JP7114680B2 - Sample analyzer and sample analysis method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a sample analyzer and sample analysis method.

Blood analysis, such as blood coagulation analysis and immune serum analysis, is commonly performed using analyzers. In general, in such analyzers, a sample stored in a sample container such as a blood collection tube is transferred to a container such as a cuvette used for analysis, a reagent is dispensed into the container, mixed with the sample, After heating the container, it is transported to the analysis section and the sample is analyzed.

Since the containers used in the above-described analysis device are stored in advance in the analysis device, the analysis device stores a large number of empty containers in a storage section and stores the containers in the storage section in sample containers. A transport unit is provided for transporting the sample to a dispensing position where the sample is dispensed.

For example, as shown in FIG. 20, the analyzer described in Patent Document 1 includes a supply mechanism section 500 that supplies cuvettes as containers. , and a take-out portion 502 for taking out the cuvette from the storage portion 501 . The take-out part 502 places the cuvette on a rocking rail 503 installed at the bottom inside the storage part 501 and rocks the rocking rail 503 to carry out the cuvette from the storage part 501 .

When the cuvettes in the reservoir 501 are exhausted or the number of cuvettes is low, the user needs to refill the reservoir 501 with empty cuvettes. Depending on the user, the cuvettes may be replenished by pouring cuvettes from a bag containing a large number of cuvettes, such as several hundred to one thousand, into the reservoir 501 at once. As a result, the cuvette is scratched when it is poured into the reservoir 501 . Therefore, there is a possibility that the analytical result of the specimen contained in the cuvette with a scratch will be abnormal. One approach to identifying the cause of the anomaly is to track the cuvette associated with the analytical result that caused the anomaly.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-200002 describes managing consumables information such as reagents, sample containers, and periodic replacement parts together with test contents of samples. Further, Patent Document 2 describes that the consumables information includes a manufacturing lot number associated with a sample container.

JP 2014-194349 A JP-A-2002-350451

By the way, a conventional analysis apparatus such as that described in Patent Document 2 requires a consumables management technology that enhances the traceability of consumables. However, Patent Document 2 does not mention specific management contents of consumables and test contents, such as displaying consumables and test contents in association with each other on a display unit. Therefore, conventional consumables management techniques cannot sufficiently meet such demands.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a sample analyzer and a sample analysis method that can improve the traceability of a container that can hold a sample.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 4 to 10, 13, and 17, the sample analyzer (1) according to one aspect of the present invention is capable of storing a plurality of containers each capable of containing a sample. A reservoir (131) having a discharge port (150) that can be discharged, a manufacturing lot information acquisition unit (263) that acquires manufacturing lot information (LI) related to the manufacturing lot of the container, and a container that has been discharged from the discharge port (150). An analysis processing unit (264) that analyzes the sample contained in the container, manufacturing lot information (LI), analysis results (RA) of the sample contained in the container, time information indicating the time when the sample was analyzed, and the analysis result (RA) of the sample analyzed in a predetermined period based on the production lot information (LI), the analysis result (RA), and the time information as the production lot information a display information generation unit (267) for generating display information to be displayed on the display unit (300) in a display mode associated with (LI).

According to the above aspect, the sample analyzer (1) provides analysis results ( RA) is generated in order to display it on the display section (300) in a display form associated with the production lot information (LI). Therefore, for example, manufacturing lot information of a container associated with an analysis result in which an abnormality has occurred can be estimated with a certain degree of accuracy. Therefore, it is possible to enhance the traceability of the container that can hold the specimen.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 18, in the sample analyzer (1), the display information generator (267) generates , display information for displaying the manufacturing lot information (LI) on the display unit (300) in a predetermined display mode may be generated.

According to the above aspect, the display information for displaying the production lot information (LI) of the plurality of containers to be supplied to the storage section (131) on the display section (300) in a predetermined display mode is generated. Therefore, it becomes easy to grasp the production lot information (LI) of the container supplied to the storage part (131) at a glance.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 18, in the sample analyzer (1), the display information generator (267) displays the manufacturing lot information (LI) of the container stored in advance in the storage unit (131) on the display unit (300). ) to be displayed on the display unit ( 300) may generate second display information for display.

According to the above aspect, the display information generator (267) generates the second display information after generating the first display information. Therefore, the time when the manufacturing lot information was changed can be grasped with a certain degree of accuracy.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 18, in the sample analyzer (1), the display information generator (267) obtains the production lot information (LI) of the container newly supplied to the reservoir (131). After that, when a predetermined amount of the container previously stored in the storage portion (131) is discharged from the storage portion (131), or when a predetermined time has passed, the number of containers newly supplied to the storage portion (131) is Display information for displaying the manufacturing lot information (LI) on the display unit (300) may be generated.

According to the above aspect, after the production lot information (LI) of the container to be newly supplied is acquired, the display information is generated when the certain condition is satisfied as described above, so that the production lot information is changed. Time can be grasped more accurately.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 19, in the sample analyzer (1), the display information generation unit (267) supplies the container when the amount of the container stored in the storage unit (131) is equal to or less than the set amount. may generate information to prompt

According to the above aspect, for example, when the amount of containers stored in the storage section (131) is low, the supply of containers is urged. Therefore, it is possible to prompt replenishment of the container at an appropriate timing.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 13 and 19, in the sample analyzer (1), a container is arranged at a predetermined height from the bottom (131e) of the storage section (131) and stored in the storage section (131). The display information generation unit (267) further includes a sensor (350) capable of detecting the presence or absence of the container, and the display information generation unit (267) generates information for prompting the supply of the container based on the detection result of the presence or absence of the container by the sensor (350). good too.

According to the above aspect, for example, it is possible to easily identify that the amount of containers stored in the storage section (131) has decreased, so that it is possible to prompt replenishment of containers at a more appropriate timing.

As shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 13 and 19, in the sample analyzer (1), the discharge port (150) is arranged to detect the discharge state of the container stored in the storage section (131). Further comprising a sensor (400), the display information generator (267) may generate information for prompting supply of the container when a predetermined amount or more of the container is discharged from the discharge port (150).

According to the above aspect, for example, it is possible to easily identify that the amount of containers stored in the storage section (131) has decreased, so that it is possible to prompt replenishment of containers at a more appropriate timing.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 8, 9, and 13, in the sample analyzer (1), the storage section (131) is arranged at a predetermined height from the bottom (131e) of the storage section (131). ), a second sensor arranged at the discharge port (150) capable of detecting the discharge status of the container stored in the storage part (131), and the second sensor A calculation unit (266) for calculating the amount of the container discharged from the discharge port (150) as the usage amount based on the detection result, wherein the calculation unit (266) detects the container when the first sensor detects the container. The amount of the container discharged from the discharge port (150) after it is gone may be calculated as the usage amount.

According to the above aspect, by measuring the used amount of the container stored in the storage part (131), it is possible to accurately identify that the amount of the container stored in the storage part (131) has decreased.

