JPH01134260A - Biochemical analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable high-speed processing with a biochemical analyzer using a long-sized test film by specifying the length of an incubator and the distance from the inlet of the incubator to a measuring means to suitable lengths and moving the film back and forth. CONSTITUTION:A sample is spotted by a spotting nozzle 15 onto the long-sized test film 3 and the film is intermittently fed by a length l each into the incubator 55 and the degree of the coloration thereof is measured by the measuring means 57. The length L of the incubator 55 and the distance M from the inlet of the incubator 55 to the measuring means 57 are specified to equation I and equation II [where (nt+1) is the max. integer without exceeding nt+1] when the time required for the incubation is designated as (t) and the number of spotting times per unit time as (n). The film 3 is moved back and forth in such a manner that the spotted part comes to the position of the measuring means 57. The time for the incubation is thereby prevented from hindering the high-speed processing regardless of an end point method and speed method.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Industrial Application Field) The present invention involves spotting a test liquid onto a test film having one or multiple reagent layers, maintaining the temperature at a constant temperature (incubation) for a predetermined period of time, and Or, after completion of the test, the degree of color development due to the reaction between the reagent and the test liquid (
The present invention relates to a biochemical analyzer for measuring the degree of pigment formation, and particularly to a biochemical analyzer suitable for high-speed processing.

(Prior Art) Qualitative or quantitative analysis of specific chemical components in a test liquid is a commonly performed operation in various industrial fields. In particular, quantitative analysis of chemical components or formed components in biological body fluids such as blood and urine is extremely important in the field of clinical biochemistry.

In recent years, dry type chemical analysis slides have been developed that can quantitatively analyze specific chemical components or formed components contained in a test liquid by simply applying small droplets of the test liquid ( Special Publication No. 53-21877, Japanese Patent Publication No. 55
-184356, etc.), has been put into practical use.

There is. Using these chemical analysis slides, it is possible to analyze sample liquids more easily and quickly than conventional wet analysis methods, so they are especially useful for medical institutions that need to analyze a large number of test liquids. , research institutes, etc.

In order to quantitatively analyze the chemical components in a test liquid using such a chemical analysis slide, the test liquid is placed on the chemical analysis slide in a measured amount and then placed in an incubator. The temperature is maintained (incubated) for a predetermined period of time to cause a color reaction (pigment formation reaction), and then the measurement includes wavelengths preselected by a combination of the components in the test liquid and the reagents contained in the reagent layer of the chemical analysis slide. The chemical analysis slide is irradiated with a specific irradiation light and its reflected optical density is measured.

In medical institutions, research laboratories, etc., it is necessary to analyze a large number of test liquids, so it is desirable to be able to perform the above-mentioned analyzes automatically and continuously. For this reason, various proposals have been made regarding chemical analyzers that can automatically and continuously analyze test liquids using the above-mentioned chemical analysis slides (for example, JP-A-56-77746). issue). In addition, as a means of automatically and continuously analyzing the test liquid, a long tape-shaped test film containing a reagent is used instead of the slide described above, and the test film is pulled out one by one and spotted in turn. Devices for incubation and measurement have also been proposed (e.g., U.S. Patent Section 3.528.48).
Q statement).

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) When chemical analysis slides are used, one slide is used for one measurement, so it is necessary to use a large number of slides to automatically and continuously measure the test liquid. There are problems in that the equipment has to be handled more complicated, larger, and more expensive. Also, using a long tape-shaped test film is convenient for automatic and continuous measurement, but
Even if the test film is spotted one after another, it takes a long time to keep it at a constant temperature in the incubator. After the test film is inserted into the incubator, it is necessary to take measures such as slowing down the transport speed of the test film, which poses a problem in high-speed processing.

