JP6466294B2 - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that performs quantitative and qualitative analysis of a specimen made of a biological sample such as blood, urine, and the like.

  In an automatic analyzer, a reagent in a reagent container mounted on a reagent storage (for example, a reagent disk) in the apparatus is used for analyzing a sample. The amount of the reagent solution stored in the reagent container is consumed every time the sample is analyzed. For this reason, when the reagent runs out due to the absence or slight amount of reagent, it is necessary to replace the mounted reagent container. Replacement of the reagent container (hereinafter also referred to as reagent replacement) is performed after setting all the mechanisms of the apparatus to a standby state (a standby state in which all operations are completed).

  On the other hand, as an automatic analyzer that can perform reagent replacement even in an analysis operation state (a state in which all operations are not completed, an operation state), there are those equipped with an automatic transport mechanism and those equipped with a temporary stop function.

  An automatic analyzer equipped with an automatic transfer mechanism waits for the completion of dispensing of all the reagents for the sample being analyzed after the operator instructs the apparatus to replace the reagent. The reagent container is taken out, and instead, a reagent container in which there is no shortage of the reagent liquid amount is automatically transported and loaded from another reagent storage. In addition, when the operator instructs the apparatus to pause, the automatic analyzer having a pause function waits for completion of all operations (for example, reagent dispensing and result output) on the sample being analyzed, and then the apparatus itself Is suspended, and the reagent container mounted in the reagent storage in the apparatus can be replaced by the operator.

  Furthermore, in relation to an automatic analyzer having a temporary stop function, Patent Document 1 describes the remaining amount of reagent in the reagent container mounted on the reagent disk, the usage trend of the reagent, and the items requested to be analyzed at the present time. Based on this, the estimated time at which the reagent runs out is calculated, and when the reagent time near the estimated time is reached, the analysis is performed using a reagent other than the reagent at which the reagent runs out. For example, the analysis performed at the time when the predicted time is near is automatically suspended after the operation that hinders reagent replacement is completed, and the operator is ready for reagent replacement. An automatic analyzer that notifies of the above is disclosed.

JP 2008-122417 A

  An automatic analyzer with a temporary stop function does not complicate or increase the size of the apparatus itself, unlike an automatic analyzer with an automatic conveyance mechanism, and hinders reagent replacement even in an analysis operation state. Waiting for the operation to complete, the device enters a paused state where reagent replacement is possible.

  However, after the operator gives an instruction to pause the apparatus, or even when the estimated time when the reagent runs out is reached, until the temporary stop state where the reagent can be actually replaced, Although it depends, it takes unspecified time from several minutes to several tens of minutes. Meanwhile, the operator must wait in the vicinity of the automatic analyzer in order to wait for notification of completion of reagent replacement in preparation for reagent replacement. Even if the operator gives an instruction to replace the corner or reagent, or returns from another place in time with the predicted time, the reagent cannot actually be replaced immediately and the reagent cannot be replaced at a time convenient for the operator. there were. The waiting time in the vicinity of the automatic analyzer causes the operator to unnecessarily interrupt the work that has been performed, leading to a reduction in work efficiency.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic analyzer that improves the working efficiency of an operator without complicating or increasing the size of the apparatus itself in connection with reagent replacement.

  The automatic analyzer according to the present invention is in a paused state in which reagent replacement can be automatically performed at a reagent replacement designated time set in advance by an operator, and reagent replacement is performed at a reagent replacement designated time set according to the convenience of the operator. It is characterized in that the work can be started immediately.

  Specifically, it is an automatic analyzer that measures a component of a sample by mixing a reagent with the sample and analyzing the mixture, and a designated time input unit in which an operator sets a reagent replacement designated time, and a sample request item Reagent replacement work should be performed immediately based on the final reagent dispensing completion time before the reagent runs out and the state transition time required from the start of the state transition to the reagent replaceable state until the state transition is completed A state transition completion time calculation unit that calculates a state transition completion time of a reagent replaceable state after completion of the final reagent dispensing that can be performed, and a reagent replacement specified time set in the specified time input unit is a state transition completion time calculation unit It is determined whether or not it is before the state transition completion time calculated in step S2. If the reagent replacement specified time is before the state transition completion time, the reagent replacement specified time and the state transition time are used. State transition start time calculation unit that calculates a state transition start time to a reagent replaceable state that makes it possible to immediately perform a reagent replacement operation at a specified reagent replacement time, and a state transition start calculated by the state transition start time calculation unit A state transition control unit is provided that interrupts the analysis of the request item of the sample with reagent dispensing after the time and starts the state transition to the reagent replaceable state at the state transition start time.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to eliminate the waiting time for the reagent replacement work of the operator due to the state transition time of the apparatus, and to start the reagent replacement work reliably at a time convenient for the operator, so that the operator can work efficiently. Can do.

  Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of embodiments.

1 is a schematic overall configuration diagram of a multi-item chemical analyzer as an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of one Example of the reagent replacement time designation screen for setting the reagent replacement designation time. It is an example of a caution screen when the setting of the reagent replacement designated time is not valid. It is another Example of the attention screen when the setting of the reagent replacement designated time is not valid. It is a flowchart of one Example of a state transition control process in case reagent replacement designation | designated time is designated by the operator. It is a block diagram of one Example of the reagent replacement | exchange screen displayed in the case of reagent replacement | exchange. It is explanatory drawing about the interruption timing of the item unit of an analysis. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a specific process in the state transition control process shown in FIG. 5 at an interruption timing for each item of analysis. It is explanatory drawing about the discontinuation timing of the sample unit of an analysis. 6 is a flowchart showing a specific process in the state transition control process shown in FIG. It is a general | schematic whole block diagram of the multi-item chemical analysis apparatus as another Example of this invention. It is a block diagram of one Example of the reagent replacement time designation screen according to the multi-item chemical analyzer of this example.

  An embodiment of an automatic analyzer according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking as an example a multi-item chemical analyzer that analyzes a plurality of requested items of a sample by a photometric method. The automatic analyzer according to the present invention is not limited to the multi-item chemical analyzer, and can be applied to various automatic analyzers that require reagent replacement.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic overall configuration diagram of a multi-item chemical analyzer as an embodiment of the present invention.

  The multi-item chemical analyzer 1 of this embodiment includes a specimen disk 11 on which a plurality of specimen containers 10 containing specimens are mounted along the circumferential direction, and a reagent container containing a reagent as a reagent storage in the apparatus. A reagent disk 21 having a plurality of 20 mounted in the circumferential direction and a reaction disk 31 having a plurality of reaction vessels 30 mounted in the circumferential direction are provided. Each sample container 10 and each reagent container 20 are detachably mounted on the sample disk 11 and the reagent disk 21. A sample dispenser 12 and a reagent dispenser 22 are installed between the sample disk 11 and the reaction disk 31 and between the reagent disk 21 and the reaction disk 31. The sample dispenser 12 and the reagent dispenser 22 include a movable arm and a dispensing nozzle including a pipette nozzle attached to the movable arm.