As shown in FIG. 13, in the sample analyzer (1), the calculator (266) calculates the production lot information (LI ) is obtained, the usage may be reset.

According to the above aspect, when the manufacturing lot information (LI) of the container newly supplied to the storage unit (131) is acquired, the calculated usage amount is reset. Therefore, when the production lot information (LI) is newly acquired, it is possible to restart the calculation of the usage amount.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the sample analyzer (1) further comprises a reader (R) for reading the code (C) attached to the storage box (450) in which the container is stored. The information acquisition unit (263) may acquire production lot information (LI) included in the code (C) read by the reader (R).

According to the above aspect, the production lot information (LI) included in the code (C) is acquired by reading the code (C) attached to the storage box (450) in which the container is stored. Therefore, manufacturing lot information (LI) can be obtained reliably and easily.

As shown in FIG. 15, in the sample analyzer (1), the production lot information (LI) may include at least the production lot number of the container.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 4 to 10, 13, and 17, the sample analysis method according to one aspect of the present invention obtains manufacturing lot information (LI) regarding the manufacturing lot of containers capable of containing samples. a step of analyzing a specimen using a container discharged from a discharge port (150) provided in a reservoir (131) capable of storing the container; production lot information (LI); a step of associating and recording the analysis result (RA) of the sample and time information indicating the time when the sample was analyzed; and generating display information for displaying on the display unit (300) the analysis results (RA) of the specimens analyzed during the period of (1) in a display mode associated with the manufacturing lot information (LI).

According to the above aspect, the sample analysis method converts the analysis result (RA) of the sample analyzed in the predetermined period based on the production lot information (LI), the analysis result (RA), and the time information into the production lot information ( LI) to be displayed on the display unit (300) in the display mode associated with the display information. Therefore, for example, it is possible to estimate the production lot information of the container associated with the analysis result in which an abnormality has occurred. Therefore, it is possible to enhance the traceability of the container that can hold the specimen.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 18, in the above sample analysis method, the step of generating display information includes, when manufacturing lot information (LI) of a container supplied to the storage unit (131) is obtained, Display information for displaying the information (LI) on the display unit (300) in a predetermined display mode may be generated.

According to the above aspect, the display information for displaying the manufacturing lot information (LI) of one or more containers supplied to the storage unit (131) on the display unit (300) in a predetermined display manner is generated. do. Therefore, it becomes easy to grasp the production lot information (LI) of the container supplied to the storage part (131) at a glance.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 18, in the above-described sample analysis method, the step of generating display information includes displaying manufacturing lot information (LI) of the container stored in advance in the storage section (131) on the display section (300). After generating the first display information for Second display information for display may be generated.

According to the above aspect, the second display information is generated after the first display information is generated. Therefore, the time when the manufacturing lot information was changed can be grasped with a certain degree of accuracy.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 18, in the above-described sample analysis method, the step of generating display information includes obtaining production lot information (LI) of a container newly supplied to the storage unit (131), storing When a predetermined amount of containers stored in advance in the storage unit (131) is discharged from the storage unit (131), or when a predetermined time elapses, manufacturing lot information ( LI) on the display unit (300) may be generated.

According to the above aspect, after the production lot information (LI) of the container to be newly supplied is acquired, the display information is generated when the certain condition is satisfied as described above, so that the production lot information is changed. Time can be grasped more accurately.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 19, in the sample analysis method, the step of generating the display information is to prompt supply of the container when the amount of the container stored in the storage unit (131) becomes equal to or less than the set amount. information may be generated.

According to the above aspect, for example, when the amount of containers stored in the storage part (131) is low, the supply of containers is urged. Therefore, it is possible to prompt replenishment of the container at an appropriate timing.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 13 and 19, in the sample analysis method, the step of generating the display information is arranged at a predetermined height from the bottom (131e) of the reservoir (131), ) may generate information for prompting the supply of the container based on the detection result of the presence or absence of the container by the sensor (350) capable of detecting the presence or absence of the container.

According to the above aspect, for example, it is possible to easily identify that the amount of containers stored in the storage section (131) has decreased, so that it is possible to prompt replenishment of the containers at a more appropriate timing.

As shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 13 and 19, in the sample analysis method, the step of generating display information includes discharging a container arranged at the discharge port (150) and stored in the reservoir (131). When it is determined that a predetermined amount or more of the container has been discharged from the discharge port (150) based on the detection result of the sensor (400) capable of detecting the situation, information for prompting the supply of the container may be generated.

According to the above aspect, for example, it is possible to easily identify that the amount of containers stored in the storage section (131) has decreased, so that it is possible to prompt replenishment of the containers at a more appropriate timing.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 8, 9 and 13, in the sample analysis method, a first sensor is arranged at the discharge port (150) and is capable of detecting the discharge status of the container stored in the storage section (131). and calculating the amount of the container discharged from the discharge port (150) as the usage amount based on the detection result of the The amount of the container discharged from the discharge port (150) after the second sensor, which is arranged at a height and capable of detecting the presence or absence of the container stored in the storage part (131), stops detecting the container is calculated as the usage amount. You may

According to the above aspect, by measuring the used amount of the container stored in the storage part (131), it is possible to accurately identify that the amount of the container stored in the storage part (131) has decreased.

As shown in FIG. 13, in the above sample analysis method, the step of calculating is that after starting the calculation of the usage amount, the production lot information (LI) of the container newly supplied to the storage unit (131) is acquired. In this case, the usage amount may be reset.

According to the above aspect, when manufacturing lot information (LI) of a container newly supplied to the storage unit (131) is obtained, the calculated usage amount is reset. Therefore, when the production lot information (LI) is newly acquired, it is possible to restart the calculation of the usage amount.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the sample analysis method further includes the step of reading the code (C) attached to the storage box (450) in which the container is stored, to obtain production lot information (LI). The step may obtain production lot information (LI) included in the read code (C).

According to the above aspect, the production lot information (LI) included in the code (C) is acquired by reading the code (C) attached to the storage box (450) in which the container is stored. Therefore, manufacturing lot information (LI) can be obtained reliably and easily.

As shown in FIG. 15, in the sample analysis method, the production lot information (LI) may include at least the production lot number of the container.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the traceability of the container which can accommodate a specimen can be improved.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the sample analyzer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram showing the outline of the internal configuration of the sample analyzer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the cuvette according to the first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the cuvette supply section according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the top surface of the sample analyzer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a vertical cross section showing an example of the internal configuration of the loading section of the cuvette supply section according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the first reservoir of the cuvette supply section according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a vertical cross section showing an example of the internal configuration of the first storage section and the second storage section viewed from the rear side according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which cuvettes are stored in the first reservoir and the second reservoir according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of a vertical cross section showing an example of the internal configuration of the first storage section and the second storage section viewed from the left side according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the internal structure of the second storage section and the transfer section according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the transport path according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a block configuration of a control section according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing an example of processing for reading a code attached to a storage box in which a cuvette is stored by the reader according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of an information table containing analysis results and manufacturing lot information according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing an example of display information generation processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display screen of the display section of the sample analyzer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display screen of the display section of the sample analyzer according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display screen of the display section of the sample analyzer according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram for explaining a configuration according to related technology.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same reference numerals are given to the same elements, and overlapping explanations are omitted. In addition, unless otherwise specified, positional relationships such as up, down, left, and right are based on the positional relationships shown in the drawings. Furthermore, the dimensional ratios of the drawings are not limited to the illustrated ratios. Moreover, the following embodiments are examples for explaining the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

(First embodiment)
<Configuration of Sample Analyzer>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a sample analyzer 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the analyzer 1. As shown in FIG.