The present invention uses a long test film in the form of a long tape, which is convenient for automatic and continuous measurement, and
Provides a biochemical analyzer that solves the above problems and can continuously spot a test liquid on a long test film, incubate it, and measure it without incubation time interfering with high-speed processing. The purpose is to

(Means for solving the problem) The present invention involves spotting a liquid to be tested on a long test film,
Thereafter, in a biochemical analyzer that incubates in an incubator and measures the degree of coloration of the spotted portion using a measuring means, the length required for one spotting on a long test film is 9J [cm]. The incubation time is t [iln,], and the number of spottings per unit time is n [times/aki].
n, ] , the largest integer not exceeding n t + l [n
t+1], where L [cm] is the length of the incubator in the transport direction of the long test film, L≧29.・[n t + 1] ・=(1) The incubator is configured to have a length that satisfies the following, and the distance to the measuring means, measured from the entrance to the exit of the long test film of the incubator, is M[ cm], then 0,・[nt+1] ≦M≦L-min・[nt+
The measuring means is arranged at a position that satisfies the following: (21), and the test film conveying means transports at least a portion of the long test film inside the incubator for a length of 9 JCcmE at the exit of the incubator. The device is characterized in that it is moved forward intermittently in the direction of the optical density, and when measuring optical density, it is moved back and forth so that the spotted area is moved to the position of the measuring means.

(Function) In the biochemical analyzer of the present invention, the test film transport means transports the portion of the long test film inside the incubator.
Normally, the incubator is intermittently advanced in the direction of the exit of the incubator by the distance required for one spotting [ca+], but when measuring the optical density, Since the spotted part of the long test film is moved back and forth to the position of the measuring means, each of the plurality of spots on the long test film is When a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of incubation, the predetermined spotting location can be moved to the position of the measuring means and the measurement can be performed. Furthermore, the present invention provides an incubator with L≧2l [nt+
[nt+1]
≦M≦L− Because it is placed at the position [nt+1], the spotting point on the long test film will not come out of the incubator even if it is moved for the above measurement.
It will continue to be incubated.

In this specification, the incubation time t
[cal is the length of one spot [cm]
is defined as the time that the partial body is stored in the incubator.

With this configuration, the optical density can be measured not only by the end point method, which measures after incubation for a predetermined period of time, but also by the rate method, which measures the optical density multiple times during incubation and examines the change in concentration. It is also possible to carry out continuous processing at high speed.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a biochemical analyzer according to the present invention.

The biochemical analyzer 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a transparent lid 2. Open this ¥i2 and insert the test liquid described below, a long test film 3 in the form of a long tape, etc. into the apparatus.
It is designed to be housed within or taken out from the device 1. This device 1 is equipped with a test liquid storage means 4 that stores test liquids such as serum and urine in a circular arrangement. It is taken out by the spotting means 5 and spotted on the test film 3. The long test film 3 is available in multiple types depending on the measurement item, such as containing a reagent that shows a color reaction with only the specific chemical component or tangible component that you want to measure in the test liquid. has been done. The unused portion of this long test film 3 is stored in the film supply cassette 7.
The portion used for the above measurements is wound within the film winding cassette 8. At one end of the film winding cassette 8, for example, a bar code 9 indicates the lot number 2 of the long test film 3, the specified items, the expiration date, etc.

Film winding cassette 8 and film supply cassette 7
At the center of each of the reels 10 and 10', there is a motor for pulling out the long test film 3 from the film supply cassette 7 after storing the long test film 3 in the apparatus 1, as described later. A hole 11 that engages the rotating shaft. A hole 11' is provided which engages with the rotating shaft of a motor for rewinding the long test film pulled out from the film supply cassette 7 into the film supply cassette 7. The long test film 3 is stored in the device 1 while being wound around a cassette 7.8. The film supply cassette 7 and the film winding cassette 8 are separated as shown in this figure. Test film storage means 12 so that multiple items can be measured simultaneously using this device 1
is configured to accommodate unused portions of a plurality of long test films 3 in parallel. The spotting means 5 has a spotting nozzle 5 at its tip, is moved in the direction in which the rail 1B extends by a moving means 17 placed on the rail 16, takes out the test liquid from the test liquid storage means 4, and This is spotted onto a long test film 3 pulled out from inside the test film storage means 12 by a test film transport means to be described later. Furthermore, the moving means 17 is configured to be able to move the spotting means 5 in the vertical direction as well, and when the moving means 17 moves the spotting means 5 in the left-right direction along which the rail 1B extends, This spotting means is in an elevated position, and is lowered when taking out the test liquid, spotting it, and cleaning as described later.

