JP6488681B2 - Analysis method, analysis system, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present disclosure relates to an analysis method, an analysis system, and a program, and more particularly, to an analysis method, an analysis system, and a program for analyzing a sample with a plurality of apparatuses.

  One of the systems for analyzing a sample is a urine sample analysis system. In a urine sample analysis system, a plurality of analysis methods having different measurement principles are generally used. Typically, a urine qualitative analysis that looks at the color and turbidity of a specimen and checks for the presence or absence of components such as sugar and protein in the specimen, and a solid component (urinary sediment) such as red blood cells contained in urine under a microscope And urine sediment analysis to be observed. In such an analysis system, generally, after the result of urine qualitative analysis is obtained, the specimen is transferred to urine sediment analysis. Depending on the results of the urine qualitative analysis, the urine sediment analysis may be omitted.

  In such an analysis system, there is known an analysis system including a plurality of analyzers and a transport device that transports a sample to the plurality of analyzers. For example, in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-229232), two analyzers, two transport mechanisms arranged in front of each analyzer, and a connection for connecting the two transport mechanisms are disclosed. An analysis system comprising a member is disclosed. In this analysis system, an area for retaining the sample rack is provided on the connection member side of the two transport mechanisms. Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-329597) discloses a urine test including a semi-quantitative analyzer, a urine sediment analyzer, a quantitative analyzer, and a transport line for transporting a urine sample to them. A system is disclosed. Each analyzer is provided with a dedicated transport mechanism that receives the sample rack from the transport line and returns the received sample rack to the transport line again via the sampling position. The transport mechanism is provided with regions for retaining the sample racks on the supply side and the carry-out side, respectively.

JP 2009-229232 A JP-A-9-329597

  When the analysis time per sample is compared between the urine qualitative analysis and the urine sediment analysis, the urine sediment analysis is longer. For this reason, simply connecting two analyzers causes the urine sediment analysis to be rate-determining and the urine qualitative analysis to stop.

  In the analysis system described in Patent Document 1, an area for retaining the sample rack is provided on the connection member side of the two transport mechanisms. For this reason, stoppage of urine qualitative analysis can be avoided if a certain amount of sample container stays. Further, in this system, when the staying area becomes full due to the situation in which the rear analyzer (the urine sediment analysis apparatus) cannot receive the sample container, the system enters the standby mode. (See paragraph 0012). On the other hand, if there is no retention of the sample container, the sample container proceeds to urine sediment measurement before the result of the urine qualitative measurement is obtained. For this reason, a test for useless urine sediment analysis may be performed.

In the analysis system described in Patent Document 2, areas for retaining the sample racks are provided on the supply side and the carry-out side of each transport mechanism. For this reason, stop of the urine qualitative analysis can be avoided if the sample container stays to some extent. Further, in the system, in order to avoid useless examination, the result of the semi-quantitative analysis is applied to a preset criterion, and the necessity of urine sediment measurement as the next step is determined (paragraph 0025, 0026). However, with the uniform and automatic determination method using the above determination criteria, it is difficult to reflect known information (particularly information based on language data) other than the result of the semi-quantitative analysis and the judgment of the laboratory technician. Such a situation can always occur when two analyzers are combined regardless of the combination of the urine qualitative analyzer and the urine sediment analyzer.

  The present disclosure has been made in view of these problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to realize more efficient and reliable analysis of a sample than in the past in an analysis system that continuously uses two analyzers. .

  According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a first analyzer for realizing a first type of analysis method, a second analyzer for realizing a second type of analysis method, and a first analysis A method for analyzing a sample in an analysis system comprising a transport device for transporting a sample from the device to a second analyzer, the step of analyzing the sample by the first analyzer, and the sample by the first analyzer And a step of starting the analysis of the sample by the second analyzer after the occurrence of a predetermined event after the derivation of the analysis result is provided.

  Preferably, the predetermined event is that a predetermined time has elapsed since the derivation of the analysis result of the sample by the first analyzer.

Preferably, the sample analysis method further includes a step of detecting that a predetermined time has elapsed since derivation of the analysis result of the sample by the first analyzer,
Preferably, the step of starting the analysis of the sample by the second analyzer is started when it is detected that a predetermined time has passed since the derivation of the analysis result of the sample by the first analyzer.

  Preferably, the predetermined event is that a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of sampling of the specimen by the first analyzer, and the certain period of time is the result of the analysis of the specimen by the first analyzer from the start of sampling. This is a time that is longer than expected to be completed.

  Preferably, the sample analysis method further includes a step of acquiring information specifying the sample transported to the first analyzer, and the timing of the start of sampling of the sample by the first analyzer is the first analysis It is specified by the timing at which the information specifying the sample conveyed to the apparatus is acquired.

  Preferably, the sample analysis method includes a step of acquiring information specifying the sample transported to the first analyzer, a step of acquiring information specifying the sample transported to the second analyzer, A step of analyzing the sample by the two analyzers, a step of storing the analysis result of the sample by the first analyzer in association with the information specifying the sample conveyed to the first analyzer, and the second analyzer And a step of storing the analysis result of the sample in association with the information specifying the sample transported to the second analyzer, the information specifying the sample transported to the first analyzer, and the second When identifying the same sample as the information identifying the sample transported to the analyzer, the sample analysis result by the first analyzer and the sample analysis result by the second analyzer are stored in association with each other. That.

  Preferably, the sample analysis method allows the second analyzer to receive the input of the instruction to start the analysis of the sample by the second analyzer and the condition that the input of the instruction to start the analysis has been received. And a step of starting the analysis of the sample, and the input of the instruction to start the analysis of the sample by the second analyzer is accepted on condition that a predetermined event has occurred.

  Preferably, two or more specimens are set in one case and transported in the transport device, and the step of starting the analysis of the two or more specimens set in the case by the second analyzer is the case. Analysis of all the specimens set in the second analyzer is started after a predetermined event occurs for at least one specimen among the specimens set in the case.

  According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a first analyzer for realizing the first type of analysis method, a second analyzer for realizing the second type of analysis method, A sample analysis system comprising a transport device for transporting a sample from an analyzer to a second analyzer, and a computer for controlling the operation of the second analyzer, the computer comprising: The step of analyzing the sample by the analyzer and the step of starting the analysis of the sample by the second analyzer after the occurrence of a predetermined event after the derivation of the analysis result of the sample by the first analyzer occurs A specimen analysis system configured as described above is provided.

  According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, a first analyzer for realizing a first type of analysis method, a second analyzer for realizing a second type of analysis method, and a first In an analysis system comprising a transport device for transporting a sample from the analyzer to a second analyzer and a computer for controlling the operation of the second analyzer, a program executed by the computer, The program analyzes the sample by the second analyzer after the step of analyzing the sample by the first analyzer and a predetermined event after the derivation of the analysis result of the sample by the first analyzer occurs in the computer. A program is provided for executing the steps of

  According to the present disclosure, the second analyzer waits for the start of analysis of the sample until at least the analysis result of the sample by the first analyzer is derived. Thereby, after the analysis of the sample by the first analyzer is completed, it is possible to determine whether or not to cause the second analyzer to analyze the sample based on the operator or a specific criterion. Therefore, it is possible to avoid unnecessary analysis of the sample by the second analyzer. Furthermore, the necessity of analysis of the sample by the second analyzer is not necessarily determined by a certain standard. Therefore, it is possible to make use of known information, the judgment of a laboratory technician, or the like in the judgment of the necessity of analysis of the sample by the second analyzer.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of 1st Embodiment of the analysis system of a urine sample. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of a sample rack. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of each apparatus of a urine sample analysis system. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the timing at which judgment of the necessity of the analysis of urine sediment is performed. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the timing when judgment of the necessity of the analysis of urine sediment is performed in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the timing when judgment of the necessity of the analysis of urine sediment is performed in 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the timing when judgment of the necessity of the analysis of urine sediment is performed in 4th Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the timing at which the judgment of the necessity of the analysis of urine sediment is performed when the sampling start mode in 2nd Embodiment is changed according to 5th Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the timing at which judgment of the necessity of the analysis of urine sediment is performed when the start mode of the sampling in 4th Embodiment is changed according to 5th Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the process performed in the urine sample analysis system of 6th Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the process performed in the urine sample analysis system of 7th Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the process performed in the urine sample analysis system of 8th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the urine sample analysis system of 9th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the urine sample analysis system of 9th Embodiment. It is a flowchart of an example of the process performed in the urine sample analysis system of 9th Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the other example of the process performed in the urine sample analysis system of 9th Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the further another example of the process performed in the urine sample analysis system of 9th Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the process performed in the urine sample analysis system of 10th Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the timing of the analysis of each sample set to the sample rack in the urine sample analysis system of 10th Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the other example of the analysis timing of each specimen set to the sample rack in the urine specimen analysis system of 10th Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a urine sample analysis system will be described as an embodiment of a sample analysis system with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[First Embodiment]
(System configuration)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a first embodiment of a urine sample analysis system. The urine sample analysis system 1 according to the first embodiment includes a urine qualitative analysis device 10, a urine sediment analysis device 20, a transport device 30, and a control device 40.