  Each of the sample disk 11 and the reagent disk 21 is provided so as to be rotatable, and the sample container 10 and the reagent container 20 in the plurality of sample containers 10 and reagent containers 20 mounted on the sample disk 10 and the reagent container 20 by the rotation displacement, for example, The sample inhaler position by the sample dispenser 12 and the reagent inhalation position by the reagent dispenser 22 can be arranged at predetermined positions along the circumferential direction of the disk.

  In addition, a sample ID reader 13 and a reagent ID reader 23 are disposed at another predetermined position along the circumferential direction of the sample disk 11 and the reagent disk 21. The sample ID reader 13 and the reagent ID reader 23 read a sample ID (identification data) and a reagent ID attached to the sample container 10 and the reagent container 20 arranged at the opposite reading positions. The sample ID reader 13 and the reagent ID reader 23 read the sample ID and reagent ID of the sample container 10 and the reagent container 20 positioned at the reading position according to the rotation of the sample disk 11 and the reagent disk 21, and the sample disk 11. The loading status of each of the specimen and the reagent on the reagent disk 21 is detected.

  The sample dispenser 12 moves the dispensing nozzle to the sample inhalation position on the sample disk 11, and inhales and stores a predetermined amount of sample into the nozzle from the sample container 10 arranged at the sample inhalation position. Thereafter, the dispensing nozzle is moved to the sample discharge position on the reaction disk 31, and the sample contained in the nozzle is discharged into the reaction container 30 arranged at the sample discharge position to dispense the sample. Do.

  The reagent dispenser 22 moves the dispensing nozzle to the reagent suction position on the reagent disk 21, and sucks and stores a predetermined amount of reagent into the nozzle from the reagent container 20 arranged at the reagent suction position. Thereafter, the dispensing nozzle is moved to the reagent ejection position on the reaction disk 31, and the reagent contained in the nozzle is ejected into the reaction container 30 arranged at the reagent ejection position, thereby dispensing the reagent. . In preparation for dispensing different specimens and reagents into the reaction container 30, cleaning tanks 14 and 24 are provided in the movement paths of the dispensing nozzles of the specimen dispenser 12 and the reagent dispenser 22, respectively. The dispensing nozzle that has completed the above-described cleaning is performed, so that the sample and the reagent are not contaminated when the sample and the reagent are dispensed.

  Similarly, the reaction disk 31 can also be rotated. By the intermittent rotation of the reaction disk 31, each reaction container 30 mounted on the reaction disk 31 along the circumferential direction is moved by the sample dispenser 12. The specimen discharge position, the reagent discharge position by the reagent dispenser 22, the stirring position by the stirring mechanism 36, the photometric position by the photometric system 37, and the cleaning position by the cleaning mechanism 38 can be sequentially arranged. Each reaction vessel 30 is made of a translucent material for measurement by the photometric system 37.

  In addition, the reaction disk 31 is provided with a thermostat (not shown), and a fluid whose temperature is controlled and managed by a thermostat (not shown) is stored in the tank. Each reaction vessel 30 mounted on the reaction disk 31 is immersed and held in the fluid in the tank, and is maintained at a predetermined temperature (for example, 37 ° C.) while moving in the tank by the rotation of the reaction disk 31. Thus, it is moved to each work position such as the specimen discharge position and the reagent discharge position.

  The stirring mechanism 36, the photometric system 37, and the cleaning mechanism 38, together with the sample dispenser 12 and the reagent dispenser 22, are arranged with their respective working positions shifted around the disk of the reaction disk 31. The stirring mechanism 36 stirs the mixed solution (reaction solution) of the sample and the reagent dispensed into the reaction container 30 by the sample dispenser 12 and the reagent dispenser 22, respectively. Thereby, the mixed liquid of the specimen and the reagent dispensed in the reaction container 30 is uniformly stirred to promote the reaction.

  The photometric system 37 has a configuration in which a light source (not shown) and a scattered photometer (not shown) are arranged to face each other across a photometric position through which the reaction vessel 30 passes in conjunction with the rotation of the reaction disk 31. Has been. The scattering photometer may include a multi-wavelength absorptiometer on the coaxial optical axis or at another position so that the concentration of the mixed solution can be calculated. The photometric system 37 irradiates the mixed liquid in the reaction vessel 30 located at the photometric position between the light source and the scattered photometer with the measuring light from the light source, and measures the scattered light with the scattered photometer. Thereby, the liquid mixture of the specimen and the reagent in each reaction container 30 is stored each time each reaction container 30 is positioned at the photometric position of the photometric system 37 due to the rotational displacement caused by intermittent rotation of the reaction disk 31. Scattered light is measured.

  The cleaning mechanism 38 discards the mixed solution in the reaction container 30 for which the requested item has been analyzed for the reaction container 30 attached to the reaction disk 31, and prepares for use in the analysis of a new requested item. Wash. The cleaning mechanism 38 enables repeated use in analysis for each of the plurality of reaction vessels 30 to which the reaction disk 31 is attached.

  Next, a control system and a signal processing system in the multi-item chemical analyzer 1 will be described.

  The control system and the signal processing system of the multi-item chemical analysis apparatus 1 are configured to include a microcomputer (computer) 40. The microcomputer 40 is connected to a storage device 42 such as a hard disk memory or an external storage medium and a management device (not shown) (higher-level computer) via an interface 41 such as sample information, analysis request items, measurement / analysis results, etc. External device interface 43 for transmitting information, input device 44 such as mouse and keyboard for performing various instructions and setting operations on the device, GUI (Graphical User Interface) used for various instructions and settings, measurement and analysis A display device 45 for displaying the results and a printer 46 for printing out the measurement / analysis results are connected. Among them, the input device 44 and the display device 45 constitute a user interface of the multi-item chemical analysis device 1.

  Further, the microcomputer 40 is connected to the sample disk 11, the reagent disk 21, the reaction disk 31, the sample ID reader 13, the reagent ID reader 23, the sample dispensing control unit 15, and the reagent dispensing control unit via the interface 41. 25, each part of the apparatus such as an A / D converter 39 is connected. The sample dispensing control unit 15 and the reagent dispensing control unit 25 perform operation control of the sample dispensing device 12 and the reagent dispensing device 22 based on a command from the microcomputer 40, and perform dispensing operations for each of the sample and the reagent. To control. The A / D converter 39 converts the analog detection signal of the scattered photometer of the photometry system 37 into a digital signal and supplies it to the microcomputer 40.

  In addition, the analysis of the specimen by the multi-item chemical analyzer 1 is performed by controlling the operation of each part of the apparatus as follows by the control system and the signal processing system described above.

