurality of plates in a cleaning area;
An incubation step of incubating the plurality of plates in an incubation area;
And an analysis method comprising the dispensing step and the incubation step multiple times,
A transporting step of transporting the plurality of plates to the dispensing area, the washing area, and the incubation area;
In the dispensing step, the dispensing operation for the plurality of plates proceeds simultaneously in the plurality of dispensing areas,
The incubation time of the plate dispensed with one dispenser in one dispense area is the shortest, and after the set incubation has been completed, the next dispenser with the other dispenser in the other dispense area. Analytical method to do . The analysis method according to claim 4 , comprising the following first to fourth steps, wherein the incubation step with the shortest time is the third step.
First step: Step of performing incubation step after sample dispensing step Second step: Step of performing labeled antibody solution dispensing step after the plate washing step, followed by incubation step Third step: Labeled antibody solution The step of dispensing the chromogenic substrate solution after the washing step of the plate on which the aliquot was dispensed, followed by the incubation step. Fourth step: the reaction stop solution on the plate on which the chromogenic substrate solution was dispensed A process of measuring the signal intensity after the dispensing process The analysis method according to claim 5 , wherein the plate is a plate having a plurality of recesses in which an antibody or an antigen is immobilized.