After spotting the long test film 3, the spotting nozzle 15 is cleaned by a nozzle cleaning section 18 disposed between the test film accommodating means 12 and the test liquid accommodating means 4 in close proximity to both. Reused for next spotting.

The spotted long test film 3 is incubated in an incubator as described later 1,
n1 is determined by the measuring means.

Control of the operation of the entire device, processing of measurement data, etc. are performed by a circuit section 19 and a computer 20 connected to this circuit section 19.
This is done by An operation/display section 21 provided on the front side of the circuit section 19 is equipped with a power switch for the device 1, an ammeter for monitoring current consumption in the device 1, and the like. The computer 20 includes a keyboard 22 for giving instructions to the device 1, a CRT display 23 for displaying auxiliary information for instructions, measurement results, etc., a printer 24 for printing out measurement results, and a keyboard 24 for giving various instructions to the device 1. A floppy disk device 25 that accommodates a floppy disk for storing commands, measurement result data, etc.
is provided.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the main parts of the biochemical analyzer 1 whose perspective view is shown in FIG.

The test film storage means 12 is configured such that the spotting positions 41 of all the long test films 3 pulled out from therein are lined up on a straight line shown by a dashed line in the figure, and furthermore, the nozzle cleaning is arranged on this straight line. portion 18 and the test liquid take-out position 40a in the test liquid storage means 4 are arranged. By arranging the above-mentioned positions and the nozzle cleaning section 18 on a straight line in this way, the structure of the moving means described later is simplified, which leads to fewer failures and lower costs of the apparatus 1.

The test liquid storage means 4 is configured to store a plurality of sample cups filled with the test liquid in a storage section 40 arranged in a substantially circular shape. A sensor is attached to each storage position of the storage section 40 to detect whether or not a sample cup is stored, and when this sensor detects that a sample cup is stored, the sample cup is stored. The fact that the liquid has been sampled and the storage position thereof are transmitted to the computer 20 via the circuit section 19 shown in FIG. A sound prompts you to enter ID information, instructions on what items to analyze for the test liquid, etc.) from the keyboard 22,
CR can be detected by notifying the worker with light, etc., or without any special warning.
Information and instructions to be entered on the T-display are displayed. In this way, when the sample cup is stored in the storage section 40, the storage position is automatically detected,
In addition, by prompting the user to input information and instructions regarding the liquid to be tested in the sample cup, it is possible to prevent erroneous input or forgetting input. Furthermore, when the sensor detects that the sample cup has been taken out from the storage section 40 before the test liquid is taken out for measurement by the indicator means 5 from inside the sample cup once set,
A warning will be issued to the operator.

In addition, this test liquid storage means 4 has a configuration in which a storage section 40 arranged in a circular shape is rotated, and the test liquid stored in this storage section 40 is used for the next measurement. It is automatically rotated by a rotating means (not shown) so that the test liquid to be used is located at the take-out position 40a. In order to prevent the liquid to be tested stored in the storage section 40 from deteriorating in quality due to evaporation, a lid (not shown) is placed over the storage section 40 other than the take-out position 40a.

The spotting means 5 is moved in the direction in which the rail extends by a moving means 17 mounted on the rail 1B, takes out the liquid to be tested from the takeout position 40a, and spots it on the long test film 3 at the spotting position 41.

