JPH04130248A - Biochemical automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to perform preliminary check of an abnormal specimen containing deposited material such as fibrin by agitating the specimen in a sample container, and obtaining the data of the deposited material based on the fluctuation of the output signal of a color sensor caused by the fluctuation of light transmittance. CONSTITUTION:When a sampling disk 9 is intermittently driven, a test tube 2 which is brought to a position before a reaction container 1 for distribution is held with a holder 7a of a stirring mechanism 7 and rotated and stirred. At this time, a color sensor 6 performs optical spectroscopic measurement of the specimen in the test tube 2. The measured signal is received with a color-signal operating device 8. At this time, when deposited material is present in the stirred specimen, the deposited material is moved in the specimen. The deposited material is positioned or not positioned at the light passing path of the sensor 6 in the unstable state. Therefore fluctuation occurs in the detected signal from the sensor 6. In the device 8, the presence or absence of the deposited material is judged based on whether the signal fluctuation exceeds a threshold value or not. Thus, the abnormal specimen containing the deposited material such as fibrin can be automatically checked beforehand before the steps of biochemical analysis.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an automatic biochemical analyzer, and more specifically, the present invention relates to an automatic biochemical analyzer, and more specifically, to a biochemical automatic analyzer that contains precipitates such as fibrin (thread-like substances) in a specimen to be subjected to automatic biochemical analysis. The present invention relates to an automatic biochemical analyzer having a function of checking whether or not an abnormal specimen exists.

[Conventional technology]

For example, when performing a biochemical analysis of serum, yellow,
If hemolysis or cloudiness occurs, it will cause measurement errors in analysis.

Conventionally, in consideration of this situation, for example,
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 82865 and JP-A-60-187862, abnormal specimens with yellow color, hemolysis, cloudiness, etc. are detected in advance by using an optical measuring means that measures the absorbance of the specimen. However, techniques for excluding abnormal samples from analysis targets have been proposed.

The above-described abnormal sample checking means does not perform unnecessary analysis on abnormal samples, and therefore has the advantage of preventing wastage of reagents.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

Incidentally, abnormal specimens include serum that is yellow, hemolyzed, cloudy, and contains precipitates such as fibrin in the serum. If this precipitate exists in the sample, it not only causes errors in optical measurements used in analysis, but also causes clogging of the sample sampling nozzle. Conventionally, sufficient consideration has not been given to checking for this precipitate.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and its purpose is to provide an automatic biochemical analyzer with a function that can check in advance for abnormal specimens containing precipitates such as fibrin during biochemical analysis. It's about doing.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention basically proposes the following problem-solving means.

In other words, in order to check for the presence of abnormal specimens containing precipitates such as fibrin in automatic biochemical analyzers, there is a mechanism that stirs the specimen in a sample container, and an optical measurement that measures the light transmittance of the specimen. and means for obtaining information regarding precipitates from fluctuations in the output signal of the optical measuring means due to stirring of the sample.

Note that the optical measuring means can also be used as an optical measuring means for checking the presence or absence of yellow color, WJ blood, and white turbidity in the specimen before analyzing the specimen in the sample container.

[Effect]

When a sample in a sample container (for example, a test tube) is stirred, if a precipitate is present in the sample, the precipitate will move within the sample.

Therefore, when the light used for optical measurement means is transmitted through the sample, the moving precipitates may or may not be located in the light transmission path, resulting in an undefined state, which affects the light transmittance and the optical This appears as a fluctuation in the output signal of the measuring means.

Therefore, information regarding the precipitate is obtained by determining whether the fluctuation component of the output signal of this optical measurement means exceeds a threshold value.For example, if the fluctuation component of the photodetection signal exceeds a specified value. If the value is smaller than a specified value, it is determined that a precipitate does not exist, and these determinations are used as information regarding the precipitate. Note that it is possible to determine not only the presence or absence of precipitates but also their degree.

If a precipitate is present, it is possible to prevent the sample dispensing sampling nozzle from becoming clogged by excluding the sample from the analysis target before dispensing the sample into the reaction vessel.

Furthermore, by removing abnormal specimens in which precipitates are present, it is possible to eliminate wasteful analysis of abnormal specimens, and moreover, the reliability of optical analysis is increased.

〔Example〕

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

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of main parts showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

In Figure 1, 1 is a reaction container, 2 is a test tube containing a sample, 3 is a reagent container, and 4 is a sample from test tube 2 to reaction container 1.
5 is a reagent dispensing mechanism for dispensing the reagent from the reagent container 3 to the reaction container L; 6 is an optical measuring means (color sensor) for obtaining color information of the specimen;
The zero color sensor 6 is a photodiode, COD (
It consists of a light-receiving element (such as a solid-state image sensor) and an optical filter that passes light in a specific wavelength range.

