JPH0291573A - Liquid sample analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To speed up correspondence when an interruption of a measurement item arises and the succeeding processing after abnormality is discovered in a blank value by storing plural kinds of the blank values corresponding to plural kinds of the measuring wavelengths having the possibility of measurement with respect to respective reaction tubes. CONSTITUTION:Plural kinds of the blank values corresponding to plural kinds of the measuring wavelengths having the possibility of the measurement with respect to the respective reaction cuvettes 11 are stored. Prompt reexecution of the computation by using another wavelength is executed in this way even if the abnormality is discovered in the measured value as a result of measuring the reaction liquid in the reaction cuvette 11 by a spectroscope 13 using the prescribed measurement item is immediately shifted to the next reaction cuvette 11 and the succeeding processing can be executed even when the abnormality is discovered in the measurement after the blank value is stored.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a liquid sample analyzer, in particular, to directly measure a reaction tube containing a reaction solution based on a sample and a reagent, and to measure the optical properties of the reaction solution. This invention relates to a liquid sample analyzer that detects changes.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, for example, enzymes, proteins,
As an automatic analyzer for measuring the concentration of sugar, etc., it is equipped with a rotatable reaction disk equipped with a large number of reaction cuvettes arranged on one circumference, a spectrometer that can be rotated concentrically with the arrangement of the cuvettes, and a sample transfer device to the cuvette. A known device is equipped with a sampler for injecting a reagent into a cuvette, a dispenser for injecting a reagent into a cuvette, a cleaning mechanism for cleaning the cuvette after measurement, and a microcomputer for processing the results of measurement by a spectrometer.

In this conventional automatic analyzer, a blank value is first measured using a spectrometer for a cuvette that has been washed in a washing mechanism. In this case, blank values relating only to wavelengths necessary for the measurement item to be performed are stored. A sample is then injected by the sampler when the cuvette is placed in the sampling position. Further, when the cuvette is placed at the reagent injection position, the reagent is injected by the dispenser.

Then, the reaction liquid in the cuvette is photometered by a spectrometer, and concentration calculation processing is performed based on the result and the blank value.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In the conventional automatic analyzer, when a blank value is measured, the blank value related only to the wavelength necessary for the measurement item to be performed is stored. As a result, the following problems occur.

(1) If it becomes necessary to interrupt another measurement item in the middle of measuring one measurement item, measure a new blank value for another cuvette placed at the rear and store it. It is necessary to wait until the cuvette is placed at the sampling position and reagent injection position and then perform processing according to the other measurement item. In this case, it is necessary to wait for the cuvette in which the new blank value is stored to arrive at the sampling position and the reagent injection position, and therefore it is not possible to quickly measure the desired measurement item.

(2) When performing measurements by changing measurement items sequentially, if an abnormality is discovered in the measurement after storing a blank value, it is not possible to shift the measurement item to the next cuvette and perform subsequent processing. .

(3) If an abnormality is found in the measured value as a result of measuring the reaction solution in the cuvette with a spectrometer using a predetermined wavelength, it is not possible to perform the calculation again using a different wavelength.

The purpose of the present invention is to be able to respond quickly even when an interruption occurs in a measurement item, and to quickly perform subsequent processing by shifting the measurement item to the next reaction tube even when an abnormality is found in a blank value. It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid sample analyzer capable of quickly performing calculations again using an appropriate wavelength even when an abnormality is discovered in a measured value of a reaction liquid.

[Means to solve the problem]

The liquid sample analyzer according to the present invention is basically a liquid sample analyzer that directly measures light in a reaction tube containing a reaction liquid based on a sample and a reagent to detect optical changes in the reaction liquid. . This liquid sample analyzer includes blank value storage means, photometry means, and calculation means.

The blank value storage means measures a plurality of blank values corresponding to a plurality of measurement wavelengths that may be measured, including the wavelength to be measured, with respect to the reaction tube, and stores the plurality of obtained blank values. It is something to remember. The photometric means measures the light of a reaction tube containing a reaction solution based on a sample and a reagent to obtain a measured value. The calculation means calculates the optical change of the reaction liquid based on the blank value corresponding to the wavelength of the measured value and the measured value among the plurality of blank values.