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view taken along line xx' in FIG. 2 of the biochemical analyzer 1 whose perspective view is shown in FIG. 1. 1st
Components that are the same as those in the figures and FIG. 2 are given the same numbers.

The long test film 3 is housed in this apparatus while being housed in the film supply cassette 7 and the film winding cassette 8. The film supply cassette 7 is housed in a cold storage 50 constituting the test film storage means 12, and the film winding cassette 8 is housed in a winding chamber 51.

Since the unused portion of the long test film 3 is thus stored in the film supply cassette 7, the unused long test film 3 can be stored in the test film storage means 12 without being touched.

At one end of the film winding cassette 8, as mentioned above, the loft number of the long test film 3 is displayed.

For example, a barcode 9 is attached with information such as an individual number, measurement items, expiration date, etc., and the position corresponding to the barcode 9 when this film winding cassette 8 is stored in the winding chamber 51 is attached. barcode reading means 5 provided in
2, the information written in this barcode 9 is read. This read information is stored, for example, in a floppy disk in the floppy disk device 25 shown in FIG.
It is used for managing the remaining length of unused film remaining in the test film 3, correcting errors in measurement values due to variations between lots of the long test film 3, and the like. Also, even if the long test film 3 is used halfway and is removed from the device 1, the first
Unless an erasure command is entered from the keyboard 22 shown in the figure or automatic erasure is performed due to expiration of the long test film 3, etc., the floppy disk will contain the individual number of the long test film 3. Since the remaining length of the unused film is stored, the long test film 3 is stored in the test film storage means 12 again for reuse.
When the long test film 3 is stored in the floppy disk, the individual number of the long test film 3 that has been rehoused is compared with the information stored in the floppy disk, and the unused remaining length of the long test film 3 is managed again. Ru.

The above-mentioned barcode 9 may be attached to the film supply cassette 7, and the barcode reading means 52 may be provided inside the cold storage 50. Further, the means for transmitting information such as the lot number and expiration date of the long test film 3 to the device 1 is not limited to the above-mentioned barcode and barcode reading means 52, but also the film supply cassette 7 or the film winding cassette. Any means may be used as long as it is possible to record information on the test film 8 and read the information when the long test film 3 is housed in the apparatus 1.

The cold storage 50 is surrounded by a cold storage wall 54 made of a heat insulating material, and a cooling/dehumidifying device 58 is installed on one side of the cold storage wall 54 to keep the inside of the cold storage 50 at a predetermined low temperature and low humidity. This allows the air inside the cold storage 50 to be circulated.

Film winding cassette 8 and film supply cassette 7
are stored in the winding chamber 51 and the cold storage 50, respectively,
A hole 1 provided in the center of the reel 10.10' in the film winding cassette 8 and the film supply cassette 7.
1.11', the rotating shafts of the test film winding motor 53 and the test film rewinding motor 53', which constitute the test film transport means, respectively, are engaged, and the rotation of both motors 53 and 53' is accordingly The length test film 3 is passed from the film supply cassette 7 to the drawer opening 49 of the cold storage 50, for example, for the time 1 required for one spotting.
/ n [mln,] the length required for one spotting is 9J
rcml is intermittently pulled out and wound onto the film winding cassette 8, and if necessary, the long test film 3 that was previously pulled out from the film supply cassette 7 is rewound into the film supply cassette 7 again.

The spotting means 5 is provided with a thin tube 43 that communicates with the tip 15a of the spotting nozzle 15 of the spotting means 5, and this tube 43 is further connected to a flexible tube 4.
Through these tubes 43 and 44, the test liquid is transferred into the spotting means 5 and spotted onto the long test film 3. When cleaning the spotting nozzle 15, the tip 15a of the spotting nozzle 15 is immersed in a small container filled with distilled water placed in the nozzle cleaning section 18, and these tubes 44 A cleaning liquid contained in a tank (not shown) is discharged through the .43.