  The storage device 42 stores preset passwords for each operator, calibration results, analysis parameters for each analysis request item that can be analyzed, display levels for each screen, and the like. Prior to the start of the sample analysis operation (operation), sample information and analysis request items of each sample to be analyzed are transmitted from the management device to the storage device 42 via the external device interface 43, for example. Alternatively, an operator input from the user interface is registered. In addition, even during the operation, if it is necessary to add a sample or to analyze a sample once analyzed, an additional request or re-analysis request can be entered by an operator input from the user interface. The sample information and the requested item information requested to be reanalyzed are added to or reregistered in the storage device 42.

  When the microcomputer 40 receives an operator input of an operation start instruction from the user interface in a standby state (standby state) where the sample analysis operation is not performed, the microcomputer 40 receives the sample disk 11, the reagent disk 21, the reaction disk 31, and the sample dispensing. The operation of each unit such as the container 12 and the reagent dispenser 22 is controlled, and the analysis work is started for the sample information and the requested item information registered in the storage device 42.

  When the analysis work is started, based on the read outputs of the sample ID reader 13 and the reagent ID reader 23 corresponding to the rotation of the sample disk 11 and the reagent disk 21, the reading on the sample disk 11 and the reagent disk 21 is performed. The loading status of the specimen and reagent is acquired by the microcomputer 40 and stored in the storage device 42.

  Specifically, a plurality of samples are mounted along the circumferential direction of the sample disk 11 based on the IDs of the sample containers 10 that are sequentially read by the sample ID reader 13 as the sample disk 11 starts rotating. The mounting position of each sample container 10 on the sample disk 11 is defined, and each sample on the sample disk 11, that is, the mounting status of each sample container 10 is stored in the storage device 42.

  Similarly, a plurality of reagents mounted along the circumferential direction of the reagent disk 21 based on the IDs of the reagent containers 20 sequentially read by the reagent ID reader 23 as the reagent disk 21 starts rotating. The loading position of each container 20 on the reagent disk 21 is defined, and the loading status of each reagent on the reagent disk 21, that is, each reagent container 20 is stored in the storage device 42.

  Thereby, the microcomputer 40 controls the rotational displacement of the sample disk 11 and the reagent disk 21 based on the read outputs of the sample ID reader 13 and the reagent ID reader 23, and the desired sample and sample container 10, desired These reagent and reagent containers 20 can be arranged at the sample inhalation position by the sample dispenser 12 and at the reagent inhalation position by the reagent dispenser 22.

  In this way, after acquiring the mounting status of each sample container 10 and each reagent container 20 on the sample disk 11 and the reagent disk 21, the microcomputer 40 is registered in the storage device 42 by the rotation of the sample disk 11. In the analysis of the requested item, when the sample container 10 containing the unanalyzed sample is arranged at the sample inhaling position of the sample dispenser 12, the sample dispenser 12 is instructed according to the analysis parameter of the requested item. A predetermined amount of sample is inhaled and accommodated in the nozzle. Then, the amount of the sample liquid in the sample container 10 is subtracted by the inhaled predetermined amount, and the amount of the sample liquid stored in the sample container 10 is updated.

  Then, when the washed reaction container 30 is placed at the sample discharge position of the sample dispenser 12 by intermittent rotation of the reaction disk 31, the microcomputer 40 accommodates the sample dispenser 12 in the nozzle. A predetermined amount of sample is discharged into the reaction container 30 to dispense the sample. Then, the reaction container 30 is associated with the analysis of the requested item of the sample. For example, the microcomputer 40 stores the mounting position on the reaction vessel 30 or the reaction disk 31 in correspondence with the analysis of the request item of the sample registered in the storage device 42, and the sample has been dispensed. As a result, the dispensing completion time of the specimen is stored.

  On the other hand, in the microcomputer 40, the reaction container 30 corresponding to the analysis of the requested item at the reagent dispensing timing is arranged at the reagent discharge position of the reagent dispenser 22 by intermittent rotation of the reaction disk 31. In accordance with the timing, the reagent disk 20 of the reagent to be dispensed by rotating the reagent disk 11 is disposed at the reagent suction position of the reagent dispenser 22, and the reagent dispenser 22 is moved from the reagent container 20 to the reagent dispenser 22. A predetermined amount of reagent is aspirated in accordance with the analysis parameter of the requested item and accommodated in the nozzle. Then, the amount of the reagent solution in the reagent container 20 is subtracted by the inhaled predetermined amount to update the amount of the reagent solution stored in the reagent container 20, and the reagent for each reagent type of the reagent disk 11 The reagent amount of the same reagent type is subtracted from the predetermined amount by the inhaled amount, and the reagent solution amount (reagent remaining amount) for each reagent type in the reagent disk 11 is updated. Note that the reagent liquid amount of each reagent container 20 on the reagent disk 21 can be directly measured by providing a liquid amount measuring mechanism at a predetermined position along the circumferential direction of the reagent disk 21.

  Then, the microcomputer 40 causes the reaction disk 31 to rotate intermittently so that the reaction container 30 corresponding to the analysis of the requested item of the sample at the reagent dispensing timing is arranged at the reagent discharge position of the reagent dispenser 22. Then, the reagent dispenser 22 discharges a predetermined amount of reagent contained in the nozzle into the reaction container 30 to dispense the reagent. Then, in correspondence with the analysis of the request item of the sample registered in the storage device 42, the reagent dispensing completion time is stored as the reagent has been dispensed.

  On the other hand, when the reaction container 30 in which the sample and the reagent are dispensed and the analysis request item is specified by the intermittent rotation of the reaction disk 31 is arranged at the photometric position of the photometric system 37, the microcomputer 40 The digital detection output of the scattering photometer is taken in via the / D converter 39, and the measurement / analysis result of the sample analysis request item is calculated. Then, the measurement / analysis result is stored in association with the analysis request item of the sample registered in the storage device 42.

  In this way, in the multi-item chemical analysis device 1, the operation is started by the operator input of the operation start instruction, and when the analysis of the request item of each sample is started, the request of each sample registered in the storage device 42 is started. For each item analysis, sample dispensing completion time information indicating whether or not the sample has been dispensed, reagent dispensing completion time information indicating whether or not each reagent has been dispensed, and measurement / analysis results Etc. are sequentially stored and accumulated as the operation progresses.

  Further, with respect to the reagents stored in the reagent container 20 and stored on the reagent disk 21, the reagent liquid amount (reagent remaining amount) of each reagent container 20 and the reagent liquid amount (reagent remaining amount) for each reagent type are also included. Amount) is successively updated and stored as the operation progresses.