(Function) In the liquid sample analyzer according to the present invention, first, the blank value storage means stores a plurality of blank values corresponding to a plurality of measurement wavelengths that may be measured, including the wavelength to be measured, regarding the reaction tube. The values are measured and a plurality of blank values obtained are stored.

Next, the photometric means measures the light of the reaction tube containing the reaction solution to obtain a measured value. Then, the calculating means calculates the optical change of the reaction liquid based on the blank value corresponding to the wavelength of the measured value and the measured value among the plurality of types of blank values.

In the measurement operation, even if it becomes necessary to interrupt another measurement item in the middle of measuring one measurement item, the blank value storage means stores multiple measurement wavelengths that may be measured for each reaction tube. Since multiple types of blank values corresponding to the blank values are stored, you can immediately start measuring the measurement item you want to interrupt without waiting for the reaction tube to arrive at the sampling position and reagent injection position where new blank values are stored. can be done.

In addition, when performing measurements by changing the measurement items sequentially, even if an abnormality is discovered in the measurement after the blank value has been memorized, the blank value storage means can store multiple types of possible measurements for each reaction tube. Since a plurality of blank values corresponding to the measurement wavelengths are stored, it is possible to shift the measurement item to the next reaction tube and perform subsequent processing quickly.

Furthermore, even if an abnormality is found in the measured value as a result of measuring the reaction solution in the reaction tube with a spectrometer, the blank value storage means can store multiple values corresponding to multiple measurement wavelengths that may be measured for each reaction tube. Since the seed blank value is memorized, the calculation can be quickly recalculated using a different wavelength.

〔Example〕

In FIG. 1 showing an embodiment of the present invention, the liquid sample analyzer includes a large number of reaction cuvettes 11 arranged on one circumference.
(a rotatable reaction disk 12 and a reaction cubera)
a spectroscope 13 that can be rotated concentrically with the arrangement of 11; a sampling device 14 that injects a sample into the reaction cuvette 11;
Reagent injection device 15 for injecting reagents into the reaction cuvette 11
and a stirring mechanism 1 for stirring the inside of the reaction cuvette 11.
8, a cleaning device 16 for cleaning the reaction cuvette 11 after measurement, a reservoir 19 for storing waste liquid, and a control device 17 for controlling the operation of this device.

The reaction disk 12 is driven by a drive source (not shown) in the direction of arrow X in FIG. 2 at every pitch of the reaction cuvette 11. In FIG. 2, which schematically shows the reaction disk 12, point 0 is the center of rotation of the reaction disk 12, and a dash-dotted line A indicates the circumference on which the reaction cuvette 11 is arranged. On the circumference of the arrangement of the reaction cuvette 11, there are a sampling stage 20, a washing stage 21 arranged on the lower side of the rotational direction than the sampling stage 20, and a reagent injection stage arranged on the lower side of the rotational direction of the sampling stage 20. 22. The sampling stage 20 is where the sample is injected into the reaction cuvette 11 by the sampling device 14. The washing stage 21 is a place where the reaction cuvette 11 is washed by the washing device 16. Further, the reagent injection stage 22 is a place where a reagent is injected into the reaction cuvette 1 by the reagent injection device 15.

On the other hand, the spectrometer 13 is driven by a drive source (not shown) in the direction of arrow Y in FIG. 2 over a range of approximately 360°. The light emitting side portion 23 of the spectroscope 13 has a circumference of A
The light-receiving side portion 24 is placed on the outside. This allows the spectroscope 13 to transmit light to each reaction cuvette 11 of the reaction disk 12 and detect the transmitted light. As shown in FIG. 3, the spectrometer 13 has a plurality of light receiving elements 25 that receive light separated by the spectroscopic grating of the light receiving side portion 24. As shown in FIG. The light-receiving elements 25 are arranged at positions corresponding to wavelengths that may be used for measurement, and there are, for example, twelve light-receiving elements 25.