A sample analyzer 1 automatically analyzes a sample such as blood. As shown in FIG. 1, the analyzer 1 includes a housing 10 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape. The housing 10 includes, for example, a front wall 10a, a right side wall 10b when viewed from the front (front), a left side wall 10c when viewed from the front, a ceiling wall 10d, and a rear wall 10e.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sample analyzer 1 holds a sample container loading unit 20 for loading a sample container A and a plurality of cuvettes B serving as containers capable of storing samples arranged in a ring inside a housing 10 . a second table 22 holding a plurality of reagent containers C containing reagents to be mixed with the specimen; a heating unit 23 holding and heating the cuvette B; and analyzes an analysis sample (a mixture of a specimen and a reagent) in the cuvette B, an ejection unit 25 for ejecting the cuvette B for which analysis has been completed, a control unit 26, and the like.

The sample analyzer 1 also has a sample dispensing arm 27 for injecting the sample in the sample container A carried into the sample container loading section 20 into the cuvette B on the first table 21 as a device configuration for injecting liquid into the cuvette B. and two reagent dispensing arms 28 and 29 for injecting the reagent in the reagent container C of the second table 22 into the cuvette B. As shown in FIG.

Furthermore, the sample analyzer 1 has a device configuration for transporting the cuvette B, which is a cuvette supply unit 30 that supplies the cuvette B to the device main body, and transports the cuvette B supplied by the cuvette supply unit 30 to the first table 21. A first transport arm 31, a second transport arm 32 for transporting the cuvette B on the first table 21 to the first reagent dispensing arm 28 and the heating unit 23, and a cuvette B for the heating unit 23 are transported to the first 2, a reagent dispensing arm 29, an analysis unit 24, a third transport arm 33 for transporting to the discharge unit 25, and the like.

In plan view, the sample container loading section 20 is arranged on the front side inside the housing 10 , and the first table 21 and the second table 22 are arranged near the center inside the housing 10 . The heating unit 23 is arranged on the right side in the housing 10, and the analysis unit 24 is arranged on the rear surface (rear surface) side. The discharge section 25 is arranged between the heating section 23 and the analysis section 24 . The cuvette supply unit 30 is arranged on the left side inside the housing 10 between the analysis unit 24 and the first table 21 .

The sample container loading unit 20 can be accessed by a rack loading unit 40 for loading a rack R containing a plurality of sample containers A and a sample dispensing arm 27 . A specimen aspirating position 41 to be aspirated, a rack unloading section 42 for unloading the rack R of the specimen container A in which the specimen is aspirated, and the rack R to the rack loading section 40, the specimen aspirating position 41 and the rack unloading section 42 in this order. A transport unit 43 for transporting is provided. The transport device 43 transports the rack R using, for example, a conveyor.

The first table 21 has an annular shape and is configured to be rotatable by a drive section. The first table 21 has a plurality of cuvette holders 50 that hold the cuvettes B. As shown in FIG. The cuvette holders 50 are arranged at regular intervals along the entire circumference.

As shown in FIG. 3, the cuvette B has a body portion b1 for containing liquid and a collar portion b2 provided near the entrance of the body portion b1. The flange b2 protrudes radially outward from the upper portion of the body b1 and has an outer diameter larger than that of the body b1. The cuvette B has a longitudinal dimension of, for example, about 30 mm, the body portion b1 has an outer peripheral outer diameter D1 of about 8 mm, and the collar portion b2 has an outer peripheral outer diameter D2 of about 10 mm. The cuvette holder 50 shown in FIG. 2 has a hole that is larger than the outer diameter D1 of the body b1 of the cuvette B and smaller than the outer diameter D2 of the collar b2, and accommodates the body b1 of the cuvette B in this hole. to hold the cuvette B.

The second table 22 is arranged inside the first table 21 . The second table 22 has a disk shape and is configured to be rotatable by a drive section. The second table 22 includes a plurality of reagent container holders 60 that hold reagent containers C. As shown in FIG. The reagent container holders 60 are arranged, for example, in multiple concentric circles. The reagent container holders 60 are arranged, for example, at equal intervals along the circumferential direction.

The heating unit 23 has a circular heating plate 70 . The heating plate 70 has a plurality of cuvette holders 71 that hold the cuvettes B. As shown in FIG. The cuvette holders 71 are arranged, for example, at regular intervals along the entire circumference near the outermost circumference of the heating plate 70 . The heating plate 70 has a heat source, and can heat the liquid in the cuvette B held by the cuvette holder 71 to a predetermined temperature.

The analysis section 24 has a rectangular analysis plate 80 . The analysis plate 80 has a plurality of cuvette holders 81 that hold the cuvettes B. As shown in FIG. The cuvette holders 81 are arranged in multiple rows along the longitudinal direction of the analysis plate 80, for example. The analysis unit 24 has an irradiation unit and a light reception unit, irradiates the cuvette holding unit 81 with light from the irradiation unit, receives the light transmitted through the analysis liquid in the cuvette B with the light reception unit, and analyzes the sample based on the light reception result. can do.

The discharge part 25 has a discharge hole 82 through which the cuvette B is discharged. The discharge hole 82 is provided in the lower part of the housing 10 and communicates with a cuvette recovery section that recovers the cuvette.

The sample dispensing arm 27 is arranged between the sample aspirating position 41 of the sample container loading section 20 in the housing 10 and the first table 21 in plan view. The specimen dispensing arm 27 includes a driving section 90 that drives the specimen dispensing arm 27, and a nozzle 91 that aspirates and discharges the specimen.

The drive unit 90 includes, for example, a rotation drive unit that rotates the sample dispensing arm 27 in the planar direction between the sample aspiration position 41 and the first table 21, and an elevation drive unit that moves the sample dispensing arm 27 up and down. I have. The nozzle 91 is provided at the tip of the specimen dispensing arm 27, and can aspirate or discharge the specimen with a pump or the like. With this configuration, the sample dispensing arm 27 accesses the sample container A at the sample aspirating position 41, aspirates the sample, moves onto the first table 21, and dispenses the sample into the cuvette B on the first table 21. can do.