In this embodiment, a large number of test tubes 2 containing specimens are stored in a sampling disk 9, and the sampling disk 9 is supported by a motor mechanism (not shown) that is driven to rotate intermittently.

The color sensor 6 is placed in front of the dispensing position of the sampling disk 9, and detects color information (yellow, hemolysis, hemolysis, etc.) of the sample in the test tube 2.
Information regarding cloudiness) is detected before dispensing the sample into the reaction vessel 1 side.

FIG. 3 shows the spectral characteristics of yellow, hemolysis, and cloudiness of the specimen and the characteristics of the optical filter of the color sensor 6. B in Figure 3 is blue, G
indicates the green wavelength component, and R indicates the red wavelength component.

Then, by measuring the color information of the specimen having the spectral characteristics shown in FIG. 3 using the color sensor 6, yellow, yellow,
It is possible to obtain color information on hemolyzed or cloudy specimens, making it possible to distinguish them from normal specimens.

As a method for measuring the color information of a specimen, for example, (a) in Figure 2
The light from the sample is simply received by the color sensor 6, as shown in FIG.
and a color sensor 6, and the color sensor 6 measures the light from the lamp 11 that has passed through the specimen.As shown in FIG. There are various methods of measurement.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a sample stirring mechanism, which is rotationally driven by a motor.

The stirring mechanism 7 includes a holder 7 that detachably supports the test tube 2.
a, and by rotating the test tube 2 while holding it in the holder 7a, the sample in the test tube 2 is stirred. The stirring mechanism 7 is arranged in front of the position where the sample in the test tube 2 is dispensed into the reaction container 1 side.

The holder 7a is arranged so as not to obstruct the sampling disk 9 from passing through the test tube 2 when the sampling disk 9 rotates, and when the sampling disk 9 is temporarily stopped, the holder 7a moves the test tube to a predetermined position (before the dispensing position). It is set to grab 2.

8 is a device that inputs the output signal from the color sensor 6 and calculates a color signal.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a main controller, which sequentially controls the intermittent rotation of the sampling disk 9, the specimen sampling mechanism 4, the reagent dispensing mechanism 5, and the stirring mechanism 7, and controls the brown signal calculation device 8. It has a function of determining whether or not a sample is required to be dispensed into each test tube 2 based on the information obtained, in other words, whether or not the sample in each test tube 2 is to be excluded from the analysis target.

Next, the operation of this embodiment having the above configuration will be explained.

Based on the command from the main controller 10, the sampling disk 9
is operated intermittently to check the color information of the serum and the presence of precipitates before dispensing the sample.

That is, when the test tube 2 comes before sample dispensing, it is supported by the stirring mechanism holder 7a and is rotated and stirred. At this time,
First, the color sensor 6 optically spectrally measures the sample in the test tube 2, and the measurement signal is taken into the color signal calculation device 8.

Then, assuming that the outputs of the red, green, and blue components of the color sensor 6 are R, G, and B, respectively, the serum information is calculated by the following equation.

White cloudiness: L=to-R Yellow: I=l (G-k'・R) Hemolysis: H=m (B-l' to G-to R) where, k
, ni′, ni, 2. β′1m is a correction coefficient. The color signal calculation device 8 calculates the color information, I, and H, and determines whether or not these exceed the threshold for an abnormal sample.

In addition, if precipitates are present in the sample being stirred, the precipitates may move within the sample, causing them to be located irregularly or not in the light path of the color sensor in the sample. Since the state is unstable, the detection signal of the color sensor 6 fluctuates.

Then, the color signal calculation device 8 determines that a precipitate is present when the fluctuation of the color sensor 6 exceeds a threshold value.

If it is determined that the sample is yellow, hemolyzed, cloudy, or free of precipitates, the sample is considered normal, and the main controller IO instructs the sample sampling mechanism 4 to dispense the sample. Give instructions.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the sample is yellow, hemolyzed, cloudy, or has precipitates, the main controller 10 determines that the sample is abnormal and prevents the sample from being dispensed. A command is given to the specimen sampling mechanism 4. In this way, abnormal specimens are excluded from the analysis target.

Note that the operation (analysis operation) after dispensing the sample into the reaction container 1 is already known, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

According to this embodiment, in addition to cases where the sample is yellow, hemolyzed, or cloudy, the sample is also excluded from the analysis when there is precipitate, thereby eliminating waste of reagents that are added to abnormal samples. It is possible to save money and improve the reliability of analytical measurements.