In FIG. 1, the sampling device 14 includes a turntable 26 on which a large number of sample bottles are arranged circumferentially, and a turntable 26 that takes out a predetermined amount of sample from a predetermined sample bottle placed on the turntable 26. It has a sampler 27 for injecting into the reaction cuvette 11. Sampler 2
7 is a probe 2 with a liquid level sensor provided at the tip.
8 and a pump section 29 for performing a suction operation, whereby a sample is sampled into the reaction cuvette 11.

The reagent injection device 15 has a reagent storage 30 containing various types of reagents, and a dispenser 31 for injecting a predetermined reagent from the reagent storage 30 into the reaction cuvette 11. The dispenser 31 includes a probe 32 with a liquid level sensor and a dispenser pump 33 connected to the probe 32 for performing a suction operation.

The cleaning device 16 includes a cleaning unit 34 for cleaning the inside of the reaction cuvette 11 after measurement, and a cleaning unit 34.
A cleaning pump 35 is provided for supplying distilled water or detergent to the cleaning device to perform a cleaning operation.

The control device 17 has a microcomputer 40. The microcomputer 40 includes, via an interface 41, a printer 42 for printing measurement results, a keyboard 43 for the operator to input measurement conditions, etc., a CRT 44 for display, and a printer 42 for printing measurement results. A floppy disk device 45 for storing information is connected thereto. Furthermore, in order to communicate between the microcomputer 40 and the analyzer main body, the interface 41 includes a reaction section control computer 47 and a conversion circuit 4.
8, a sampling device control computer 49, and a reagent injection device control computer 50 are connected. The reaction section control computer 47 is connected to the reaction disk 12 to control the rotation of the reaction disk 120, connected to the spectrometer 13 to control the rotation of the spectrometer 13, and controls the operation of the cleaning device 16 and stirring mechanism 18. Connected to both for control. As shown in FIG. 3, the conversion circuit 48 includes a Log amplifier 52 and an A/D converter 53, each connected to each light receiving element 25 of the spectrometer 13.

Each A/D converter 53 is connected to the interface 41 of the control device 17. A sampling device control computer 49 is connected to both to control the rotation of the turntable 26 and the operation of the pump section 29.

A reagent injection device control combination 1-50 is connected to the dispenser 31 and the dispenser pump 33 to control their operation.

Next, the operation of the analyzer according to the embodiment will be explained according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 to 7. In addition, in FIGS. 4 to 7, the direction from top to bottom corresponds to the flow of time.

1 Tsutomu Tsutomu Under normal conditions, it operates according to the chart in FIG.

If the reaction cuvette 11 consisting of
1, the nth reaction cuvette 11 is cleaned by the cleaning device 16. Next, in step S2, the spectrometer 13 measures a blank value for the n-th reaction cuvette 11. In parallel, the (n+1)th reaction cuvette 11 is cleaned by the cleaning device 16. Step S
3, for the n-th reaction cuvette 11, the absorbance corresponding to the blank value detected by all the light receiving elements 25 is stored. In parallel, the spectrometer 13 measures a blank value for the n+1-th reaction cuvette 11.

In step S4, the measurement item X preset for the n-th reaction cuvette 11 is recognized. In parallel, the absorbance B corresponding to the blank value detected by all the light receiving elements 25 is stored for the (n+1)th reaction cubera) 11. In step S5, analysis operations (sampling, reagent injection, etc.) according to measurement item X are performed on the n-th reaction cuvette 11.

In parallel, the measurement item Y preset for the (n+1)th reaction cuvette 11 is recognized. In step S6, the absorbance of the reaction liquid in the n-th reaction cuvette 11 is measured by the spectrometer 13, and each light receiving element 25 is
Store all values related to . In parallel, an analysis operation corresponding to measurement item Y is performed on the n+1th reaction cuvette 11. In step S7, the measurement wavelength λX for the measurement item X for the n-th reaction cuvette 11 is recognized. In parallel, the n+1th reaction cuvette 1
1, the absorbance of the reaction solution is measured using the ζ spectrometer 13, and all values related to each light receiving element 25 are stored. In step S8, regarding the n-th reaction cuvette 11, the wavelength λ
Absorbance at X Bx.

