JP7395392B2 - Automatic analyzer and analysis method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer for analyzing the amount of components contained in samples such as blood and urine, and an analysis method using the same.

In recent years, complex automatic analyzers equipped with multiple analysis units have become known in order to meet the demand for consistently measuring specimens from the same patient and reporting the results. In a combined automatic analyzer, for example, a first analysis unit such as an absorption photometer unit that analyzes a first requested analysis item, and a second analysis unit such as a coagulation unit that analyzes a second requested analysis item are one unit. installed on one device.

The first analysis request item is typically a biochemical analysis item (hereinafter referred to as biochemical item), which is applied to a sample contained in a reaction container mounted on a rotating reaction disk. Analysis is carried out. Specifically, incident light of a specific wavelength is applied to a mixed solution of a sample and reagent dispensed into a reaction container, and the absorbance of the mixed solution is determined from the intensity of the transmitted light transmitted to the opposite side according to the Beer-Lambert law. , and measure the amount of components contained in the sample.

In the second analysis request item, an analysis is performed on a sample contained in a reaction container loaded in a fixed reaction port. The second analysis request items include, for example, blood coagulation time items (hemostasis function test items, hereinafter referred to as coagulation items), immunological analysis items, scattered light analysis items (hereinafter referred to as light scattering items), etc. included. For example, in the case of coagulation, incident light of a specific wavelength is applied to a mixture of sample and reagent dispensed into a reaction container mounted on a fixed port, and the scattered light scattered by the blood coagulation reaction is measured. The coagulation time until the intensity of the scattered light reaches a certain level is determined, and the analysis can be performed using a blood coagulation time measurement unit (hereinafter abbreviated as coagulation unit) that measures the amount of components contained in the sample.

Patent Documents 1 to 3 relate to control of measurement order in a complex type automatic analyzer.

In Patent Document 1, in order to quickly report to the clinical side when multiple different tests are requested for a specimen, the measurement order is arranged so that the timing at which the measurement results for each patient are obtained is included within a predetermined time. to manage. In other words, for example, if a biochemistry item and a coagulation item are requested for analysis of the same sample, even if the biochemistry item is ready for analysis, the coagulation unit is If there is no free space, dispensing of that sample is not started, the analysis order is changed for each sample, and analysis of the next sample is started first.
In Patent Document 2, when biochemical items and coagulation items are requested for the same sample, if there is no space in the coagulation unit after dispensing the biochemical items of the relevant sample and before dispensing the coagulation items, By once dispensing a sample into a reaction container, and returning the reaction container containing the sample to the reaction container installation location and making it standby without moving it to the coagulation unit, stagnation due to waiting for the sample to be dispensed is prevented.

In Patent Document 3, if one cycle time in an analysis cycle for a coagulation item is longer than one cycle time in an analysis cycle for a biochemistry item, the coagulation item of the relevant sample is dispensed regardless of whether the coagulation unit is vacant or not. By intervening the dispensing of the biochemical items of the subsequent specimen during this period, processing capacity is improved.

International Publication No. 2017/159359 International Publication No. 2016/017289 International Publication No. 2013/187210

In the method described in Patent Document 1, unless the number of empty channels in the coagulation unit of the automatic analyzer is greater than the number of coagulation items among the requested analysis items requested for the sample, the analysis requested for the sample will not be processed. Analysis of both chemical and coagulation items will not start. Therefore, when multiple coagulation items are requested for the same specimen, it is necessary to install many coagulation units in order to start analysis quickly, which may lead to an increase in the size of the apparatus.

In Patent Document 2, the reaction container into which the sample has been dispensed is kept on standby on the device until the coagulation unit is full and the analysis can be started, so the sample in the reaction container evaporates and the analysis performance deteriorates. There is a risk that it will decrease.

In Patent Document 3, dispensing a coagulation item of a specimen is interrupted by dispensing a subsequent biochemical item of the specimen, which results in frequent replacement of the specimen to be dispensed, resulting in carryover. It becomes easier. Furthermore, if special operations such as carryover avoidance cleaning are increased in order to avoid this, the total processing capacity may be affected as a result.

An object of the present invention is to realize a composite automatic analyzer having high throughput and analytical performance without increasing the size, and an analysis method using the apparatus.

An automatic analyzer that is an embodiment of the present invention includes a sample container that accommodates a sample requested for sample analysis , a sample dispensing probe that dispenses the sample into a first reaction container or a second reaction container, and a plurality of sample dispensing probes that dispense the sample into a first reaction container or a second reaction container. A first analysis in which a first analysis request item is analyzed on a reaction disk in which a first reaction container is arranged and rotates, and a sample contained in the first reaction container arranged in the reaction disk. a second analysis unit that has a predetermined number of reaction ports and that analyzes a second analysis request item on a sample contained in a second reaction container at the reaction port, and a plurality of sample analysis requests. has a computer that executes an analysis plan, and multiple sample analysis requests include a first sample analysis request for a first sample, and a second sample analysis request for a second sample following the first sample analysis request. The first sample analysis request and the second sample analysis request both include a first analysis request item and a second analysis request item, and for each sample analysis request, the computer selects the first analysis request item, Perform the analysis plan in the order of the second analysis request item, and if there is no vacant reaction port of the second analysis unit when planning the analysis of the second analysis request item in the first sample analysis request, the first sample analysis The analysis plan for the second analysis request item in the request is put on hold and the analysis plan for the second sample analysis request is started. If there is a vacant reaction port, the analysis plan for the second analysis request item in the second sample analysis request is implemented.

To realize a composite automatic analyzer having high throughput and analytical performance without increasing the size, and an analysis method using the device.

Other objects and novel features will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the basic configuration of a composite automatic analyzer. It is a figure explaining an analysis plan. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a sample status table and an item status table. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a sample analysis request. It is a state transition diagram of item status. It is a state transition diagram of a specimen status. 1 is a flowchart of an analysis plan in Example 1. 1 is a flowchart of an analysis plan in Example 1. 7 is a diagram illustrating status changes of specimen and analysis request items in Example 2. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating status changes of specimen and analysis request items in Example 2. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating status changes of specimen and analysis request items in Example 2. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating status changes of specimen and analysis request items in Example 2. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating status changes of specimen and analysis request items in Example 2. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating status changes of specimen and analysis request items in Example 2. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an analysis plan in Example 3. 3 is a flowchart of an analysis plan in Example 3. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing status changes of specimen and analysis request items in Example 3. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing status changes of specimen and analysis request items in Example 3. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing status changes of specimen and analysis request items in Example 3. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing status changes of specimen and analysis request items in Example 3. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing status changes of specimen and analysis request items in Example 3. This is an example of specimen status display.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, the overall configuration of the automatic analyzer will be explained. FIG. 1A shows the basic configuration of a combined automatic analyzer. Here, an example of an automatic analyzer equipped with a turntable-type biochemical analysis unit and a blood coagulation time analysis unit having a fixed port is shown as one aspect of the composite automatic analyzer.

The automatic analyzer 1 has a reaction disk 13, a sample disk 11, a first reagent disk 15, a second reagent disk 16, a blood coagulation time analysis unit 2, and a photometer 19 arranged as main components on its housing. There is. The reaction disk 13 is a disk-shaped unit that can freely rotate clockwise or counterclockwise, and a plurality of reaction vessels 26 can be arranged on its circumference. The sample disk 11 is a disk-shaped unit that rotates clockwise and counterclockwise, and has a plurality of sample containers 27 arranged around its circumference for storing samples (specimens) such as standard samples and test samples. can. The first reagent disk 15 and the second reagent disk 16 are disk-shaped units that rotate clockwise and counterclockwise, and are reagents containing reagents containing components that react with predetermined components contained in the sample. Multiple containers can be arranged around the circumference. Further, although not shown in this figure, the first reagent disk 15 and the second reagent disk 16 can be configured to be able to keep the reagents in the disposed reagent containers cold by providing a cold storage mechanism.

A sample dispensing probe 12 is arranged between the sample disk 11 and the reaction disk 13. Due to the rotational movement of the sample dispensing probe 12, it moves onto the sample container 27 on the sample disk 11, the reaction container 26 on the reaction disk 13, or the reaction container 28 at the sample dispensing position 18 of the blood coagulation time analysis unit 2, Performs dispensing operations such as aspirating and dispensing the sample.

