JP6698665B2 - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that automatically analyzes components contained in a biological sample such as blood, and more particularly to an automatic analyzer that includes a waste unit that stores a used reaction container.

  As a device for analyzing a target component contained in a biological sample such as blood, light from a light source is irradiated to a reaction liquid in which a sample and a reagent are mixed, which is an analysis target, and a single or a plurality of wavelengths obtained. Automatic analyzers that measure the amount of transmitted light and scattered light are widely used.

  Automatic analyzers include biochemical analyzers that perform quantitative and qualitative analysis of target components in biological samples in the fields of biochemistry and hematology, and blood coagulation that measures the coagulability of blood samples. There is a device for analysis.

  Particularly in the latter analysis, the reaction liquid changes from the liquid state to the solid state due to the blood coagulation reaction, and therefore the reaction container containing the reaction liquid used for the analysis needs to be recovered for disposal. Here, when used reaction containers and the like are collected in the disposal part by natural fall, the reaction containers are accumulated at a specific place in the disposal part, and the reaction containers are spilled. If the reaction container is picked up by human hands, there is a risk of causing a secondary infection.

  In Patent Document 1, as a technique for preventing the accumulation of reaction containers and the like in such a specific place, after collecting used chips and vessels into a disposable storage container by natural fall, the storage container itself is An apparatus provided with a mechanism that vibrates back and forth, left and right, or up and down by a reciprocating linear motion, and flattens the chips and vessels housed therein by this vibration is described.

JP, 9-127127, A

  However, in the method described in Patent Document 1, although the height of the internal chip or vessel can be averaged by the vibration of the storage container itself, a dedicated mechanism for vibrating the storage container is separately installed. Therefore, the device becomes complicated and large. Furthermore, the vibration of the storage container itself may be transmitted to the detection unit of the optical system, which may affect the measurement result.

  An object of the present invention is to realize a highly reliable analysis that prevents the accumulation of used reaction vessels while maintaining space saving and suppresses the influence of noise such as vibration on a measurement result.

  As one aspect for solving the above problems, a sample dispensing mechanism that dispenses a sample into a reaction container, a reagent dispensing mechanism that dispenses a reagent into a reaction container, and a reaction container holding unit that holds the reaction container, , A measurement unit including a light source that irradiates the mixed liquid of the sample and the reagent contained in the held reaction container with light, and a detection unit that detects the irradiated light, and the measurement is completed. And a reaction container transfer mechanism for transferring the reaction container from the reaction container holding part to the reaction container disposal part and discarding it to the reaction container disposal part. A control unit for controlling the operation of the transfer mechanism, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the reaction container transfer mechanism so that the reaction container disposal unit does not continuously dispose of the reaction container at a predetermined position. Provided are an automatic analyzer characterized by controlling the operation, and an analysis method using the device.

  According to the above-mentioned one aspect, the reaction container transfer mechanism operates so as not to overlap the point and the timing of the disposal of the reaction container to the disposal part, so that the space of the used reaction container in the disposal part is maintained while the space saving is maintained. It is possible to realize highly reliable analysis in which the accumulation at a specific place is prevented and the influence of noise such as vibration on the measurement result is suppressed.

The figure which shows the basic composition of the automatic analyzer which concerns on this Embodiment. The figure which shows the structure of the reaction container discarding part which does not have a lid part based on this Embodiment (1st Embodiment). The figure which shows the structure of the reaction container discarding part which has the lid part provided with the some opening part which concerns on this Embodiment (2nd Embodiment). The figure which shows the structure of the reaction container discarding part which has a lid part provided with the groove-shaped opening part which concerns on this Embodiment (3rd Embodiment). The figure which shows the structure of the reaction container discarding part which has the lid part provided with the some opening part which concerns on this Embodiment (4th Embodiment), and has the storage space divided into several inside. The figure which shows the structure of the reaction container discarding part which has a detector which detects the accumulation condition of the internal reaction container based on this Embodiment (5th Embodiment). The flowchart explaining operation|movement of the reaction container transfer mechanism according to the accumulation condition of the internal reaction container which concerns on this Embodiment (5th Embodiment). The figure which shows the basic composition of the automatic analyzer provided with the blood coagulation analysis part of 2 modules which concerns on this Embodiment (6th Embodiment). The figure which shows the structure of the blood-coagulation analysis part in the automatic analyzer which concerns on this Embodiment (6th Embodiment).

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that, throughout, description of each component having the same function in each drawing may be omitted.

<Basic configuration of device>
FIG. 1 shows the basic configuration of the automatic analyzer according to this embodiment. Here, an example of an apparatus for performing blood coagulation analysis will be described as one mode of the automatic analyzer. As shown in the figure, the automatic analyzer 100 mainly includes a sample disc 102, a reagent disc 104, a sample dispensing mechanism 105, a sample dispensing mechanism cleaning unit 106, a reaction container setting unit 108, a reaction container transfer mechanism 109, and a reaction container. The supply unit 110, the detection unit 111, the reagent dispensing mechanism 112, the reagent dispensing mechanism cleaning unit 113, the reaction container discarding unit 114, the operation unit 115, the control unit 116, the storage unit 117, the interface 118, and the like.

  The sample disk 102 is a disk-shaped unit that can rotate clockwise and counterclockwise, and a plurality of sample containers 101 holding a sample or a quality control sample can be arranged on the circumference thereof.