Take out Ax. In parallel, the measurement wavelength λy for the measurement item Y regarding the n+1st reaction cuvette 11
Recognize. In step S9, the absorbance Bx is determined for the nth reaction cuvette 11.

Calculate the concentration by Ax. In parallel, for the n+1st reaction cuvette 11, the absorbance B at wavelength λy
Take out y and Ay.

This completes the program and returns to step S1 again.

Note that in step S1, the nth reaction cuvette 11
In parallel with the washing, the concentration of the n+1 reaction cuvette 11 is calculated from the absorbances By and Ay. The obtained density is displayed on the CRT 44, stored in the floppy disk device 45, and printed on the printer 42, if necessary.

Here, a case will be described in which, in the operation in the normal state, the measurement operation 4t for the n-th reaction cuvette 11 is interrupted by measurement item Z.

In FIG. 5, in step 311, the n-th reaction cuvette 11 is cleaned by the cleaning device 16. next,
In step 312, the spectrometer 13 measures a blank value for the nth reaction cuvette 11. In parallel, the n+1th reaction cuvette 11 is placed in the cleaning device 16.
Washed by. In step S13, the absorbance A corresponding to the blank value detected by all the light receiving elements 25 is stored for the n-th reaction cubera) 11.

In parallel, the spectrometer 13 measures a blank value for the n+1st reaction cuvette 11, and the n+2nd reaction cuvette 11 is cleaned by the cleaning devices W and 16. In step 514, the nth reaction cuvette 1
1. Recognize the measurement item

In parallel, the absorbance corresponding to the blank value detected by all the light-receiving elements 25 for the n+1st reaction cuvette 11 is stored, and
The spectrometer 13 measures a blank value.

Here, if an interrupt for measurement item Z occurs, the processing will be as follows. In step S15, an analysis operation corresponding to measurement item X is performed on the nth reaction cuvette 11. In parallel, the n+1st reaction cuvette 11
Recognizes the measurement item Z that has interrupted. Furthermore, the absorbance corresponding to the blank value detected by all the light receiving elements 25 for the n+2-th reaction cuvette 11 is stored. In step 316, the nth reaction cuvette 1
1, measure the absorbance of the reaction solution with a spectrometer 13,
All values related to each light receiving element 25 are stored. In parallel, an analysis operation corresponding to measurement item Z is performed on the n+1th reaction cuvette 11. In addition, regarding the n+2th reaction cuvette 11, the preset measurement item Y@
recognize.

Note that this measurement item Y is an item that would have been processed in the (n+1)th reaction cuvette 1 had there been no interruption of measurement item Z. In step 317,
The measurement wavelength λX for the measurement item X for the n-th reaction cuvette 11 is recognized. In parallel, the absorbance B of the reaction solution in the (n+1)th reaction cuvette 11 is measured by the spectrometer 13, and all values related to each light receiving element 25 are stored. Further, an analysis operation corresponding to measurement item Y is performed on the n+2-th reaction cuvette 11. Step 81
8, for the nth reaction cuvette 11, the wavelength λX
Take out the absorbance Bx and Ax at . In parallel, n
Recognize the measurement wavelength λ2 in the measurement item Z for the +1st reaction cuvette 11, measure the absorbance B of the reaction liquid with the spectrometer 13 for the n+2nd reaction cuvette 11, and record all values related to each light receiving element 25. 1
, α. In step 519, the concentration of the nth reaction cuvette 11 is calculated based on the absorbances Bx and Ax. In parallel, the absorbance BzAz at wavelength λ2 is taken out for the n+1st reaction cuvette 11. Also,
For the n+2 reaction cuvette 11, the measurement wavelength λy for the measurement item Y is determined.