Similarly, a first reagent dispensing probe 17 is disposed between the first reagent disk 15 and the reaction disk 13, and a second reagent dispensing probe 14 is disposed between the second reagent disk 16 and the reaction disk 13. The reagents are moved onto the reaction container 26 on the reaction disk 13, the reagent container on the first reagent disk 15, or the reagent container on the second reagent disk 16 by rotation, respectively, and perform dispensing such as aspirating and dispensing the reagent. perform an action.

The blood coagulation time analysis unit 2 mainly includes a blood coagulation time detection section 21, a blood coagulation reagent dispensing probe 20, a disposable reaction container magazine 25, a sample dispensing position 18, a reaction container transfer mechanism 23, and a reaction container disposal port. 24, has an optical jig magazine 22.

Next, the control system and signal processing system of the automatic analyzer 1 will be briefly described. The computer 105 controls, via the interface 101, a sample dispensing control section 201, a first reagent dispensing control section 206, a second reagent dispensing control section 207, a blood coagulation reagent dispensing control section 204, and a first A/ It is connected to the D converter 205, the second A/D converter 203, and the transfer mechanism control section 202, and transmits signals serving as commands to each control section.

The sample dispensing control unit 201 controls the sample dispensing operation by the sample dispensing probe 12 based on instructions received from the computer 105. The first reagent dispensing control unit 206 and the second reagent dispensing control unit 207 control the reagent distribution by the first reagent dispensing probe 17 and the second reagent dispensing probe 14, respectively, based on instructions received from the computer 105. Controls dispensing operations. The transfer mechanism control unit 202 controls the reaction vessel magazine 25, the sample dispensing position 18, the reaction port 304 of the blood coagulation time detection unit 21, and the reaction vessel disposal port by the reaction vessel transfer mechanism 23 based on the command received from the computer 105. The transfer operation of a disposable reaction container 28 for blood coagulation analysis between 24 and 24 is controlled. Based on the command received from the computer 105, the blood coagulation reagent dispensing control unit 204 dispenses blood into the reaction container 28 containing the sample transferred to the reaction port 304 and dispensed by the sample dispensing probe 12. The coagulation reagent dispensing probe 20 performs dispensing of a reagent for blood coagulation. Alternatively, the pretreatment liquid, which is a mixture of the sample mixed in the reaction container 26 and the first reagent for blood coagulation analysis, is dispensed into the empty reaction container 28 by the blood coagulation reagent dispensing probe 20. . In this case, further thereafter, the second reagent for blood coagulation analysis is dispensed by the blood coagulation reagent dispensing probe 20 into the reaction container 28 containing the pretreatment liquid. Here, reagents for blood coagulation analysis are arranged on the first reagent disk 15 or the second reagent disk 16, and are used as needed by the first reagent dispensing probe 17 or the second reagent dispensing probe 14. Once dispensed into the reaction container 26 on the reaction disk 13, it is used for blood coagulation analysis.

The photometric value of the transmitted light or scattered light of the reaction liquid in the reaction container (for biochemical analysis) 26 is converted into a digital signal by the first A/D converter 205, and The photometric value of the transmitted light or scattered light of the reaction liquid in the disposable reaction container (for blood coagulation analysis) 28, which has been converted into a digital signal, is input into the computer 105.

The interface 101 includes a printer 106 for printing when outputting measurement results as a report, etc., a memory 104 as a storage device, an external output medium 102, an input device 107 such as a keyboard for inputting operation commands, etc., and a screen. A display device 103 for display is connected. The display device 103 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display or a CRT display.

Analysis of biochemical items by the automatic analyzer 1 is performed in the following steps. First, the operator uses the input device 107 to request inspection items for each sample. In order to analyze the sample for the requested test item, the sample dispensing probe 12 dispenses a predetermined amount of sample from the sample container 27 to the reaction container (for biochemical analysis) 26 according to the analysis parameters.

The reaction container (for biochemical analysis) 26 into which the sample has been dispensed is transferred by the rotation of the reaction disk 13 and stopped at a reagent receiving position. The pipette nozzle of the first reagent dispensing probe 17 or the second reagent dispensing probe 14 dispenses a predetermined amount of reagent liquid into the reaction container (for biochemical analysis) 26 according to the analysis parameters of the relevant test item. Note that the order of dispensing the sample and reagent may be opposite to this example, in which case the reagent comes first before the sample.

Thereafter, the sample and reagent are stirred and mixed by a stirring mechanism (not shown). When this reaction container (for biochemical analysis) 26 crosses the photometry position, the photometer 19 measures the transmitted light or scattered light of the reaction solution. The photometered transmitted light or scattered light is converted into numerical data proportional to the amount of light by the first A/D converter 205, and is input into the computer 105 via the interface 101.

From this converted numerical data, concentration data is calculated based on a calibration curve that has been measured in advance using an analysis method specified for each test item. Component concentration data as analysis results for each inspection item are output to the screen of the printer 106 or display device 103.

Note that before the above measurement operation is performed, the operator needs to set various parameters necessary for analysis and register reagents and samples via the operation screen of display device 103. Further, the operator can check the analysis results after measurement on the operation screen on the display device 103.

On the other hand, analysis of blood coagulation time items by the automatic analyzer 1 is performed in the following procedure. First, the operator uses the input device 107 to request inspection items for each sample. In order to analyze the sample for the requested test item, the reaction container transfer mechanism 23 transfers a disposable reaction container (for blood coagulation analysis) 28 from the reaction container magazine 25 to the sample dispensing position 18 . The sample dispensing probe 12 dispenses a predetermined amount of sample from the sample container 27 to the reaction container (for blood coagulation analysis) 28 according to analysis parameters.

The reaction container (for blood coagulation analysis) 28 into which the sample has been dispensed is transferred to the reaction port 304 of the blood coagulation time detection section 21 by the reaction container transfer mechanism 23, and heated to a predetermined temperature. The first reagent dispensing probe 17 dispenses a predetermined amount of reagent into the reaction container (for biochemical analysis) 26 on the reaction disk 13 according to the analysis parameters of the relevant test item. The reaction disk 13 is provided with a constant temperature bath (not shown), and the reagent dispensed into the reaction container (for biochemical analysis) 26 is heated to 37°C.

Thereafter, the blood coagulation reagent dispensing probe 20 sucks the reagent dispensed into the reaction container (for biochemical analysis) 26, and the blood coagulation reagent dispensing probe 20 reaches a predetermined temperature by a temperature raising mechanism (not shown). After raising the temperature, it is discharged into a reaction container (for blood coagulation analysis) 28. From the time the reagent is discharged, photometry of transmitted light or scattered light of the light irradiated onto the reaction container (for blood coagulation analysis) 28 is started. The photometered transmitted light or scattered light is converted into numerical data proportional to the amount of light by the second A/D converter 203, and is input into the computer 105 via the interface 101.

From this converted numerical data, the time required for the blood coagulation reaction (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as blood coagulation time) is determined. For example, for test items such as ATPP (activated partial thromboplastin time), the blood coagulation time determined in this manner is output as an analysis result. For test items such as Fbg (fibrinogen), component concentration data is calculated based on the calculated blood coagulation time and a calibration curve that has been measured in advance using the analysis method specified for each test item. and output it as an analysis result. Blood coagulation time and component concentration data as analysis results for each test item are output to the screen of the printer 106 and display device 103.

Similarly, before the above measurement operations are performed, the operator needs to set various parameters necessary for analysis and register reagents and samples via the operation screen of display device 103. . Further, the operator can check the analysis results after measurement on the operation screen on the display device 103.

Note that the sample discharged by the sample dispensing probe 12 may be discharged to the reaction container (for biochemical analysis) 26. In this case, as described above, after reacting with the pretreatment liquid in the reaction container (for biochemical analysis) 26, the blood coagulation reagent is dispensed into the reaction container (for blood coagulation analysis) 28 by the blood coagulation reagent dispensing probe 20.