In the vicinity of this spotting nozzle 15, a liquid level detector 45 is provided in parallel with this nozzle 15. This liquid level detector 45 has its tip 45a at the tip 1 of the dotting nozzle 15.
5a (for example, the difference in height is about 2.5 cm), and the spotting means 5 is attached to the moving means in order to take out the test liquid stored in the test liquid storage means 4. 17, the tip 15a of the spotting nozzle 15 is immersed in the liquid to be inspected, and a signal from the liquid level detector 45 indicating that the tip 45a of the liquid level detector 45 has come into contact with the liquid to be inspected is received. This signal is transmitted to the circuit section 19 shown in FIG. 1 through the signal line 4B, and is used to stop the lowering of the spotting means 5 based on this signal. By doing so, the tip 15a of the spotting nozzle 15 can be immersed at a constant depth from the surface of the liquid to be tested regardless of the amount of the liquid to be tested.

The exposed portion of the long test film 3 between the film supply cassette 7 and the film winding cassette 8 is placed in an incubator 55 whose interior is maintained at a predetermined temperature (for example, 37° C.).
It is installed so that it passes between the Incubator 55
A measuring means 57 for measuring the optical density due to the color reaction between the long test film 3 and the liquid to be tested is arranged at the lower part of the test film 3 .

The length L [ca+] of the incubator 55 in the transport direction of the long test film 3 is determined as follows.

FIG. 4 shows the required incubation time t[l1i
n,], the length L' of the incubator 55 required when the spotted portion of the long test film 3 is intermittently and sequentially conveyed from the inlet to the outlet of the incubator.
cIn]. The long test film 3 has a length of 9J [cal] required for one dotting.
It is transported intermittently.

The shaded area in this figure is the part that was spotted once (length 9
2 shows the temporal movement of JIca+] in the incubator. In this intermittent movement, each stop period of the long test film 3 is τ
1 [+nin',], after the stop time ends and the long test film 3 starts moving, the distance exemption [cIR]
Assuming that the time required for each movement to stop at the next stop position after moving by ...(3) becomes. Therefore, the number of dots per minute n [times/m
ln,] becomes τ1+τ2 τ.

The incubation time t [min,] is determined as follows. Length of spotting, Q, lca]
The origin is the time when the entire portion was brought into the incubator. After repeating stop-movement several times from this origin time, the time to the end of the final stop time τL [cmln,] is defined as the incubation time t [min,]. Here, the length is 9J[Cl
The time during which the entire part [11] is housed in the incubator is called the incubation time, or the length [
If even a portion of the length JL[ca] is housed in the incubator, it is simply a matter of definition whether this time is referred to as incubation time. The incubation time t is the time stored in
It is defined as [cm+In,]. In addition, since the color reaction caused by incubation is a continuous reaction, even if the time from the start of incubation to the time of measurement of the color reaction changes slightly, it can be corrected on the 71#1 constant data. As shown in the figure, the origin is the point when the entire part of the length corresponding to the length [iln] where spotting was performed is stored in the incubator, and the stopping time τ1 [iln, ] after repeating stopping and moving several times. The time t until the end time to
There is no loss of generality even if [iin, ] is used as the incubation time. If the above definition is changed,
Each formula expressed in this specification will be changed according to changes in definition.

As shown in the dashed line in FIG. 4, the transport speed v [cm/ts l n, ] of the long test film is
m - m 1-view (5) Assuming that it is continuously transported so that τ, the long test film is spotted for an incubation time t [min,] In order for the entire part of the length immunity [cIR] to be accommodated in the incubator, the length L' [3] of the incubator must be ≧v−t+
1-(nt+1) ・Exemption... (6) must be satisfied.

However, with this device, as mentioned above, the long test film is stopped for the time τ1 [cm+in,] and is intermittently conveyed so that it moves only for the time τ2 [cm+in,], so the necessary The length L'[Cl11] of the incubator is expressed as [nt+11, which is the largest integer not exceeding nt+1, and it is sufficient to satisfy the following equation (7): L'≧[nt+11 .