The reagent dispensing arms 28 and 29 each have an elongated arm 100 and a nozzle 101 below it in plan view. The arm 100 of the first reagent dispensing arm 28 extends from above the second table 22 to near the heating section 23 . An arm 100 of the second reagent dispensing arm 29 extends from the second table 22 to near the analysis section 24 . The arm 100 is fixed to the ceiling of the housing 10, for example.

The nozzle 101 is configured to be movable in the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction with respect to the arm 100 by a drive section. The nozzle 101 of the first reagent dispensing arm 28 is movable along the arm 100 from above the second table 22 to near above the heating table 70 of the heating unit 23 . The nozzle 101 of the second reagent dispensing arm 29 is movable along the arm 100 from above the second table 22 to near above the analysis plate 80 of the analysis section 24 . The nozzle 101 can aspirate or discharge a reagent by a pump (not shown) or the like. Moreover, the nozzle 101 is equipped with a heat source, and can heat the sucked reagent to a predetermined temperature. With such a configuration, the nozzle 101 of the first reagent dispensing arm 28 accesses the reagent container C of the second table 22, aspirates the reagent, moves to the vicinity of the heating table 70, and moves to the vicinity of the heating table 70. , the reagent can be discharged into the cuvette B held by the second arm 32 . Further, the nozzle 101 of the second reagent dispensing arm 29 accesses the reagent container C on the second table 22, aspirates the reagent, moves to the vicinity of the analysis plate 80, and near the analysis plate 80, the third A reagent can be discharged into the cuvette B held by the arm 33 .

The cuvette supply unit 30 stores empty cuvettes B introduced from the outside, and sequentially supplies the cuvettes B to the cuvette unloading unit 182, which will be described later. The details of the configuration of the cuvette supply unit 30 will be described later.

The first arm 31 is arranged between a later-described transport path 181 of the cuvette supply section 30 and the first table 21 as shown in FIG. 2 in plan view. The first arm 31 has a driving portion 110 that drives the first arm 31 and a cuvette holding portion 111 that holds the cuvette B. As shown in FIG. The drive unit 110 includes a rotation drive unit that rotates the first arm 31 in the plane direction between the cuvette unloading unit 182 of the cuvette supply unit 30 and the first table 21, and an elevation unit that moves the first arm 31 up and down. It has a drive. The cuvette holder 111 is provided at the tip of the first arm 31 and has, for example, a U shape, and can hold the cuvette B by hooking the brim b2 of the cuvette B from below. With this configuration, the first arm 31 holds the cuvette B in the cuvette unloading section 182 of the cuvette supply section 30 , moves the cuvette B onto the first table 21 , and moves the cuvette B onto the cuvette holding section 50 of the first table 21 . can be placed in

The second arm 32 is arranged, for example, on a heating plate 70 of the heating section 23 . The second arm 32 has a driving portion 115 that drives the second arm 32 and a cuvette holding portion 116 that holds the cuvette B. As shown in FIG. The drive unit 115 includes, for example, a rotation drive unit that rotates the second arm 32 in the plane direction between the first table 21 and the heating table 70, an elevation drive unit that moves the second arm 32 up and down, An expansion/contraction driving section is provided for expanding and contracting the second arm 32 in the horizontal direction. The cuvette holder 116 is provided at the tip of the second arm 32 and has, for example, a U shape, and can hold the cuvette B by hooking the brim b2 of the cuvette B from below. With such a configuration, the second arm 32 holds the cuvette B of the cuvette holding section 50 of the first table 21 and moves the cuvette B below the nozzle 101 of the first reagent dispensing section 28, or , can be moved to the cuvette holder 71 of the heating table 70 .

The third arm 33 is arranged on the rear surface side of the analysis unit 24 inside the housing 10 in plan view. The third arm 33 has a driving portion 120 that drives the third arm 33 and a cuvette holding portion 121 that holds the cuvette B. As shown in FIG. The drive unit 120 includes a drive mechanism that moves the third arm 33 in the left-right direction, the front-rear direction, and the up-down direction. The cuvette holder 121 is provided at the tip of the third arm 33 and has, for example, a U shape, and can hold the cuvette B by hooking the brim b2 of the cuvette B from below. With such a configuration, the third arm 33 holds the cuvette B in the cuvette holding section 71 of the heating table 70, moves the cuvette B below the nozzle 101 of the second reagent dispensing section 29, or performs analysis. It can be moved to the cuvette holding part 81 of the part 24 . The third arm 33 can convey the analyzed cuvette B to the discharge section 25 .

<Structure of cuvette supply unit>
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the outline of the configuration of the cuvette supply section 30. As shown in FIG. The cuvette supply unit 30 includes, for example, an input unit 130 for inputting an empty cuvette B, a first storage unit 131 (storage unit) for storing the cuvette B input from the input unit 130, and a first storage unit 131. A second storage unit 132 for storing the cuvette B discharged from the storage unit 132 and a transport unit 133 for transporting the cuvette B in the second storage unit 132 are provided.

The input section 130 includes, for example, a rectangular input port 140 and a conveying path 141 leading from the input port 140 to the first storage section 131 . As shown in FIG. 5, the inlet 140 is opened on the upper surface of the housing 10 by opening a door 142 provided on the ceiling wall 10d of the housing 10. As shown in FIG. The transport path 141 extends in a direction from the front side to the rear side of the housing 10 . The transport path 141 has a cross-sectional shape in which a vertical cross section perpendicular to the extending direction is substantially square. The transport path 141 has a bottom surface 143 that slopes downward from the input port 140 toward the first reservoir 131 as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first reservoir 131 has a rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, and includes, for example, a sidewall 131a on the right side when viewed from the front, a sidewall 131b on the left when viewed from the front, a ceiling wall 131c, and a rear wall. It has a face wall 131d. The front surface of the first reservoir 131 is open and connected to the transport path 141 . Also, the first reservoir 131 has a bottom 131e as shown in FIGS. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram showing the internal configuration of the first reservoir 131. As shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the first reservoir 131 and the second reservoir 132 viewed from the rear side of the housing 10. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7, the bottom portion 131e has a rectangular shape elongated in the horizontal direction in plan view. The bottom portion 131 e includes, for example, a discharge port 150 , a first inclined plate 151 , a second inclined plate 152 and a vibration plate 153 .

The discharge port 150 has, for example, a rectangular shape and opens to the second reservoir 132 below. The discharge port 150 is adjacent to the rear wall 131d and arranged at a position closer to the right side wall 131a than the center in the left-right direction. The outlet 150 has a relationship of L<D<3×L, where L is the maximum dimension of the cuvette B (longitudinal dimension shown in FIG. 3) and D is the maximum dimension of the outlet (diagonal dimension). Preferably, it has dimensions that satisfy the relationship of L<D<2×L.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of a longitudinal section showing the internal configuration of the first reservoir 131 and the second reservoir 132 viewed from the left side of the housing 10. As shown in FIG. 7 to 10, the first inclined plate 151 is provided on the front side of the first reservoir 131 and is smoothly continuous with the bottom surface 143 of the transport path 141. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, the first inclined plate 151 is inclined so as to gradually descend toward the outlet 150 located on the right side of the center in the horizontal direction.

