JPH0288946A - Chemical analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To allow transportation of an analysis slide upon automatic recognition of the completion of sample dropping and to eliminate the need for a key operation by measuring the optical density of the analysis slide at the time of dropping the sample. CONSTITUTION:The optical density of the analysis slide 1 is measured by a measuring means F at the time of dropping the sample. The analysis slide 1 is supplied to a photometric section side by a slide transporting means 7 when the drop of the sample is recognized. The completion of the drop is automatically recognized in this way, by which the transportation of the analysis slide 1 is enabled and the need for the key operation, etc., is eliminated; in addition, the failure of the measurement by a key operation error is prevented. An inspector is able to exactly recognize the completion regardless of whether a pipetter P is automatic or manual if the inspector uses this apparatus.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] This invention relates to a chemical analysis apparatus using an analysis slide.

[Conventional technology] In biochemical analysis, for example GOT%GPT.

There are devices that allow multiple biochemical tests including glucose, urea nitrogen, etc.

As such a biochemical test, a method of rapid measurement using an analysis slide is known, and the present applicant has previously developed a simple structural We also have a pair of chemical analyzers that enable quick and accurate measurement and testing.

This measurement method using analysis slides is quick and can perform sufficient tests with a small amount of liquid sample, so it is used, for example, in clinical chemistry tests that use precious body fluids such as blood. It is preferably used for chemically analyzing the presence or absence of a specific component in the blood, its content, etc. by dropping it and measuring the reflection density.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In a chemical analyzer that performs chemical analysis such as quantitative or qualitative measurement by dropping a sample onto an analysis slide, an examiner uses a manual pipetter to remove the sample. By dropping the sample and pressing a key indicating the completion of dropping, the completion of dropping the sample is recognized, and the analysis slide is transported to the photometry section for chemical analysis, for example, to the constant temperature section.

By the way, the analysis slide on which the sample has been dropped needs to be promptly transported to the photometry section, but manual operation by the examiner is likely to cause operational errors, and for example, insertion into the constant temperature section may be delayed. It may be necessary to cover the sample with a device to prevent evaporation.

This invention was made in view of the above, and by measuring the optical density of the analytical slide when dropping the sample, it automatically recognizes the completion of dropping and enables the transport of the analytical slide, eliminating the need for key operations. By preventing measurement failures due to key operation errors, it is possible to accurately recognize the completion of dropping regardless of whether the table or pipetter used by the inspector is automatic or manual. It is an object of the present invention to provide a chemical analysis device that does not require high precision in the optical density measuring means used to recognize the completion of dropping by recognizing the completion of dropping from the difference in optical density afterward.

[Means for Solving Problem 1] In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a chemical analysis apparatus that drops a sample onto an analysis slide and performs a chemical analysis of the sample. is measured, the dropping of the sample is recognized from this optical density, and the analysis slide on which the sample has been dropped is supplied to the photometry section.

Further, in the present invention, dropping of the sample can be recognized from the optical density of the analysis slide before dropping the sample and the optical density of the analysis slide after dropping the sample.

Furthermore, in the present invention, it is possible to measure the change in optical density of the analysis slide after dropping the sample, and to recognize the completion of dropping from the amount of change per unit time.

Further, in the present invention, the optical density measuring means for measuring the optical density of the analytical slide when dropping the sample can be used in common with the optical density measuring means for measuring the optical density of the analytical slide for performing chemical analysis.

Further, in the present invention, when measuring the optical density of an analysis slide for chemical analysis, it is possible to block the light beam from the sample dropping part or the signal after photoelectric conversion.

[Function] In the present invention, the optical density of the analysis slide is measured when the sample is dropped, and when the dropping of the sample is recognized, the analysis slide is supplied to the photometry section. As a result, the completion of dropping is automatically recognized and the analysis slide can be transported.

This eliminates the need for key operations, prevents measurement failures due to key operation errors, and allows the inspector to accurately recognize the completion of dripping, regardless of whether the pipettor is automatic or manual. can.

Moreover, in addition to this invention, before the dropping of the sample.

If the dropping of the sample is recognized from the difference in optical density of the analysis slide after the dropping of the sample, the optical density measuring means used to recognize the completion of dropping does not require high accuracy.