  The urine qualitative analyzer 10 analyzes urine protein, urine sugar, and the like in a urine sample. In the present specification, this analysis is also referred to as “urine qualitative analysis”.

The urine sediment analyzer 20 analyzes red blood cells, white blood cells, epithelial cells, etc. contained in the urine sample. In this specification, this analysis is also referred to as “analysis of urine sediment”.

  In the urine sample analysis system 1, the urine sediment analysis by the urine sediment analysis device 20 is determined to require further urine sediment analysis as a result of the urine qualitative analysis performed by the urine qualitative analysis device 10. May be performed on a specimen.

  In the urine sample analysis system 1, a sample is accommodated in a container (Spitz). A plurality of containers are set in one sample rack. The specimen is introduced into the urine qualitative analyzer 10 for each sample rack. When the sample rack is introduced, the urine qualitative analysis device 10 performs urine qualitative analysis on each specimen set in the sample rack. Note that only one container may be set in the sample rack.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the sample rack. The configuration of the sample rack will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the sample rack 2 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. A plurality of holes 3 are formed in a row on the upper surface of the sample rack 2. The sample rack can hold the sample by inserting the container 4 containing the sample into each hole 3. In the example shown in FIG. 2, ten containers 4 can be inserted into the sample rack 2. However, the number of containers 4 held by one sample rack 2 is not limited to this.

  A through hole 5 is formed on the side surface of the sample rack 2 in the longitudinal direction. Further, the through hole 5 is connected to the hole 3, and the side surface of the container 4 held in the sample rack 2 can be seen through the through hole 5. That is, it is possible to irradiate and transmit light to the sample from the through hole 5. Therefore, by adopting such a configuration, the sample in the container 4 can be optically measured by irradiating the sample with measurement light so as to pass through the through hole 5.

  The form of the sample rack 2 is not limited to that shown in FIG. Specifically, any form of sample rack can be used as long as the container 4 can be held. In particular, the rack is preferably a rack that can hold a plurality of containers in parallel.

  Further, the sample rack 2 shown in FIG. 2 includes one recess on the bottom surface thereof, but the number of the recesses is not limited to one and may include a plurality of recesses. Moreover, the sample rack which does not equip a bottom part with a recessed part at all may be sufficient. Furthermore, a sample rack that does not include the through hole 5 may be used. Further, the shape of the through hole 5 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 2, and can be changed as appropriate according to the form of use of the through hole 5. Further, the shape of the hole 3 is also a cylindrical hole in FIG. 2, but can be appropriately changed according to the shape of the container 4.

  Further, the form of the container 4 is not particularly limited, and containers of any material such as a glass container, various resin containers, a quartz container, and a metal container can be used. From these containers, it can select suitably according to the kind of sample to accommodate.

Returning to FIG. 1, the transport device 30 includes a transport path 300 for transporting the sample rack 2 from the urine qualitative analyzer 10 to the urine sediment analyzer 20. In FIG. 1, four positions 31 to 34 for the sample rack 2 on the conveyance path 300 are shown. The sample rack 2 is set at the position 31. At least one specimen in each container 4 on the sample rack 2 is sampled by the urine qualitative analyzer 10 when the sample rack 2 is at position 32, and urine sedimented when the sample rack 2 is at position 33. Sampled by the analyzer 20. On the transport path 300, the sample rack 2 is positioned at position 31, position 32, position 33,
Transported in the order of position 34.

  In the urine sample analysis system 1, each container 4 is attached with a barcode for identifying the sample in the container 4. The urine qualitative analyzer 10 includes a barcode reader 116. In the urine qualitative analyzer 10, the barcode attached to each container 4 is read by the barcode reader 116, thereby associating the sample in each container 4 with the analysis result for the sample.

(Hardware configuration)
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of each device of the urine sample analysis system 1. The hardware configuration of each device of the urine sample analysis system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

The urine qualitative analyzer 10 includes a control unit 111, a communication unit 112, a suction unit 113, a test strip supply unit 114, a detection unit 115, and a barcode reader 116. The control unit 111 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111A and a storage unit 111B. CPU11
1A executes the computer program memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 111B, and controls each part of the urine qualitative analyzer 10. FIG. In addition, the CPU 111 </ b> A controls each unit of the transport device 30 via the communication unit 112. The storage unit 111B includes a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a hard disk.

  The communication unit 112 processes a signal from the control unit 111 and outputs the processed signal to the urine sediment analysis device 20, the transport device 30, and the control device 40, and the urine sediment analysis device 20, the transport device 30, And the signal from the control apparatus 40 is received, and the received signal is processed and it outputs to the control part 111. FIG. The communication unit 112 is realized by a network interface card, for example. The suction unit 113 sucks the sample in the container 4 positioned at the sampling position of the urine qualitative analyzer 10 through a nozzle provided in the urine qualitative analyzer 10. The test paper supply unit 114 includes a test paper feeder that stores test paper necessary for measurement. The test paper supply unit 114 takes out the test paper from the test paper feeder and places the sample sucked by the suction unit 113 on the taken out test paper. The detection unit 115 measures the test paper on which the sample is spotted. A measurement result obtained by such measurement is output to the control unit 111. The control unit 111 derives a urine qualitative analysis result for each specimen by analyzing the measurement result according to a predetermined mode.

  The barcode reader 116 reads barcode information from the barcode label attached to the container 4 and outputs the barcode information to the control unit 111. The control unit 111 identifies the sample to be analyzed in the urine qualitative analyzer 10 based on the barcode information. The control unit 111 derives a result of urine qualitative analysis for each specimen specified based on the barcode information. Then, the control unit 111 outputs the result of urine qualitative analysis for each sample based on the barcode information to the control device 40.

  The urine sediment analyzer 20 includes a control unit 221, a communication unit 222, a suction unit 223, a sample preparation unit 224, and a detection unit 225. The control unit 221 includes a CPU 221A and a storage unit 221B. The CPU 221A executes the computer program stored in the storage unit 221B and controls each unit of the urine sediment analyzer 20. The storage unit 221B includes a storage device such as a ROM, a RAM, and a hard disk.

The communication unit 222 processes a signal from the control unit 221 and outputs the signal to the urine qualitative analysis device 10 and the control device 40, and processes a signal from the urine qualitative analysis device 10 and the control device 40 to the control unit 221. Output. The communication unit 222 is realized by a network interface card, for example. The suction unit 223 sucks the sample in the container 4 positioned at the sampling position of the urine sediment analyzer 20 through a nozzle provided in the urine sediment analyzer 20. The sample preparation unit 224 mixes and stirs the sample sucked by the suction unit 223 and the reagent necessary for measurement, and prepares a sample for measurement by the detection unit 225. The detection unit 225 measures the sample prepared by the sample preparation unit 224. A measurement result obtained by such measurement is output to the control unit 221.

  The transport device 30 includes a communication unit 301, a transport drive unit 302, and a sensor unit 303. The communication unit 301 processes the signal from the urine qualitative analysis device 10 and outputs the signal to each unit of the transport device 30, processes the signal from each unit of the transport device 30, and qualitatively analyzes the processed signal. Output to the device 10.

  The transport driving unit 302 drives members necessary for transporting the sample rack 2 in the transport path 300. The transport driving unit 302 is controlled by the CPU 111 </ b> A of the urine qualitative analyzer 10. The sensor unit 303 outputs output signals from various sensors to the urine qualitative analyzer 10 via the communication unit 301. The communication unit 301 is composed of, for example, a network interface card.

  The control device 40 includes a control unit 401 and a communication unit 402. The control unit 401 is realized by, for example, a general-purpose computer, and includes a CPU 401A, a storage unit 401B, a timer 401C, a button 401D, and a monitor 401E. The CPU 401A communicates with the urine qualitative analysis device 10, the urine sediment analysis device 20, the transport device 30, and external devices via the communication unit 402. The communication unit 402 is composed of a network interface card, for example.