  Like the sample disc 102, the reagent disc 104 is a disc-shaped unit that is rotatable clockwise and counterclockwise, and contains a reagent containing a component that reacts with a component of each test item contained in the sample. A plurality of reagent containers 103 can be arranged on the circumference. Although not shown in the figure, the reagent disk 104 can also be configured to be able to keep the reagents in the arranged reagent containers 103 cold by providing a cold keeping mechanism or the like.

  The sample dispensing mechanism 105 sucks the sample in the sample container 101 held by the sample disk 102 and discharges it into the reaction container 107 installed in the sample dispensing port 119. Here, the operation of the sample dispensing mechanism 105 is controlled based on the instruction of the control unit 116 along with the operation of the sample syringe pump (not shown).

  The sample dispensing mechanism cleaning unit 106 is a mechanism for washing the sample dispensing mechanism 105 with cleaning water. The timing of washing with water is controlled based on an instruction from the control unit 116.

  The reagent dispensing mechanism 112 sucks the reagent in the reagent container 103 held by the reagent disc 104 and inserts it into the reaction container 107 in which the sample has been dispensed, which is installed in the reaction container installation section 108 of the detection unit 111. Dispense. Here, the operation of the reagent dispensing mechanism 112 is controlled based on the instruction of the control unit 116 along with the operation of the reagent syringe pump (not shown).

  The reagent dispensing mechanism cleaning unit 113 is a mechanism that rinses the reagent dispensing mechanism 112 with cleaning water. The timing of washing with water is controlled based on an instruction from the control unit 116.

  Although the sample dispensing mechanism cleaning unit 106 and the reagent dispensing mechanism cleaning unit 113 are separately provided here, the configuration may be a single unit.

  The reaction container supply unit 110 is configured to hold a plurality of reaction containers 107 before analysis.

  The reaction container transfer mechanism 109 transfers the reaction container 107 used for analysis from the reaction container supply unit 110 to the sample dispensing port 119 and carries it in. Further, the reaction container 107 after the sample is dispensed is carried out from the sample dispensing port 119, and transferred to and carried into the reaction container installation section 108 of the detection unit 111. After the analysis is completed, the reaction container 107 is unloaded from the reaction container installation unit 108, transferred to the reaction container disposal unit 114, and discarded.

  The detection unit 111 includes one or more (in this embodiment, six cases are shown as an example) reaction container installation portions 108 for installing the reaction containers 107, a light source and a photodiode (not shown). It has an optical system including a detector (optical sensor). The light source irradiates the reaction container 107, which is inserted into the reaction container installation portion 108 and contains the reaction liquid, which is a mixed liquid of the sample to be analyzed and the reagent, with light, and is produced by the reaction generated in the reaction liquid. The light intensity of scattered light and transmitted light obtained by the substance is measured. For example, when detecting scattered light, each reaction container installation unit 108 has a light source arranged below and a detection unit arranged on the side surface. At this time, the detection unit performs light/current conversion on the received scattered light, and outputs a photometric signal indicating the received light intensity to an A/D converter (not shown). The light intensity measurement signal A/D converted by the A/D converter is sent to the control unit 116 and the storage unit 117 via the interface 118.

  For example, in the blood coagulation test item, when a sample reacts with a reagent, fibrin is deposited over time. Then, the amount of light scattered with the deposition of fibrin also increases. By detecting this light amount, the fibrinogen amount (Fbg) in the sample can be obtained. Further, by similarly monitoring the light amount using a reagent corresponding to each test item, other blood coagulation test items such as prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) can be analyzed. ..

  The reaction container discarding unit 114 is a unit for discarding the reaction container 107 that has been used for analysis. More specifically, it has an opening which is a waste port into which the reaction container 114 is charged, and a storage box which is arranged below the opening and which is not shown in the figure.

  The operation unit 115 has an input terminal such as a keyboard, a mouse, and an operation screen displayed on the display unit as input means, inputs analysis items of a sample to be analyzed from the keyboard and operation screen, and inputs them to the control unit 116.

  The control unit 116, based on the input from the operation unit 115, the sample disc 102, the reagent disc 104, the sample dispensing mechanism 105, the sample dispensing mechanism cleaning unit 106, the reaction container transfer mechanism 109, the detection unit 111, the reagent dispensing mechanism 112. Controls the operation of the reagent dispensing mechanism cleaning unit 113, and performs overall control of the operation of various constituents of the automatic analyzer 100, condition setting, and the like. Further, the control unit processes a measurement signal input from the detection unit 111 via the interface 118, performs calculation for obtaining the concentration of the target component and blood coagulation time based on the detection result, and data processing such as identification of an abnormal point. And so on. Details will be described later.

  The storage unit 117 stores input information from the operation unit 115, operation information about the sample disk 102, reagent information, sample information, and the like.

  The interface 118 mediates operation information of the sample disk 102 and the like, input information from the operation unit 115, operation information from the control unit 116, and information stored in the storage unit 117.

  The sample analysis in the automatic analyzer 100 according to the present embodiment configured as described above is performed in the order of sample dispensing, reagent dispensing, photometry, disposal of the reaction container 107, and data processing. The basic flow of analysis will be described in detail below.

  On the reagent disk 104, a plurality of reagent containers 103 are arranged side by side on the circumference, and when an analysis item is selected and an analysis start instruction is received from the operation unit 115, the target reagent container 103 is selected according to the analysis item. The reagent is dispensed by rotating it clockwise or counterclockwise below the reagent dispensing mechanism 112. A predetermined amount of the reagent in the reagent container 103 is dispensed by a reagent syringe (not shown) connected to the reagent dispensing mechanism 112. A plurality of reaction vessels 107 are vertically and horizontally arranged on the reaction vessel supply unit 110. The reaction container transfer mechanism 109 transfers and carries the reaction container 107 from the reaction container supply unit 110 to the reaction container installation unit 108 via the reagent dispensing port 119 in a predetermined order.