The second inclined plate 152 is provided on the left side wall 131b side of the first reservoir 131 as shown in FIGS. ing. For the first inclined plate 151 and the second inclined plate 152, a resin having a low frictional force (for example, polyacetal) is used so that the cuvette B slides well.

The diaphragm 153 has, for example, a rectangular shape as shown in FIG. 7, and constitutes a part of the bottom portion 131e. The diaphragm 153 horizontally extends from the right side wall 131 a toward the outlet 150 . Diaphragm 153 has a structure that vibrates more easily than other surrounding parts, such as a thin plate shape or a structure made of a material with a high elastic modulus.

Diaphragm 153 has, for example, an L-shape as shown in FIG. 8, and includes horizontal portion 153a extending from right side wall 131a toward discharge port 150, and horizontal portion 153a extending downward from the tip of horizontal portion 153a. It has a vertical portion 153b. The vertical portion 153b faces the discharge port 150 and constitutes a part of the edge of the discharge port 150. As shown in FIG. An upper surface 153 c of the horizontal portion 153 a is an upper surface facing the inside of the first storage portion 131 , and an outer side surface 153 d of the vertical portion 153 b is a side surface facing the discharge port 150 . The upper surface 153c of the horizontal portion 153a and the outer surface 153d of the vertical portion 153b are smoothly connected at the upper edge of the discharge port 150. As shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which cuvettes are stored in the first reservoir and the second reservoir according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a vibrating member 160 that vibrates vertically is provided on the rear surface of the vibrating plate 153 . The vibrating member 160 is, for example, a vibrating actuator that vibrates by power supply. The vibration of the vibrating member 160 can be controlled by the controller 26 . The vibrating member 160 vibrates the diaphragm 153 to drop the cuvette B accumulated in the first reservoir 131 from the outlet 150 into the second reservoir 132 . The remaining cuvettes B are stagnant due to the natural frictional force between the cuvettes B and stored in the first storage part 131 . At this time, the second storage portion 132 stores approximately a fixed amount of cuvettes B, which is not too large relative to the storage capacity of the second storage portion 132 . In this embodiment, the vibration plate 153 and the vibration member 160 constitute a vibration imparting mechanism 165, which is a discharge control section that controls the drop of the cuvette B from the first reservoir 131 to the second reservoir 132. constitutes

Returning to FIG. 4, the first storage part 131 is arranged at a predetermined height from the bottom part 131e of the first storage part 131, and has a storage part sensor capable of detecting the presence or absence of a cuvette stored in the first storage part 131. 350 is further provided. The reservoir sensor 350 is also arranged at a specific position on the inner wall corresponding to the position of the outer wall of the first reservoir 131 . The reservoir sensor 350 installed on the outer wall and the reservoir sensor 350 installed on the inner wall can transmit and receive sensor information to and from each other. The reservoir sensor 350 is, for example, a non-contact optical sensor, which emits laser light intermittently or periodically in a predetermined direction and receives the reflected light to detect the presence or absence of the cuvette. can do. The storage part sensor 350 is used to determine whether the amount of cuvettes stored in the first storage part 131 is equal to or less than a set amount (eg, 200 cuvettes). Although the reservoir sensor 350 is not shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, it emits a laser beam in the direction indicated by the dashed line DL. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, when the cuvette is stored below the left-right imaginary plane including the dashed line DL, the storage part sensor 350 does not detect the cuvette. Therefore, the control unit 26 that has acquired the sensor information from the reservoir sensor 350 determines that the amount of cuvettes stored in the first reservoir 131 is equal to or less than the set amount. Note that the reservoir sensor 350 only needs to be able to detect the presence or absence of a cuvette, and may be an optical sensor or a sensor employing other detection techniques.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , the first reservoir 131 further includes an outlet sensor 400 arranged at the outlet 150 and capable of detecting the discharge status of the cuvettes stored in the first reservoir 131 . The discharge port sensor 400 is, for example, a non-contact type optical sensor that intermittently or periodically irradiates a laser beam in a predetermined direction and receives the reflected light, so that the cuvette moves toward the discharge port 150. It can be detected whether or not it has passed through (exhausted). Note that the outlet sensor 400 only needs to be able to detect whether or not the cuvette has passed through the outlet 150, and may be a sensor that employs other detection techniques than an optical sensor. The outlet sensor 400 outputs sensor information corresponding to the detection result to the control unit 26 . Note that the outlet sensor 400 may be replaced by at least one of the first sensor 260 or the second sensor 261, which will be described later. Specifically, the amount discharged from the cuvette outlet 150 or the amount of cuvette used is based on the detection result of at least one of the first sensor 260 and the second sensor 261 instead of the outlet sensor 400. may be calculated. The amount of cuvette discharged from the outlet 150 of the cuvette or the amount of cuvette used is based on the detection result of at least one of the first sensor 260 and the second sensor 261 in addition to the detection result of the outlet sensor 400. may be calculated by

As shown in FIGS. 4, 8 and 11, the second reservoir 132 is provided directly below the first reservoir 131 . The second reservoir 132 has a smaller reservoir capacity than the first reservoir 131 .

As shown in FIG. 4, the second reservoir 132 has a front wall 132a, a right side wall 132b when viewed from the front, a left side wall 132c when viewed from the front, a rear wall 132d, and a bottom wall 132e. there is

As shown in FIG. 11, the bottom wall 132e has an inverted cone-shaped (mortar-shaped) inclined surface that is lowest near the center.

The upper surface of the second reservoir 132 is open and exposed to the bottom 131 e of the first reservoir 131 . As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the left upper surface of the second reservoir 132 viewed from the rear surface is exposed to the second inclined plate 152 of the bottom portion 131e. , a gap 170 is formed to allow access to the second reservoir 132 from the outside. The left side wall 10c of the housing 10 corresponding to the left space 170 of the second reservoir 132 is provided with a door 171 that can be opened and closed as shown in FIG. By opening the door 171 , the second storage section 132 can be accessed from the outside of the housing 10 .

The transport unit 133 shown in FIG. 4 takes out the cuvettes B from the second storage unit 132 and transports the cuvettes B sequentially to the cuvette unloading unit 182 .