In addition, in this invention, if the change in optical density of the analysis slide is measured and the completion of dropping is recognized from the amount of change per unit time, the timing of completion of dropping can be accurately known, and the photometry section can can be transported quickly.

Furthermore, in the present invention, if the optical density measuring means for measuring the optical density of the analytical slide when dropping the sample is shared with the optical density measuring means for measuring the optical density of the analytical slide for performing chemical analysis, it is possible to Sharing can reduce equipment costs. In this case, 1. When measuring the optical density of an analysis slide for chemical analysis, it is preferable to block the light beam from the sample droplet or the signal after photoelectric conversion, as this simplifies the process.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of this invention will be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the chemical analyzer, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the sample dripping part of the chemical analyzer,'! Figure J3 is a diagram showing the optical density of the analysis slide.

The chemical analyzer drops a sample onto the analysis slide 1, measures the change in color density due to the reaction, and chemically analyzes the presence or absence of a specific component in the sample. A part B, a sample dropping part C1, a photometry part, and a slide discharge N5E are provided.

Slide supply section A The slide supply section A supplies the analysis slide 1 to the constant temperature section B, and is designed to insert the analysis slide 1 in a fixed direction. The analysis slides 1 may be inserted one by one manually, or an automatic feeding means may be provided to automatically and continuously feed them.

Constant Temperature Section B The constant temperature section B is for keeping the analysis slide 1 on which the sample has been dropped at a predetermined temperature so that the color density change due to the reaction of the sample is carried out appropriately. In this constant temperature section B, for example, a disk is rotatably provided, and a plurality of slide storage chambers 2 having an insertion opening toward the outside of the disk are formed. Slide 1 is stored.

As the disk rotates, the analysis slide 1 is transported to the sample dropping section C1, the photometry section D, and the slide ejecting section E in this order.

Sample dropping part C The analysis slide 1 is moved from the slide storage chamber 2 of the constant temperature section B to the sample dropping part C, and by opening the shutter 3 here, the examiner drops the sample onto the analysis slide 1 with a pipetter P. . This dropping of the sample may be performed automatically by a dropping mechanism.

When the dropping is completed, the analysis slide 1 is again stored in the slide storage N2 of the constant temperature section B and transported.

This sample dropping section C is equipped with an optical density measuring means F for measuring the optical density of the analysis slide 1 when dropping the sample. This optical density measuring means F irradiates light from the light emitting element 4 onto the portion 1a of the analysis slide 1 onto which the sample is dropped,
The reflected light is received by a light receiving element 5 to measure the optical density. Optical information from this light-receiving element 5 is manually inputted to a control means 6, which measures the optical density of the analysis slide 1 when the sample is dropped, and the control means 6 recognizes the dropping of the sample, and the slide transport means 7 The analysis slide 1 onto which the sample has been dropped is moved to slide storage N2 in the constant temperature section B.
It looks like it's going back to normal.

This light emitting element 4 irradiates the analysis ride 1 with a light beam from a direction of approximately 45 degrees, and the light receiving element 5 receives the reflected light in a direction of approximately 90 degrees, but this is an example of a method for measuring reflection density. For example, the light emitting element 4 and the light receiving element 5 may be arranged interchangeably.

Furthermore, the light emitting element 4 is preferably one that emits little or no ultraviolet light, such as a light emitting diode or a laser diode. Further, an optical fiber can be used in place of the light receiving element 5, and the optical fiber can be guided to the light receiving section at an appropriate position and angle.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the reflection density of a chemical analysis slide before and after dropping.

When dropping is complete, the reflection density is greater than the constant density Dt, so dropping of the sample can be recognized from the optical density of the analysis slide.

Also, recognition may be made when the difference between the concentration D1 before dropping and the density D2 after dropping exceeds a certain value, and in this case, the optical density measuring means F used to recognize the completion of dropping requires high accuracy. I won't.

Furthermore, it is not necessary to measure the reflection density continuously over time, and the measurement may be performed at least twice: immediately after the chemical analyzer permits dropping and immediately after prohibiting dropping.

Further, since the difference in density between before and after dropping is typically 0.2 or more, completion of dropping can be recognized even by the optical density measuring means F, which has relatively low accuracy. Further, since the concentration continues to change during dropping, it may be recognized that dropping is completed when the change in concentration per unit time becomes equal to or less than a certain value.