In the blood coagulation reagent dispensing probe 20, the force generated when the reagent is discharged into the reaction container (for blood coagulation analysis) 28 is applied to the sample previously accommodated in the reaction container (for blood coagulation analysis) 28. Mixing with the sample is performed using a process called discharge agitation. Contrary to this example, the order of dispensing the sample and reagent may be such that the reagent comes first than the sample, and in this case, the sample and the reagent are mixed by the force of the sample being discharged.

The automatic analyzer creates an analysis plan for executing analysis for a large number of sample analysis requests, each of which has a plurality of analysis request items, and operates each mechanism of the device in accordance with the created analysis plan. The analysis plan will be explained using FIG. 1B. As examples, a sample dispensing mechanism operation reservation table 501, a reagent dispensing mechanism operation reservation table 502, and a stirring mechanism operation reservation table 503 are shown. One box in the reservation table indicates the cycle in which each mechanism operates. The blacked-out cycles are already reserved for other analyzes and therefore cannot be used for the analysis request item for which an analysis plan is being made. Further, it is assumed that an analysis plan is created in cycle 1.

The analysis plan selects a sequence of specific operation patterns to be executed by each mechanism of the automatic analyzer in order to perform an analysis, and reserves a cycle for executing the selected sequence. For this reason, it is necessary to reserve a cycle to perform the operations necessary to execute the analysis so that they do not interfere in time with the already determined sequence of analysis request items.

For example, in an analysis request item for which an analysis plan is being created, it is assumed that a sample dispensing mechanism, a reagent dispensing mechanism, and a stirring mechanism are to be operated in sequences such as an operation pattern 511, an operation pattern 512, and an operation pattern 513, respectively. The operation pattern of each mechanism in the selected sequence is defined so that it operates after a fixed predetermined cycle from the analysis plan time (in FIG. 1B, cycles in which it does not operate are indicated by dotted frames). As shown in FIG. 1B, if the motion patterns 511 to 513 can be placed on the motion reservation tables 501 to 503 while avoiding reserved cycles, the analysis plan for the analysis request item is successful. In the operation reservation tables 501 to 503, the operation patterns 511 to 513 are reserved so that, for example, sample dispensing is performed in cycles 3 to 4, reagent dispensing is performed in cycle 5, and stirring operation is performed in cycle 6 (allocation success). On the other hand, if a reservable cycle cannot be found for at least one mechanism for the selected sequence, the analysis plan for the relevant analysis request item needs to be postponed until the next analysis plan or later (assignment failure). .

In Example 1, an example will be described in which an analysis plan is created for the above-mentioned complex automatic analyzer, with 4.5 seconds being one cycle, and one analysis request item per cycle.

Here, the specimens to be analyzed are classified into four types, A to D, as shown below.
- General specimens (A): These are specimens obtained by blood sampling from patients, etc., and are analyzed in the order in which they are requested.
- Emergency specimen (B): A specimen obtained by drawing blood from a patient, etc., but which is analyzed with priority over general specimens.
- Standard solution sample (C): A sample with a known concentration for creating a calibration curve (the relational expression between the measured value and the concentration of the test item).
- Control sample (D): A sample with a known concentration to confirm the accuracy of the calibration curve.

For these four types of samples, the order of priority for analysis on the automatic analyzer is determined in the following order: standard solution sample (C) > control sample (D) > emergency sample (B) > general sample (A). There is. Therefore, when creating an analysis plan, if a sample is requested for analysis later than a certain sample but has a higher sample priority, the analysis plan is created for the sample with a higher sample priority first. .

In addition, general samples and emergency samples are subclassified depending on whether or not they have been analyzed in the past.
・General sample (first time (A-1)): General sample that has never been analyzed.
・General specimen (retest (A-2)): General specimen that has been analyzed in the past and will be analyzed again.
- Emergency specimen (first time (B-1)): An emergency specimen that has never been analyzed.
- Emergency specimen (retest (B-2)): An emergency specimen that has been analyzed in the past and will be analyzed again.

Regarding these subclassifications, emergency specimen (retest (B-2)) > emergency specimen (initial (B-1)) > general specimen (retest (A-2)) > general specimen (initial (A-1)) Sample priority is determined in the following order:

Furthermore, if multiple samples with the same sample priority are requested for analysis, they can be expressed as sample number 1, sample number 2, sample number 3, etc. in the order of analysis requests, so that all samples have the same priority order. From there, analysis plans are created in the order of request: sample number 1, sample number 2, sample number 3, and so on. In the following, unless the sample priority is specifically mentioned, to simplify the explanation, we will use an example where multiple samples with the same sample priority have been requested for analysis (therefore, the order of priority will be in the order of analysis requests). Explain.

Furthermore, this example is for creating an analysis plan for a combined automatic analyzer, and there are two types of analysis items: biochemical items analyzed by the biochemical analysis unit and coagulation items analyzed by the blood coagulation time analysis unit. has. Here, it is assumed that the item priority order is set in the order of biochemistry item (first analysis item)>coagulation item (second analysis item). On the other hand, there is no particular priority among biochemistry items and coagulation items, and analysis plans are created in the order in which they are registered in the sample analysis request. For example, if coagulation item 1, coagulation item 2, coagulation item 3..., biochemistry item 11, biochemistry item 12, biochemistry item 13... are registered in an analysis request for the same specimen, the sample For this, an analysis plan is created in the order of biochemistry item 11, biochemistry item 12, biochemistry item 13..., coagulation item 1, coagulation item 2, coagulation item 3...

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the sample status table 301 and item status table 401 created based on the sample analysis request shown in FIG. 3. The sample status table 301 and the item status table 401 are defined on the internal memory of the calculation unit of the computer 105. Each array in the item status table 401 is composed of an item status variable 402 and an item information structure variable 403. Furthermore, each array in the sample status table 301 is composed of a sample status variable 302, a sample information structure variable 303, and an item status table 401 in which the required number of arrays A is secured. The specimen status table 301 is also defined with the required number of arrays B. Here, as an example, the number of arrays A is 200 and the number of arrays B is 100, but the required number can be set depending on the analysis situation.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a sample analysis request. When the user requests analysis from the input device 107 in the order of sample number 1, sample number 2, sample number 3, etc., the computer 105 requests the analysis of sample number 1, sample number 2, sample number 3, etc. as shown in this figure. ... and analysis request items for each sample are stored in the sample information structure variable 303 and item information structure variable 403 of the sample status table 301, thereby creating analysis request data.

Specifically, the sample status table 301 includes array number 0 (the beginning of the array; hereinafter, array number i in the sample status table 301 will be referred to as sample status table 301[i]), sample status table 301[ 1], specimen status table 301[2], . . . , the specimen information of specimen number 1, specimen number 2, specimen number 3, . . . is stored in the order of analysis request (indicated by arrow 310 in FIG. 2). That is, the sample information is stored in the sample status table 301 in the order of requests, starting from the top array.

Furthermore, the item status table 401 of the sample status table 301[0] includes array number 0 (the beginning of the array, hereinafter, array number j of the item status table 401 will be referred to as item status table 401[j]), In the item status table 401[1], item status table 401[2]..., the analysis request items are sorted in order of item priority (indicated by the arrow 410 in FIG. 2). Therefore, in this example, the biochemistry items Analysis request items 11, biochemistry item 12, biochemistry item 13, coagulation item 1, and coagulation item 2 are stored. That is, the request information is stored in the item status table 401 in order of item priority starting from the top array. The same applies to other arrays in the sample status table 301.

Next, the sample status 302 and item status 402 will be explained. Each sample has four sample statuses: "unplanned," "planned," "planned," and "waiting for measurement channel availability." Furthermore, each analysis request item has three item statuses: "unplanned," "planned," and "waiting for measurement channel availability." Any one of the four specimen statuses described above is registered in the specimen status 302, and any one of the three item statuses described above is registered in the item status 402.

The definition of item status is as follows.
・“Unplanned”: Items that are not planned for analysis.
・“Planned”: Items that have been analyzed and planned.
- "Waiting for measurement channel to become available": An item where there is no measurement channel available at the analysis planning stage and the analysis plan is put on hold.