  The CPU 401A executes a computer program stored in the storage unit 401B. In addition, when there is an order inquiry from an external computer, the CPU 401A returns the order stored in the storage unit 401B. In addition, the CPU 401A determines the order of the urine sediment analyzer 20 based on the analysis result received from the urine qualitative analyzer 10 and the measurement necessity criteria stored in the storage unit 401B. The storage unit 401B includes a storage device such as a ROM, a RAM, and a hard disk.

  The timer 401C is used for the timing operation by the CPU 401A. The button 401D inputs information according to an external operation to the CPU 401A. The button 401D constitutes input means for accepting input of information from the outside. The monitor 401E is realized by a display device such as a liquid crystal display device.

  Communication between devices in the urine sample analysis system 1 may be wired or wireless.

(Judgment of necessity of urine sediment analysis)
In the urine sample analysis system 1, the urine qualitative analysis device 10 outputs a urine qualitative analysis result of each sample to the control device 40. In response to this, the CPU 401A of the control device 40 instructs the urine sediment analysis device 20 to determine whether urine sediment analysis is necessary for each sample. The CPU 401 </ b> A also causes the transport device 30 to transport the sample rack 2 on which each sample is mounted to the sampling position (position 33) of the urine sediment analyzer 20 on the transport path 300. The urine sediment analyzer 20 analyzes the urine sediment for the sample that the CPU 401A has instructed to analyze the urine sediment.

  On the other hand, the urine sediment analyzer 20 does not analyze the urine sediment for a sample that is instructed that the urine sediment analysis is unnecessary. The specimen container is sent from the urine qualitative analyzer 10 to the urine sediment analyzer 20, and then passes through the sampling position of the urine sediment analyzer 20 to a position 34 (see FIG. 2).

  The necessity of analyzing the urine sediment is determined by, for example, the operator of the control device 40. More specifically, the CPU 401A causes the monitor 401E to display the result of urine qualitative analysis for each sample. The operator who visually recognizes the display of the result determines whether or not it is necessary to analyze the urine sediment for each sample, and inputs the result of the determination to the control device 40 via the button 401D. The CPU 401A of the control device 40 instructs each of the urine sediment analysis device 20 and the transport device 30 on the result of the necessity of analysis of the input urine sediment. Thus, the sample instructed that urine sediment analysis is necessary is transported to the sampling position of the urine sediment analysis device 20, sampled by the urine sediment analysis device 20, and then the position 34 in FIG. It is transported to (unloading position). A sample instructed that analysis of urine sediment is unnecessary is transported to a sampling position of the urine sediment analyzer 20 and transported to a position 34 in FIG. 2 without being sampled by the urine sediment analyzer 20. Is done.

  The result of the urine sediment analysis may be determined by the CPU 401A based on the judgment criteria stored in advance in the storage unit 401B and the conditions input by the operator of the control device 40. The judgment criterion stored in advance is, for example, a numerical value related to the measurement result of the test paper measurement described above. The condition input by the operator is, for example, the relationship between the difference between the numerical value and the measurement result acquired from the specimen and the necessity of analysis of urine sediment. Note that the above criteria for determination may be stored in a storage device on the network. Furthermore, the criterion for the determination may be a value that changes from moment to moment.

(Timing for determining whether urinary sediment analysis is necessary)
In the urine sample analysis system 1, the urine sediment analysis device 20 performs sampling on the sample for which the urine qualitative analysis has been performed in the urine qualitative analysis device 10 until the result of the urine qualitative analysis is derived. stand by. More specifically, in the urine sample analysis system 1, the CPU 401 </ b> A of the control device 40 causes the urine qualitative analysis device 10 to sample the urine qualitative analysis for each sample, and then causes the urine qualitative analysis device 10 to perform the sampling. While deriving the analysis result of the sample, the transport device 30 transports the sample to the urine sediment analysis device 20. The urine sediment analyzer 20 waits for sampling of the sample until a time corresponding to the derivation of the urine qualitative analysis result has elapsed. When a time corresponding to the derivation of the urine qualitative analysis result for the sample elapses, the CPU 401A determines whether or not the urine sediment analysis for the sample is necessary. The determination of necessity is, for example, acquisition of “determination of necessity” described above. When it is determined that urine sediment analysis is necessary, the CPU 401A causes the urine sediment analyzer 20 to analyze the urine sediment of the sample.

  On the other hand, the CPU 401A does not allow the urine sediment analysis device 20 to analyze the urine sediment for a sample that is determined not to require urine sediment analysis. The CPU 401A causes the transport device 30 to transport the sample container from the urine qualitative analyzer 10 to the urine sediment analyzer 20 and then passes the sampling position of the urine sediment analyzer 20 to position 34 ( (See FIG. 2).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of timing for determining whether or not urine sediment analysis is necessary. In the example shown in FIG. 4, one sample is assumed to be one minute from the sampling in the urine qualitative analyzer 10 to the end of the urine qualitative analysis. In FIG. 4, times T11 to T12 are shown. Time T11 indicates the time when sampling of a certain sample is started in the urine qualitative analyzer 10. The time T12 indicates the time when the urine qualitative analysis apparatus 10 is expected to complete the derivation of the result of the urine qualitative analysis of the sample. After time T12, the urine qualitative analyzer 10 executes a process for deriving the result of urine qualitative analysis for the sample. Even before the time T12 arrives (for example, immediately after the end of sampling of the specimen), the container 4 containing the specimen may be transported to the urine sediment analyzer 20.

  In the first embodiment, the CPU 401A does not determine whether or not it is necessary to analyze urine sediment for the sample that the urine qualitative analyzer 10 starts sampling at time T11 until time T12. Thereby, in the urine sample analysis system 1, the urine sediment analyzer 20 waits for sampling of the sample at least until time T12. Thus, urine sediment analysis is not performed for each specimen until a sufficient time has elapsed for determining whether or not urine sediment analysis is necessary. Thereby, the urine sample analysis system 1 can avoid that the urine sediment analysis apparatus 20 performs the analysis on a sample that does not require urine sediment analysis.

  In the example described with reference to FIG. 4, it is used to determine the timing for releasing the waiting for sampling in the urine sediment analyzer 20 (timing for determining whether urine sediment analysis is necessary) for each specimen. As the time required for the urine qualitative analysis device 10, the time required to start the urine qualitative analysis after sampling is started (illustrated as “1 minute” in FIG. 4) is used. The urine sample analysis system 1 may be configured to notify the control device 40 of the end of the analysis when the urine qualitative analysis device 10 ends the urine qualitative analysis of each sample. good. Then, the CPU 401A may cancel the standby on the condition that the notification is received instead of determining the timing for canceling the standby using the “presumed time”.

[Second Embodiment]
The hardware configuration of the urine sample analysis system 1 of the second embodiment can be the same as the hardware configuration of the urine sample analysis system 1 of the first embodiment. Therefore, redundant description will not be given in this specification.

  In the urine sample analysis system 1 according to the second embodiment, whether or not urine sediment analysis is necessary for each sample set in the sample rack 2 is determined in units of sample racks. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of timing at which determination of necessity of urine sediment analysis is performed in the second embodiment. FIG. 5 shows an example in which ten containers 4 are set in the sample rack 2.

  In FIG. 5, times T20 to T22 are shown. The time T20 indicates the time when the sampling of the specimen in the first container 4 among the ten containers 4 set in a certain sample rack 2 is started in the urine qualitative analyzer 10. In the urine sample analysis system 1 according to the second embodiment, the sampling of the sample in the next container 4 set in the sample rack 2 is performed after the sampling of the previous sample is started, The analysis is started immediately after the elapse of time that is assumed to be finished. That is, the sampling of the specimen in the second container 4 is started after 1 minute has elapsed from time T20. And as FIG. 5 shows, time T21 which is 9 minutes after time T20 shows the time when the sampling of the sample of the 10th container 4 was started.

  In FIG. 5, time T22 indicates the time when the urine qualitative analysis of the specimen in the tenth container 4 is completed.

  Even before the time T22 arrives (for example, immediately after the sampling of the tenth specimen), the sample rack 2 may be transported to the urine sediment analyzer 20. In this case, even if the sample rack 2 is transported to the urine sediment analyzer 20, the urine sediment analyzer 20 analyzes the urine sediment for all the specimens in the containers 4 set in the sample rack 2. Wait for (sample sampling) until time T22. However, if there is a sample for which the urine qualitative analysis has already been completed at the end of the sampling of the tenth sample, it may be set not to wait for the necessity determination of the urine sediment analysis regardless of the above. it can.

  At time T22, the CPU 401A determines whether it is necessary to analyze urine sediment for each sample in the sample rack 2. The method for determining the necessity of analyzing the urine sediment for each specimen is the same as the method described in the first embodiment.