The transport unit 133 includes, for example, a take-out mechanism 180 for taking out the cuvette B from the second storage unit 132, a transport path 181 for transporting the cuvette B taken out by the take-out mechanism 180, and a cuvette B transported by the transport path 181. A cuvette unloading section 182 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 12, the cuvette unloading section 182 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape. The cuvette transporter 182 includes, for example, a rotating part 250 rotated by a driving part. The rotating part 250 has a cylindrical shape and has a plurality of, for example, three receiving holes 251 on its outer peripheral surface. The accommodation hole 251 has a substantially cylindrical shape capable of accommodating the cuvette B from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating part 250 . The cuvette B that has fallen down the transport path 181 is accommodated and held in the accommodation hole 251 when the rotating part 250 rotates and the accommodation hole 251 aligns with the slit 231 of the rail 230 . The cuvette B stays on the rail 230 when the receiving hole 251 does not align with the slit 231 of the rail 230 . In addition, since the amount of cuvettes B dropped in the transport path 181 is set to be larger than the number of cuvettes B held in the cuvette unloading section 182 in normal times, the transport path 181 has rails 230 and 230. A plurality of cuvettes B are accumulated up to the upper part (waiting state). A predetermined number of cuvettes B, for example, 10 cuvettes B can be stored in the transport path 181 according to its length.

The cuvette supply unit 30 includes a sensor capable of detecting the transport state of the cuvettes B by the transport unit 133 . Specifically, the transport path 181 includes a first sensor 260 provided at the top of the rail 230 and capable of detecting the presence or absence of the cuvette B and the passage of the cuvette B, and a first sensor 260 provided at the bottom of the rail 230 to detect the cuvette. A second sensor 261 capable of detecting the presence or absence of B is provided. The first sensor 260 and the second sensor 261 are, for example, non-contact optical sensors having a light emitting part and a light receiving part. Accordingly, the presence or absence of the cuvette B is detected. Detection results by the first sensor 260 and the second sensor 261 are output to the control section 26 .

The control unit 26 is, for example, a computer, and a CPU executes a program stored in a memory included in the computer to control the sample injection arm 27, the reagent dispensing units 28 and 29, the first arm 31, the second It controls driving of various drive units such as the arm 32, the third arm 33, the sample container loading unit 20, the first table 21, the second table 22, the heating unit 23, the analysis unit 24, and the cuvette supply unit 30. Analytical processing of the specimen can be carried out. In particular, the control unit 26 can control the operation of the vibration imparting mechanism 165 based on the detection results of the transport state of the cuvette B by the sensors 260 and 261 in the analysis process.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the block configuration of the control unit 26 according to the first embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 13, the control unit 26 exemplarily includes an information processing unit 262 that executes information processing for generating display information to be displayed on the display unit 300 shown in FIG. and a recording unit 270 for recording.

The information processing section 262 functionally includes a production lot information acquisition section 263 , an analysis processing section 264 , a sensor information acquisition section 265 , a calculation section 266 and a display information generation section 267 . Each function is executed by executing a program stored in a memory included in the control unit 26 (computer) by the CPU.

The production lot information acquisition unit 263 acquires production lot information (for example, production lot number, etc.) related to the production lot of the cuvette.

14A and 14B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of the reading process of the code attached to the storage box in which the cuvette is stored by the reading device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 14, the reader R included in the sample analyzer 1 shown in FIG. 1 reads the code C attached to the storage box 450 in which the cuvette is stored. The reader R outputs the barcode information to the control section 26 . The code may include not only a one-dimensional bar code, but also a two-dimensional QR code (registered trademark), or other codes. Then, the manufacturing lot information acquisition unit 263 acquires the manufacturing lot information LI included in the code C read by the reader R. The manufacturing lot information LI may further include the number of cuvettes contained in the storage box 450, that is, the number of cuvettes newly supplied to the first storage unit 131, together with the manufacturing lot number.

According to this configuration, the manufacturing lot information LI included in the code C is acquired by reading the code C attached to the storage box 450 in which the cuvette is stored. Therefore, the manufacturing lot information LI can be obtained reliably and easily.

The storage box 450 has, for example, three bags containing 1000 cuvettes. That is, one storage box contains 3000 cuvettes. Therefore, the production lot information LI is assigned to individual production lot information for every 3000 cuvettes.

Returning to FIG. 13, the analysis unit 264 analyzes the specimen contained in the cuvette discharged from the discharge port 150 shown in FIGS. 8-10. The analysis processing unit 264 analyzes, for example, an analysis sample (a mixture of specimen and reagent) contained in a cuvette.

The sensor information acquisition unit 265 obtains the detection results output from the reservoir sensor 350 shown in FIG. 4, the outlet sensor 400 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, and the first sensor 260 and second sensor 261 shown in FIG. is acquired as sensor information.

The calculator 266 calculates the amount of cuvettes discharged from the discharge port 150 as the usage amount based on the detection result of the discharge port sensor 400 shown in FIGS. For example, the calculator 266 can accurately calculate the amount of cuvettes used in the analysis process by measuring the number of cuvettes passing through the outlet 150 .

The display information generation unit 267 associates the analysis results of one or more samples analyzed in a predetermined period with the production lot information based on the production lot information LI, the analysis results, and the time information when the analysis processing was performed. Display information to be displayed on the display unit 300 in a display mode is generated. Display information generating portion 267 outputs the generated display information to display portion 300 .

The “predetermined period” may be several hours, one day (24 hours), or multiple days, and may be weeks, months, or years. "Time information" indicates the time when the analysis process was executed, and includes, for example, analysis start time or analysis end time, as shown in FIG. 15, which will be described later. Note that the time information may be a specific time during the execution of the analysis process.

The recording unit 270 records at least the production lot information LI, the analysis result RA of the sample contained in the cuvette, and the cuvette volume information CI in association with each other. Also, the time information indicating the time when the sample was analyzed may be included in the analysis result RA, or may be recorded separately from the analysis result RA. The cuvette amount information CI is information about the amount of cuvettes, and may indicate, for example, the number of cuvettes newly supplied to the first reservoir 131 . The cuvette amount information CI is the cuvette usage amount (for example, used number).

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of an information table containing analysis results and manufacturing lot information according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 15, the recording unit 270 exemplarily records the sample number, manufacturing lot number, analysis time, and analysis result in association with each other. Note that the recording unit 270 may further record rack information such as the rack number and rack position for each sample number.

<Display information generation processing>
An example of display information generation processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. FIG. FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing an example of display information generation processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 16, the production lot information acquisition unit 263 shown in FIG. 13 acquires production lot information LI of a plurality of cuvettes that can accommodate samples (step S1). The analysis processing unit 264 analyzes the specimen contained in the cuvette discharged from the discharge port 150 provided in the first storage unit 131 capable of storing the cuvette (step S3). The recording unit 270 associates and records the production lot information LI, the analysis result RA of the sample contained in the cuvette, and the time information indicating the time when the sample was analyzed (step S5). Based on the manufacturing lot information LI, the analysis result RA, and the time information, the display information generation unit 267 displays the analysis result RA of the sample analyzed during a predetermined period (for example, one day) in association with the manufacturing lot information LI. Display information to be displayed on the display unit 300 in the form is generated (step S7).