The definition of specimen status is as follows.
・"Unplanned": Samples whose item status of all analysis request items is "Unplanned".
・“Planning”: Samples whose analysis request item status includes a mixture of “unplanned,” “planned,” and “waiting for measurement channel availability.”
・“Planned”: Samples whose item status of all analysis request items is “Planned”.
・“Waiting for measurement channel available”: Samples that do not include “Unplanned” in the item status of the analysis request item, but have “Waiting for measurement channel available”.

FIG. 4 is a state transition diagram of item status. The initial state of the item status is "unplanned," and the item status transitions to another item status when the following transition conditions are met.
(1) First transition condition: When the analysis plan for an analysis request item that is "unplanned" is completed, the item status of the analysis request item changes to "planned".
(2) Second transition condition: If an analysis plan for an analysis request item that is "unplanned" cannot be created temporarily because there is no free space in the measurement channel for the analysis request item, the item status of the analysis request item will change to "Measurement Transition to "Waiting for channel free".
(3) Third transition condition: When re-planning an analysis request item that is “waiting for measurement channel availability”, the item status of the analysis request item changes to “unplanned” before the analysis plan for the analysis request item is implemented. do.
(4) Fourth transition condition: "Planned" When dispensing of the sample is completed, the information of the corresponding array in the sample status table 301 is cleared all at once, thereby transitioning to "Unplanned".

FIG. 5 is a state transition diagram of sample status. The specimen status has an initial state of "unplanned" and transitions to another specimen status when the following transition conditions are met.
(1) First transition condition The analysis plan for the sample “in planning” is completed, the sample status changes to “planned” or “waiting for measurement channel availability”, and the sample status is “in planning”. In the absence of the following conditions (i) or (ii):
(i) There are no samples whose sample status is "Waiting for measurement channel free".
(ii) There is a sample whose sample status is "Waiting for measurement channel free," but there is no free measurement channel.
When the condition is satisfied, the sample status of the next sample that is "unplanned" is changed to "planned" according to the sample priority order.
(2) Second transition condition: When the item status of all analysis request items of the "planned" sample transitions to "planned", the sample status of the sample transitions to "planned".
(3) Third transition condition: When the item status of all analysis request items for the “planned” sample transitions to “planned” or “waiting for measurement channel availability” and there are no “unplanned” items, the corresponding The status of the sample changes to "waiting for measurement channel availability."
(4) Fourth transition condition The analysis plan for the "Planning" sample is completed, the sample status transitions to "Planned" or "Waiting for measurement channel availability", and the sample status is "Planning". In the absence of the following condition (iii):
(iii) There is a sample whose sample status is "Waiting for measurement channel free" and the measurement channel is free.
When the sample status is satisfied, the sample status of the next sample that is "waiting for measurement channel availability" is changed to "planning" according to the sample priority order.
(5) Fifth transition condition: "Planned" When dispensing of the sample is completed, the information of the corresponding array in the sample status table 301 is cleared all at once, thereby transitioning to "Unplanned".

FIGS. 6A and 6B show flowcharts in which the computer 105 executes an analysis plan based on the above state transition rules for item status and sample status.

S100: An analysis plan is implemented at regular intervals. Although it is assumed that an analysis plan for one analysis request item is created per cycle, analysis plans for multiple analysis request items may be created for each cycle.

S101: Check whether there is a "planned" sample. From the first transition condition of the sample status, there is only one "planned" sample in the analysis plan. A flowchart for the case where there are no "planned" specimens is shown in FIG. 6A. FIG. 6A is a flowchart for determining one sample to be a "planned" sample among the samples requested for analysis.

S102: If there is no "planning" sample, check whether there is a "waiting for measurement channel free" sample.

S103: "Waiting for measurement channel to become available" If a sample exists, it is confirmed whether or not the measurement channel of the blood coagulation time analysis unit 2 is free.

S104: If there is a vacant measurement channel in the blood coagulation time analysis unit 2, it is determined whether the sample "waiting for measurement channel free" is the last sample planned for analysis.

S105: "Waiting for measurement channel to become available" If the sample is the last sample planned for analysis, the sample being analyzed will be tested by making it the next analysis target, so to prevent contamination. The cleaning of the sample dispensing probe 12 can be made unnecessary. Therefore, the sample status of the last sample whose analysis was planned and which is "waiting for measurement channel availability" is changed to "planning".

S106: On the other hand, in step S104, if the sample "waiting for measurement channel availability" is not the last sample planned for analysis, the test will be performed on a sample different from the sample currently being analyzed, and the sample with the highest sample priority will be tested. Transition the sample status of the sample "Waiting for measurement channel free" to "Planning".

S107: Among the analysis request items for the sample whose sample status was changed to "planned" in step S105 or step S106, all "waiting for measurement channel availability" items are updated to "unplanned" items. As a result, the "planned" sample will become the target of the next cycle's analysis plan, and the analysis plan will be implemented for the analysis request item with the highest priority that has been updated to the "unplanned" item (described later). (see Figure 6B).

S108: (1) There are no samples that are “planning” or “waiting for measurement channels to become available,” or (2) There are samples that are “waiting for measurement channels to become available” (there are no samples that are “planning”), but there are no available measurement channels. If there are no samples, check whether there are any “unplanned” samples. If there is no "unplanned" sample, the analysis plan is ended (S120).

S109: If there is an "unplanned" sample in the confirmation in step S108, the sample status of the "unplanned" sample with the highest sample priority is changed to "planned."

S110: All analysis request items of the sample whose sample status was changed to "planned" in step S109 are updated to "unplanned." As a result, the "planned" sample will become the target of the next cycle's analysis plan, and the analysis plan will be implemented for the analysis request item with the highest priority that has been updated to the "unplanned" item (described later). (see Figure 6B).

S120: End the analysis plan. In this way, according to the flowchart in FIG. 6A, as long as there are samples that are requested to be analyzed and there are samples that are "waiting for measurement channel availability" or samples that are "unplanned," the sample status of one of them is always "planned." In the analysis plan of the next cycle, the analysis plan is implemented according to the flowchart of FIG. 6B, which will be described later.

FIG. 6B is a flowchart when there is a "planned" sample in step S101, and is a flowchart for implementing an analysis plan for the "planned" sample.

S111: An analysis plan is implemented for the "unplanned" item with the highest priority among the "planned" samples. Specifically, as explained with reference to FIG. 1B, the operation pattern of each mechanism corresponding to the sequence in which the analysis is executed is assigned on the operation reservation table.

S112: If the motion pattern assignment is successful, the item status of the successful "unplanned" item is updated to "planned".

S113: If the operation pattern assignment fails, the reason for the failure is that there is no free measurement channel (port) of the blood coagulation time analysis unit 2, and the analysis request item is "unplanned" for which the analysis plan was performed. is a "coagulation item", the item status of the "unplanned" item with the highest priority in the "planned" sample is updated to "waiting for measurement channel availability".

Note that if the reason for failure is any other reason or the analysis request item is a "biochemistry item", the analysis plan is ended (S120). Since the sample status of this sample continues to be "in planning", the analysis plan for the next cycle will also be implemented for this sample according to the flowchart of FIG. 6B.

S114: After step S112 or step S113 is completed, it is checked whether there is still an "unplanned" item in the "planned" sample. If there is an "unplanned" item, the analysis plan is ended (S120). Since the sample status of this sample continues to be "in planning", the analysis plan for the next cycle will also be implemented for this sample according to the flowchart of FIG. 6B.

S115: If there is no "unplanned" item in the "planning" sample, it is checked whether the "planning" sample still has the "wait for measurement channel free" item.

S116: If there is no “unplanned” item or “measuring channel free waiting” item for the “planned” sample, this means that the item status of all analysis request items is “planned”. , update the sample status of the "Planned" sample to "Planned".

S117: If there is no "unplanned" item in the "planning" sample, but there is an "waiting for measurement channel free" item, the item status of the analysis request item for which the analysis plan has not been completed is "waiting for measurement channel free." ”, the sample status of the “planning” sample is updated to “waiting for measurement channel availability”.

S120: End the analysis plan. If the sample status is updated in steps S116 and S117, there will be no “planned” samples among the samples requested for analysis, so in the next cycle of analysis planning, the sample status will be updated according to the flowchart in FIG. 6A. One specimen to be updated "in planning" is determined.