  On the sample disk 102, a plurality of sample containers 101 are arranged side by side on the circumference, and the sample containers 101 are rotated clockwise or counterclockwise according to the order of the samples to be analyzed and transported to the bottom of the sample dispensing mechanism 105. To do.

  A predetermined amount of the sample in the sample container 101 is dispensed into the reaction container 107 installed in the sample dispensing port 119 by a sample syringe (not shown) connected to the sample dispensing mechanism 105. Next, the reagent dispensing mechanism 112 sucks the reagent from the reagent container 103 and dispenses the reagent into the reaction container 107 that stores the sample installed in the reaction container installation unit 108 of the detection unit 111.

  The progress of the reaction in the reaction solution, which is a mixed solution of the sample and the reagent contained in the reaction container 107, irradiated with light from the light source, is collected by the detection unit including the above-described photodiode, and the detection unit It is detected at 111. The detected data, the use detection unit number, the type of sample used and the installation position on the sample disk 102, the type of reagent used and the installation position on the reagent disk 104 are stored in the storage unit 117.

  When the reaction and measurement of the reaction liquid held in the reaction container 107 is completed, the reaction container 107 holds the mixed liquid after the reaction and is discarded by the reaction container transfer mechanism 109 to the reaction container discarding unit 114.

First embodiment

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the reaction container discarding unit having no lid according to the present embodiment. The reaction container discarding unit 114 shown in FIG. 1 is composed of a storage box 201 that is open in this embodiment. The reaction container transfer mechanism 202 transfers the used reaction container 203, for which analysis has been completed, to the storage box 201 via the transfer path 204 and discards it.

  At this time, when the reaction container transfer mechanism 202 always discards the reaction container 203 at the same place, the reaction container 203 is accumulated in a certain place in the storage box 201. Therefore, the reaction container transfer mechanism 202 according to the present embodiment arbitrarily determines the disposal point so that the disposal operation of the reaction container 203 on the storage box 201 is not continuously performed at a predetermined position. be able to. There is no limit to the location of disposal as long as it is on the storage box 201. For example, the drive points of the motor (not shown) that controls the position of the reaction container transfer mechanism 202 are slightly changed, and the points of disposal are not continuous. Can be shifted as As described above, if the discarding point can be shifted by controlling the operation of the reaction container transfer mechanism 202, it is possible to prevent the reaction container 203 from accumulating at a specific location in the storage box 201 while suppressing the influence of noise due to vibration. be able to. As a result, it is possible to even out the accumulation of the reaction containers 203 in the storage box 201 in the automatic analyzer that maintains the reliability of the measurement results and saves space.

Second embodiment

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration of the reaction container discarding unit which does not include the lid and has the storage box having an open upper surface has been described. In the present embodiment, the configuration of the reaction container discarding unit including a storage box having a lid having a plurality of openings will be described with reference to FIG.

  In this configuration, the reaction container transfer mechanism 302 transfers the used reaction container 303, which has been analyzed, to the plurality of openings 304 formed in the lid 305 of the storage box 301 via the transfer path 306, Discard. In this figure, the case where the number of the opening portions 304 formed in the lid portion 305 is five is shown, but the number is not limited and can be changed as necessary.

  Here, the reaction container transfer mechanism 302 holds the used reaction container 303 installed on the reaction container installation unit 108 shown in FIG. It moves to just above any one opening, and the reaction container 303 is discarded. The order of discarding can be set according to a certain sequence, for example, opening 1→opening 2→opening 3→opening 4→opening 5→opening 1→... In the figure. Also, it can be changed if necessary. As described above, by changing the order of discarding the plurality of openings formed according to a certain sequence, it is possible to prevent the reaction container 303 from accumulating at a certain place in the storage box 301 and to be stored. The height of the reaction container 303 can be made uniform.

  Further, by providing the lid portion 305, it is possible to prevent falling objects other than the reaction container 303 from falling into the storage box 301. Here, the inside of the reaction container 303 holds a reaction solution which is a mixed solution of a sample and a reagent, and a precipitate produced after the reaction, but some samples may have a risk of a dangerous infectious disease. There is. Therefore, if something other than the reaction container 303 is collected in the storage box 301, there is a risk of secondary infection due to the user accessing the storage box 303. According to the present embodiment, since the lid 305 is provided to prevent anything other than the reaction container 303 from being collected inside the storage box 301, such a risk can be avoided.

Third embodiment

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the configuration of the reaction container discarding unit according to the present embodiment, which has the lid having the groove-shaped opening, will be described. In the above-described second embodiment, the configuration in which the plurality of openings 304 are formed in the lid portion 305 has been described, but here, the lid portion 405 is formed in a groove shape and includes a plurality of disposal points. It has one opening 404.

  In the present configuration, the reaction container transfer mechanism 402 is configured such that the used reaction container 403, which has undergone the analysis, passes through the transport path 406 and has a single opening 404 formed in a groove shape on the lid 405 of the storage box 401. And is discarded at a plurality of disposal points included in the opening 404. The order of discarding can be set according to a certain sequence, for example, P1→P2→P3→P4→P5→P6→... In the opening 404 in the figure, and as necessary. You can change it.