Further, if a precipitate is present in the sample, the sample is not dispensed, so it is possible to prevent the sample sampling nozzle from clogging.

FIG. 4 shows various types of the stirring mechanism 7 used in the above embodiment.

In Fig. 4, (a) rotates the test tube 2 horizontally, (b) moves the test tube 2 up and down, (C) vibrates the test tube 2 laterally, and (d) shows the test tube 2. The sample in the test tube is stirred by inserting a stirring rod into the test tube.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment shows a system in which a centrifugal separator 12 and an automatic biochemical analyzer 14 are connected by a transport line 13, and a color sensor 6 and a stirring mechanism 7 are arranged in the middle of the transport line 13.
These elements and the color signal calculation device 8 constitute a serum information detection device. yellow.

Detection of hemolysis, cloudiness, and precipitates are the same as in the first embodiment, so their explanations will be omitted.

The conveyance line 13 includes an abnormal sample extraction device 15 and a biochemical automatic analyzer 1 downstream of the color sensor 6 and the stirring mechanism 7.
Place 4.

In this embodiment, the sample rack 17 on the transport line 13
While sequentially stirring the specimen in the test tube 2 stored in the chamber, the color sensor 6 performs spectroscopic analysis to determine that it is yellow and hemolyzed.

The color signal calculation unit 8 determines whether there is any abnormality such as cloudiness or precipitate.
will judge. When it is determined that there is an abnormal sample, the main controller 10 gives a command to the abnormal sample extraction device 15 to remove the test tube 2 containing the abnormal sample.

As a result, the test tube 2 in question is taken out and transported to the abnormal sample storage section 16.

Note that instead of taking out the abnormal sample on the transport line 13, the main controller 10 may send a control command to the biochemical analyzer 14 not to perform the original analysis on this abnormal sample.

FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, a sampler section 18 is provided at the starting end of the conveyance line 13, a sample receiver is provided at the rear end, and a stirring mechanism 79 is provided between them.
The color sensor 6 and the specimen sampling mechanism 4 are arranged, and adjacent to the specimen sampling mechanism 4 of the transport line 13,
Disk 1' for reaction vessel and reagent sampling mechanism 5
It is arranged.

If the 1 white mark calculation unit 8 determines that there is an abnormal specimen such as yellow, hemolysis, cloudiness, or precipitate in the test tube 2 on the transport line 13, the main controller 10 13 and the sample sampling mechanism 4 are given a skip command to the test tube 2 containing the abnormal sample, and the abnormal sample is excluded from the analysis target.

However, the second. The third embodiment also provides the same effects as the first embodiment.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, abnormal specimens containing precipitates such as fibrin can be automatically pre-checked before the original analysis process during biochemical analysis, and sampling nozzle holes can be prevented from being clogged with precipitates. prevention and can improve the reliability of automated biochemical analysis.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of main parts showing a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific aspect of a color sensor used in the above embodiment, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific aspect of a color sensor used in the above embodiment. An explanatory diagram showing the spectral distribution characteristics of a cloudy specimen and the spectral characteristics of an optical filter, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific embodiment of the stirring mechanism used in the above embodiment, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention. 2... Test tube containing sample (sample container) 4... Sample sampling mechanism, 5 6... Color sensor (optical measurement means) 8... Color signal calculation device, 9... Sun 10...・Main control device.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In an automatic biochemical analyzer, a mechanism for stirring a specimen in a sample container in order to check the presence of an abnormal specimen containing precipitates such as fibrin, and a light transmittance of the specimen What is claimed is: 1. An automatic biochemical analyzer comprising: an optical measuring means for measuring a sample; and a means for obtaining information regarding precipitates from fluctuations in the output signal of the optical measuring means due to stirring of the specimen. 2. In the first aspect, the presence of the precipitate in the sample is set to be checked before dispensing the sample from the sample container to the reaction container, and the precipitate is present in the sample. A biochemical analyzer is equipped with a means to exclude a sample from analysis if information is obtained that the sample is a sample. 3. In an automatic biochemical analyzer equipped with an optical measuring means for checking yellowness, hemolysis, and cloudiness in a sample before analyzing the sample in the sample container, a mechanism for stirring the sample in the sample container; , means for determining whether or not a precipitate such as fibrin is present in the sample by analyzing a fluctuation component of an optical signal obtained by passing the light of the optical measuring means through the stirred sample. A biochemical automatic analyzer featuring: 4. In the third aspect, checking whether or not there is an abnormality such as yellow color, hemolysis, cloudiness, or precipitate in the specimen is set to be performed before dispensing the specimen from the sample container to the reaction container. The biochemical analyzer further comprises means for excluding the sample from the analysis target when the abnormality is determined.