The photometric section measures the change in color density caused by the reaction of the sample dropped onto the analysis slide 1 based on the optical density.

Slide Discharge Portion E The analysis slide 1 whose color density change due to reaction has been measured by the photometry section is conveyed to the slide discharge section E, and is automatically discharged from the slide discharge section E. Further, in addition to the slide ejecting section E, a separate slide ejecting section may be provided for ejecting, for example, an erroneously inserted analysis slide 1 before dropping the sample.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment. In this embodiment, the optical density measuring means F, which measures the optical density of the analytical slide 1 when the sample is dropped, is an optical fiber 8 that measures the optical density of the analytical slide 1 in order to perform quantitative or qualitative measurement of the substance in the sample. It is connected to the light receiving section 9 of the concentration measuring means G. This optical density measuring means G guides light from a light source 10 to a light receiving section 9 through an optical fiber 11, and sends it to a control means 6. The control means confirms the dropping of the sample on the analysis slide 1 from the optical density at the time of dropping based on the optical information from the light receiving section 9, and drives the slide conveying means 7.

Further, the control means 6 performs arithmetic processing based on the optical density information from the light receiving section 9 and outputs chemical analysis information of the sample via the analysis information output means 12.

In this case, when measuring the optical density of the analysis slide 1 for chemical analysis, the light beam from the sample dropping part C or the signal after photoelectric conversion is blocked, thereby preventing the information processing in the light receiving part 9 and the control means 6. It becomes simple and the measurement accuracy of optical density improves.

By sharing the light receiving section 9 in this way, the optical density measuring means F, which measures the optical density of the analysis slide 1 when dropping a sample, and the optical density measuring means F, which measures the optical density of the analysis slide 1 in order to perform chemical analysis, can be used. The structure with measuring means G is simple,
It is easy to secure space for arrangement, and it is possible to reduce device cost.

A more specific example of the chemical analysis device of this invention is described in the fifth section.
This will be explained in detail based on FIGS. 10 to 10.

Analysis Slide 1 Analysis slide 1 is configured as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and is prepared according to many items including GOT, GPT, glucose, urea nitrogen, etc.

This analysis slide 1 has a through hole 50 for photometry in the recess in the center.
An analytical element 51 containing a reagent is placed in a recess of a mount base 50 having a shape, and a mount cover 52 having a through hole 52a for dropping a sample is placed on top of the element 51 in the center thereof, and is adhered by adhesive means such as ultrasonic waves. ing. Steps 50b are formed on both sides of the mount base 50 to determine the insertion direction, and the surface of the mount cover 52 is provided with an arrow 53a indicating the insertion direction, a measurement item name 53b, and a measurement item for determining the measurement item. An identification code 54 is displayed.

Chemical analyzer This chemical analyzer has at least one reagent layer on a transparent support, and drops blood or serum, etc. onto an analysis slide 1, which causes a change in optical density when a specimen is spotted on it. A reagent is allowed to react under temperature conditions, a change in color density due to the reaction is measured, and this liquid sample is chemically analyzed to determine the presence or absence of a specific component, its content, enzyme activity value, etc.

This chemical analyzer has an external appearance as shown in FIG. 7, and is equipped with a slide supply section A, a constant temperature section B, a sample dropping section C%, a photometry section D, and a slide discharge section E.
A printer section J and an operation section K are provided.

Structure of Chemical Analyzer The structure of this chemical analyzer is shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, and will be described in detail below.

Slide supply unit A When the analysis slide 1 is inserted from the insertion table 130 of the slide supply unit A, the insertion roller 1 driven by the insertion motor 131
32 to the constant temperature section B. Insertion motor 131
are the drive circuit 140 and interface 141 of the control unit M.
It is controlled by the CPU 142, ROM 144, and RAM 145 via the CPU 142, ROM 144, and RAM 145 to rotate only when it is possible to insert the analysis slide 1, and to prohibit insertion of analysis slides 1 exceeding the processing capacity.

Constant Temperature Section B As shown in FIG. Temperature control circuit 143
This is done by driving a heater (not shown) via the . A thermostat is provided as a safety sensor 153 for controlling the temperature to prevent overheating.