  Then, the CPU 401A outputs an operation instruction to the transport device 30 according to the determination result of whether or not urine sediment analysis is necessary for each specimen. As a result, the transport device 30 performs processing for analyzing urine sediment, including sampling, for each sample set in the sample rack 2 and instructed to require urine sediment analysis. Execute. For specimens that are indicated as unnecessary, processing for urine sediment analysis is not performed.

  In the second embodiment, it is determined whether or not it is necessary to analyze urine sediment for each specimen set in the sample rack 2 at a batch timing for each sample rack 2. In the second embodiment, ten containers 4 are set in one sample rack 2, but the number of containers 4 set in the sample rack 2 is not limited.

[Third Embodiment]
The hardware configuration of the urine sample analysis system 1 according to the third embodiment can be the same as the hardware configuration of the urine sample analysis system 1 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, redundant description will not be given in this specification.

  In the urine sample analysis system 1 according to the third embodiment, the urine sediment analyzer 20 continues to urine for the sample until a certain time has elapsed after the result of the urine qualitative analysis of the sample is derived. Wait for sinking analysis. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of timing at which determination of necessity of urine sediment analysis is performed in the third embodiment.

  FIG. 6 shows times T31 to T33. The time T31 indicates the time when the sampling of the specimen is started in the urine qualitative analyzer 10. The time T32 indicates the time when the urine qualitative analysis in the urine qualitative analyzer 10 is completed for the sample. Time T33 indicates the time when the determination of whether or not urine sediment analysis is necessary is started for the sample.

  Each of the times T31 to T32 in FIG. 6 corresponds to each of the times T11 to T12 in FIG. However, time T12 in FIG. 4 corresponds to the end of the analysis of the urine qualitative analysis of the sample and the start of the determination of the necessity of analysis of the urine sediment of the sample. On the other hand, time T32 in FIG. 6 corresponds only to the end of the urine qualitative analysis of the specimen. In the third embodiment, whether or not the analysis of the urine sediment of the sample is necessary is determined after a certain time (3 minutes in the example shown in FIG. 6) has elapsed from time T32, that is, It starts at time T33.

  In the third embodiment, as compared with the first embodiment, a longer time is secured in order to determine whether or not to analyze urine sediment for each specimen.

[Fourth Embodiment]
The hardware configuration of the urine sample analysis system 1 of the fourth embodiment can be the same as the hardware configuration of the urine sample analysis system 1 of the first embodiment. Therefore, redundant description will not be given in this specification.

In the urine sample analysis system 1 of the fourth embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the timing for determining whether urine qualitative analysis is necessary is set for each sample rack. However, in the fourth embodiment, the urine sediment analyzer 20 continues to analyze the urine sediment analysis device 20 until a certain time elapses after the urine qualitative analysis result of the last sample for a certain sample rack is derived. Wait for urine sediment analysis for all specimens set in the rack. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of timing at which determination of necessity of urine sediment analysis is performed in the fourth embodiment.

  In FIG. 7, times T40 to T43 are shown. The time T40 indicates the time when the urine qualitative analyzer 10 starts sampling the specimen of the first container 4 among the ten containers 4 set in a certain sample rack 2. In the urine sample analysis system 1, the sampling of the sample in the next container 4 set in the sample rack 2 starts the sampling of the previous sample, and then the urine qualitative analysis result for the sample is derived. It starts immediately after the expected time elapses. That is, the sampling of the specimen in the second container 4 is started after 1 minute has elapsed from time T40. And as FIG. 7 shows, time T41 which is 9 minutes after time T40 shows the time when the sampling of the sample of the 10th container 4 was started.

  In FIG. 7, time T42 indicates the time when the urine qualitative analysis of the specimen in the tenth container 4 is completed.

  Each of times T40 to T42 in FIG. 7 corresponds to each of times T20 to T22 in FIG. However, time T22 in FIG. 5 corresponds to the end of the urine qualitative analysis of the tenth sample and the start of the determination as to whether analysis of the urine sediment of each sample set in the sample rack 2 is necessary. On the other hand, time T42 in FIG. 7 corresponds only to the end of the urine qualitative analysis of the tenth sample. In the fourth embodiment, it is determined whether or not it is necessary to analyze the urine sediments of all the specimens set in the sample rack 2 for a certain period of time (3 minutes in the example shown in FIG. 7). ), That is, at time T43. However, at the end of sampling of the tenth sample, there is a sample that has already completed the urine qualitative analysis, and after the urine qualitative analysis of the first sample has ended, the “more certain time” has elapsed. However, regardless of the above, it can be set not to wait for the necessity determination of urine sediment analysis.

  Compared to the fourth embodiment, the fourth embodiment secures a longer time for determining whether or not it is necessary to analyze urine sediment for a plurality of specimens set in the sample rack 2. Is done.

[Fifth Embodiment]
The urine sample analysis system 1 according to the fifth embodiment is intended for the case where a plurality of samples are set in one sample rack 2 as in the second and fourth embodiments described above. More specifically, in the second and fourth embodiments, when a plurality of specimens are set in one sample rack 2, the urine qualitative analyzer 10 analyzes the urine qualitative analysis of the previous specimen. After ending, sampling of the next specimen was started. Specifically, the urine qualitative analyzer 10 started sampling the second sample not only after sampling the first sample but also after completing the urine qualitative analysis of the first sample. In the fifth embodiment, the sampling of the second sample is started without waiting for the end of the urine qualitative analysis of the first sample after the completion of the sampling of the first sample. The urine qualitative analysis of the first specimen is executed in parallel with the sampling of the second specimen.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of timing at which determination of necessity of urine sediment analysis is performed when the sampling start mode in the second embodiment is changed according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of timing at which determination of necessity of urine sediment analysis is performed when the sampling start mode in the fourth embodiment is changed according to the fifth embodiment. FIG.

  8 and 9, the sampling time of each sample in the urine qualitative analyzer 10 is indicated by “Ts”. The time from the end of sampling in the urine qualitative analyzer 10 for each specimen to the end of urine qualitative analysis is indicated by “Ta”.

  In the example shown in FIG. 8, the urine qualitative analyzer 10 performs sampling of the tenth sample after elapse of 9 times the time Ts from the time (time T20) when the sampling of the first sample was started. Start at (time T21). Sampling of the tenth sample is completed after the elapse of time Ts (time T21s). The urine qualitative analysis of the tenth sample is completed after the elapse of time Ta (time T22s). The urine sediment analyzer 20 waits until time T22s for urine sediment analysis (sample sampling) for the samples in all the containers 4 set in the sample rack 2. However, if there is a sample for which urine qualitative analysis has already been completed at the end of the sampling of the tenth sample, it can be set not to wait for urine sediment analysis necessity determination regardless of the above.

  In the example shown in FIG. 9, the urine qualitative analyzer 10 performs sampling of the tenth sample after elapse of 9 times the time Ts from the time (time T40) when the sampling of the first sample was started. Start at (time T41). Sampling of the tenth sample is completed after the elapse of time Ts (time T41s). The analysis of the qualitative urine of the tenth specimen is finished after the elapse of time Ta (time T42s). The urine sediment analyzer 20 performs urine sediment analysis (sample sampling) on the specimens of all the containers 4 set in the sample rack 2 for a certain time (time in the example of FIG. 9). Wait until time T43 after a lapse of Tx). However, at the end of sampling of the tenth sample, there is a sample that has already completed the urine qualitative analysis, and after the urine qualitative analysis of the first sample has ended, the “more certain time” has elapsed. However, regardless of the above, it can be set not to wait for the necessity determination of urine sediment analysis.

[Sixth Embodiment]
In the urine sample analysis system 1 of the sixth embodiment, the urine sediment analysis of the sample is started after the occurrence of an event “derivation of the analysis result of the urine qualitative analysis of the sample”. Processing executed for sample analysis in the urine sample analysis system 1 of the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the process. The hardware configuration of the urine sample analysis system 1 according to the sixth embodiment can be the same as that of the first embodiment. Note that the processing shown in FIG. 10 is started in response to, for example, an instruction for starting sample analysis being input to the control device 40.

  Referring to FIG. 10, first, in step S <b> 10, CPU 401 </ b> A of control device 40 transports the sample (its container) to urine qualitative analyzer 10. More specifically, in step S10, the CPU 401A causes the transport device 30 to transport the sample to the sampling position (position 32 in FIG. 2) of the urine qualitative analyzer 10. Further, the CPU 401A instructs the urine qualitative analyzer 10 to execute sample analysis. Then, control proceeds to step S20.