  In the multi-item chemical analyzer 1, when the operation is started in this way and the analysis of the requested items of each specimen is advanced, the amount of the reagent in each reagent container mounted on the reagent disk 21 is used in each analysis. It is consumed every time. Therefore, when the reagent on the reagent disk 21 has run out or has run out of reagent, all the mechanisms of the apparatus are put into a standby state (standby state), and the reagent container 20 is replaced by the operator when the reagent has run out. Work is required.

  Therefore, the control system and the signal processing system of the multi-item chemical analyzer 1 of the present embodiment are in a state where the apparatus can automatically register the reagent at the reagent replacement designated time set in advance by the operator (so as not to hinder reagent registration. The reagent replacement is completed for the sample being measured, and it has a reagent replacement time designation function that allows the operator to immediately start the reagent replacement operation. The control system and signal processing system of the multi-item chemical analysis apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 further performs the following process for this reagent replacement time designation function.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a reagent replacement time designation screen for setting a reagent replacement designation time.

  The reagent replacement time designation screen 50 is displayed on the GUI 45 on the display device 45 by the microcomputer 40 when an instruction for reagent replacement time designation is input through the user interface. The reagent replacement time designation screen 50 allows the input device 44 and the display device 45 to function as a designated time input unit.

  The reagent replacement time designation screen 50 is configured to include a designation selection radio button 51, a replacement recommendation information field 52, a replacement time designation field 53, a confirmation button 54, and a cancel button 55.

  The designation selection radio button 51 selects whether or not the reagent replacement time is designated. Execution of the state transition for setting the apparatus in a reagent registration enabled state at the reagent replacement specified time is set by operating the “specified” button 51a, and this state transition is performed by operating the “unspecified” button 51b. Execution is canceled.

  The replacement recommendation information column 52 defines the reagent run-out state that requires reagent replacement, and guides the operator to the recommended replacement time at which reagent replacement calculated based on the predicted time when the reagent runs out can be performed.

  In the multi-item chemical analyzer 1 of the present embodiment, the reagent replacement is performed by exchanging the reagent container 20 as a whole. Therefore, in the illustrated example, the replacement recommended information column 52 includes a setting unit that prescribes the reagent out-of-stock state. A usable reagent number ratio setting unit 52a is provided.

  The usable reagent number ratio setting unit 52a sets the reagent container 20 for each reagent type separately, and indicates the reagent run-out state of each reagent mounted on the reagent disk 21 in the reagent container 20 of the same reagent type on the reagent disk 21. The number ratio (%) of the reagent containers 20 that can be used for reagent dispensing in the total number is configured to be set in common regardless of the type of reagent. The reagent out-of-reset state setting unit is not limited to the usable reagent number ratio setting unit 52a defined by the number ratio (%) of the reagent containers 20 that can be used for reagent dispensing. It may be defined by the remaining amount of reagent that can be used and the remaining number of reagent containers 20, or may be set separately for each reagent type to set the reagent exhaustion state.

  The recommended replacement information column 52 is provided with a recommended replacement time display section 52b for guiding the recommended time for reagent replacement to the operator. In the recommended replacement time display section 52b, the reagent running out state set in the usable reagent number ratio setting section 52a (in the illustrated example, the number ratio of the reagent containers 20 that can be used with any reagent type reagent is less than 40%. The recommended replacement time (for example, 16:05) for performing the reagent replacement, which is calculated based on the predicted time (for example, 16:00), is displayed. This recommended replacement time (16:05) is the estimated time (16 minutes) for the state transition time (for example, 5 minutes) required for the apparatus to enter the reagent registration ready state from the analysis operation (operation) state. In addition to (hour 00 minutes).

  In this case, the predicted time is the number of reagent containers 20 (reagent remaining amount) that can be used for reagent dispensing for each reagent type mounted on the reagent disk 21 immediately after the reagent replacement is completed, and the apparatus itself for analysis of requested items. Request request analysis of request items calculated based on processing capability (for example, processing speed of request item analysis [number of samples / time]), analysis of request items of each sample registered in the storage device 42, and request tendency Based on the above, etc., it is calculated by the microcomputer 40. In the example shown in the figure, the predicted time is, for example, the predicted completion time of dispensing of the final reagent in the analysis of the requested item of the sample using the reagent whose ratio of the number of usable reagent containers 20 is less than 40%. Alternatively, it may be the estimated dispensing completion time of the final reagent in the analysis of the requested item of the sample using the latest reagent in which the proportion of the usable reagent containers 20 is less than 40%. When there are a plurality of reagent types, the reagent type of the reagent in the reagent-run state and the reagent type of the final reagent in the analysis of the requested item of the sample are not necessarily the same. In addition, the state transition time (in this case, 5 minutes) required from the analysis operation (operation) state to the reagent registerable state is registered in advance in the storage device 42 based on the performance of each mechanism of the device. . The state transition time can be automatically set based on the measurement result obtained by measuring the actual state transition time.

  The replacement time designation column 53 is for inputting a desired time (for example, 15:10) that is convenient for the operator to perform the reagent replacement work as the reagent replacement designation time. The confirm button 54 is used to confirm the presence / absence of designation of the reagent replacement time selected by the operation of the designation selection radio button 51 and the setting contents of the reagent replacement designated time set in the replacement time designation column 53 by the operation. . On the other hand, the cancel button 55 is for clearing and invalidating the presence / absence of designation of the reagent replacement time selected by the operation of the designation selection radio button 51 and the setting contents of the reagent replacement designated time set in the replacement time designation column 53. It is.

  When it is set that the reagent replacement time is specified by the operation of the designation selection radio button 51 and the reagent replacement specified time is set in the replacement time specification field 53, the set reagent replacement is set by the operation of the confirmation button 54. If the validity of the designated time is determined and there is no problem with the validity, execution of a state transition for making the apparatus ready for reagent registration at this reagent replacement designated time is registered in the storage device 42 by the microcomputer 40. To be confirmed. On the other hand, if it is set that the reagent replacement time is not designated by the operation of the designation presence / absence radio button 51, the previous registration of the storage device 42 is deleted by the operation of the confirmation button 54, and the reagent replacement designation time is set. The execution of the state transition for keeping the apparatus in the reagent registration enabled state is canceled. In this released state, in the multi-item chemical analyzer 1 of the present embodiment, it is detected that the reagent mounted on the reagent disk 21 has reached the reagent expired state set by the usable reagent number ratio setting unit 52a. Then, after confirming that the operation that hinders the reagent replacement is completed for the analysis of the item of the sample that is being performed at that time, the execution of the state transition for keeping the apparatus in the reagent registerable state is executed by the microcomputer 40. Will be done by.