The analysis planning method in Example 1 has been described above. The computer creates an analysis plan so that a sample is tested in order of sample priority, and multiple analysis request items for the same sample are tested in order of item priority. Therefore, both the sample status and item status are used to manage the order in which analysis plans are created.

Specifically, the state is changed so that there is at most one "planned" sample in the analysis plan, and the analysis plan is executed only for "unplanned" items of the "planned" sample.

Furthermore, in the combined automatic analyzer, the reaction port (measurement channel) of the blood coagulation time detection section 21 of the blood coagulation time analysis unit 2 tends to be stagnant. For this reason, if there is a vacant reaction port for the sample currently being analyzed, the analysis plan will continue, but if the sample currently being analyzed does not have any coagulation requested items, then the sample with the highest priority will be analyzed. Controls so that an analysis plan is created for samples waiting for a channel to become available. In other words, "planning" samples are assigned the highest priority to the reaction port of the blood coagulation time detection unit 21, and if there are no "planning" samples, the samples are assigned in order of priority, thereby achieving an efficient analysis plan that adheres to the sample priority order. can be created.

In testing using an automatic analyzer, it is common to have multiple analysis request items for the same sample. In the flowchart described in Example 1, if the analysis plan for an analysis request item fails because there are no available measurement channels in the blood coagulation time analysis unit 2, the item is changed from "Unplanned" to "Waiting for measurement channel free". item (see step S113 in FIG. 6B). At this time, if multiple coagulation items are included in the analysis request items for the "planned" sample, at the timing of the next analysis plan (for example, after one cycle), the other coagulation items will be processed by the blood coagulation time analysis unit as well. There is a high possibility that the analysis plan for the analysis request item will fail because there is no free space in the measurement channel 2. As a result, multiple coagulation items of the "planning" sample will be updated just to update the "waiting for measurement channel free" item. Cycles are used, which is inefficient. Therefore, in Embodiment 2, if the analysis plan for a coagulation item fails because the measurement channels of the blood coagulation time analysis unit 2 are full, the analysis request items for other coagulation items in the same sample are also collectively "measured." When resuming an analysis plan for a sample with a "waiting for a measurement channel available" item, all "waiting for a measurement channel available" item for the same sample is updated to an "unplanned" item. As a result, regardless of the number of requests for coagulation items, the time required to update the "unplanned" item to the "waiting for measurement channel availability" item can be shortened to one cycle.

Changes in the status of the specimen and analysis request items in Example 2 will be explained using FIGS. 7A to 7F. In this example, it is assumed that four samples have been requested for analysis, and the requested analysis items for sample numbers 1, 2, and 4 are biochemical items, colorimetric analysis (“colorimetry”) 1 to 4, and coagulation items. Clotting time analysis (“coagulation”) is 5 to 8, and the requested analysis item for sample number 3 is colorimetry 1 to 4. It is also assumed that the request order (sample number order) of samples 1 to 4 is the sample priority order.

The table shows the status situation at each point in time, and in each table, the specimen column represents the specimen number and specimen status, and the analysis request item column represents the analysis request item and the item status of the analysis request item. The following explanation starts from a situation where the analysis plan for colorimetry 1 to 4 has been completed for sample 1 and the item status of colorimetry 1 to 4 has become "planned", as shown in table 701 of FIG. 7A. do. Note that the legend of the display is shown in FIG. 7A. This legend is common to FIGS. 7A to 7F.

In FIG. 7A, table 701 represents the status situation at the start of the analysis plan. If the measurement channel is free, the status status moves to table 702. That is, the analysis plan for coagulation 5 of specimen 1 is implemented, and the item status of coagulation 5 of specimen 1 is updated to "planned". On the other hand, if there is no vacant measurement channel, the status status moves to table 703. That is, the item status of coagulation 5 to 8 of sample 1 is updated to "waiting for measurement channel to become available", and thereby the sample status of sample 1 is updated to "waiting for measurement channel to be available". Table 702 or table 703 is the status situation at the end of the analysis plan in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7B shows the transition of the status in the analysis plan when the table 703 is the status at the start of the analysis plan (that is, the analysis plan after one cycle in FIG. 7A). Note that the status status of table 703b is the same as table 703, but specimen number 1 is marked with a double circle. This notation is used to indicate the last dispensed sample (that is, the last sample for which analysis planning was performed at the time) when there is no sample whose sample status is "in planning." The same applies thereafter.

At this time, if the measurement channel is vacant, the status status moves to table 704. In other words, the sample status of sample 1, which is the sample "waiting for measurement channel free" for which analysis planning was performed last, is returned to "planning", the analysis plan for coagulation 5 is executed, and the item status of coagulation 5 of sample 1 is Updated to "Planned". At the same time, coagulation 6 to 8 of sample 1 are also updated from "waiting for measurement channel availability" to "unplanned". On the other hand, if there is no vacant measurement channel, the status transitions to table 705. That is, the sample status of sample number 2 is set to "planning", the analysis plan for colorimetry 1 of sample 2 is carried out first, and the item status of colorimetry 1 of sample 2 is updated to "planned".

FIG. 7C shows the transition of the status in the analysis plan when the table 704 is the status at the start of the analysis plan (ie, the analysis plan after one cycle in FIG. 7B).

At this time, if the measurement channel is vacant, the status status moves to table 706. That is, the analysis plan for coagulation 6 of sample 1 is implemented, and the item status of coagulation 6 of sample 1 is updated to "planned." On the other hand, if there is no vacant measurement channel, the status status moves to table 707. That is, the item status of coagulation 6 to 8 of sample 1 is updated to "waiting for measurement channel to become available", and thereby the sample status of sample 1 is updated to "waiting for measurement channel to be available".

FIG. 7D shows the transition of the status at the start of the analysis plan after four cycles in the case where the status becomes table 705 at the end of the analysis plan in FIG. 7B. Between FIG. 7B and FIG. 7D, the analysis plan for colorimetry 2 to 4 for sample 2, which is a “planning” sample, is carried out, and in table 708, the item status of colorimetry 2 to 4 is determined from the status status in table 705. Updated to "Planned".

At this time, if the measurement channel is vacant, the status status moves to table 709. That is, the analysis plan for coagulation 5 of sample 2, which is a "planned" sample, is implemented, and the item status of coagulation 5 of sample 2 is updated to "planned". On the other hand, if there is no free measurement channel, the status status moves to table 710. That is, the item status of coagulation 5 to 8 of sample 2 is updated to "waiting for measurement channel to become available", and thereby the sample status of sample 2 is updated to "waiting for measurement channel to be available".

FIG. 7E shows the transition of the status status in the analysis plan when the table 710 is the status status at the start of the analysis plan (ie, the analysis plan after one cycle in FIG. 7D). Table 710b shows that the sample status of samples 1 and 2 is "waiting for measurement channel availability", there is no "planning" sample, and sample 2 is the sample for which analysis planning was performed last.

At this time, if the measurement channel is vacant, the status status moves to table 711. In other words, the sample status of sample 2, which is the sample "waiting for measurement channel free" for which analysis planning was performed last, is returned to "planning", the analysis plan for coagulation 5 is executed, and the item status of coagulation 5 of sample 2 is Updated to "Planned". At the same time, coagulation 6 to 8 of sample 2 are also updated from "waiting for measurement channel availability" to "unplanned". On the other hand, if there is no vacant measurement channel, the status status moves to table 712. That is, the sample status of sample number 3 is set to "planning", the analysis plan for colorimetry 1 of sample 3 is carried out first, and the item status of colorimetry 1 of sample 3 is updated to "planned".

FIG. 7F shows the transition of the status at the start of the analysis plan after four cycles in the case where the status becomes table 712 at the end of the analysis plan in FIG. 7E. Between FIG. 7E and FIG. 7F, the analysis plan for colorimetry 2 to 4 for sample 3, which is a “planning” sample, is carried out, and in table 713, the item status of colorimetry 2 to 4 is determined from the status status in table 712. The sample status of sample 3 is updated to "planned" and the sample status of sample 3 is also updated to "planned", so that there is no "planned" sample.