  In step S <b> 20, the CPU 111 </ b> A of the urine qualitative analyzer 10 specifies the sample that has been transported to the urine qualitative analyzer 10. More specifically, the CPU 111 </ b> A acquires the barcode information of the sample container that has been transported to the urine qualitative analyzer 10 from the barcode reader 116 of the urine qualitative analyzer 10. In addition, the CPU 111A acquires information (specimen ID, etc.) for specifying the specimen included in the barcode information. Then, the CPU 111A identifies the sample based on the acquired information. And control is advanced to step S30.

  In step S30, the CPU 111A performs sampling of the sample. The CPU 111A notifies the CPU 401A of the control device 40 of the completion of sample sampling. And control is advanced to step S40.

  In step S40, the CPU 401A performs urine qualitative analysis of the sample based on the sample sampled in step S30. And control is advanced to step S50.

  When the completion of sampling is notified from the CPU 111A, the CPU 111A causes the transport device 30 to transport the sample from the urine qualitative analyzer 10 to the urine sediment analyzer 20 in step S50. In step S50, the specimen is transported, for example, to a sampling position (position 33 in FIG. 2) of the urine sediment analyzer 20. And control is advanced to step S60.

  In step S60, the CPU 401A determines in the urine qualitative analyzer 10 whether the result of the urine qualitative analysis started in step S40 has been derived. When the CPU 111A derives the result of the urine qualitative analysis of the sample, the CPU 111A transmits the result to the control device 40. When the CPU 401A receives the urine qualitative analysis result from the urine qualitative analysis device 10, the CPU 401A determines that the urine qualitative analysis result has been derived. The CPU 111A may transmit the result of the urine qualitative analysis to the control device 40 together with information such as the sample ID acquired in step S20. On the other hand, if the result of the urine qualitative analysis has not yet been received from the urine qualitative analysis device 10, the CPU 401A determines that the result of the urine qualitative analysis has not yet been derived.

  When CPU 401A determines that the result of the urine qualitative analysis has not yet been derived (NO in step S60), it remains in the control of step S60. When CPU 401A determines that the result of urine qualitative analysis has been derived (YES in step S60), control proceeds to step S70.

  In step S70, the CPU 401A determines whether urine sediment analysis is necessary for the sample. For example, the CPU 401A determines whether or not urine sediment analysis is necessary based on the result derived in the urine qualitative analysis for the sample that has been subjected to the urine qualitative analysis. For example, when at least one value derived in the urine qualitative analysis of the specimen is higher (or lower) than a predetermined threshold, the CPU 401A determines that the urine sediment analysis of the specimen is necessary.

  The necessity of urine sediment analysis may be determined by the operator of the control device 40. More specifically, for example, the CPU 401A displays the result of the urine qualitative analysis received from the urine qualitative analysis device 10 on the monitor 401E. The operator determines whether or not urine sediment analysis is necessary based on the result, and inputs the result to the control device 40 via the button 401D or the like. CPU 401A executes the determination in step S70 according to the input result.

  When CPU 401A determines that urine sediment analysis is necessary (YES in step S70), control proceeds to step S80. On the other hand, when CPU 401A determines that urine sediment analysis is unnecessary (NO in step S70), control proceeds to step S100. If the CPU 401A determines that the urine sediment analysis of the sample is necessary, the CPU 401A instructs the urine sediment analysis device 20 to execute the urine sediment analysis of the sample.

  In step S80, the CPU 221A of the urine sediment analyzer 20 performs sampling of the sample transported to the sampling position in step S50. Then, the control proceeds to step S90.

  In step S90, the CPU 221A executes urine sediment analysis of the specimen based on the sample sampled in step S80. The CPU 221A notifies the control device 40 of the completion of sampling. Control then proceeds to step S100. When the CPU 221A derives the result of urine sediment analysis, the CPU 221A transmits the result to the control device 40.

  When the completion of sampling is received, in step S100, the CPU 401A causes the transport device 30 to transport the sample to the carry-out position (position 34 in FIG. 2). Thereby, the process of FIG. 10 is completed.

  In the sixth embodiment, the CPU 401A of the control device 40 stores the urine qualitative analysis result received from the urine qualitative analysis device 10 and / or the urine sediment analysis result received from the urine sediment analysis device 20 as a storage unit. 401B is stored. When the CPU 111A of the urine qualitative analysis device 10 transmits the result of the urine qualitative analysis to the control device 40 together with the information (sample ID, etc.) acquired in step S20, the CPU 401A of the control device 40 Information may be associated with and stored in the storage unit 401B. Further, the CPU 401A further associates the result of the urine sediment analysis transmitted from the CPU 221A of the urine sediment analyzer 20 with the information received from the urine qualitative analyzer 10 (specimen ID, etc.) in the storage unit 401B. It may be stored.

  The CPU 401A may display the urine qualitative analysis result received from the urine qualitative analysis device 10 and / or the urine sediment analysis result received from the urine sediment analysis device 20 on the monitor 401E.

  In addition, the CPU 401A may omit the control in step S70, that is, the determination as to whether urine sediment analysis is necessary for the specimen. Even when the determination of necessity in step S70 is omitted, if the operator of the control device 40 inputs information indicating that the urine sediment analysis of a sample is unnecessary, the urine sediment analysis Sampling and urine sediment analysis of the specimen in the device 20 can be omitted.

  In the urine sample analysis system 1 of the sixth embodiment described above, the urine sediment analysis of the sample is executed in response to the result of the urine qualitative analysis of the sample being derived. Note that the urine sediment analysis is performed on the condition that it is determined that the urine sediment analysis needs to be performed on the sample.

[Seventh Embodiment]
In the urine sample analysis system 1 according to the seventh embodiment, the urine sediment analysis of the sample is performed after the occurrence of an event “predetermined time has elapsed since the derivation of the urine qualitative analysis result of the sample”. Executed.

  The hardware configuration of the urine sample analysis system 1 of the seventh embodiment can be the same as that of the first embodiment. In the urine sample analysis system 1 according to the seventh embodiment, the urine sediment analysis is performed on the condition that a predetermined time has elapsed since the result of the urine qualitative analysis was derived. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of processing executed in the urine sample analysis system 1 according to the seventh embodiment.

  The process shown in FIG. 11 includes step S62 instead of step S60 (FIG. 10) as compared with the process (sixth embodiment) shown in FIG.

  In step S62, the CPU 401A of the control device 40 determines whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 3 minutes) has elapsed since the result of the urine qualitative analysis by the urine qualitative analysis device 10 is derived. If the CPU 401A determines that a predetermined time has not yet elapsed since the derivation of the result (NO in step S62), the CPU 401A remains in the control of step S62. When CPU 401A determines that a predetermined time has elapsed since the derivation of the result (YES in step S62), control proceeds to step S70.

  In step S70, the CPU 401A of the control device 40 determines whether the urine sediment analysis of the specimen is necessary. In the seventh embodiment, when the CPU 401A determines the necessity of urine sediment analysis by comparing the urine qualitative analysis result with a threshold, the operator of the control device 40 responds to the determination by the CPU 401A. Modifications can be made. More specifically, the necessity of urine sediment analysis derived by the CPU 401A based on the result of urine qualitative analysis is displayed on the monitor 401E. The operator can input corrections for the displayed necessity.

  Note that the CPU 401A may omit the control in step S70, that is, the determination as to whether urine sediment analysis is necessary for the specimen. Even when the determination of necessity in step S70 is omitted, if the operator of the control device 40 inputs information indicating that the urine sediment analysis of a sample is unnecessary, the urine sediment analysis Sampling and urine sediment analysis of the specimen in the device 20 can be omitted.

  When the operator inputs a correction, the CPU 401A executes the determination in step S70 based on the content of the correction. For example, even when the CPU 401A determines that urine sediment analysis is necessary based on the result of the urine qualitative analysis, if the operator inputs a correction that the urine sediment analysis is not necessary, in step S70. The CPU 401A determines that the urine sediment analysis is unnecessary.

  On the other hand, if the operator does not input correction until a specific time (for example, 3 minutes) elapses after the necessity of urine sediment analysis is displayed on the monitor 401E, or the operator does not input correction. When the information shown is input to the control device 40, in step S70, the CPU 401A executes the determination in step S70 based on the result determined by the CPU 401A based on the result of the urine qualitative analysis.

  According to the processing shown in FIG. 11, for example, the operator determines the necessity of the final urine sediment analysis based on the determination result of the necessity of the primary urine sediment analysis by the control device 40. it can.