  The validity of the reagent replacement specified time set in the replacement time specifying field 53 is based on the current replacement time and the recommended replacement time calculated for display in the recommended time display section 52b of the reagent replacement recommended information setting field 52. It is determined by the microcomputer 40. For example, if the set reagent replacement specified time is earlier than the current time or an imminent time close to the current time, the state transition for keeping the apparatus in the reagent registration enabled state at the reagent replacement specified time 3 is determined not to be appropriate, and the microcomputer 40 displays a dialog box of a caution screen 57 as shown in FIG. 3 in the reagent shown in FIG. A pop-up is displayed in the replacement time designation screen 50.

  FIG. 3 is an example of a caution screen when the setting of the reagent replacement designated time is not appropriate.

  The caution screen 57 prompts the operator to check whether the set reagent replacement specified time is the next day's time or an incorrect setting, and at the set reagent replacement specified time, the device is connected to the reagent at the same time the next day. A warning is issued that the execution of the state transition to keep the registration enabled state is executed. The attention screen 57 includes a confirmation button 57a and a cancel button 57b. When the confirm button 57a is operated by the operator, it is assumed that the set reagent replacement designated time is the same time on the next day, and the state transition for setting the apparatus in the reagent registration enabled state at the same time on the next day is performed. Execution is registered and confirmed in the storage device 42 by the microcomputer 40. On the other hand, when the cancel button 57b is operated, the reagent replacement time designation screen 50 shown in FIG. 2 is displayed, and the operator can reset the reagent replacement designation time in the replacement time designation column 53.

  Similarly, with regard to the validity of the set reagent replacement specified time, the set reagent replacement specified time is not an imminent time close to the current time, but the reagent replacement specified time is the recommended time display section of the replacement recommended information column 52 The ratio of the number of reagent containers 20 that are available (for example, several hours or more) before the recommended replacement time displayed in 52b, and can be used at that time, is determined as a reagent exhausted state. When it is predicted that the state is much higher than the prescribed number ratio (40%) of the reagent containers 20 that can be used, the microcomputer 40 displays a dialog box of the attention screen 58 as shown in FIG. A pop-up is displayed in the reagent replacement time designation screen 50 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is another example of the caution screen when the setting of the reagent replacement designated time is not appropriate.

  The caution screen 58 prompts the operator to confirm whether the reagent replacement is performed at the set reagent replacement specified time or whether the setting is incorrect. At the reagent replacement specified time, the remaining amount of the reagent that can be used for dispensing is displayed. Warning that there are still enough left.

  The attention screen 58 also includes a confirmation button 58a and a cancel button 58b. When the confirm button 58a is operated by the operator, it is assumed that the set reagent replacement specified time is correct according to the convenience of the operator, and the apparatus is set in a reagent registration enabled state at this reagent replacement specified time. The execution of the state transition is registered in the storage device 42 by the microcomputer 40 and confirmed. On the other hand, when the cancel button 58b is operated, the reagent replacement time designation screen 50 shown in FIG. 2 is displayed again, and the operator can reset the reagent replacement designation time in the reagent replacement time designation column 53.

  Therefore, in the multi-item chemical analysis device 1 of the present embodiment, the reagent replacement time designation screen 50 is displayed, so that the operator can determine whether the number of usable reagent containers 20 is a predetermined value for any reagent type. It is possible to check the recommended replacement time based on the estimated time that will be less than this, and when it is not convenient for the operator to replace the reagent at this recommended replacement time, specify the reagent replacement time that suits your circumstances, The chemical analyzer 1 can be set in a reagent registerable state at this reagent replacement designated time, and the reagent replacement operation can be started immediately at the reagent replacement designated time.

  Therefore, in the multi-item chemical analyzer 1 of this embodiment, the analysis of each item registered in the storage device 42 is started by the operator input of the operation start instruction from the user interface, and the analysis operation (operation) state Then, the state transition control process as shown in FIG. 5 is performed together with the analysis of each item of the specimen.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an embodiment of the state transition control process when the reagent replacement designated time is designated by the operator.

  In the multi-item chemical analyzer 1, when the analysis process is started and the sample ID of the sample container 10 mounted on the sample disk 11 is read and recognized by the sample ID reader 13, the microcomputer 40 recognizes it. The request item information for analysis relating to the sample with the sample ID is acquired from the request item information for analysis of each sample registered in the storage device 42 (S10).

  The microcomputer 40 checks whether or not there is an analysis of the requested item that has not been completed among the requested item information of the analysis regarding the sample of the recognized sample ID (S20), and there is no analysis of the requested item that has not been completed yet. When the analysis of the requested item of the sample is completed (S20, N), from the analysis operation (operation) state to the reagent registration ready state, which is registered in the storage device 42 in advance, the current time. From the state transition time taken for, the state transition completion time at which reagent replacement is actually possible is calculated when trying to change from the analysis operation state to the reagent registration ready state (S60).

  On the other hand, if there is an analysis of the requested item that has not been completed (S20, Y), the reagent used in the analysis of the requested item is dispensed into the reagent container 20 mounted on the reagent disk 21. It is checked whether or not the reagent container 20 is usable (S30). If the reagent used for the analysis of the requested item is not the reagent container 20 that can be used for dispensing on the reagent disk 21 (S30, N), this sample information registered in the storage device 42, the requested item Corresponding to the information, the number of cancellations and the like are registered (S40). In such a situation, since the request item cannot be analyzed in the current mounting situation of the reagent container 20 on the reagent disk 21, as in the case where the analysis of the sample request item is completed, Based on the current time and the state transition time registered in the storage device 42 in advance, the state transition completion time at which reagent replacement is actually possible when calculating from the analysis operation state to the reagent registerable state is calculated. (S60).

  On the other hand, if there is a reagent container 20 and a reagent liquid amount that can be used for dispensing on the reagent disk 21 for the reagent used in the analysis of the requested item that has not yet been completed (S30, Y), the requested item of the sample The analysis of the requested item is performed by scheduling the analysis and adding the state transition time registered in advance in the storage device 42 to the dispensing completion time of the final reagent in the analysis of the scheduled requested item. A state transition completion time at which reagent replacement is actually possible when attempting to change from the operating state to the reagent registerable state is calculated (S50).

  Thereby, in the multi-item chemical analysis device 1, every time the sample ID of the sample container 10 mounted on the sample disk 11 is read and recognized by the sample ID reader 13, For the analysis of items that cannot be executed because there is no reagent that can be used, the state transition time is calculated by adding the state transition time to the current time (S60). For the analysis of the requested item that is not, the state transition completion time is calculated by adding the state transition time to the final reagent dispensing completion time in the scheduled request item analysis (S50).

  Then, in the multi-item chemical analyzer 1, the state calculated in steps S50 and S60 according to the processing state (processing completed, processing unusable, processing unsuccessful and undelivered) for the analysis of the request item related to the sample of the recognized sample ID The transition completion time is displayed in the reagent replacement designation time preset by the operator using the replacement time designation field 53 on the reagent replacement time designation screen 50 shown in FIG. It is determined whether the calculated state transition completion time is before or after the specified time and the recommended replacement time (S70).