This completes the program and returns to step S11 again. Note that in step 311, the nth reaction cubera)
In parallel with washing step 11, the n+1th reaction cuvette 1
1, the concentration is calculated from the absorbance BZ and AX. Furthermore, regarding the n+2-th reaction cuvette 11, the wavelength λy
Take out the absorbance BY and Ay. In step 512, in parallel with washing the n+1st reaction cuvette 1-11, the absorbance B'J of the n+2nd reaction cuvette 11 is washed.
, AV is used to calculate the concentration. The obtained density is displayed on the CRT 44, stored in the floppy disk device 45, and printed on the printer 42, if necessary.

In this way, in this embodiment, even if it becomes necessary to interrupt another measurement item in the middle of measuring one measurement item, the sampling position and reagent of the reaction cuvette 11 where a new blank value is stored can be changed. You can immediately measure the measurement item you want to interrupt without having to wait for the device to arrive at the injection position.

An explanation will be given of the operation when an abnormality is discovered in the absorbance measurement data or calculation results of the n-th reaction cuvette 11 in the normal operation described above. In this case, it operates according to the chart in FIG.

In addition, in FIG. 6, from step S21 to step S
The processing up to step 29 is the same as the processing from step S1 to step S9 in FIG. 4, which shows the normal case.

Here, suppose that in step S29 of FIG.
Assume that when the concentration of the second reaction cuvette 11 is calculated using the absorbances Bx and Ax, it is determined that the concentration is an abnormal value. In this case, the process moves to step 529a.

In step 529a, other wavelengths λXχ that can be used for measurement item X are recognized. Next, in step 529b,
Regarding the n-th reaction cuvette 11, absorbances Bxx and Axx at wavelength λxx are taken out. In step 529c, for the nth reaction cuvette 11, the absorbance Bxx
.

Calculate the concentration by Axx. If the concentration thus obtained is not an abnormal value, the program completes one cycle and returns to step 321 again. Note that the obtained density is displayed on the CRT 44, stored in the floppy disk device 45, and printed on the printer 42, if necessary.

As described above, in this embodiment, since a plurality of blank values corresponding to a plurality of measurement wavelengths that may be measured for each reaction cuvette 11 are stored, the reaction liquid in the reaction cuvette 11 can be adjusted to a predetermined value. Spectrometer 1 using the wavelength of
Even if an abnormality is found in the measured value as a result of measurement in step 3, the calculation can be immediately recalculated using a different wavelength.

In the operation of the link blind 1 in the normal state, an abnormality is discovered in the measurement result of the blank value of the n-th reaction cuvette 11, and the operation when it is determined that the reaction cuvette 11 cannot be used will be explained. In this case, it operates according to the chart in FIG.

In FIG. 7, in step 331, the n-th reaction cuvette 11 is cleaned by the cleaning device 16. next,
In step S32, the spectrometer 13 measures a blank value for the nth reaction cuvette 11. In parallel, the n+1th reaction cuvette 11 is placed in the cleaning device 16.
Washed by. In step 333, for the n-th reaction cuvette 11, the absorbance corresponding to the blank value detected by all the light receiving elements 25 is stored. In parallel, the spectrometer 13 measures a blank value for the n+1st reaction cuvette 11, and the n+2nd reaction cuvette 11 is washed by the cleaning bags W and 16.

Here, it is assumed that the blank value of the nth reaction cuvette 11 is determined to be abnormal. Step 3
At step 34, the measurement for the nth reaction cuvette 11 is stopped. In parallel, the absorbance A corresponding to the blank value detected by all the light receiving elements 25 for the n+1st reaction cuvette 11 is stored, and the spectrometer 13 measures the blank value for the n+2nd reaction cuvette 11. .

Hereinafter, regarding the n-th reaction cubera) 11, step 33, which corresponds to steps S4 to S9, is performed.
The processes from step 5 to Stella step S39 are not performed. The measurement item X that was scheduled to be measured using the n-th reaction cuvette 11 is then measured using the n+1-th reaction cuvette 11. Thereafter, the measurement items are transferred to the next reaction cuvette 11 in order.