  A plurality of disposal points are formed on one opening 405 by forming the opening 405 into a groove shape instead of the circular shape that matches the reaction container 403 as in the above-described second embodiment. Can be included. The reaction container transfer unit 402 can discard the reaction container 403 at any point on the opening 404, and after discarding the reaction container 403 at a certain point, a long moving distance is set to a distance between the discard points. Can be made wider, or conversely, it is possible to shorten the moving distance and make the distance between the discard points several millimeters.

  According to this embodiment, the reaction container 403 can be discarded into the storage box 401 over a wide area on one opening 404. By discarding the reaction container 403 in the storage box 401 at a plurality of disposal points in the single opening 404, the heights of the reaction containers 403 in the storage box 401 can be made uniform. Further, since the reaction container 403 can be discarded by shifting a few millimeters in the single opening 404 as described above, the degree of freedom of the disposal point is increased. As a result, the heights of the reaction vessels 403 in the storage box 401 can be equalized more accurately.

  Note that the shape and arrangement of the opening 404 and the order of disposal can be appropriately changed in addition to the above-described configuration.

Fourth embodiment

  In the present embodiment, the configuration of a reaction container discarding unit having a lid portion having a plurality of openings, and further having a storage space divided into a plurality of inside, and by using this configuration, depending on the state of the sample A mode in which the storage space in the storage box for discarding the reaction container is changed will be described with reference to FIG.

  In this configuration, the reaction container transfer mechanism 502 transfers the used reaction container 503 after analysis to the plurality of openings 604 formed in the lid 505 of the storage box 501 via the transfer path 506, It is discarded in one of the plurality of storage spaces partitioned by the partition member 505 in the storage box 501. Here, the inside of the storage box 501 is divided into two spaces, a first space 501a and a second space 501b, by a partition member 505.

  In the blood coagulation analysis, although there are differences depending on the measurement items, in the early case, the blood sample, which is the sample, reacts with the reagent in a few seconds, and the mixed solution begins to coagulate. However, in the case of a sample having a blood coagulation factor deficiency, the coagulation phenomenon of the sample does not start within a few seconds after mixing with the reagent, and the sample may not coagulate even after several minutes.

  In such a case, the automatic analyzer is provided with the maximum time for continuing the measurement, such as the maximum measurement time. Then, when this time has elapsed, the measurement ends without obtaining the blood coagulation time as the analysis result. At this time, the sample is held in the reaction container 503 in a substantially liquid state. The reaction container 503 holding the liquid sample is different from the other reaction container 503, that is, the reaction container 503 containing the mixture changed to a solid after the blood coagulation reaction is completed, by the reaction container transfer mechanism 502. When discarded in a common space inside, the liquid in the reaction container 503 may spill and contaminate the inside of the storage box 501.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, for example, the reaction container 503 accommodated in a state in which the mixed liquid of the sample and the reagent does not coagulate even when the measurement maximum time is reached, starts from the position 5 or 6 of the opening 504. It is discarded and collected in the first space 501a in the storage box 501. On the other hand, when the mixed liquid of the sample and the reagent is solidified and turned into a solid as usual, the reaction container 503 is discarded from any one of the positions 1 to 4 of the opening 504, and the inside of the storage box 501 is discarded. Collect in the second space 501b. More specifically, if the detection unit in the detection unit 111 cannot obtain the amount of optical change required for acquisition of the blood coagulation time (timed out) even after the lapse of the maximum measurement time, the control unit 116. Judges that the mixed liquid contained in the reaction container 503 used for this analysis is in a liquid state, and controls the operation of the reaction container transfer mechanism 502 so as to collect it in the first space 501a as described above. ..

  As described above, by changing the position of the opening 504 in each space divided by providing the partition member 505 in the storage box 501 according to the situation of the blood coagulation reaction, the liquid inside the reaction container 503 is changed. It is possible to separately collect the mixed solution of and the solidified mixture of solids.

  Further, in the first space 501a in which the reaction container 503 containing the liquid mixture is collected, by taking measures such as double installation of a vinyl bag for disposal, etc., contamination of the storage box 501 can be prevented. In addition, it is possible to reduce the risk of contacting the liquid mixture spilled from the inside when the reaction container 503 is discarded.

  Note that the shape of the opening 504, the arrangement, and the order of disposal can be appropriately changed in addition to the above-described configuration.

Fifth embodiment

  In the present embodiment, the configuration of the reaction container discarding unit having a detector for detecting the accumulation state of the internal reaction container, and by using this configuration, by detecting the accumulation state of the reaction container in the storage box, The operation of the reaction container transfer mechanism for more accurately equalizing the accumulation of reaction containers will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

  In the present configuration, the reaction container transfer mechanism 602 transfers the used reaction container 603 after analysis to the plurality of openings 604 formed in the lid 605 of the storage box 601 via the transfer path 606, Discard.

  Here, inside the storage box 601, a plurality of detectors 607 capable of detecting the accumulation status of the recovered reaction container 603 are installed. The type of the detector 607 is not particularly limited as long as it can detect the presence of the reaction container 603 collected from the corresponding opening 604. Here, in order to accurately detect the presence of the reaction container 603 collected from the corresponding opening 604, the detector 607 is preferably provided below the position of the corresponding opening 604.

  When the reaction container transfer mechanism 602 starts the operation of transferring and discarding the reaction container 603, first, the recovery information of the reaction container 603 stored in the storage unit 117 is read (step 701). Here, the collection information of the reaction container 603 is information including the time when the reaction container 603 was discarded last time and the position of the used opening 604 at the present time.