[Eighth Embodiment]
In the urine sample analysis system 1 of the eighth embodiment, the urine sediment analysis of the sample is performed after the occurrence of an event “a certain time has elapsed since the start of sampling in the urine qualitative analysis of the sample” Executed. Note that the fixed time in the eighth embodiment is a time longer than the time expected to be required from the start of sampling in the urine qualitative analysis to the completion of the derivation of the analysis result of the urine qualitative analysis. For example, the prediction is based on the measurement result when the time required from the sampling of a predetermined number of samples to the derivation of the analysis result is measured in advance in the urine qualitative analyzer 10. The setting of “certain time” based on the measurement result may be performed manually by the operator of the urine sample analysis system 1 or automatically by the CPU 401A of the control device 40. For example, the CPU 401A sets the average value of the measurement values for a predetermined number of samples as “a certain time”.

  The hardware configuration of the urine sample analysis system 1 of the eighth embodiment can be the same as that of the first embodiment. In the urine sample analysis system 1 of the eighth embodiment, the urine sediment analysis is performed after a “certain time” (for example, 3 minutes) has elapsed since the sampling of the sample in the urine qualitative analyzer 10 is started. It is executed on condition that FIG. 12 is a flowchart of processing executed in the urine sample analysis system 1 according to the eighth embodiment.

  The process shown in FIG. 12 includes step S64 instead of step S60 (FIG. 10) as compared with the process shown in FIG. 10 (sixth embodiment).

  In step S64, the CPU 401A of the control device 40 determines whether or not a certain time (for example, the above-mentioned 3 minutes) has elapsed since the sampling of the sample was started in step S30. In the eighth embodiment, for example, immediately after the sample is specified by the barcode in step S20, sampling of the sample is started in step S30. For this reason, in the eighth embodiment, the timing at which the sample is specified by the barcode in step S20 is used as the sampling start timing of the sample.

  If CPU 401A determines that a certain time has not yet elapsed from the start of sampling (NO in step S64), it remains in the control of step S64. When CPU 401A determines that a certain time has elapsed since the start of sampling (YES in step S64), control proceeds to step S70.

  Note that in the eighth embodiment, the CPU 401A may omit the control in step S70, that is, the determination as to whether urine sediment analysis is necessary for the specimen. Even when the determination of necessity in step S70 is omitted, if the operator of the control device 40 inputs information indicating that the urine sediment analysis of a sample is unnecessary, the urine sediment analysis Sampling and urine sediment analysis of the specimen in the device 20 can be omitted.

  According to the processing shown in FIG. 12, for example, even when the result of urine qualitative analysis is not input to the control device 40 due to a trouble in the urine qualitative analysis device 10, a certain amount of time has elapsed since sampling in the urine qualitative analysis device 10. Then, the urine sediment analysis in the urine sediment analysis device 20 can be started. Thereby, it is possible to avoid delaying the processing of the entire urine sample analysis system 1 due to the malfunction of some devices.

  In the urine sample analysis system 1 of the eighth embodiment, the urine of the sample is sent to the control device 40 even if a specific time (for example, 3 minutes) elapses from the start of sampling of the sample in the urine qualitative analysis device 10. When the result of the qualitative analysis is not input, the CPU 401A of the control device 40 may notify that fact. The notification is realized by, for example, displaying a message on the monitor 401E or outputting an alarm sound on the control device 40.

[Ninth Embodiment]
In the urine sample analysis system 1 according to the ninth embodiment, not only the urine qualitative analysis device 10 but also the urine sediment analysis device 20 includes a barcode reader. Thus, the specimen container can be identified also in the urine sediment analyzer 20.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of the urine sample analysis system 1 according to the ninth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, in the ninth embodiment, the urine sediment analyzer 20 includes a barcode reader 226. For example, the barcode reader 226 is arranged at a position for reading the barcode of the container of the sample transported to the sampling position (position 33 in FIG. 2) of the urine sediment analyzer 20.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the urine sample analysis system 1 according to the ninth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, in the urine sediment analyzer 20 of the ninth embodiment, the barcode reader 226 reads barcode information from the barcode label affixed to the sample container 4, and controls the controller 221. Output to.

  In the urine sample analysis system 1 according to the ninth embodiment, since both the urine qualitative analysis device 10 and the urine sediment analysis device 20 are provided with barcode readers, the sample to be analyzed can be specified by both. . That is, not only the urine qualitative analysis apparatus 10 but also the urine sediment analysis apparatus 20 can specify a sample to be sampled before performing sampling. More specifically, in the ninth embodiment, the flowcharts of the processes executed in the sixth to eighth embodiments (that is, FIGS. 10 to 12) are the same as those in FIGS. Can be changed to

  For example, the process shown in FIG. 15 further includes step S52 as compared with the process shown in FIG. In the process shown in FIG. 15, after the CPU 401A of the control device 40 causes the transport device 30 to transport the sample from the urine qualitative analysis device 10 to the urine sediment analysis device 20 in step S50, the control proceeds to step S52. .

  In step S <b> 52, the CPU 221 </ b> A of the urine sediment analyzer 20 acquires the barcode information of the transported sample container from the barcode reader 226. In addition, the CPU 221A acquires information (specimen ID, etc.) for specifying the specimen included in the barcode information. Then, the CPU 221A specifies the sample based on the acquired information. And control is advanced to step S60.

  In the process illustrated in FIG. 15, the CPU 221 </ b> A transmits the result of the urine sediment analysis in step S <b> 90 to the control device 40. The CPU 221A may transmit the result of the urine sediment analysis to the control device 40 together with the information (sample ID, etc.) acquired in step S52.

  In the ninth embodiment, the CPU 401A of the control device 40 stores the urine qualitative analysis result received from the urine qualitative analysis device 10 and / or the urine sediment analysis result received from the urine sediment analysis device 20 as a storage unit. 401B is stored. When the CPU 111A of the urine qualitative analysis device 10 transmits the result of the urine qualitative analysis to the control device 40 together with the information (sample ID, etc.) acquired in step S20, the CPU 401A of the control device 40 Information may be associated with and stored in the storage unit 401B. Further, the CPU 401A further associates the result of the urine sediment analysis transmitted from the CPU 221A of the urine sediment analyzer 20 with the information received from the urine qualitative analyzer 10 (specimen ID, etc.) in the storage unit 401B. It may be stored.

  When the CPU 221A of the urine sediment analyzer 20 transmits the result of the urine sediment analysis together with the information (sample ID, etc.) acquired in step S52 to the controller 40, the CPU 401A of the controller 40 The result and the information may be associated with each other and stored in the storage unit 401B. In addition, the CPU 401A may store the result of the urine qualitative analysis and the result of the urine sediment analysis in which the specimen IDs and the like are common to each other and store them in the storage unit 401B.

  In addition, the process illustrated in FIG. 16 further includes step S52 as compared with the process illustrated in FIG. In the process shown in FIG. 16, after the CPU 401A of the control device 40 causes the transport device 30 to transport the sample from the urine qualitative analysis device 10 to the urine sediment analysis device 20 in step S50, the control proceeds to step S52. .

  The control in step S52 in FIG. 16 is the same as the control in step S52 in FIG. That is, the CPU 221 </ b> A of the urine sediment analyzer 20 acquires the barcode information of the transported sample container from the barcode reader 226. In addition, the CPU 221A acquires information (specimen ID, etc.) for specifying the specimen included in the barcode information. Then, the CPU 221A specifies the sample based on the acquired information. Then, control proceeds to step S62.

  Moreover, the process shown in FIG. 17 further includes step S52 as compared with the process shown in FIG. In the process shown in FIG. 17, the CPU 401A of the control device 40 causes the transport device 30 to transport the sample from the urine qualitative analysis device 10 to the urine sediment analysis device 20 in step S50, and then the control proceeds to step S52. .

  The control in step S52 in FIG. 17 is the same as that in step S52 in FIG. In the process of FIG. 17, after step S52, control proceeds to step S64.

  In each process shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, the CPU 401 </ b> A may omit the control in step S <b> 70, i.e., the determination as to whether urine sediment analysis is necessary for the specimen. Even when the determination of necessity in step S70 is omitted, if the operator of the control device 40 inputs information indicating that the urine sediment analysis of a sample is unnecessary, the urine sediment analysis Sampling and urine sediment analysis of the specimen in the device 20 can be omitted.

[Tenth embodiment]
In the urine sample analysis system 1 of the tenth embodiment, one sample rack 2 transports a plurality of samples, and the timing of the start of analysis for the plurality of samples in the one sample rack 2 is This is determined in consideration of the timing of urine qualitative analysis for at least one specimen in the sample rack 2. More specifically, the urine sediment analysis for a plurality of specimens set in one sample rack 2 is “a lapse of a certain time from the sampling of the urine qualitative analysis for the first specimen in the sample rack 2. "Is executed after the occurrence of the event.