At this time, if the measurement channel is vacant, the status status moves to table 714. In other words, since the sample status of sample 3 for which analysis planning was last performed is "planned," the sample has a higher priority among samples 1 and 2 that are "waiting for measurement channel availability" (here, the request order (early) The specimen status of specimen 1 is returned to "planning", the analysis plan for coagulation 5 is implemented, and the item status of coagulation 5 of specimen 1 is updated to "planned". At the same time, coagulation 6 to 8 of sample 1 are also updated from "waiting for measurement channel availability" to "unplanned". On the other hand, if there is no vacant measurement channel, the status status moves to table 715. That is, the sample status of sample number 4 is set to "planning", the analysis plan for colorimetry 1 of sample 4 is carried out first, and the item status of colorimetry 1 of sample 4 is updated to "planned".

In Examples 1 and 2, the creation of an analysis plan in an automatic analyzer having two types of analysis items: biochemical items analyzed by the biochemical analysis section and coagulation items analyzed by the blood coagulation time analysis unit was explained. . In Example 3, the creation of an analysis plan in an automatic analyzer having a total of four types of analysis items, including a light scattering item and an immunoanalysis item as analysis items, will be described. That is, the automatic analyzer of Example 3 includes a first analysis unit that analyzes biochemical items, a second analysis unit that analyzes coagulation items, and a third analysis unit that analyzes light scattering items. , is equipped with a fourth analysis unit that performs analysis of immunological analysis items. For example, the third analysis unit applies incident light of a specific wavelength to a mixture of a sample and reagent dispensed into a reaction container mounted on a fixed port, and forward scatters it to the opposite side according to the latex agglutination method. It includes a scattering photometer unit that measures the amount of components contained in a sample from the intensity of scattered light. In addition, the fourth analysis unit uses an antigen-antibody reaction to emit light by electrochemiluminescence from a mixed solution of a sample and reagent dispensed into a reaction container mounted on a fixed port, and calculates the luminescence intensity from Contains an immunoassay unit that measures the amount of components contained in a sample.

For biochemistry items, the first analysis unit is configured so that there are always empty measurement channels. On the other hand, for light scattering items, coagulation items, and immunoassay items, the number of measurement channels (reaction ports) is limited in order to prevent the device from increasing in size, which may result in a situation where there are no empty measurement channels. Furthermore, the measurement time required for coagulation items varies depending on the specimen even if the measurement items are the same. On the other hand, the measurement time required for biochemistry items, light scattering items, and immunoanalysis items is a fixed value regardless of the sample if the measurement items are the same.

To simplify the explanation, the order of priority among analysis request items for the same sample is biochemistry item > light scattering item > coagulation item > immunoanalysis item, and the priority order for the same analysis unit is the order in which the analysis request items are registered. shall be.

The item status, sample status, and their state transition rules are the same as in Examples 1 and 2. A flowchart in which the computer 105 executes an analysis plan will be described for the case of Example 3. The flowchart for determining the "planned" specimen shown in FIG. 6A of Example 1 is also common to Example 3, and repeated explanation will be omitted. FIGS. 8A-B are flowcharts for implementing an analysis plan for a "planned" specimen. Regarding the flowcharts in FIGS. 8A to 8B, steps that perform the same processing as in the flowchart in FIG. 6B are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Steps S201 to S205 are a flow for determining whether an analysis unit is "vacant". For light scattering items and immunological analysis items, since the analysis time for each measurement item is a fixed value, the analysis end time of the item being analyzed in the analysis unit can be calculated. Therefore, when planning an analysis, calculate the time (cycle) at which the sample is to be input into the analysis unit for the analysis request item, and if there is a free space in the measurement channel by the time the sample is input into the analysis unit, there is a free space in the analysis unit. , it can be considered as . In other words, in the case of coagulation items, the analysis time is undefined, so if there is no empty measurement channel at the time of analysis planning, it is determined that there is no empty space, whereas for light scattering items and immunological analysis items, the analysis time of the analysis unit is determined to be full. The presence or absence of measurement channels is determined based on future operating conditions rather than at the time of planning.

S201: At the time of analysis planning, it is checked whether there is any free space in the measurement channel of each analysis unit.

S202: If there is a vacant measurement channel of the analysis unit at the time of analysis planning, for the analysis unit having a vacant measurement channel, the vacant channel is determined as the channel to be used.

S203: If the analysis unit for which there is no empty measurement channel at the time of analysis planning is a light scattering analysis unit or immunoassay analysis unit, whether or not the measurement channel will become empty by the time the sample for the analysis plan is put into the analysis unit. Check.

S204: Regarding the light scattering analysis unit or the immunoassay unit, if a measurement channel becomes vacant by the time the sample of the analysis plan is input into the analysis unit, the empty channel at the time of input is determined as the channel to be used.

S205: When the analysis unit is a biochemical analysis unit or a blood coagulation time analysis unit, or for a light scattering analysis unit or an immunological analysis unit, the measurement channel becomes vacant before the sample of the analysis plan is input into the analysis unit. If there is no free space, it is determined that there is no free space in the measurement channel.

Using the determined usage channels (S202, S204), an analysis plan is implemented for the "unplanned" item with the highest priority of the "planned" sample (step S111). Specifically, as explained with reference to FIG. 1B, the operation pattern of each mechanism corresponding to the sequence in which the analysis is executed is assigned on the operation reservation table.

S211: If the operation pattern assignment fails, the reason for the failure is that there is no free measurement channel in the light scattering analysis unit, immunoassay analysis unit, or blood coagulation time analysis unit, and the If the requested analysis items for "planned" are "light scattering items," "immunology analysis items," and "coagulation items," the item status of the "unplanned" item with the highest priority in the "planned" sample. is updated to "Waiting for measurement channel free". Note that if the reason for failure is any other reason or the analysis request item is a "biochemistry item", the analysis plan is ended (S120).

S212: Furthermore, for the "planned" sample, the item status of the "unplanned" item that uses the same unit is updated to "waiting for measurement channel availability." As a result, as in Example 2, "light scattering items," "immunology analysis items," and "coagulation items" are "unplanned" items regardless of the number of requested analysis items that use the same analysis unit. The time required to update the item ``Waiting for measurement channel free'' can be reduced to one cycle.

Changes in the status of the specimen and analysis request items in Example 3 will be explained using FIGS. 9A to 9E. In this example, it is assumed that three specimens have been requested for analysis, and the requested analysis items for specimen number 1 are biochemistry items, colorimetric analysis ("colorimetry") 1-2, and coagulation items, clotting time analysis ( "Coagulation") 1 to 2, light scattering analysis ("scattering") 1 to 2, which is a light scattering item, immunoassay ("immunity") 1 to 2, which is an immunological analysis item, and analysis of sample numbers 2 and 3. The requested items are colorimetry 1-2, scattering 1-2, and immunity 1-2. It is also assumed that the request order (sample number order) of samples 1 to 3 is the sample priority order. Similar to FIGS. 7A to 7F, the table shows the status situation at each point in time.

In FIG. 9A, table 901 represents the status situation at the start of the analysis plan. In the status status of table 901, the analysis plan for colorimetry 1 and 2 has been completed for sample 1, and the item status of colorimetry 1 and 2 is "planned." If the measurement channel of the light scattering analysis unit is vacant, the status status moves to table 902. That is, the analysis plan for scattering 1 of specimen 1 is implemented, and the item status of scattering 1 of specimen 1 is updated to "planned". Note that, as described above, the vacant measurement channels of the light scattering analysis unit include the vacant measurement channels at the time of sample input. On the other hand, if there is no vacant measurement channel of the light scattering analysis unit, the status status moves to table 903. That is, the item status of scattering 1 and 2 of sample 1 is updated to "waiting for measurement channel availability."

FIG. 9B shows the transition of the status in the analysis plan when the table 903 is the status at the start of the analysis plan (that is, the analysis plan after one cycle in FIG. 9A).

At this time, if the measurement channel of the blood coagulation time analysis unit is vacant, the status status moves to table 904. That is, the analysis plan for coagulation 1 of sample 1 is implemented, and the item status of coagulation 1 of sample 1 is updated to "planned". On the other hand, if there is no vacant measurement channel in the blood coagulation time analysis unit, the status transitions to table 905. That is, the item status of coagulation 1 and 2 of sample 1 is updated to "wait for measurement channel to become available."