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the analysis result screen G1 of the display section 300 of the sample analyzer 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 17 , the display information generation unit 267 generates display information for displaying, for example, the analysis results RA dated January 13, 2019 on the display unit 300 in a list display manner in which they are associated with the manufacturing lot information numbers. to generate Note that the analysis result screen G1 may further include rack information such as the rack number and rack position for each sample number.

Here, the analysis result of the sample number "20_27" is "Error" (abnormal occurrence). Whether or not an abnormality has occurred in a certain analysis result is determined, for example, by setting a first reference value of the analysis value and a second reference value lower than the first reference value in each analysis process, and a certain analysis value is equal to the first reference value. If it exceeds the value or falls below the second reference value, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the analysis process. Then, the user who operates the sample analyzer 1 can understand that the production lot number of the cuvette containing the sample of the abnormal analysis result is "U1000-011".

Here, as described above, replenishment of cuvettes is performed when the number of cuvettes stored in the first storage unit 131 becomes small. For example, when about 100 cuvettes are stored, 1000 new cuvettes are supplied to the first storage unit 131 . Thus, if a new cuvette is supplied before the cuvettes stored in the first reservoir 131 are completely exhausted, cuvettes with different manufacturing lot numbers may be mixed in the first reservoir 131. There is Therefore, although the analysis result screen G1 shown in FIG. 17 displays that the production lot number of the cuvette containing the abnormal analysis result sample is "U1000-011", it is actually abnormal. The manufacturing lot number of the cuvette containing the sample of the analysis result in which the contamination occurred may be "A1000-001" different from "U1000-011". Thus, although the production lot number of the cuvette containing the sample of the analysis result in which the abnormality occurred cannot be fully grasped, the user can at least associate the production lot number of the cuvette with a plurality of analysis results in a predetermined period. It can be judged (estimated) that there is a high possibility of "U1000-011" or "A1000-001".

As described above, according to the first embodiment, based on the production lot information LI, the analysis result RA, and the time information, the analysis result RA of the sample analyzed in the predetermined period is displayed in association with the production lot information LI. Display information to be displayed on the display unit 300 is generated. Therefore, it is possible to estimate the production lot information of the cuvette associated with the analysis result in which the abnormality occurred. Therefore, the traceability of cuvettes that can contain specimens can be enhanced.

Note that the analysis result screen G1 is a list screen of analysis results for January 13, 2019, that is, one day, but is not limited to this. For example, the analysis result screen G1 may be a list screen of analysis results for several hours or days, or may be a list screen of analysis results for weeks, months, or years.

On the analysis result screen G1, the analysis result in which an abnormality has occurred may be displayed in a form different from other analysis results. For example, the analysis result of the sample number “20_27” may be displayed in a different color from the other analysis results, or may be displayed in a different font thickness from the other analysis results. According to this configuration, it is possible to easily grasp the analysis result in which an abnormality has occurred on the analysis result screen G1.

(Second embodiment)
An example of display information generation processing according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the cuvette management screen of the display section 300 of the sample analyzer 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 18, the cuvette management screens G3 and G5 include, for example, images corresponding to the internal configuration of the sample analyzer 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 18A is an example of a cuvette management screen including production lot numbers of cuvettes stored in advance in the first storage unit 131 shown in FIGS. 4 to 10 and the like. FIG. 18B is an example of a cuvette management screen including the manufacturing lot number of the cuvette newly supplied to the first storage unit 131. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 18(A), the display information generation unit 267 shown in FIG. Display information for displaying the manufacturing lot information LI on the display unit 300 in a predetermined display mode is generated. Then, the display unit 300 displays the cuvette management screen G3 including the manufacturing lot number CN1 "A1000-001".

According to this configuration, it becomes easy to grasp the manufacturing lot information LI of the cuvettes supplied to the first storage section 131 at a glance.

As shown in FIG. 18A, the display information generation unit 267 is used to display the production lot information LI of the cuvettes stored in advance in the first storage unit 131 shown in FIGS. Generate first display information. The display unit 300 displays, for example, a cuvette management screen G3 including the production lot number CN1 "A1000-001". After that, when the production lot information acquiring unit 263 acquires the production lot information LI of the cuvette newly supplied to the first storage unit 131 (for example, information corresponding to the production lot number CN3 “U1000-011”), The display information generation unit 267 generates second display information for displaying the manufacturing lot information (LI) on the display unit (300). For example, as shown in FIG. 18B, the display unit 300 displays a cuvette management screen G3 including production lot number CN3 "U1000-011".

According to this configuration, the display information generator 267 generates the second display information after generating the first display information. Therefore, the time when the manufacturing lot information was changed can be grasped with a certain degree of accuracy.

After the production lot information acquisition unit 263 acquires the production lot information LI of the cuvette newly supplied to the first storage unit 131 shown in FIGS. When a predetermined amount of cuvettes stored in advance in the portion 131 is discharged from the first storage portion 131, or when a predetermined time elapses, the manufacturing lot information LI of the cuvettes newly supplied to the first storage portion 131 is sent to the first storage portion 131. Display information to be displayed on the display unit 300 is generated.

Here, as described above, replenishment of cuvettes is performed when the number of cuvettes stored in the first storage unit 131 becomes small. For example, when about 100 cuvettes are stored, 1000 new cuvettes are supplied to the first storage unit 131 . Therefore, after the manufacturing lot information acquisition unit 263 acquires the manufacturing lot information LI of the cuvettes newly supplied to the first storage unit 131, when the remaining 100 cuvettes are discharged, the first storage unit 131 , 1000 newly supplied cuvettes are stored. Therefore, in such a case, display information for displaying the production lot information LI of the newly supplied cuvette on the display unit 300 is generated. Further, after the production lot information acquisition unit 263 acquires the production lot information LI of the cuvettes newly supplied to the first storage unit 131, the time required to discharge the remaining 100 cuvettes is predicted (or set) in advance. However, display information for displaying the production lot information LI of the newly supplied cuvette on the display unit 300 may be generated after a lapse of time. It should be noted that the fact that cuvettes that have previously accumulated and newly supplied cuvettes coexist is ignored here.

According to this configuration, after the manufacturing lot information LI of the newly supplied cuvette is obtained, the display information is generated when the predetermined condition is satisfied as described above, so that the time when the manufacturing lot information is changed can be determined. It can be grasped more accurately.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, when the production lot information acquisition unit 263 acquires the production lot information LI of the cuvette, the display information generation unit 267 displays the production lot information LI in a predetermined display mode. Display information to be displayed on the display unit 300 is generated. Therefore, since the cuvette management screen including the production lot information is displayed on the display unit 300, the production lot information LI of the cuvette supplied to the first storage unit 131 can be easily grasped at a glance.

Note that the calculation unit 266 may calculate the amount of cuvettes discharged from the discharge port 150 as the usage amount based on the detection result of the discharge port sensor 400 . The display information generation unit 267 may generate display information for displaying a cuvette management screen including usage amounts, for example. The calculation unit 266 calculates the amount of the container discharged from the discharge port 150 after the reservoir sensor 350 no longer detects the container (for example, the amount of cuvettes in the first reservoir 131 is less than a predetermined amount). You may calculate as a usage amount.