  The hardware configuration of the urine sample analysis system 1 of the tenth embodiment can be the same as that of the first embodiment, for example. In the urine sample analysis system 1 according to the tenth embodiment, the analysis start timing for a plurality of samples conveyed by one sample rack 2 is the urine for at least one sample in the sample rack 2. It is determined in consideration of the timing of qualitative analysis.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart of processing executed in the urine sample analysis system 1 according to the tenth embodiment. Note that the processing shown in FIG. 18 is started in response to, for example, an instruction for starting sample analysis being input to the control device 40.

  Referring to FIG. 18, in step SA10, CPU 401A of control device 40 causes transport device 30 to transport sample rack 2 to urine qualitative analyzer 10. Then, control proceeds to step SA20. In step SA10, the sample rack 2 is transported to the sampling position of the urine qualitative analyzer 10 (position 32 in FIG. 2). At the sampling position, the barcode reader 116 (see FIG. 1) can read the barcode information of the container of each specimen set in the sample rack 2. When the sample rack 2 is placed at the sampling position, the CPU 401A instructs the urine qualitative analyzer 10 to perform urine qualitative analysis of each specimen in the sample rack 2.

  In step SA20, the CPU 111A of the urine qualitative analyzer 10 specifies and samples each specimen in the sample rack 2 arranged at the sampling position in step SA10. More specifically, the CPU 111 </ b> A reads the barcode information with the barcode reader 116 at each position where the sample can be placed in the sample rack 2. Further, the CPU 111A associates each read barcode information with each sample. Then, the CPU 111A executes sampling of each sample. Then, control proceeds to step SA30. When the sampling of all the samples in the current sample rack 2 is completed, the CPU 111A notifies the CPU 401A of the control device 40 of the completion.

  In step SA30, CPU 111A stores a value M representing the number of samples that have been sampled in sample rack 2 in storage unit 111B. Then, control proceeds to step SA40. The value M may be the number of samples (containers) for which barcode information has been acquired in step SA20.

  In step SA40, CPU 111A performs urine qualitative analysis of each sample that has been sampled in step SA20. Then, the control proceeds to step SA50. The CPU 111A transmits the urine qualitative analysis result of each specimen to the control device 40 together with information for identifying each specimen acquired from the barcode information. The CPU 401A of the control device 40 stores the urine qualitative analysis result of each sample in the storage unit 401B.

  In step SA50, the CPU 401A of the control device 40 causes the transport device 30 to transport the sample rack 2 from the urine qualitative analysis device 10 to the urine sediment analysis device 20. Then, control proceeds to step SA60. In step SA50, the sample rack 2 is transported to the sampling position of the urine sediment analyzer 20 (position 33 in FIG. 2).

  In step SA60, the CPU 401A determines whether or not a certain time (for example, 3 minutes) has elapsed since the sampling of the first sample in the sample rack 2 was started in step SA20. When CPU 401A determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO in step SA60), it remains in the control of step SA60. When CPU 401A determines that the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step SA60), control proceeds to step SA70. Further, when the CPU 401A determines that the certain time has elapsed, the CPU 401A instructs the urine sediment analyzer 20 to analyze the urine sediment of the specimen set in the sample rack 2.

  Note that the sampling start timing of the first sample in the sample rack 2 may be specified by the timing at which the barcode information of the sample is read by the barcode reader 116, for example. That is, in the urine qualitative analyzer 10, the sampling of the first specimen in the sample rack 2 can be started almost simultaneously with the barcode information of the specimen being read by the barcode reader 116. The CPU 401A can acquire information specifying the timing at which the barcode reader 116 has read the barcode information of the first sample from the CPU 111A, and can execute the determination in step SA60 based on the information. Reading the barcode information of the sample is an example of acquiring information for specifying the sample.

  An example of the fixed time in step SA60 is the time that is expected to be required from the start of sampling of the specimen to the completion of derivation of the urine qualitative analysis result of the specimen. Another example of the fixed time in step SA60 is the sum of the time predicted from the start of sampling of the specimen to the completion of the derivation of the urine qualitative analysis result of the specimen and a predetermined time ( The time when the derivation of the urine qualitative analysis result of the sample is completed after the sampling of the sample is started, and a predetermined time is predicted to elapse).

  In step SA70, the CPU 221A of the urine sediment analyzer 20 initializes the value of the variable N used in the process of FIG. Control then proceeds to step SA80.

  In step SA80, CPU 221A determines whether urine sediment analysis of the Nth sample (sample (N) in FIG. 18) in sample rack 2 is necessary. The necessity of analyzing the urine sediment of each specimen is determined by the CPU 401A of the control device 40, for example. More specifically, the CPU 401A determines whether or not the urine sediment analysis of each sample is necessary based on the result of the urine qualitative analysis of each sample. In step SA80, CPU 221A inquires of CPU 401A whether urine sediment analysis is necessary for each specimen.

  When CPU 221A determines that urine sediment analysis of the Nth sample is necessary (YES in step SA80), control proceeds to step SA90. On the other hand, when CPU 221A determines that urine sediment analysis of the N-th sample is unnecessary (NO in step SA80), control proceeds to step SA100.

  In step SA90, CPU 221A executes sampling of the Nth specimen and urine sediment analysis. Then, the control proceeds to step SA100.

  In step SA100, CPU 221A updates the value of variable N by one. Then, control proceeds to step SA110.

  In step SA110, CPU 221A determines whether or not the current value of variable N exceeds value M stored in step SA30. For example, the CPU 111A of the urine qualitative analyzer 10 transmits the value M acquired in step SA30 to the control device 40. The CPU 401A of the control device 40 stores the value M in the storage unit 401B. Then, the CPU 221A executes the determination in step SA110 by reading the value M stored in the storage unit 401B.

  When CPU 221A determines that variable N has not yet exceeded value M (NO in step SA110), CPU 221A returns control to step SA80. Thereby, the Nth urine sediment analysis for the variable N updated in step SA100 is started. On the other hand, when CPU 221A determines that variable N still exceeds value M (YES in step SA110), control proceeds to step SA120. CPU 221A notifies control device 40 that the control proceeds to step SA120.

  In step SA120, the CPU 401A of the control device 40 causes the transport device 30 to transport the sample rack 2 to the carry-out position (position 34 in FIG. 2). Thereby, the process of FIG. 18 is completed.

  19 and 20 are diagrams for explaining the analysis timing of each sample set in the sample rack 2 in the urine sample analysis system 1 according to the tenth embodiment.

  FIG. 19 shows an example in which ten specimens are set in the sample rack 2. Each of the ten specimens is sample No. in FIG. Shown as 1-10. In the lower part of FIG. 19, the elapsed time from the start of sampling of the first specimen is shown as “0 min.”, “1 min.”, Or the like. “1 min.” Indicates 1 minute.

  In FIG. 19, the types of processing contents in the urine sample analysis system 1 are distinguished by the types of hatching. The processing content includes sampling in the urine qualitative analysis device 10, standby in the urine qualitative analysis device 10, conveyance (of the sample rack 2), sampling in the urine sediment analysis device 20, and standby in the urine sediment analysis device 20.

  In the upper part of FIG. 19, main events regarding the analysis of the specimen set in the sample rack 2 (start of sampling of the first specimen in the urine qualitative analysis, 3 minutes of sampling start of the first specimen in the urine qualitative analysis) And after completion of transfer and start of urine sediment analysis).

  In FIG. 19, numbers 1 to 10 with circles are shown as “output of analysis results to the control device”. The numbers with circles indicate the transmission of the result of the urine qualitative analysis from the urine qualitative analysis device 10 to the control device 40. For example, the circled number 1 indicates the timing at which the urine qualitative analysis result of the first specimen is transmitted from the urine qualitative analysis device 10 to the control device 40.

  In the example shown in FIG. 19, the time required for sampling each specimen is 15 seconds. Sample No. One sample is sampled in the first 15 seconds, and then waits at the urine qualitative analyzer 10 for sampling of the remaining nine samples until 2 minutes and 30 seconds have elapsed since the start of sampling. Thereafter, the sample rack 2 is transported by the sample rack 2 for 1 minute (from the start of sampling of the sample No. 1 to 3 minutes 30 seconds later). One specimen is transported from the urine qualitative analyzer 10 to the urine sediment analyzer 20. When transported to the urine sediment analyzer 20, sample no. Sample 1 is sampled by the urine sediment analyzer 20 (from 3 minutes 30 seconds to 15 seconds after the start of sampling in the urine qualitative analyzer 10).