Slide Transfer Section N A slide transfer section N is provided at the upper part of the constant temperature section B, and is configured to transfer the analysis slide l in the circumferential direction using a disk 160. That is, the disk 160 has a slide receiving section 161 at its peripheral edge.
A plurality of numerals 61 are formed at equal angles.

Also, one pin 163 is in contact with an eccentric position on the lower surface of the rotary disk 162 whose rotation center is on the outer peripheral edge of the disk 160.
The disk 16 is rotated by the rotation of the rotary disk 162 in the direction of the arrow.
The zero rotation disc 162 that engages and separates from a radial groove 164 formed on the peripheral edge of the zero rotation disc 162 is rotated by a drive motor 165 located above the zero rotation disc 162, and this drive motor 165 is driven by a signal from the drive circuit 140. Then, the disk 160 is rotated.

After turning on the control power switch of the slide transfer section, the disk 160 rotates idly in order to discharge the residual analysis slide, and then the slide receiving section 161 at address 2 is moved to the position corresponding to the slide supply section A. Slide receiving part t6 at this address 2
When the first analysis slide 1 is inserted into t and the slide insertion detection sensor 166 detects the insertion, the analysis slide 1
The insertion completion signal is sent to the CP via the interface 141.
It is input to U142. Based on this output signal, the CPU 142 operates the drive element 65 via the drive circuit 140, advances the disk 160 by one pitch, makes the slide receiving section 161 at address 3 correspond to the slide supply section A, and moves the next analysis slide 1. allows the insertion of At that time, analysis slide 1, which was inserted earlier at address 2, is moved one pitch forward, and then
The disk 16 is temporarily stopped facing the disk address detection sensor 167 and the item identification code reading sensor 168.
Address 0 is read and the measurement item identification code of analysis slide 1 is read. Such operations are sequentially repeated for a predetermined number of analysis slides, and the interface 14
1, the data is processed by the CPU 142, and the disk address and measurement items are stored in the RAM 145.

Sample Dropping Portion C In the sample dripping portion C, a dripping hole 10 is arranged outside the disk 160, and this dripping hole 170 is normally connected to the spring 1.
The shutter 1 is energized by the shutter 1 and is closed by the shutter 2. A slide reciprocating means 1 and 3 is provided inside the disk 160, and the slide extrusion plate +74 is slidable in the radial direction. When the dripping solenoid 175 is energized, the slide push-out plate 174 moves in the direction of arrow a to push out the analysis slide 1 through the link 176 against the spring 1 f7. Since it is pushed against the pressure, the dropping hole 170 is opened, and the analysis slide 1 moves directly below the dropping hole 170, and becomes in a state where the sample can be dropped.

The slide reciprocation assisting means 173 is driven to push out the analysis slide 1 by operating the dropping solenoid 175 by the CPU 142 by pressing the dropping start key when dropping the first sample, but from the next sample dropping, it is automatically driven. 1 It is working.

Additionally, when the dropping of the sample is recognized, the dropping solenoid 17
5 becomes de-energized, the slide pushing plate 174 returns in the direction of the arrow by the action of the spring 177, and the analysis slide 1 on which the sample has been dropped returns to the original slide receiving portion 161.

That is, the sample dropping part C is provided with an optical density measuring means F, which measures the optical density of the analysis slide 1 when dropping the sample, and sends the information to the CPU 14 via the interface 141.
2, the dropping of the sample is recognized from the optical density, and the dropping solenoid 175 is driven to return the analysis slide 1 onto which the sample has been dropped to the slide receiving section 161.

Slide ejecting section E The slide ejecting section E is provided with a slide ejecting means 180 for ejecting the photometrically measured analysis slide 1 out of the apparatus.
This slide extrusion plate 181 moves the slide extrusion plate 181 in the direction of arrow a and extrudes the measured analysis slide 1.
is connected to the discharge solenoid 1133 via a link 182, and the link 182 is urged inward of the disk 160 by a spring 184 at normal times. Discharge solenoid 1
When 83 is energized, the slide pushing plate 181 pushes against the spring 184 and ejects the analysis slide 1 in the slide receiving part 161 to the outside.

Further, when the discharge solenoid 183 is de-energized, the slide extrusion plate 181 returns in the direction indicated by the arrow, and the return of the slide extrusion plate 181 is confirmed by the slide discharge sensor 169. This ejecting operation is continued until all of the analysis slides 1 are ejected.