According to this configuration, by measuring the used amount of cuvettes stored in first storage part 131, it is possible to accurately identify that the amount of containers stored in first storage part 131 has decreased. can.

When the production lot information LI of the cuvette to be newly supplied to the first storage unit 131 is acquired after starting the calculation of the usage amount, the calculation unit 266 resets the usage amount. Then, for example, the count is restarted assuming that the usage amount is zero.

According to this configuration, when the production lot information LI of the cuvette newly supplied to the first storage unit 131 is acquired, the calculated usage amount is reset. Therefore, when the manufacturing lot information LI is newly acquired, it is possible to restart the calculation of the usage amount.

(Third Embodiment)
FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the cuvette management screen G7 of the display section 300 of the sample analyzer 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 19, the cuvette management screen G7 includes information RI for prompting replenishment (supply) of cuvettes. The information RI may be text information such as "please replenish", image information for prompting replenishment, or a combination of text information and image information.

The display information generating unit 267 shown in FIG. 13 stops supplying cuvettes when the amount of cuvettes stored in the first storage unit 131 shown in FIGS. Generate prompting information. According to this configuration, the supply of cuvettes is prompted when the amount of cuvettes stored in the first storage part 131 becomes small. Therefore, replenishment of the cuvette can be prompted at an appropriate timing.

The display information generation unit 267 generates information for prompting the supply of the cuvette based on the detection result of the presence or absence of the cuvette by the reservoir sensor 350 shown in FIGS. According to this configuration, it is possible to easily identify that the amount of containers stored in the first storage section 131 has decreased, so that cuvette replenishment can be encouraged at a more appropriate timing.

The display information generation unit 267 generates information for prompting supply of containers when a predetermined amount (eg, 800 cuvettes) or more of cuvettes stored in the first storage unit 131 are ejected from the ejection port 150 . According to this configuration, it is possible to easily identify that the amount of cuvettes stored in the first storage part 131 has decreased, so that it is possible to prompt replenishment of the container at a more appropriate timing.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, the cuvette management screen G7 including the information RI for prompting replenishment (supply) of cuvettes is displayed. Therefore, it is possible to prompt the user to replenish the cuvette.

<Other embodiments>
The above embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the interpretation of the present invention. The present invention can be modified/improved (for example, combining each embodiment, omitting a part of the configuration of each embodiment) without departing from the spirit thereof, and the present invention also includes equivalents thereof. be

1: sample analyzer, 30: cuvette supply section, 131: first storage section, 131e: bottom section, 150: discharge port, 263: production lot information acquisition section, 264: analysis processing section, 266: calculation section, 267: Display information generator, 270: recording unit, 300: display unit, 350: storage unit sensor, 400: outlet sensor, 450: storage box, B: cuvette, C: code, R: reader

Claims (13)

obtaining manufacturing lot information about a common manufacturing lot corresponding to a plurality of containers capable of containing specimens;
a step of replenishing a plurality of said containers for which said manufacturing lot information has been acquired to a storage unit storing containers corresponding to manufacturing lots different from said common manufacturing lot;
analyzing a specimen using the container discharged from a discharge port provided in the storage part;
a step of associating and recording the production lot information, the analysis result of the sample contained in the container, and the time information indicating the time when the sample was analyzed;
generating display information for displaying the analysis result of the specimen on a display unit in a display mode associated with the production lot information and the time information, based on the production lot information, the analysis result, and the time information; A sample analysis method, comprising: In the step of generating the display information, when an abnormality has occurred in the sample analysis, information indicating that the analysis of the sample has occurred is displayed in association with the production lot information and the time information on the display unit. 2. The sample analysis method according to claim 1, further comprising generating display information for performing analysis. In the step of generating the display information, when the manufacturing lot information of a plurality of containers to be supplied to the storage unit is obtained, the manufacturing lot information is displayed on the display unit in a predetermined display mode. 2. The sample analysis method according to claim 1, wherein the display information of is generated. In the step of generating the display information, after generating the first display information for displaying the manufacturing lot information of the container stored in advance in the storage section on the display section, the display information is newly supplied to the storage section. The sample analysis method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the production lot information of the container is acquired, second display information for displaying the production lot information on the display unit is generated. . In the step of generating the display information, after the manufacturing lot information of the container newly supplied to the storage unit is acquired, the container stored in advance in the storage unit is discharged from the storage unit by a predetermined amount. or after a predetermined time has passed, display information for displaying the manufacturing lot information of the container newly supplied to the storage unit on the display unit is generated. 1. The sample analysis method according to item 1. 6. The display information generating step generates information for prompting supply of the container when the amount of the container stored in the storage unit is equal to or less than a set amount. The sample analysis method described in the paragraph. The step of generating the display information includes detecting the presence or absence of the container by a sensor arranged at a predetermined height from the bottom of the storage portion and capable of detecting the presence or absence of the container stored in the storage portion. The sample analysis method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein information for prompting supply of said container is generated. In the step of generating the display information, a predetermined amount or more of the container is discharged from the discharge port based on the detection result of a sensor that is arranged at the discharge port and is capable of detecting the discharge state of the container stored in the storage unit. The sample analysis method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein information for prompting supply of said container is generated when it is determined that said container has been supplied. A step of calculating the amount of the container discharged from the discharge port as the usage amount based on the detection result of a first sensor arranged at the discharge port and capable of detecting the discharge status of the container stored in the storage unit. and further comprising
In the calculating step, after a second sensor arranged at a predetermined height from the bottom of the storage section and capable of detecting the presence or absence of the container stored in the storage section stops detecting the container, the discharge port The sample analysis method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the amount of said container discharged from is calculated as said amount used. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein said calculating step resets said usage amount when said production lot information of said container newly supplied to said storage unit is acquired after starting calculation of said usage amount. sample analysis method. further comprising reading a code attached to a storage box in which the container is stored;
The sample analysis method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the step of acquiring production lot information acquires the production lot information included in the read code. The sample analysis method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said production lot information includes at least a production lot number of said container. a storage unit capable of storing a plurality of containers each capable of containing a specimen, and having a discharge port capable of discharging the containers;
a production lot information acquisition unit that acquires production lot information related to a common production lot corresponding to the plurality of containers;
an analysis processing unit that analyzes a specimen contained in the container discharged from the discharge port;
a recording unit that associates and records the production lot information, the analysis result of the sample contained in the container, and the time information indicating the time when the sample was analyzed;
Display information for generating display information for displaying the analysis result of the sample on a display unit in a display mode associated with the production lot information and the time information, based on the production lot information, the analysis result, and the time information. a generator ;
A plurality of the containers for which the production lot information has been acquired and containers corresponding to production lots different from the common production lot are mixed and stored in the storage unit.
Sample analyzer.

Images