  That is, when sampling of the first specimen is started, the sample No. Sampling of four specimens 1 to 4 is executed. In the next 1 minute, sample no. Sampling of four specimens 5 to 8 is executed. In the next 30 seconds, sample no. Sampling of two specimens 9 to 10 is executed. When sampling of ten specimens is completed, the sample rack 2 is transported to the urine sediment analyzer 20.

  In the tenth embodiment, the sampling for urine sediment analysis of the first specimen set in the sample rack 2 is after the sample rack 2 has been transported to the urine sediment analyzer 20, The process is started on the condition that 3 minutes have elapsed after the start of sampling in the urine qualitative analyzer 10 for the first specimen.

  In the example shown in FIG. 19, the conveyance of the sample rack 2 to the urine sediment analyzer 20 is completed 3 minutes and 30 seconds after the start of sampling in the urine qualitative analysis of the first specimen. That is, at the time when the transport of the sample rack 2 is completed, three minutes or more have already passed since the sampling start in the urine qualitative analysis of the first specimen. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 19, when the transport of the sample rack 2 to the urine sediment analyzer 20 is completed, sampling of the first specimen is started in the urine sediment analyzer 20.

  FIG. 20 shows an example in which six specimens are set in the sample rack 2. Each of the ten specimens is sample No. in FIG. 1-6 are shown.

  In the example shown in FIG. 20, the sampling of all the specimens set in the sample rack 2 in the urine qualitative analyzer 10 ends 1 minute 30 seconds after the sampling of the first specimen is started. is there. When sampling of the sixth sample is completed, the sample rack 2 is transported from the urine qualitative analyzer 10 to the urine sediment analyzer 20. The conveyance is completed after 2 minutes 30 seconds from the start of the first sampling in the urine qualitative analyzer 10.

  In the example shown in FIG. 20, at the time when the transport of the sample rack 2 from the urine qualitative analyzer 10 to the urine sediment analyzer 20 is completed, the sampling of the first specimen in the urine qualitative analyzer 10 is started 3 The minutes have not passed. For this reason, in this example, when 3 minutes have elapsed from the start of sampling of the first specimen in the urine qualitative analyzer 10, that is, 30 seconds after the sample rack 2 is transported to the urine sediment analyzer 20. At the time when elapses, sampling of the first specimen in the urine sediment analyzer 20 is started.

  As described above, in the tenth embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 18 to 20, when one or more specimens are set in the sample rack 2, the urine of the first specimen in the urine sediment analyzer 20 is used. Sediment analysis (sampling) is started on the condition that a certain period of time has elapsed since the sampling of the first specimen in the urine qualitative analyzer 10 was started. In the urine sediment analyzer 20, when sampling of the first sample is completed, sampling of the second and subsequent samples is subsequently performed.

  In the process shown in FIG. 18, the CPU 221A may omit the control in step SA80, that is, the determination as to whether or not urine sediment analysis is necessary for the specimen. Even when the determination of the necessity in step SA80 is omitted, when the operator of the control device 40 or the urine sediment analysis device 20 inputs information indicating that the urine sediment analysis of the sample is unnecessary. In this case, sampling of the sample and urine sediment analysis in the urine sediment analysis device 20 can be omitted.

  Each embodiment and its modification disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  In each embodiment of the present disclosure, a urine qualitative analyzer is employed as an example of the first analyzer, and a urine sediment analyzer is employed as an example of the second analyzer. However, these devices are merely examples of the first analyzer and the second analyzer. The technical idea shown in the present disclosure can be applied to any combination of analyzers. Further, the two analysis devices to be combined need not necessarily be different types of devices. The present disclosure can also be applied to a combination of two analyzers of the same type.

  1 urine sample analysis system, 2 sample racks, 4 containers, 10 urine qualitative analysis device, 20 urine sediment analysis device, 30 transport device, 40 control device, 111, 221, 401 control unit, 111B, 221B, 401B storage unit, 112, 222, 301, 402 Communication unit, 116, 226 Bar code reader, 300 Conveyance path.

Claims (6)

A first analyzer for realizing the first type of analysis method, a second analyzer for realizing the second type of analysis method, and the second analysis from the first analyzer A method for analyzing a sample in an analysis system comprising a transport device for transporting a sample to an apparatus,
Analyzing the sample by the first analyzer;
Determining the necessity of analysis of the sample by the second analyzer based on the result of analysis by the first analyzer;
The step of determining includes
Displaying the result of the determination;
Receiving an input of correction of the necessity for a specific time with respect to the display of the determination result,
If correction input is received at the specific time, the correction input is received at the specific time when the correction indicates that analysis of the sample by the second analyzer is necessary. If not, when it is determined that the analysis of the sample by the second analyzer is necessary in the determination based on the result of the analysis by the first analyzer, the second analyzer Starting the analysis of the sample according to the above. Obtaining information for identifying the sample transported to the first analyzer;
Obtaining information for identifying the sample transported to the second analyzer;
Analyzing the sample by the second analyzer;
Storing the analysis result of the sample by the first analyzer in association with the information specifying the sample transported to the first analyzer;
Storing the analysis result of the sample by the second analyzer in association with information specifying the sample transported to the second analyzer, and
When the information specifying the sample transported to the first analyzer and the information specifying the sample transported to the second analyzer specify the same sample, the sample of the sample by the first analyzer analysis result, the second analytical analysis result of the sample and by a device, are stored in association with each other, the analysis method of the specimen according to claim 1. A first analyzer for realizing the first type of analysis method, a second analyzer for realizing the second type of analysis method, and the second analysis from the first analyzer A sample analysis system comprising: a transport device for transporting a sample to the device; and a computer for controlling the operation of the second analyzer,
The computer
Analyzing the sample by the first analyzer;
Determining whether the analysis of the sample by the second analyzer is necessary based on the result of the analysis by the first analyzer, and
The step of determining includes
Displaying the result of the determination;
Receiving an input of correction of the necessity for a specific time with respect to the display of the determination result,
The computer
If correction input is received at the specific time, the correction input is received at the specific time when the correction indicates that analysis of the sample by the second analyzer is necessary. If not, when it is determined that the analysis of the sample by the second analyzer is necessary in the determination based on the result of the analysis by the first analyzer, the second analyzer And the step of starting the analysis of the specimen according to the above. The computer
Obtaining information for identifying the sample transported to the first analyzer;
Obtaining information for identifying the sample transported to the second analyzer;
Analyzing the sample by the second analyzer;
Storing the analysis result of the sample by the first analyzer in association with the information specifying the sample transported to the first analyzer;
A step of storing the analysis result of the sample by the second analyzer in association with information specifying the sample transported to the second analyzer; and
When the information specifying the sample transported to the first analyzer and the information specifying the sample transported to the second analyzer specify the same sample, the sample of the sample by the first analyzer The analysis system according to claim 3, wherein the analysis result and the analysis result of the sample by the second analyzer are stored in association with each other. A first analyzer for realizing the first type of analysis method, a second analyzer for realizing the second type of analysis method, and the second analysis from the first analyzer In an analysis system comprising a transport device for transporting a specimen to a device and a computer for controlling the operation of the second analyzer, a program executed by the computer,
The program is stored in the computer.
Analyzing the sample by the first analyzer;
Determining the necessity of analysis of the sample by the second analyzer based on the result of the analysis by the first analyzer; and
The step of determining includes
Displaying the result of the determination;
Receiving an input of correction of the necessity for a specific time with respect to the display of the determination result,
The program is stored in the computer.
If correction input is received at the specific time, the correction input is received at the specific time when the correction indicates that analysis of the sample by the second analyzer is necessary. If not, when it is determined that the analysis of the sample by the second analyzer is necessary in the determination based on the result of the analysis by the first analyzer, the second analyzer And a step of starting the analysis of the specimen by the method. The program is stored in the computer.
Obtaining information for identifying the sample transported to the first analyzer;
Obtaining information for identifying the sample transported to the second analyzer;
Analyzing the sample by the second analyzer;
Storing the analysis result of the sample by the first analyzer in association with the information specifying the sample transported to the first analyzer;
Storing the analysis result of the sample by the second analyzer in association with information identifying the sample transported to the second analyzer, and
When the information specifying the sample transported to the first analyzer and the information specifying the sample transported to the second analyzer specify the same sample, the sample of the sample by the first analyzer The program according to claim 5, wherein the analysis result and the analysis result of the sample by the second analyzer are stored in association with each other.

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