  When the state transition completion time calculated in steps S50 and S60 is earlier than the reagent replacement designated time and earlier than the recommended replacement time, the multi-item chemical analyzer 1 is in the analysis operation (operation) state. The analysis is continued as it is (S80). The continuation of this analysis means that the analysis of the requested items for the next unstarted sample can be continued if the specified reagent replacement time and the recommended replacement time have not been reached. This means that even when the analyzed specimen needs to be analyzed again, the analysis can be performed.

  On the other hand, if the state transition completion time calculated in steps S50 and S60 passes the reagent replacement specified time or the recommended replacement time after the reagent replacement specified time or the recommended replacement time, the storage device 42 has not yet been analyzed. Even if there are remaining request items for non-samples, including the analysis of sample request items whose state transition completion time is later than the reagent replacement specified time or recommended replacement time, The analysis process is not executed, and the analysis process is temporarily suspended until the analysis of the scheduled sample request item before that (S90). In addition, after the final dispensing of the reagent used in the analysis of the requested item of the sample to be executed before this analysis is interrupted, in the multi-item chemical analyzer 1, the device is set in the reagent registration enabled state at the specified reagent replacement time. The state transition for setting is executed by the microcomputer 40, and the state transition to the reagent registerable state is started (S100). Thereby, when the operator has set the reagent replacement specified time in advance according to his / her convenience, the transition to the reagent registerable state where the reagent can be replaced can be completed by the reagent replacement specified time.

  When the reagent replacement state ready for reagent replacement in accordance with the reagent replacement specified time is entered, the operator is notified that the reagent replacement can be performed immediately at the reagent replacement specified time, and the reagent replacement screen 60 is displayed on the display device 45 on the GUI. The screen is displayed (S110).

  FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of an example of a reagent replacement screen displayed at the time of reagent replacement.

  The reagent replacement screen 60 has a reagent replenishment list 61, a cancel item list 62, a reagent replacement execution button 63, a reagent replacement time designation button 64, and an analysis restart button 65.

  The reagent replenishment list 61 predicts the reagent consumption for each reagent type from the tendency of reagent consumption and the number of requested items, and the number of reagent containers 20 required for each reagent type loaded on the reagent disk 21 is calculated. It is configured so that the operator can easily understand how many reagent containers 20 should be replenished to the reagent disk 21 by the operator. In the example shown in the drawing, the reagent name and the number of reagent containers 20 for replenishment are displayed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the prediction method and expression method are more quickly performed by the operator replenishing the reagent efficiently. Various methods can be applied according to the purpose of restarting the analysis. For example, the number of reagent containers 20 required for each reagent type is further displayed for each requested item, and the replacement mounting position of the reagent container 20 that is in a reagent exhausted state on the reagent disk 21 is also displayed. It may be.

  The cancel item list 62 is registered in step S40 in FIG. 5 and the reagent solution 20 in the reagent container 20 mounted on the reagent disk 21 is insufficient or not mounted on the reagent disk 21. 21 shows a request item of a sample that has not been analyzed yet because there is no reagent container 20 that can be used for dispensing, and the number of cancellations. According to this cancel item list 62, the operator, for example, performs intensive processing on the analysis of the balance of the number of reagent containers 20 loaded for each reagent type on the reagent disk 21 and the analysis of the requested item of the canceled sample. Necessity, etc. can be judged. As for the expression method, for example, various methods can be applied so that the operator can efficiently replenish the reagent and restart the analysis earlier, such as displaying the name of the reagent that could not be dispensed. .

  The reagent replacement execution button 63 is an operation button for performing reagent replacement in the multi-item chemical analyzer 1 in a reagent registration enabled state. The reagent replacement time designation button 64 is an operation button for opening the reagent replacement time designation screen 50 in order to change the presence / absence of designation of the reagent replacement time, the reagent exhausted state, and the reagent replacement time when restarting the analysis. The analysis restart button 65 is an operation button for setting the multi-item chemical analysis apparatus 1 to the analysis operation (operation) state and restarting the analysis of the requested item of the sample.

  Therefore, the operator refers to the reagent replacement screen 60, prepares a reagent container 20 to be newly mounted, operates the reagent replacement execution button 63, takes out the reagent container 20 mounted on the reagent disk 21, for example, and mounts it. The reagent replacement operation of the reagent disk 21 is performed (S120). Also, if necessary, the reagent replacement time designation button 64 is operated to open the reagent replacement time designation screen 50 and change the setting of the next reagent replacement designation or the like. Thereafter, the analysis of the requested item of the sample is restarted by operating the analysis restart button 65 (S130). Thus, after the analysis is resumed, the multi-item chemical analyzer 1 analyzes the canceled sample registered in step S40 in FIG. 5 in addition to the analysis of the normal request item registered in the storage device 42. The request item is also analyzed again.

  Next, in the state transition control process shown in FIG. 5, in relation to the analysis interruption process shown in step S90, the boundary between the analysis of the sample request item executed by the analysis interruption and the analysis of the sample request item not executed is determined. The analysis interruption timing shown will be described specifically by taking as an example the case where the operator sets his / her convenient reagent replacement time 15:10 with respect to the recommended replacement time 16:05 (16:05). This analysis interruption timing includes the analysis of the request item of the sample executed by the interruption of analysis and the analysis of the request item of the sample that is not executed by the item unit interruption timing divided by the request item unit and the sample unit divided by the sample unit. There is an interruption timing.

  First, the unit-by-item interruption timing as the analysis interruption timing will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the interruption timing for each item as the interruption timing of the analysis.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the specific processing contents of the relevant portions of the state transition control processing shown in FIG. 5 at the interruption timing in item units.

  FIG. 7 shows the requested items for the samples m and m + 1 scheduled in a state in which a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the analysis operation (operation) 13:30 (in the example shown, both the items m and m + 1 are requested items). A, B, and C) analysis reservation statuses are shown. Here, the analysis of the request item A includes the dispensing of the sample m into the reaction container 30 by the sample dispensing device 12 and the dispensing of the reagent (reagent type) 1 by the reagent dispensing device 22. The analysis of item B includes the dispensing of sample m and the dispensing of reagents 1, 2, and 3. The analysis of requested item C includes the dispensing of sample m and the dispensing of reagents 1 and 2.

  In the state transition control process shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, for the sample m, the analysis reservation of the items A, B, and C is performed, and the analysis of the request item of the sample scheduled before that and the samples, As shown in FIG. 7, the dispensing between the reagents does not overlap, and the dispensing between the samples and the reagents does not overlap between the request items A, B, and C related to the sample m itself. ing. In addition, for sample m + 1, the analysis of the request item of the sample scheduled before that including sample m and the dispensing of the samples and reagents do not overlap, and the request item related to sample m itself Even between A, B, and C, scheduling is performed as shown in FIG. 7 so that the dispensing of the samples and the reagents does not overlap.