Therefore, the incubator 55 is L'≧[nt+1]
・The measuring means 57 has a length of M-[nt 11]
- If placed at position 2, the incubator 55 can accommodate all the spotting points where spotting has been performed, and the above-mentioned end point method allows the incubator 55 to be placed at position 2 for a predetermined time t [mln,
] After incubation, the spotting location can be measured by the measuring means 57.

By the way, when measuring using the rate method described above, the measurement must be performed before incubation for a predetermined time t. For this purpose, the long test film 3 is conveyed to the film winding cassette 8 side by the motors 5B and 53' so that the predetermined spotting point is placed at a position corresponding to the measuring means 57. In this case, it is necessary that the spotting spots that were spotted before the predetermined spotting spot and that still need to be measured must continue to be accommodated in the incubator and continue to be incubated. For this purpose, the incubator 55 is connected to the winding chamber 5 from the measuring means 57.
1 side also needs to have a length L' expressed by equation 3. Therefore, the length [cIR] of the incubator 55 in the transport direction of the long test film 3 is L≧2.
#L′ ≧2i−[nt+1]−(8).

Distance M [cI
Ii] is determined as follows.

In order to accommodate all the spotting points sequentially placed in the incubator on the side of the film supply cassette 7 from the measuring means 57, the measuring means 57 must satisfy the condition that M≧[nt+11 −
...It is necessary to place it in the position (9). In addition, in order for all of the above-mentioned spotting locations to be accommodated in the incubator on the side of the film winding cassette 8 from the measuring means 57, the measuring means 57 has the following formula: M≦L − [nt +1] ・Q, ・− =
It is necessary to place it in position (10). Both formulas (9),
In order to simultaneously satisfy (10), L − [nt+1] ``Q+≦M≦[nt+1] 'Q
+...(11)

The test film conveying means is constituted by a motor 53 and a motor 53', and the long test film 3 is provided so as to be able to reciprocate, the incubator 55 is constituted with a length that satisfies the equation (8), and the 1111 constant means 57 By arranging the
In addition to being able to cope with the situation where the liquid is determined, it is also possible to carry out spotting, incubation, and measurement at high speed and continuously.

Since the long test film 3 is measured while moving in this way, it is not possible to measure multiple locations at the same time. However, when measuring by the end point method, it is only necessary to measure sequentially at the same period as the period of sequential spotting, so there is no need to measure multiple locations at the same time. Furthermore, even when measuring using the velocity method, even if it is not possible to measure multiple spots at the same time, the change due to the color reaction progresses continuously over time, so even if the measurement time is slightly different, the measurement data will not change. It can be corrected with.

The measuring means 57' is arranged so as to measure the fog density at the spotting position 61 before spotting, and the measuring means 57' is arranged after spotting and incubation based on this measured value.
It is also possible to configure the measurement accuracy to be improved by correcting the measured value.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are diagrams showing how spotting was performed on the long test film 3.

FIG. 5A shows that multiple types of long test films are lined up in the device corresponding to multiple measurement items, and even if the measurement corresponding to the long test film 3 shown in this figure is not carried out, the long test films are The period τ [l
1 inch,] intermittently every 9. An example is shown in which the paper is configured to be transported by [cm]. This τ[m1
n,] has a relationship of τ-1/n with the above-mentioned n [times/l1in,].

As described above, the long test film 3 shown in FIG. 5A is conveyed from right to left in the figure at every predetermined period τ [min,]. The long test film 3 pulled out from the film supply cassette 7 is spotted at the spotting position B1, and then transported into the incubator 55 where it is incubated.