FIG. 9C shows the transition of the status in the analysis plan when the table 905 is the status at the start of the analysis plan (that is, the analysis plan after one cycle in FIG. 9B).

At this time, if the measurement channel of the immunoassay unit is vacant, the status status moves to table 906. That is, the analysis plan for Immunization 1 of Specimen 1 is executed, and the item status of Immunization 1 of Specimen 1 is updated to "Planned". Note that, as described above, the vacant measurement channels of the immunoassay unit include the vacant measurement channels at the time of sample input. On the other hand, if there is no vacant measurement channel in the immunoanalysis unit, the status transitions to table 907. That is, the item status of Immunizations 1 and 2 of sample 1 is updated to "waiting for measurement channel to become available", and thereby the sample status of sample 1 is updated to "waiting for measurement channel to become available".

FIG. 9D shows the transition of the status at the start of the analysis plan two cycles later, when the status becomes table 907 at the end of the analysis plan in FIG. 9C. Between FIG. 9C and FIG. 9D, the analysis plan for colorimetry 1 to 2 of sample 2, which is a “planning” sample, is performed, and in table 908, the analysis plan for colorimetry 1 to 2 of sample 2 is determined based on the status status of table 907. The item status is updated to Planned.

At this time, if the measurement channel of the light scattering analysis unit is vacant, the status status moves to table 909. That is, the analysis plan for scattering 1 of specimen 2, which is a "planning" specimen, is implemented, and the item status of scattering 1 of specimen 2 is updated to "planned". On the other hand, if there is no vacant measurement channel of the light scattering analysis unit, the status status moves to table 910. That is, the item status of scattering 1 and 2 of sample 2 is updated to "wait for measurement channel to become available."

FIG. 9E shows the transition of the status at the start of the analysis plan two cycles later, when the status becomes table 910 at the end of the analysis plan in FIG. 9D. However, between FIG. 9D and FIG. 9E, the analysis plan for immunity 1 of sample 2, which is a "planned" sample, is carried out, and there is no empty measurement channel in the immunoanalysis unit, and the items for immunity 1 and 2 of sample 2 are executed. It is assumed that the status has been updated to "waiting for measurement channel to become available", and thereby the sample status of sample 2 has been updated to "waiting for measurement channel to be available". At this time, there is no sample whose sample status is "in planning," and the last sample dispensed (that is, the sample for which analysis planning was performed last at the time) is sample 2.

In the analysis plan of FIG. 9E, it is assumed that the measurement channels of the blood coagulation time analysis unit are vacant, and the measurement channels of the light scattering analysis unit or the immunoassay analysis unit are not vacant. In this case, the status status transitions to table 912. The analysis request items for sample 2, which is the sample for which analysis planning was performed last, do not include coagulation items. Therefore, the sample status of sample 1, which has the highest sample priority among the "waiting for measurement channel free" samples, is returned to "planning", coagulation 1 and 2 are returned to "unplanned", and the analysis plan for coagulation 1 is implemented. do. As a result, the item status of coagulation 1 of specimen 2 is updated to "planned".

On the other hand, if there is no vacancy in any of the light scattering analysis unit, immunoassay analysis unit, or blood coagulation time analysis unit, set the sample status of sample number 3 to "Planning" and dispense colorimetric 1 of sample 3. The plan is implemented first, and the item status of colorimetry 1 of sample 3 is updated to "planned".

Common modifications of the first to third embodiments described above will be described.

(Modification 1)
In the automatic analyzer, when updating the sample status or item status to "waiting for measurement channel availability", it is desirable to display a notification on the display device 103 informing that the analysis has been postponed. FIG. 10 shows an example of a display screen. On the display screen 600, the sample status of the sample held in each sample container is displayed on a sample disk map 601. As a result, a sample whose sample status is "waiting for measurement channel free" can be recognized on the sample disk map 601. In this case, when restarting the analysis plan, it is more desirable to display the sample status indicating that the analysis is to be restarted. This allows the user to recognize that dispensing of the relevant sample has not been completed for all analysis requested items, and that dispensing of the remaining items of the relevant sample will be resumed in the future. This prevents the sample from being removed from the automatic analyzer. Note that FIG. 10 is an example and may be displayed using item status.

(Modification 2)
In an automatic analyzer, when the sample to be dispensed changes, a function for cleaning the sample dispensing probe 12 before dispensing a new sample (hereinafter abbreviated as sample carryover cleaning) may be set. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 7A, if there are empty measurement channels of the blood coagulation analysis unit for specimens 1 and 2, colorimetry 1 to 4 for specimen 1, coagulation 5 to 8, and colorimetry 1 to 4 for specimen 2. An analysis plan is created in the order of , coagulation 5 to 8, and sample carryover cleaning may be performed before dispensing the sample for each colorimetry 1.

However, the measurement channel is full and the analysis plan is restarted after the dispensing for coagulation 5-8 of sample 1 is performed and the dispensing for colorimetry 1-4 of sample 2 and coagulation 5-8 is performed. In this case, if sample 1 is directly dispensed for coagulation 5 to 8, carryover from sample 2 to sample 1 may occur. Therefore, before dispensing the coagulated sample 5 of the sample 1, the sample carryover cleaning is performed again, and then the dispensing of the sample 1 is restarted.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to three embodiments and modifications thereof, the present invention is not limited to the description of the above-described embodiments and modifications. For example, in Examples 1 and 2, explanation was given using an automatic analyzer having two types of analysis items: biochemical items analyzed by a biochemical analysis unit and coagulation items analyzed by a blood coagulation time analysis unit. Instead of the coagulation items analyzed by the time analysis unit, it may be an automatic analyzer that analyzes light scattering items analyzed by the light scattering analysis unit or immunological analysis items analyzed by the immunoanalysis unit. In addition, a scattering photometer unit is installed near the reaction disk, and incident light of a specific wavelength is applied to the mixed liquid of the sample and reagent dispensed into the reaction container, and the scattered light is forward-scattered to the opposite side according to the latex agglutination method. It may be an automatic analyzer that measures the amount of components contained in a sample based on the intensity. In this case, the requested analysis item is an immunological analysis item, but in the present invention, immunological analysis items that are not performed in an analysis unit having a fixed port are treated as biochemical items. Moreover, although Example 3 has explained an example including four analysis items, it is not limited to including all of these analysis items. In any case, even if the device is configured with a small number of measurement channels to prevent an increase in device size, high processing capacity and analytical performance can be achieved by applying the embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Automatic analyzer, 2... Blood coagulation time analysis unit, 11... Sample disk, 12... Sample dispensing probe, 13... Reaction disk, 14... Second reagent dispensing Probe, 15... First reagent disk, 16... Second reagent disk, 17... First reagent dispensing probe, 18... Sample dispensing position, 19... Photometer, 20...・Blood coagulation reagent dispensing probe, 21...Blood coagulation time detection section, 22...Optical jig magazine, 23...Reaction container transfer mechanism, 24...Reaction container waste port, 25...Reaction container Magazine, 26... Reaction container (for biochemical analysis), 27... Sample container, 28... Reaction container (for blood coagulation analysis), 101... Interface, 102... External output medium, 103 Display device, 104 Memory, 105 Computer, 106 Printer, 107 Input device, 201 Sample dispensing control unit, 202 Transfer mechanism control unit, 203... Second A/D converter, 204... Blood coagulation reagent dispensing control unit, 205... First A/D converter, 206... First reagent dispensing control unit , 207... Second reagent dispensing control unit, 301... Sample status table, 302... Sample status, 303... Sample information structure variable, 304... Reaction port, 310,410... ...Arrow, 401...Item status table, 402...Item status, 403...Item information structure variable, 600...Display screen, 601...Sample disk map.