Optical System 0 This optical system 0 is configured as shown in FIG. 1O, and optically measures the progress or result of a reaction with a reagent contained in the analysis slide 1 by dropping a sample, and changes in color density due to the reaction.

In the irradiation section 190, the light beam generated from the light source 191 passes through a cold filter 192, an interference filter 193, and a lens 194.
, a diaphragm 195 and a lens 196 , this irradiated light beam is further bent through a mirror 197 , passes through a transparent glass 198 , and is irradiated from a condensing unit 199 onto the measurement surface of the analysis slide 1 . This reflected light is guided by an optical fiber 200 and transmitted to a light receiving element 201.

This light-receiving element 201 converts it into an electrical signal, outputs the reflected density, that is, the optical density, and the CPU 142 compares it to a calibration curve created for each measurement item to obtain a measured value, which is printed on a roll of recording paper by the printer section J. be done.

Since the lamp of the light source 191 is not always stable due to changes over time or electrical noise, the caliprecing mechanism Q uses the caliprecing mechanism Q as close as possible before measuring the actual analysis slide. This is a calibration means for correcting the photometry system.

This calibration mechanism Q has a slide 213 equipped with 2fl of a first standard plate 210 with a low optical density value and a second standard plate 211 with a high optical density value, both of which have been measured in advance with a device that can accurately measure optical density. The slide 213 is configured to perform linear reciprocating motion by driving a motor 214.

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above explanation, in the chemical analyzer of the present invention, the optical density of the analytical slide is measured when the sample is dropped, and when the dropping of the sample is recognized, the analytical slide is moved toward the photometry section. Since the dripping completion is automatically recognized, key operations f% are not required, and measurement failures due to key operation errors can be prevented. Furthermore, the completion of dropping can be accurately recognized regardless of whether the pipetter used is automatic or manual.

In addition, if the dropping of the sample is recognized from the difference in optical density of the analysis slide before and after dropping the sample, the optical density measuring means used to recognize the completion of dropping does not require high precision. In addition, by measuring the change in the optical density of the analysis slide and recognizing the completion of dropping from the amount of change per unit time, it is possible to accurately know when the dropping is complete, and the transfer to the photometry section can be made easier. It can be done quickly.

Furthermore, if the optical density measuring means that measures the optical density of the analytical slide when dropping the sample is shared with the optical density measuring means that measures the optical density of the analytical slide for chemical analysis, the equipment can be used in common. Cost can be reduced. In this case, when measuring the optical density of an analysis slide for chemical analysis, processing is simplified by blocking the light beam from the sample droplet or the signal after photoelectric conversion.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the chemical analyzer, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the sample dropping part of the chemical analyzer, Figure 3 is a diagram showing the optical density of an analysis slide, and Figure 344 is a chemical analysis showing another example. A schematic diagram of the device, FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the analysis slide, FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the analysis slide, FIG. 7 is an external perspective view of the chemical analysis device, and FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of the chemical analysis device. FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line DC-EX in FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the optical system. In the figure, 1 is the analysis slide, A is the slide supply section, B is the constant temperature section, C is the sample dropping section, D is the photometry section, E is the slide ejection section, F and G are the optical density measuring means, and 6 is the control means. be.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a chemical analyzer that performs chemical analysis of a sample by dropping a sample onto an analysis slide, the optical density of the analysis slide is measured at the time of dropping the sample, and the dropping of the sample is determined based on this optical density. A chemical analysis device characterized in that the analysis slide on which the sample is dropped is supplied to the photometry section. 2. Optical density of the analysis slide before dropping the sample;
2. The chemical analysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dropping of the sample is recognized from the difference in optical density of the analysis slide after the dropping of the sample. 3. The chemical analysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the change in optical density of the analysis slide after the sample is dropped is measured, and completion of the drop is recognized from the amount of change per unit time. 4. A claim characterized in that the optical density measuring means for measuring the optical density of the analytical slide when dropping the sample is shared with the optical density measuring means for measuring the optical density of the analytical slide for performing the chemical analysis. The chemical analysis device according to item 1. 5. The chemical analysis apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when measuring the optical density of the analysis slide in order to perform the chemical analysis, the light beam from the sample dropping part or the signal after photoelectric conversion is blocked.