  Here, tentatively, the interruption timing of the item unit as the interruption timing of analysis is defaulted in the storage device 42, and 5 minutes is registered as the state transition time. On the reagent replacement time designation screen 50 shown in FIG. When the recommended replacement time is 16:05 and the reagent replacement specified time is 15:10, the state transitions shown in FIG. 5 for the request items A, B, and C of the sample m and the sample m + 1, respectively. In the control process, a state transition control process as shown in FIG. 8 is performed.

  8, the acquisition of sample information and request item information in steps S11 and S12 corresponds to the sample recognition and request item information acquisition shown in S10 of FIG. 5, and similarly, calculation of transition completion time in FIG. 8 (S50). ), Determination with respect to the specified reagent replacement time (S70), analysis continuation (S80A), and analysis interruption (S90A) correspond to the processes shown in steps S50, S70, S80, and S90 in FIG. In FIG. 8, the continuation of analysis shown in step S80A is performed on an item-by-item basis because the interruption timing of the item unit as the analysis interruption timing is defaulted. Depending on whether or not there is a remaining request item (S85), if there is a remaining item, scheduling is performed for the remaining item, and if there is no remaining item, scheduling is performed for a requested item that has not been completed for the next sample. It has become.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, a state transition is started at 15:05 (= 15: 10-5 minutes) so that the reagent can be replaced by the reagent replacement designated time 15:10. Since there is a need, the sample m + 1, including the request items A, B, and C for the sample m, will be completed before 15:05, and the sample m + 1 In the scheduling related to the analysis of the request item B (S50), the completion of dispensing of the reagent 3, which is the final dispensing reagent, including the reagents 1 and 2, will be later than 15:05 (S70, N). Analysis of the request item A of the sample m + 1 is not performed for each sample item registered in the storage device 40 including the request items B and C of the sample m + 1, and the final reagent in the analysis of the request item A of the sample m + 1 After dispensing of (Reagent 1), the analysis process Regardless of the request item, it is interrupted in the analysis unit (S90A). This allows the analysis of as many requested items as possible within the specified reagent replacement time, so even if the reagent replacement time is specified and the reagent is replaced at the convenience of the operator, This throughput is also the same as when the operator replaces the reagent when the reagent runs out of the apparatus.

  In addition, since the multi-item chemical analyzer 1 of this embodiment includes one reagent disk 21 and one reagent dispenser 22 for each reaction disk 31, as shown in FIG. For example, if there are a plurality of reagent disks 21 and reagent dispensers 22 for one reaction disk 31, the scheduling result indicates the reagent dispensing timing between the requested items of the sample. Can overlap, but even in that case. The determination (S70), analysis continuation (S80A), and analysis interruption (S90A) for the reagent replacement designated time described in FIG. 8 can be applied without change.

  Subsequently, the interruption timing for each sample as the analysis interruption timing will be described with reference to FIGS.

  This sample-by-sample interruption timing makes it possible to prevent unnecessary consumption of the sample when the analysis of the requested item of the sample is resumed after the apparatus is brought into the reagent registration enabled state in step S130 in FIG. In the sample dispenser 12 having the dispensing nozzle described with reference to FIG. 1, a dummy amount of sample inhalation is required at the time of sample inhalation. The dummy amount is an amount that makes the inhalation amount excessively larger than the discharge amount (dispensing amount) of the sample in order to accurately dispense the sample. After washing, since the washing water remains in the dispensing nozzle of the specimen dispensing device 12, a part of the specimen is diluted because the washing water comes into contact with the specimen when the specimen is inhaled. For this reason, if the amount of sample suction is the same as the discharge amount, the thinned portion of the sample at the boundary with the remaining wash water will be discharged, and accurate sample dispensing cannot be performed. It is necessary to suck a dummy amount to prevent it. Therefore, in order to resume the analysis of the requested item of the sample in step S130 in FIG. 5, when dispensing continuously from the same sample, it is necessary to suck the dummy amount again. Consume. In particular, when the amount of the sample is small, in order to prevent unnecessary consumption as much as possible, it is necessary to interrupt the analysis for each sample in step S90 in FIG.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of sample-by-sample interruption timing as analysis interruption timing.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the specific processing contents of the relevant portions of the state transition control processing shown in FIG. 5 at the sample-by-sample interruption timing.

  10, sample information acquisition and request item information acquisition in steps S11 and S12 correspond to sample recognition and request item information acquisition shown in S10 in FIG. 5, and similarly, calculation of transition completion time in FIG. 10 (S50). ), Determination with respect to the specified reagent replacement time (S70), analysis continuation (S80B), and analysis interruption (S90B) correspond to the processes shown in steps S50, S70, S80, and S90 in FIG. In FIG. 10, the continuation of analysis shown in step S80B is performed in units of samples in relation to the default of the timing of suspending samples as the timing of suspending the analysis. Depending on whether or not there is a remaining request item (S75), if there is a remaining item, scheduling is performed, and if there is no remaining item, analysis of each requested item for that sample is continuously performed for each sample. As a matter of fact (S80B), scheduling of the next sample is performed in units of samples. If it is determined in step S70 that the transition completion time calculated in step S50 is later than the reagent replacement specified time, the request item for the same sample that has already been determined that the transition completion time is earlier than the reagent replacement specified time. In addition, the analysis is interrupted for each sample for every requested item for the sample (S90B).

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, a state transition is started at 15:05 (= 15: 10-5 minutes) so that the reagent can be replaced by the reagent replacement designated time 15:10. As for the request items A, B, and C for the sample m, all reagent dispensing is completed before 15:05, while for the request items A, B, and C for the sample m + 1, For the request item A, all the reagent dispensing is completed before 15:05, but in the scheduling related to the analysis of the request item B (S50), the reagent 3, which is the final dispensing reagent, including the reagents 1 and 2 is included. Since the completion of dispensing is later than 15:05 (S70, N), the request items A, B, and C of the sample m + 1 are not analyzed, and the request items A, B, and B of the sample m are not analyzed. Final reagent in analysis of C (Reagent 3 of request item B) After dispensing completed, the analyzing process is then interrupted by the sample units (S90B).

  In the present embodiment, it has been described that either the item-by-item interruption timing or the sample-by-sample interruption timing is defaulted as the analysis interruption timing, but on the reagent replacement time designation screen 50 shown in FIG. It is also possible to provide an analysis interruption timing selection column so that the operator can select a desired analysis interruption timing.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic overall configuration diagram of a multi-item chemical analyzer as another embodiment of the present invention.