Claims (14)

A sample container containing a sample requested for sample analysis ;
a sample dispensing probe that dispenses the specimen into a first reaction container or a second reaction container;
a reaction disk in which a plurality of the first reaction vessels are arranged and rotates;
a first analysis unit that analyzes a first analysis request item with respect to the sample contained in the first reaction container disposed on the reaction disk;
a second analysis unit having a predetermined number of reaction ports and analyzing a second analysis request item on the specimen contained in the second reaction container at the reaction port;
and a computer that executes an analysis plan for the plurality of sample analysis requests;
The plurality of sample analysis requests include a first sample analysis request for a first sample and a second sample analysis request for a second sample subsequent to the first sample analysis request, and the first sample analysis request and the second sample analysis request both includes the first analysis request item and the second analysis request item,
The computer executes an analysis plan for each sample analysis request in the order of the first analysis request item and the second analysis request item,
When planning the analysis of the second analysis request item in the first sample analysis request, if there is no vacant space in the reaction port of the second analysis unit, the second analysis request item in the first sample analysis request The analysis plan of the second sample analysis request is put on hold and the analysis plan of the second sample analysis request is started , and when the analysis plan of the second analysis request item in the second sample analysis request is planned, the reaction port of the second analysis unit is If there is a vacancy, implement the analysis plan for the second analysis request item in the second sample analysis request;
An automatic analyzer characterized by: In claim 1,
When planning the analysis of the second analysis request item in the second sample analysis request, if the reaction port of the second analysis unit is full, the computer executes the second analysis request in the second sample analysis request. The analysis plan for the analysis request item is put on hold,
After implementing the analysis plan for the sample analysis request for the third sample, when selecting the sample analysis request to implement the analysis plan, if the reaction port of the second analysis unit is vacant, the first implementing an analysis plan for the second analysis request item in a sample analysis request for a sample with a high sample priority among the sample and the second sample;
An automatic analyzer characterized by: In claim 1,
In the case where the second analysis request item in the first sample analysis request includes a plurality of items,
When planning an analysis for one item including the second analysis request item in the first sample analysis request, if there is no vacant space in the reaction port of the second analysis unit, the computer executes the first sample analysis request. suspending the analysis plan including other items of the second analysis request item for which the analysis plan has not been implemented;
An automatic analyzer characterized by: In claim 1,
The second analysis request item is an analysis request item whose measurement time does not depend on the sample,
If the reaction port of the second analysis unit becomes vacant by the time the sample for carrying out the analysis plan is input into the reaction port of the second analysis unit, the computer determining that the reaction port of the analysis unit is vacant;
An automatic analyzer characterized by: In claim 1,
has a display device,
When the computer suspends the analysis plan for the second analysis request item in the first sample analysis request, the display device displays a display indicating that the analysis plan for the first sample is suspended.
An automatic analyzer characterized by: In claim 2,
When the computer executes an analysis plan for the second analysis request item in a sample analysis request for a sample with a high sample priority among the first sample and the second sample, according to the analysis plan, performing sample carryover cleaning of the sample dispensing probe before dispensing the sample with a high sample priority;
An automatic analyzer characterized by: A sample container containing a sample requested for sample analysis ;
a sample dispensing probe that dispenses the specimen into a first reaction container or a second reaction container;
a reaction disk in which a plurality of the first reaction vessels are arranged and rotates;
a first analysis unit that analyzes a first analysis request item with respect to the sample contained in the first reaction container disposed on the reaction disk;
a second analysis unit having a predetermined number of reaction ports and analyzing a second analysis request item on the specimen contained in the second reaction container at the reaction port;
and a computer that executes an analysis plan for the plurality of sample analysis requests;
The sample analysis request includes at least one of the first analysis request item and the second analysis request item,
The computer manages the order in which the analysis plan is implemented in response to the sample analysis request based on a sample status assigned to each sample and an item status assigned to each analysis request item,
The item status is "unplanned" indicating an analysis request item for which analysis is not planned, "planned" indicating an analysis request item for which analysis has been planned, and analysis due to the reaction port of the second analysis unit being full. Includes "Waiting for measurement channel free" to indicate that the plan is on hold;
The sample status may be "unplanned," indicating that all analysis request items included in the sample analysis request are "unplanned," or "planned," indicating that all analysis request items included in the sample analysis request are "planned.""Planned" indicates that the sample analysis request includes "Unplanned", "Planned", and "Waiting for measurement channel availability" in the analysis request items included in the sample analysis request; Including "Waiting for measurement channel free" indicating that the analysis request item included in the sample analysis request is "Planned" or "Waiting for measurement channel free",
Among the plurality of sample analysis requests for which the analysis plan is implemented, the number of sample analysis requests whose sample status is "planning" is one or less at a certain point in time,
The computer executes an analysis plan for analysis request items in the sample analysis request where the sample status is “planning.”
An automatic analyzer characterized by: In claim 7 ,
If there is no sample analysis request with the sample status "Planning" and there are multiple sample analysis requests with the sample status "Waiting for measurement channel availability," the computer selects the sample with the highest sample priority. updating the sample status of the sample analysis request to "planning";
An automatic analyzer characterized by: In claim 8 ,
In the case where the second analysis request item in the sample analysis request includes multiple items,
When the computer updates the item status of one item in the second analysis request item to "waiting for measurement channel availability", the computer updates the item status of one item in the second analysis request item to "waiting for measurement channel free", the computer updates the second analysis request item whose item status is "unplanned" in the sample analysis request. The item status of other items in the analysis request items is also updated to "Waiting for measurement channel free",
For the sample analysis request in which the sample status has been updated from "waiting for measurement channel availability" to "planning", the computer may update the second analysis in which the item status in the sample analysis request is "waiting for measurement channel availability". The item status of other items in the request item is also updated to "unplanned",
An automatic analyzer characterized by: In claim 7 ,
The second analysis request item is an analysis request item in which the measurement time varies depending on the sample,
If there is no vacant space in the reaction port of the second analysis unit at the time of analysis planning, the computer determines that there is no vacant space in the reaction port of the second analysis unit, and sets the item status to "unplanned". to "Waiting for measurement channel free".
An automatic analyzer characterized by: In claim 7 ,
The second analysis request item is an analysis request item whose measurement time does not depend on the sample,
If the reaction port of the second analysis unit becomes vacant by the time the sample for carrying out the analysis plan is input into the reaction port of the second analysis unit, the computer determining that the reaction port of the analysis unit is vacant;
An automatic analyzer characterized by: In claim 7,
has a display device,
The display device displays the sample status for a plurality of samples or the item status of an analysis request item included in the sample analysis request.
An automatic analyzer characterized by: A sample container that accommodates a sample requested for sample analysis , a sample dispensing probe that dispenses the sample into a first reaction container or a second reaction container, and a plurality of the first reaction containers are arranged and rotated. an operating reaction disk, a first analysis unit that analyzes a first analysis request item for the sample contained in the first reaction container disposed on the reaction disk, and a predetermined number of reaction ports. a second analysis unit that analyzes a second analysis request item for the sample contained in the second reaction container at the reaction port; and an analysis plan for the plurality of sample analysis requests. An analysis method in an automatic analyzer equipped with a computer that performs
The computer issues a first sample analysis request for analyzing the first analysis request item and the second analysis request item for the first sample, and a second sample analysis request subsequent to the first sample analysis request. receiving the plurality of sample analysis requests including a second sample analysis request for requesting analysis of the first analysis request item and the second analysis request item for the sample;
The computer executes an analysis plan for each sample analysis request in the order of the first analysis request item and the second analysis request item,
When planning the analysis of the second analysis request item in the first sample analysis request, if the reaction port of the second analysis unit is full, the computer executes the second analysis request in the first sample analysis request. The analysis plan for the second analysis request item is put on hold and the analysis plan for the second sample analysis request is started , and at the time of the analysis plan for the second analysis request item for the second sample analysis request, If the reaction port is vacant, implementing an analysis plan for the second analysis request item in the second sample analysis request;
An analysis method characterized by In claim 13 ,
When planning the analysis of the second analysis request item in the second sample analysis request, if the reaction port of the second analysis unit is full, the computer executes the second analysis request in the second sample analysis request. The analysis plan for the analysis request item is put on hold,
After implementing the analysis plan for the sample analysis request for the third sample, the computer selects a sample analysis request for implementing the analysis plan, if the reaction port of the second analysis unit is vacant. , implementing an analysis plan for the second analysis request item in a sample analysis request for a sample with a high sample priority among the first sample and the second sample;
An analysis method characterized by

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