  If the reaction container 603 is transferred by the reaction container transfer mechanism 602 and is continuously discarded in the storage box 601, the reaction container 603 is accumulated immediately below the used opening 604. Here, when the accumulation of the reaction vessels 603 continues to the installation position of the detector 607, the detector 607 detects the presence of the accumulated reaction vessels 603 (step 702). At this time, the number of detectors 607 that can be detected is not limited to one, and a plurality of detectors 607 can detect accumulation. When the presence of the reaction container 603 is detected by at least one of the plurality of detectors 607, the process proceeds to step 703.

  When the detector 607 detects the accumulation state of the reaction container 603 in the storage box 601, the most reaction container 603 is detected based on the previous disposal time stored in the storage unit 117 and the position information of the detector 607. The opening 604 having a small accumulation of the is determined (step 703).

  Here, the opening 604 in which the reaction container 603 is least accumulated corresponds to the opening 604 in which the presence of the reaction container 603 was not detected in step 702. In this step, if there are a plurality of openings 604 that did not detect the presence of the reaction container 603, the opening at the position where the previous discard time acquired in step 701 and the current time are most different from each other. Portion 604 is determined to be the opening 604 with less accumulation of reaction vessel 603.

  When the opening 604 in which it is determined that the reaction container 603 is less accumulated is determined, the reaction container transfer mechanism 602 transfers the reaction container 603 to the determined position of the opening 604 and stores it through the opening 604. It is discarded in the box 601 (step 704).

  Here, when the presence of the reaction container 603 is not detected by all the detectors 607 in the storage box 601, the control unit 116 determines that the accumulated amount of the reaction container 603 is still small. In this case, of the plurality of openings 604, the opening 604 at the position where the discard time used last time and the current time deviate most is determined as the next discard location. Alternatively, when it is not possible to determine the opening 604 to be discarded in step 703, for example, even when all the detectors 607 detect the presence of the reaction container 603, a plurality of openings 604 are similarly formed. Among them, the opening 604 at the position where the last used discard time and the current time are most different is determined as the next discard location (step 705). After determining the opening 604 for discarding the reaction container 603, the process proceeds to step 704.

  After discarding the reaction container 603, the position of the used opening 604 and the discard time are stored in the storage unit 117 (step 706). Here, for example, when the reaction container 603 is discarded in the opening 604, the collection information regarding the opening 604 stored at the time of previous use is overwritten and stored, and the discarding operation ends.

  According to this configuration, the presence of the reaction container 603 collected by installing the plurality of detectors 607 in the storage box 601 can be detected, and the accumulation status can be confirmed. Further, by storing the information on the position of the opening 604 used at the time of disposal and the time of disposal, when the reaction container 603 is discarded from any one of the plurality of openings 604, the reaction container 603 is stored in the storage box 601. It can be more accurately determined whether the heights of the collected reaction containers 603 can be made uniform.

  Further, the present embodiment can be applied to a configuration having a plurality of disposal points in one opening 604 as in the above-described third embodiment.

Sixth embodiment

  In the above-described embodiment, an apparatus for performing blood coagulation analysis, which is an example of an automatic analyzer, has been described by using a stand-alone type configuration in which one device is operated as an independent device.

  By the way, in addition to such a stand-alone type device, an automatic analyzer for a clinical test includes a plurality of biochemical analysis, immunological analysis, blood coagulation analysis, etc. in order to improve the work efficiency of the laboratory. There is a module type configuration in which the analysis units in the analysis field are connected to each other and are operated as one device as a whole by using a common sample rack transport line.

  In this embodiment, as an example of a module-type automatic analyzer, an example of application to an automatic analyzer having a two-module blood coagulation analyzer will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the basic configuration of an automatic analyzer including a two-module blood coagulation analyzer according to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the module-type automatic analyzer 800 includes a first blood coagulation analysis unit 812 and a second blood coagulation analysis, which are a plurality of analysis units that analyze a reaction liquid that is a mixed liquid of a sample and a reagent. It has a section 817 and is provided with transport lines 804 and 805 for transporting a sample rack 801 carrying a sample container for storing the sample in order to supply the sample to each analysis section.

  As an example of a transport system that transports a sample rack 801 having a sample container containing a sample of plasma or the like to be analyzed, a rack supply unit 802 that supplies the sample rack 801 onto a transport line 804, analysis is completed, A rack storage unit 803 that stores the sample rack 801 that has moved on the transport line 805, a transport line (feed direction) 804 that transports the sample rack 801 to each analysis unit, a transport line (return direction) 805, and a sample rack that is waiting for analysis. A rack standby unit 806 for holding the 801 in standby, a rack handling mechanism 807 for transferring the sample rack 801 between the transport lines 804 and 805 and the rack standby unit 806 and the rack standby unit 806, and a transport line 805 based on the information of the sample rack 801. A rack allocation mechanism 809 for allocating the destination of the upper rack, a rack returning mechanism 808 for moving the allocated sample rack 801 to the rack storage section 803, an emergency sample rack loading section 810 for loading the sample rack 801 requiring urgent analysis, and a transportation A reading unit 811 (conveyance line) for reading information such as a barcode attached to the sample rack 801 on the line 804 is shown.

  The transport system of the first blood coagulation analysis unit 812 arranged along the transport line 804 is a reading unit (first blood coagulation unit) for collating the analysis request information for the samples stored in the sample rack 901 from the transport line 804. (Analysis unit) 816, a first rack loading mechanism 814 that receives the sample rack 801 from the transport line 804, and a sampling area in which the sample is dispensed, and the sample rack 801 can be on standby until the start of sample dispensing. A 1-dispensing line 813 and a first rack handling mechanism 815 for transporting the sample rack 801 after the sample dispensing to the transport lines 804 and 805 are provided.

  The transport system of the second blood coagulation analysis unit 817 arranged along the transport line 804 is also accommodated in the sample rack 801 from the transport line 804 similarly to the configuration of the transport system of the first blood coagulation analysis unit 812 described above. A reading unit (second blood coagulation analysis unit) 821 for collating the analysis request information for the existing sample, a second rack carry-in mechanism 819 for receiving the sample rack 801 from the transport line 804, and a sampling area where the sample is dispensed. And a second rack handling mechanism 820 for transporting the sample rack 801 after the sample dispensing to the transport line 805.

  Further, throughout the whole, the control unit 822 controls the blood coagulation based on the detection result such as the above-described transport operation of the sample rack 801, dispensing operation of the sample and reagent, sorting of the sample rack 801 based on the read information, and loading/unloading operation. The control of the operation of various constituents of the automatic analyzer 800 and the setting of conditions such as data processing operation such as calculation of time and concentration of the target component is carried out. In addition, the control unit 822 includes various data relating to analysis conditions, an input unit 825 such as a keyboard for inputting instructions from an operator, information input, information read from a sample or reagent, and information regarding detection results. It is connected to a storage unit 823 that stores information such as the above, a detection result, and an output unit 824 that displays a graphical user interface (GUI) related to various operations of the automatic analyzer 800. In the figure, the control unit 822 is connected to each constituent unit and controls the entire automatic analyzer. However, each constituent unit may be configured to have an independent control unit.

  Here, in the configuration of the reaction container discarding unit 828 in the first blood coagulation analysis unit 812, the reaction container transfer mechanism 830, the reaction container discarding unit 829 in the second blood coagulation analysis unit 817, and the reaction container transfer mechanism 831, the above-described first ~ The fifth embodiment can be applied.

  In the case of the module type automatic analyzer, the throughput per unit time is simply higher than that of the stand-alone type one, so that the amount of used reaction vessels is discarded and the above-mentioned problems become more prominent. Therefore, with this configuration, even in the module-type automatic analyzer, it is possible to prevent the used reaction vessels from being accumulated and concentrated, and to keep the analysis accuracy high.

  Next, the configuration of the blood coagulation analysis unit described above will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. In FIG. 9, a sample dispensing mechanism 917 that dispenses a sample contained in a sample container on a sample rack into a reaction container 901 used for measurement, and a reaction container 901 that is a target of this sample dispensing operation are shown. A sample dispensing port 916 that can be arranged, a standby unit 911 including a plurality of standby ports 910 for accommodating reaction vessels in a standby state, a reaction vessel magazine 902 in which a plurality of reaction vessels 901 are stocked, and a reaction vessel 901 are transferred. Reaction vessel transfer mechanism 912 that carries in and out to each position as necessary, and a pretreated sample that has been temperature-adjusted to 37° C. and that has been subjected to treatment such as dilution or dilution immediately before blood coagulation time measurement A preheat unit 909 having a plurality of preheat ports 908 for raising the temperature, an analysis unit 907 having a plurality of analysis ports 910 for similarly adjusting the temperature to 37° C. and measuring the blood coagulation time, and a reagent bottle containing a reagent. A reagent cassette 903 having a built-in is arranged circumferentially, and the reagent disc 904 whose temperature is adjusted to about 10° C. and the reagent cassette 903 arranged in the reagent cassette supply unit 913 are transferred to the reagent disc 904. A transfer mechanism 915, a reagent information reading unit 905 that reads reagent information from a medium such as a barcode or RFID in which a measurement item of the reagent cassette 903 transferred to the reagent disk 904, an expiration date, etc. are input, and a reagent cassette transfer mechanism 915. The reagent cassette storage section 914 for storing the used reagent cassette 903, which is taken out from the reagent disc 904, the reaction container discarding section 923 for discarding the used reaction vessel 901, and the sample dispensing for cleaning the sample dispensing mechanism A mechanism cleaning unit 918, a first reagent mechanism cleaning unit 920 that cleans the first reagent dispensing mechanism, and a second reagent dispensing mechanism cleaning unit 922 that cleans the second reagent dispensing mechanism 921 are provided.

  The measurement of the blood coagulation time is calculated by the controller 922 based on the detected light data.

  Here, in the configuration of the reaction container discarding unit 923 and the reaction container transfer mechanism 912 in this figure, the first to fifth embodiments described above can be applied.

In the case of the module type automatic analyzer, the throughput per unit time is simply higher than that of the stand-alone type one, so that the amount of used reaction vessels is discarded and the above-mentioned problems become more prominent. Therefore, with such a configuration, even in the modular-type automatic analyzer, it is possible to prevent the used reaction vessels from being accumulated and concentrated, and to keep the analysis accuracy high. Is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but includes various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail in order to explain the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described. Further, a part of the configuration of one embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment, and the configuration of another embodiment can be added to the configuration of one embodiment.

  Further, each of the above-described configurations, functions, processing units, processing means, etc. may be realized by hardware by designing a part or all of them with, for example, an integrated circuit. Further, the above-described respective configurations, functions and the like may be realized by software by the processor interpreting and executing programs for realizing the respective functions. Information such as a program, a table, and a file that realizes each function can be stored in a memory, a hard disk, a storage device such as SSD (Solid State Drive), or a storage medium such as an IC card, an SD card, and a DVD.

  Further, the information lines and control lines are shown as those that are considered necessary for explanation, and not all the information lines and control lines on the product are necessarily shown. In reality, it can be considered that almost all the configurations are connected to each other.

100... Automatic analyzer 101... Sample container 102... Sample disk 103... Reagent container 104... Reagent disk 105... Sample dispensing mechanism 106... Sample dispensing mechanism cleaning unit 107 , 203, 303, 403, 503, 603... Reaction container 108... Reaction container installation unit 109, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602... Reaction container transfer mechanism 110... Reaction container supply unit 111・・・Detecting unit 112 ・・・Reagent dispensing mechanism 113 ・・・Reagent dispensing mechanism cleaning unit 114 ・・・Reaction container discarding unit 115 ・・・Operating unit 116 ・・・Control unit 117 ・・・Storage unit 118 ... Interface 119... Sample dispensing ports 201, 301, 401, 501, 601... Storage boxes 204, 306, 406, 506, 606... Transport paths 304, 504, 604 of reaction container transfer mechanism ...Apertures 305, 405, 505, 605... Lid 404... Groove-shaped opening 507... Partition member 607... Detector 800... Automatic analyzer (module type)
801... Sample rack 802... Rack supply section 803... Rack storage section 804... Transport line (feed direction)
805... Transport line (return direction)
806... Rack standby unit 807... Rack handling mechanism 808... Rack return mechanism 809... Rack distribution mechanism 810... Emergency sample rack loading unit 811... Reading unit (conveyance line)
812... First blood coagulation analysis unit 813... First dispensing line 814... First rack loading mechanism 815... First rack handling mechanism 816... Reading unit (first blood coagulation analysis unit )
817... Second blood coagulation analysis unit 818... Second dispensing line 819... Second rack loading mechanism 820... Second rack handling mechanism 821... Reading unit (second blood coagulation analysis unit )
822... Control unit 823... Storage unit 824... Output unit 825... Input unit 826... First analysis unit 827... Second analysis unit 828, 829... Reaction container discarding unit 830, 831... Reaction container transfer unit 901... Reaction container 902... Reaction container magazine 903... Reagent cassette 904... Reagent disk 905... Reagent information reading unit 906... Analysis port 907・・・Analysis unit 908 ・・・Preheat port 909 ・・・Preheat unit 910 ・・・Standby port 911 ・・・Standby unit 912 ・・・Reaction container transfer mechanism 913 ・・・Reagent cassette supply unit 914 ・・・Reagent Cassette storage unit 915... Reagent cassette transfer mechanism 916... Sample dispensing port 917... Sample dispensing mechanism 918... Sample dispensing mechanism cleaning unit 919... First reagent dispensing mechanism 920... First reagent dispensing mechanism cleaning unit 921... Second reagent dispensing mechanism 922... Second reagent dispensing mechanism cleaning unit 923... Reaction container discarding unit

Claims (11)

A sample dispensing mechanism for dispensing a sample into a reaction container,
A reagent dispensing mechanism that dispenses a reagent into a reaction container,
From a reaction container holding unit that holds the reaction container, a light source that irradiates a mixed liquid of a sample and a reagent housed in the held reaction container with light, and a detection unit that detects the irradiated light. A measuring unit composed of
A reaction container discarding unit in which the reaction container after the measurement is discarded,
A reaction container transfer mechanism that transfers the reaction container from the reaction container holding unit to the reaction container discarding unit and discards the reaction container to the reaction container discarding unit ;
And a control unit for controlling the operation of the pre-Symbol reaction vessel transfer mechanism,
The reaction container disposal unit has a storage unit for storing the discarded reaction container, and a lid unit formed to cover the upper surface of the storage unit,
The lid is formed with an opening configured to include a plurality of disposal points that can carry the reaction container into the storage.
The storage unit is provided with a detector for detecting the reaction container stored via the disposal point,
The control unit is
Based on the detection status of the reaction container by the detector,
The reaction wherein such point to discard the reaction vessel is not carried out continuously in a vessel disposal unit, the automatic analyzer characterized that you control the operation of the reaction container transfer mechanism. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 , wherein
A plurality of the openings are formed so as to correspond to the plurality of disposal points, respectively.
The control unit is
Based on the detection status of the reaction container housed through each of the plurality of openings by the detector,
Automatic disposal of the reaction vessel is characterized that you control the operation of one of the not performed continuously through the opening, before Symbol reaction vessel transfer mechanism of the openings of those plurality of Analysis equipment. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 , wherein
The opening is singularly configured to include the plurality of disposal points,
The control unit is
Based on the detection status of the reaction container housed through each of the plurality of disposal points in the opening by the detector,
As disposal of the reaction vessel is not carried out continuously through any of disposal points of the plurality of waste points in the opening, and characterized that you control the operation of the pre-Symbol reaction vessel transfer mechanism Automatic analyzer to do. The automatic analyzer according to claim 2 , wherein
The skilled the accommodating portion, so as to correspond to each of the plurality of openings, the detector for detecting the storage reaction vessel is provided with a plurality of,
The control unit is
Based on the detection status of the reaction container by the detector,
An automatic analyzer characterized by controlling the operation of the reaction container transfer mechanism. The automatic analyzer according to claim 4 ,
If those said plurality of at least one detector of the detectors detects a reaction vessel,
The control unit is
An automatic analyzer which controls the operation of the reaction container transfer mechanism so that the disposal of the reaction container is not continuously performed through an opening corresponding to a detector that detects the reaction container. .. The automatic analyzer according to claim 5 , wherein
The control unit is
Stores information on the position of each of the plurality of detectors and information on the time when the disposal was performed in the corresponding opening,
If at least two or more of the detectors detect the reaction vessels, then for each of the detectors, the time at which the discard was performed at the stored corresponding opening and the current An automatic analyzer characterized by obtaining a deviation from time and controlling the operation of the reaction container transfer mechanism so that the reaction container is discarded at the opening corresponding to the detector having the larger deviation. . A sample dispensing mechanism for dispensing a sample into a reaction container,
A reagent dispensing mechanism that dispenses a reagent into a reaction container,
From a reaction container holding unit that holds the reaction container, a light source that irradiates a mixed liquid of a sample and a reagent housed in the held reaction container with light, and a detection unit that detects the irradiated light. A measuring unit composed of
A reaction container discarding unit in which the reaction container after the measurement is discarded,
A reaction container transfer mechanism that transfers the reaction container from the reaction container holding unit to the reaction container discarding unit and discards the reaction container to the reaction container discarding unit;
A control unit for controlling the operation of the reaction container transfer mechanism,
The reaction container disposal unit has a storage unit for storing the discarded reaction container, and a lid unit formed to cover the upper surface of the storage unit,
The lid is provided with a plurality of openings so as to correspond to a plurality of disposal points at which the reaction container can be carried into the storage.
The storage portion is further provided with a partition member so as to divide the space in which the reaction container is stored into a plurality of spaces,
Each of the plurality of openings formed in the lid is configured so that the reaction container can be carried into any one of the partitioned spaces.
The control unit is
Based on the measurement result in the measuring unit,
Determine which of the spaces separated in the storage unit to store the reaction container,
Operation of the reaction container transfer mechanism such that the reaction container is stored in the determined space, and the reaction container is discarded at any one of the openings formed in the lid. An automatic analyzer characterized by controlling the. The automatic analyzer according to claim 7 ,
The measurement unit performs a blood coagulation analysis of the mixed liquid contained in the reaction container,
The control unit is
Based on the measurement result in the measurement unit, to determine whether the blood coagulation reaction is completed within a predetermined time,
Based on the result of the judgment,
An automatic analyzer characterized by determining in which space among the spaces divided in the storage unit the reaction container is stored. The automatic analyzer according to claim 7 ,
The storage section is divided into a first space and a second space by the partition member,
The control unit is
In the judgment,
When it is determined that the blood coagulation reaction has ended within a predetermined time, the reaction container is stored in the first space partitioned in the storage section,
When it is determined that the blood coagulation reaction is not completed within a predetermined time, the reaction container transfer mechanism of the reaction container transfer mechanism is configured to store the reaction container in the second space partitioned in the storage portion. An automatic analyzer characterized by controlling operation. A sample dispensing mechanism for dispensing a sample into a reaction container,
A reagent dispensing mechanism that dispenses a reagent into a reaction container,
From a reaction container holding unit that holds the reaction container, a light source that irradiates a mixed liquid of a sample and a reagent housed in the held reaction container with light, and a detection unit that detects the irradiated light. A measuring unit composed of
A reaction container discarding unit in which the reaction container after the measurement is discarded,
A reaction container transfer mechanism that transfers the reaction container from the reaction container holding unit to the reaction container discarding unit and discards the reaction container to the reaction container discarding unit ;
A control method for controlling the operation of the reaction container transfer mechanism, and an analysis method in an automatic analysis device comprising:
The reaction container disposal unit has a storage unit for storing the discarded reaction container, and a lid unit formed to cover the upper surface of the storage unit,
The lid is formed with an opening configured to include a plurality of disposal points that can carry the reaction container into the storage.
The storage unit is provided with a detector for detecting the reaction container stored via the disposal point,
The control unit is
Based on the detection status of the reaction container by the detector,
The so points to discard the reaction vessel is not carried out continuously, automatic analysis method characterized that you control the operation of the reaction container transfer mechanism in the reaction vessel disposal unit. A sample dispensing mechanism for dispensing a sample into a reaction container,
A reagent dispensing mechanism that dispenses a reagent into a reaction container,
From a reaction container holding unit that holds the reaction container, a light source that irradiates a mixed liquid of a sample and a reagent housed in the held reaction container with light, and a detection unit that detects the irradiated light. A measuring unit composed of
A reaction container discarding unit for discarding the reaction container after the measurement,
A reaction container transfer mechanism that transfers the reaction container from the reaction container holding unit to the reaction container discarding unit and discards the reaction container to the reaction container discarding unit;
A control unit for controlling the operation of the reaction container transfer mechanism, and an analysis method in an automatic analyzer comprising:
The reaction container disposal unit has a storage unit for storing the discarded reaction container, and a lid unit formed to cover the upper surface of the storage unit,
The lid is provided with a plurality of openings so as to correspond to a plurality of disposal points at which the reaction container can be carried into the storage.
The storage unit is further provided with a partition member so as to divide the space in which the reaction container is stored into a plurality of spaces,
Each of the plurality of openings formed in the lid is configured so that the reaction container can be carried into any one of the partitioned spaces.
The control unit is
Based on the measurement result in the measurement unit,
Determine which of the spaces separated in the storage unit to store the reaction container,
Operation of the reaction container transfer mechanism so that the reaction container is stored in the determined space, and the reaction container is discarded at any one of the openings formed in the lid. An automatic analysis method characterized by controlling the.

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