As mentioned above, the length of the incubator 55 is L≧
The distance M to the measuring means 57 is L-Q, [nt+1]≦M≦min.[
It is within the range of nt+11. The long test film 3 is
Arrow A shown in the figure by the test film transport means,
is reciprocated in the B direction, and a predetermined spotting spot among the plurality of spotting spots 62 is moved to a position corresponding to the measuring means 57,
The optical density of this spot is measured.

In addition, as described above, the optical density at the spotting position 61 is
It is desirable to arrange a measuring means 57' to measure the fog density at the spotting position 61 before spotting.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the predetermined period τ[n
If the apparatus is configured so that the long test film 3 is conveyed every + in, ], incubation can be carried out for a predetermined period of time without using a speed method that determines multiple optical densities during incubation. If only the end point method is used, in which the test film 3 is sequentially conveyed only in the direction of the film winding cassette, the measurement means 57 may sequentially measure the test film 3. , unused portions 63 occur in the long test film 3, and the usage efficiency of the long test film 3 decreases. In addition, when using the velocity method, the long test film 3 is required to reciprocate even in the case shown in FIG. 5A. In this case, each time one measurement is completed, the latest spotting point 82 on the long test film 3 (including the unused spot B3 because it was transported without being spotted) is located closest to the entrance of the incubator 55. It moves to a nearby position 82a and enters a standby state. When a new spotting is performed at the spotting position 61, or when a predetermined period τ[*ln,] has elapsed without spotting because no measurement is performed corresponding to this long test film 3. , the long test film 3 is transported by the test film transport means in the direction of the film winding cassette 8 by a length of [cml],
It will go into standby mode again. During this time, when it is time to measure a predetermined spot, this predetermined spot is moved to a position corresponding to the measuring means 57 and n1 determination is performed, and after each measurement, it is placed in a standby state. Return to

FIG. 5B shows the long test film 3 when measurements corresponding to the long test film 3 shown in this figure are not carried out.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example in which the apparatus is configured to stand by at that position without being transported.

The same reference numerals as in FIG. 5A are given, and detailed explanation will be omitted.

In this case, the long test film 3 may be waiting for a while without being conveyed, so when determining n1 using the end point method, for example, when the spotting point is at position 62b shown in the figure, the predetermined The incubation time may end, in which case the spotting point at this position 82b is moved to a position corresponding to the measuring means 57 and a measurement is performed.

After the predetermined spotting point is moved to the position corresponding to the measuring means 57 and measured, the long test film 3 is moved so that the latest spotting spot comes to the position 62a and becomes in a standby state, as described in Section 5A. This is the same as the case shown in the figure. However, unlike the case of FIG. 5A, in the case of this FIG. 5B, if no new spotting is performed at the spotting position 61 because no measurement is made for this long test film 3, This long test film 3 is not transported and remains in its current standby state.

In this way, in the present invention, since the long test film 3 is provided so as to be movable back and forth, it is possible to perform measurements using the velocity method. Further, in both the end point method and the speed method, by adopting a control method corresponding to FIG. 5B, it is possible to maximize the usage efficiency of the long test film 3.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the biochemical analyzer of the present invention. The same members as in FIG. 3 are given the same numbers, and their explanations will be omitted.

Film supply cassette 7 for this long test film 3
The exposed portion between the film winding cassette 8 and the film winding cassette 8 passes between rollers 71 . It is installed like this. Furthermore, this long test film 3 is placed in an incubator 55.
After exiting, it passes between rollers 75, 76, is hung on gravity roller 80, and is further mounted so as to pass between rollers 77, 78.

A rotating shaft of a motor (not shown) is attached to the roller 71. On the other hand, unlike FIG. 3, no motor is attached to the film supply cassette 7. The motor 61 rotates in a direction to draw out the long test film 3 housed in the film supply cassette 7, and is controlled so that the gravity roller 79 is within a predetermined height range.

A rotary shaft of a motor (not shown) that can rotate forward and backward is attached to the roller 75, and the roller 75 and the roller 73 are connected so as to simultaneously transport the long test film 3 in the same direction for the same length. There is.