  The multi-item chemical analysis apparatus 101 of this embodiment is configured as a system apparatus including a plurality of multi-item chemical analysis apparatuses 1 shown in FIG. 1, and includes the microcomputer 40 of the plurality of multi-item chemical analysis apparatuses 1. The control system and the signal processing system are configured to be centrally controlled by a general management computer 140 connected to each multi-item chemical analysis device 1 via a network. The entire computer 140 is composed of, for example, a personal computer (PC) or the like, and has an input unit 144, a display unit 145, and the like as a user interface.

  In this embodiment, the input unit 144 and the display unit 145 as the user interface of the overall management computer 140 are used to relate to the reagent replacement time specification function of each multi-item chemical analyzer 1, and whether or not the reagent replacement time is specified. In addition, the reagent replacement time specification, the reagent replacement specified time, and the analysis interruption timing can be set separately for each multi-item chemical analyzer 1 on the reagent replacement time specifying screen 150 displayed on the display unit 145. It has become.

  FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a reagent replacement time designation screen according to the multi-item chemical analyzer of the present embodiment.

  The reagent replacement time designation screen 150 has a device selection tab 56 for selecting the multi-item chemical analyzer 1 for designating the reagent replacement time, and the reagent replacement time designation screen window 50 ′ of the corresponding multi-item chemical analyzer 1 Can be selected and displayed. As in the case of the reagent replacement time designation screen 50 shown in FIG. 2, the reagent replacement time designation screen window 50 ′ of each apparatus 1 has a designation selection radio button 51, a recommended replacement information column 52, and a replacement time designation column 53. In addition, an analysis interruption timing selection field having a confirmation button 54 and a cancel button 55 and further having a timing selection radio button 57 is provided. As for the timing selection radio button 57, execution of the interruption timing of the item unit shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is selected by the operation of the “item unit” button 57a, and the operation of the “sample unit” button 57b is selected in FIG. 9 and FIG. Execution of the indicated sample unit interruption timing is selected.

  According to the present embodiment, the operator uses the input unit 144 and the display unit 145 as the user interface of the overall management computer 140 to check whether the reagent replacement time is specified on the reagent replacement time designation screen 150, whether the reagent has run out. And the selection of the reagent replacement specified time and the analysis interruption timing can be set independently for each multi-item chemical analyzer 1. In particular, with regard to the timing at which analysis is interrupted, depending on the type of multi-item chemical analyzer connected as a system device, there are devices that favor item units that place importance on the throughput of the analysis, and emphasis on reducing sample consumption. Since there is an apparatus in which a sample unit is preferable, it can be individually set according to each important content.

  As described above, the embodiment of the automatic analyzer according to the present invention has been described by taking the multi-item chemical analyzer as an example, but the automatic analyzer according to the present invention is limited to the multi-item chemical analyzer. Instead, the configuration that allows the reagent replacement operation to be started immediately at a time convenient for the operator can be applied to various automatic analyzers as long as it is an automatic analyzer that performs quantitative and qualitative analysis of specimens.

1 Multi-item chemical analyzer (automatic analyzer), 10 specimen container,
11 sample disc, 12 sample dispenser, 13 sample ID reader,
14 washing tank, 15 sample dispensing control unit, 20 reagent container,
21 Reagent disc, 22 Reagent dispenser, 23 Reagent ID reader,
24 washing tank, 25 reagent dispensing control unit, 30 reaction vessel,
31 reaction disk, 36 stirring mechanism, 37 photometric system,
38 cleaning mechanism, 39 A / D converter, 40 microcomputer,
41 interface, 42 storage device, 43 external device interface,
44 input devices, 45 display devices, 46 printers,
50 Reagent replacement time designation screen, 50 'Reagent replacement time designation screen window,
51 Selection selection radio button, 52 Recommended replacement information field,
52a Usable reagent number ratio setting section, 52b Recommended replacement time display section,
53 Replacement time designation field, 54 Confirm button, 55 Cancel button,
56 Device selection tab, 57 Timing selection radio button,
60 Reagent replacement screen, 61 Reagent replenishment list, 62 Cancel item list,
63 Reagent replacement execution button, 64 Reagent replacement time designation button,
65 analysis restart button, 101 multi-item chemical analyzer,
140 total management computer, 144 input unit, 145 display unit,
150 Reagent replacement time designation screen,

Claims (7)

An automatic analyzer for measuring components of a sample by mixing a reagent with the sample and analyzing the mixture,
A designated time input section in which an operator sets a reagent replacement designated time;
Reagent replacement work based on the final reagent dispensing completion time before the reagent expires and the state transition time required from the start of the state transition to the reagent replaceable state until the state transition is completed A state transition completion time calculating unit that calculates a state transition completion time of a reagent replaceable state after completion of the final reagent dispensing that can be performed immediately;
It is determined whether or not the reagent replacement designated time set in the designated time input unit is before the state transition completion time calculated by the state transition completion time calculating unit, and the reagent replacement designated time is state transition completed. If the time is earlier than the time, a state for calculating the state transition start time from the reagent replacement specified time and the state transition time to a reagent replaceable state that allows the reagent replacement work to be immediately performed at the reagent replacement specified time A transition start time calculator,
A state in which the analysis of the request item of the sample accompanied by reagent dispensing after the state transition start time calculated by the state transition start time calculation unit is interrupted, and the state transition is started to the reagent replaceable state when the state transition start time is reached An automatic analyzer comprising a transition control unit. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1,
The said state transition control part judges the analysis of the request item of the sample accompanying reagent dispensing after state transition start time for every item, The automatic analyzer characterized by the above-mentioned. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1,
The automatic transition apparatus, wherein the state transition control unit determines analysis of a request item of a sample accompanied by reagent dispensing after the state transition start time for each sample. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1,
In the designated time input part,
A recommended replacement time display unit for displaying the state transition completion time calculated by the state transition completion time calculating unit, which is referred to as a reagent replacement recommended time by the operator when setting the reagent replacement designated time, is provided. Automatic analyzer. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1,
An automatic analyzer comprising: a notifying unit for notifying an operator when the state change control unit starts the state transition to the reagent replaceable state and then enters the reagent replaceable state. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1,
A storage medium for storing cancellation information including sample information, item information, and number of cancellations related to the analysis of the request item of the sample interrupted by the state transition control unit;
A cancellation information display unit for displaying cancellation information stored in the storage medium when the state transition to the reagent replaceable state is completed by the state transition control unit;
An automatic analyzer comprising: an analysis resuming unit for performing analysis of a canceled sample request item when analysis of the sample request item is resumed after completion of reagent replacement. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein
When the state transition to the reagent replaceable state is completed by the state transition control unit, a guide information display unit that displays information that serves as a guide for reagent replacement including the type and quantity of reagent that needs to be replenished is provided. Automatic analyzer characterized by

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