In step S35, the n+1st reaction cuvette 11
, the changed measurement item X is recognized. Also, n
Regarding the +2nd reaction cuvette 11, the absorbance corresponding to the blank value detected by all the light receiving elements 25 is stored. In step S36, the n+1st reaction cuvette 1
1, perform an analysis operation according to measurement item X. Also, n
Regarding the +2nd reaction cuvette 11, the changed measurement item Y is recognized. In step S37, the absorbance of the reaction solution in the (n+1)th reaction cuvette 11 is measured by the spectrometer 13, and all values related to each light receiving element 25 are stored. Further, an analysis operation corresponding to the measurement item Y is performed on the n+2-th reaction cubera 1-11. In step 33B, the measurement wavelength λX of the measurement item Store the value of . In step S39, absorbances Bx and Ax at wavelength λX are extracted for the n+1st reaction cuvette 11. Furthermore, the measurement wavelength λy for the measurement item Y regarding the n+2-th reaction cuvette 11 is recognized.

This completes the program and returns to step S31 again. Note that in step S31, in parallel with washing the n-th reaction cuvette 11, the n+1-th reaction cuvette 1 is washed.
1, the concentration is calculated from the absorbance Bx, AX.

Furthermore, regarding the n+2-th reaction cuvette 11, the wavelength λ
Take out the absorbance By and Ay at y. In step 332, in parallel with washing the n+1-th reaction cuvette 11, the absorbance By
, Ay is used to calculate the concentration. The obtained density is displayed on the CRT 44, stored in the floppy disk device 45, and printed on the printer 42, if necessary.

As described above, in this embodiment, since a plurality of blank values corresponding to a plurality of measurement wavelengths that may be measured for each reaction cuvette 11 are stored, the measurement can be performed after storing the blank value. Even when an abnormality is discovered, the measurement item can be immediately shifted to the next reaction key or unit 11 and subsequent processing can be performed.

[Other Examples]

In the conversion circuit 48 in the embodiment, each light receiving element 25
A Log amplifier 52 and an A/D converter 53 are provided for each, but instead, a sample and hold circuit is provided between the light receiving element 25 and the Log amplifier 52 or after the Log amplifier 52, and scanning is performed by a multiplexer. can also be adopted.

As a result, the number of Log amplifiers 52 and A/D converters 53 can be reduced to one, and the circuit can be simplified. However, since it is necessary to secure time for scanning by the multiplexer, this example is limited to cases where there is sufficient time between photometry intervals, and the photometry speed is limited.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the liquid sample analyzer according to the present invention, since a plurality of blank values corresponding to a plurality of measurement wavelengths that may be measured for each reaction tube are stored, interruption of measurement items does not occur. Even if an abnormality is found in the blank value, the measurement items can be moved to the next reaction tube and subsequent processing can be carried out quickly. It is now possible to obtain a liquid sample analyzer that can quickly perform calculations again using an appropriate wavelength even when a wavelength is discovered.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic partial plan view thereof, FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the vicinity of the spectrometer, FIGS. 4, 5, 6, FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 11... Reaction key bed, 13... Spectrometer, 17.
...Control device, 40...Microcomputer, 47
...Reaction unit control computer, 48... Conversion circuit. 1-: 2, 1-t: Figure Cn1g binding l] [n III 11) (7a; blade 2)

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A liquid sample analyzer that directly measures light in a reaction tube containing a reaction solution based on a sample and a reagent to detect an optical change in the reaction solution, comprising: a measurement schedule for the reaction tube; blank value storage means for measuring a plurality of blank values corresponding to a plurality of measurement wavelengths that may be measured, including the wavelengths of the sample and the reagent; A photometric means for photometrically measuring a reaction tube filled with a reaction solution based on the method to obtain a measured value, and a blank value corresponding to the wavelength of the measured value among the plurality of blank values and a reaction A liquid sample analyzer comprising: calculation means for calculating optical changes in a liquid.