This motor rotates in the forward or reverse direction, and a predetermined spotting position is conveyed to a position corresponding to the measuring means 57. By this conveyance, the long test film 3 is transferred to the incubator 55.
The parts conveyed out are temporarily accommodated in the position of the lowered gravity roller 79 or 80, one of which is lowered and the other of which is raised.

The portion of the long test film 3 on which the measurement has been completed is wound into the film winding cassette 8 by the motor 53 which engages with the hole 11 provided in the center of the reel lO of the film winding cassette 8.

As in this embodiment, the portion of the long test film 3 in the incubator 55 only needs to be provided so that it can reciprocate, and the entire long test film 3 does not need to be moved back and forth.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained in detail above, the present invention is capable of spotting a test liquid on a long test film, incubating it in an incubator, and coloring the spotted portion using a measuring means. In a biochemical analyzer that measures the degree of oxidation, the length of the incubator in the transport direction of the long test film L [zco] is configured such that L ≧ 2QJ · [nt + 1], and the incubator is The distance M[1] to the measuring means is fl・[nt+1] ≦M≦L−Q, O[nt+1
A measuring means is disposed at a position where When measuring optical density, the spotted part is moved back and forth to the position of the measuring means, so the incubation time does not interfere with high-speed processing and the long test film can be The liquid to be tested can be continuously spotted on top, incubated, and measured. In addition, the end point method is used because the long test film can be moved back and forth.

The efficiency of using long test films can be maximized regardless of the speed method.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the biochemical analyzer according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a plan view of the main parts of the biochemical analyzer shown in perspective in FIG. 1; FIG. is a cross-sectional view along the line xx' in Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is
Figures 5A and 5B are diagrams showing the temporal movement of the spotted part within the incubator.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the biochemical analyzer according to the present invention. 1.1'... Biochemical analyzer 3... Long test film 4... Test liquid storage means 5... Point loading means 7... Film supply cassette 8... Film winding Cassette 9... Barcode 12... Test film storage means 15... Spotting nozzle 17... Moving means 18... Nozzle cleaning section 40... Storage section 40a...・Tested liquid extraction position 41...Point arrival position 43.44...
・Tube 45...Liquid level detection meter 50...Cold storage 51...Reeling chamber '52...Barcode reading means 55...Incubator 57...Measurement means 58... Cooling dehumidifier 8
1...Point arrival position 62...Point arrival location 71-78
...Roller -79,80...Gravity roller Fig. 1

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A test liquid storage means for storing a test liquid, a test film storage means for storing a long test film containing a reagent that reacts with the test liquid to cause an optical density change, and this test film. A test film transport means that sequentially pulls out the long test film stored in the storage means, and a test film transport means that takes out the test liquid stored in the test liquid storage means from the test film storage means on the long test film. a spotting means for spotting a predetermined amount at the pulled-out position; an incubator for keeping the spotted portion of the long test film at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time; In a biochemical analyzer having a measuring means for irradiating a portion with light and measuring the optical density resulting from the reaction, the length required for one spotting on the long test film is l [cm], and the predetermined time is t[min. ],
The number of times the spotting is performed per unit time is n [times/
min. ], the largest integer not exceeding nt+1 [nt+
1], the incubator is configured to have a length that satisfies L≧2l·[nt+1], where L [cm] is the length of the long test film in the transport direction of the incubator, and The distance to the measuring means measured from the entrance to the exit of the long test film is M
[cm], the measuring means is disposed at a position that satisfies l·[nt+1]≦M≦L−l·[nt+1], and the test film conveying means is configured to transport at least one of the long test films. The part inside the incubator has the length l [cm]
The incubator is moved intermittently in the direction of the exit of the incubator, and when the optical density is measured, the spotted part is moved back and forth to the position of the measuring means. A biochemical analyzer featuring: