JPH04335157A - Automatic chemical analysis device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prepare in a short time without trouble a cleaning solution even if the number of analytical treatments increases, in the case of washing the inside of a reaction vessel in an automatic chemical analysis device. CONSTITUTION:A cleaning solution of a desired concentration is prepared by pouring in an in-line system a detergent original solution 22, 23 into a washing path 32 and diluting this. Time is not taken in preparation of the cleaning solution even if the number of analytical treatments increases, because the cleaning solution can directly be poured and supplied into a reaction vessel 2 by this.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[Purpose of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic chemical analyzer for cleaning the inside of a reaction vessel after analysis processing is completed.

0002

[Prior Art] For example, serum collected from a human body is used as a sample, and a desired reagent according to the analysis item is reacted with it, and the concentration of a specific component in this reaction solution is measured by, for example, a colorimetric method. 2. Description of the Related Art Automatic chemical analyzers that perform analysis of desired items are known. To analyze a sample, reagents are determined in advance based on the item selection information, and analysis processing is performed according to the analysis conditions for each item.

[0003] In such an automatic chemical analyzer, the reaction vessel used to store the sample is cleaned with a cleaning liquid after the analysis process is completed so that it can be used repeatedly. Conventionally, the user prepares in advance a cleaning solution in a tank or the like by diluting the cleaning stock solution to about 1/100, and the cleaning is performed by supplying this cleaning solution to the reaction vessel through a nozzle.

0004

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in conventional automatic chemical analyzers, as the number of analysis processes increases, it is necessary to frequently replace the tank for preparing the cleaning liquid, and a large-capacity tank is also required. Therefore, there is a problem in that it takes time and effort to prepare the cleaning liquid. The present invention has been made in response to the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic chemical analyzer that saves time and effort in preparing a cleaning solution. [Structure of the invention]

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention dispenses a sample and a reagent into a reaction container, performs analysis processing on the sample according to the analysis item, and then washes the inside of the reaction container. The automatic chemical analyzer is characterized in that it is equipped with a cleaning liquid supply means for supplying a cleaning liquid in-line into the cleaning path and adding a diluent to the cleaning liquid to the reaction vessel.

[0006]

[Operation] Since the detergent stock solution is poured in-line into the washing path and diluted to prepare a washing liquid of a desired magnification, the washing liquid can be directly poured and supplied to the reaction vessel. Therefore, it is possible to save time and effort in preparing the cleaning liquid.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a layout diagram showing the configuration of an automatic chemical analyzer to which the present invention is applied. Reference numeral 1 denotes a reaction section, which consists of, for example, a circular table, and a plurality of reaction vessels 2 are held along the periphery of the table. It is configured to rotate intermittently, for example, in a counterclockwise direction, in a constant cycle by a drive source (not shown).

A disk-shaped sampler section 3 is arranged at a predetermined position around the reaction section 1, and a sample container 4 containing a plurality of samples to be analyzed is provided concentrically therein. A desired sample can be dispensed into the reaction container 2 of the reaction section 1 using the dispensing nozzle 5 . A circular reagent section 6 is also arranged at a desired position around the reaction section 1, and this is provided with a reagent container 7 containing a plurality of samples corresponding to analysis items. A desired reagent can be dispensed into the reaction container 2 of the reaction section 1 through the injection nozzle 8 .

In addition, at other predetermined positions around the reaction section 1, there is a stirring section 9 for stirring the reaction solution of the sample and reagent dispensed into the reaction container 2, and a stirring section 9 for stirring the reaction solution of the sample and reagent dispensed into the reaction container 2; A photometric section 10 for optically measuring the concentration of , and a cleaning section 11 for removing the reaction liquid in the reaction vessel 2 after the measurement and cleaning the inside of the vessel are respectively arranged. The photometry section 10 includes a light source 10a and reflective plates 10b and 1 for reflecting light transmitted from the light source 10a through the reaction liquid in the reaction container 2.
0c, a detector 10d for detecting transmitted light, and the like.

Further, 13 is a constant temperature section for maintaining the reaction liquid in the reaction container 2 of the reaction section 1 at a constant temperature, 14 is a sampling pump for driving the sample dispensing nozzle 5,
15 is a reagent pump for driving the reagent dispensing nozzle 8;
16 is a cleaning control section that drives the cleaning section 11. 17 is a CPU (central processing unit) that controls the control operation of the entire analyzer; 18 is an operation unit for inputting various data necessary for analysis; and 19 is for displaying analysis data measured by the photometry unit 10. A monitor 20 is a printer for printing analysis data as needed.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of a cleaning system for the cleaning section 11 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which 21 is an in-line detergent supply system, an alkaline detergent container 22 containing an alkaline detergent, and an acidic detergent. It includes an acidic detergent container 23 and detergent pumps 24 and 25. 2
7 is an ion exchange water container storing ion exchange water, 2
Reference numeral 8 denotes a gear pump, 29 a pressure gauge, 30 a solenoid valve, and 31 a branch section which supplies water through a flow path 32 to each cleaning nozzle to be described later.

33 is an elevator with cleaning nozzles 34a, 3
4b, 34c, 34d, 34e, a drying nozzle 35, and a suction nozzle 36 are supported. 34e is for high concentration waste liquid. 37 is a vacuum pump, 38 is a solenoid valve and suction nozzle 36
is combined with Reference numeral 39 is a branch portion, and the water is supplied to each of the cleaning nozzles 34a to 34d via a flow path 41. Reference numeral 40 denotes a branch section that connects each cleaning nozzle 34a to 34 through a flow path 42.
It is connected to e. 44 and 45 are electromagnetic pumps, and the electromagnetic pump 45 is connected to the cleaning nozzle 34e via a flow path 43, and is also connected to a high concentration waste liquid container 46. 47
is a vacuum pump, and 48 is a drainage container.

With the above structure, the detergents sucked from the alkaline detergent container 22 and the acidic detergent container 23 by the detergent pumps 24 and 25, respectively, are sent to the branch part 31 together with the water sucked from the ion exchange water container 27 by the gear pump 28. After being supplied and mixed here, it is supplied to each cleaning nozzle 34a to 34e through the flow path 32, and is injected from each nozzle into each opposing reaction container 2 to perform cleaning. The reaction vessel 2 that has been cleaned is sucked and drained by the vacuum pump 37 via the suction nozzle 36 and the solenoid valve 38, and then drained through the drying nozzle 3.
5. Further, suction is performed by the electromagnetic pump 44 from each of the cleaning nozzles 34a to 34d via the branch portion 39, and water is drained into the drainage container 48. Further, the high concentration waste liquid is sucked by the electromagnetic pump 45 and drained into the high concentration waste liquid container 46. Further, overflow is sucked from each of the cleaning nozzles 34a to 34e via a branch 40 by a vacuum pump 47 and drained into a drainage container 48. FIG. 3 shows an example of a flowchart of the operation of each component in such a cleaning system, and shows a case where the components are operated in a 4.5 second cycle, for example.

[0015] According to such a cleaning system, it is possible to pour the detergent stock solution from each container 22, 23 into the cleaning path in-line, and prepare a cleaning solution of a desired magnification with dilution water from the container 27, so that the cleaning solution can be directly poured into the cleaning path. can be supplied to each reaction vessel. Therefore, it is possible to save time and effort in preparing the cleaning liquid. Further, by using electromagnetic pumps as the detergent pumps 24 and 25 of the in-line detergent supply system 21, the amount of cleaning liquid discharged can be increased compared to the conventional method, so that effective cleaning can be performed.

FIG. 4 shows the configuration of a cleaning system for the cleaning section 11 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and particularly shows an example in which a bellows system is adopted as the cleaning pump. 22 is an alkaline detergent container, 23 is an acidic detergent container, 33 is an elevator, 34a to 34e are cleaning nozzles, 35 is a drying nozzle, 36 is a suction nozzle, and 37 is a vacuum pump. 51, 52 are detergent pumps, 53, 60 are branch parts, 56
, 57, 58, and 59 are flow paths. Also 54a to 54
Denoted by e is a discharge cleaning pump, and 55a to 55f are suction cleaning pumps, each of which is a bellows pump.

With the above structure, the detergents sucked from the alkaline detergent container 22 and the acidic detergent container 23 by the detergent pumps 51 and 52, respectively, are supplied together with pure water to the branching section 53, where they are mixed and then passed through the flow path. 56 to the discharge cleaning pumps 54a to 54e, and these cleaning pumps 54a
Each cleaning nozzle 34 is
A to 34e are supplied and injected from each nozzle into the opposing reaction vessels 2 for cleaning. The reaction container 2 that has been washed is suctioned from the suction nozzle 36 through a part of the flow path 58 by the suction cleaning pump 55a, and then transferred to the branch section 60.
and discharged as low concentration waste liquid. The liquid is also drained away by a vacuum pump 37 through a drying nozzle 35. Further, the water is sucked from the cleaning nozzles 34a to 34d through the flow path 58 by the suction cleaning pumps 55b to 55e, and is supplied to the branch portion 60 through the flow path 59. Further, it is sucked by a cleaning pump 55f for suction through a part of the flow path 58 from the cleaning nozzle 34e for high concentration waste liquid, and is discharged as a high concentration waste liquid.

[0018] According to the cleaning system of this embodiment, in addition to obtaining the same effects as those of the previous embodiment, it has a simple structure by using bellows pumps as the cleaning pumps 54a to 54e and 55a to 55f. Longer life can be achieved.

FIG. 5 shows the configuration of a cleaning system for the cleaning section 11 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and particularly shows an example in which a syringe system is adopted as the cleaning pump. 22 is an alkaline detergent container, 23 is an acidic detergent container, 33 is an elevator, 34a to 34e are cleaning nozzles, 35 is a drying nozzle, 36 is a suction nozzle, and 37 is a vacuum pump. 63, 64, 65, and 66 are channels, and 61, 62 are branch portions.

Further, 66a to 66e are cleaning pumps for discharge, and 67a to 67f are cleaning pumps for suction, and these cleaning pumps are composed of syringe pumps. In this case, as an example, the reduction ratio for discharge is selected to be 1/30, and the reduction ratio for suction is selected to be 1/30 to 1/60.

With the above configuration, the flow resistance of the detergent is adjusted in the tube line 68 (for example, using a check valve) to adjust the detergent flow rate, and the detergent is supplied to the branching section 61 together with pure water from the alkaline detergent container 22 and the acidic detergent container 23, respectively. Each detergent
After mixing in step 1, the mixture is supplied to each of the cleaning nozzles 34a to 34e through a flow path 64 by discharge cleaning pumps 66a to 66e through a flow path 63, and is injected from each nozzle into the opposing reaction container 2 for cleaning. will be held. The reaction container 2 that has been cleaned is suctioned from the suction nozzle 36 through a part of the flow path 65 by the suction cleaning pump 67a, supplied to the branch section 60, and discharged as a low concentration waste liquid. The liquid is also drained away by a vacuum pump 37 through a drying nozzle 35. Furthermore, a flow path 65 from the cleaning nozzles 34a to 34e
The liquid is suctioned by cleaning pumps 67a to 67e for suction, and is supplied to the branch section 62 through the flow path 66. Further, the high concentration waste liquid is suctioned from the high concentration waste liquid cleaning nozzle 34e through a part of the flow path 65 by the suction cleaning pump 67f, and is discharged as high concentration waste liquid. It goes without saying that the detergent pumps 51 and 52 shown in FIG. 4 can also be used. According to the cleaning system of this embodiment, in addition to obtaining the same effects as in the above embodiment, the cleaning system of the present embodiment also provides the cleaning pumps 66a to 66.
By using syringe pumps as e and 67a to 67f, they can be constructed at low cost, resulting in cost reduction.

[0022]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the cleaning liquid is supplied in-line, the cleaning liquid can be directly poured in, and the time and effort required to prepare the cleaning liquid can be saved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a layout diagram showing an automatic chemical analyzer to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart illustrating the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Reaction section 3 Sampler section 6 Reagent section 10 Photometry section 11 Washing section 24, 25, 51, 52 Detergent pumps 34a to 34
e Cleaning nozzles 54a to 54e, 55a to 55f, 66a to 66
e, 67a to 67f Washing pump

Claims (1)

[Claims] Claim 1: In an automatic chemical analyzer that dispenses a sample and a reagent into a reaction container and performs analysis processing on the sample according to an analysis item, the inside of the reaction container is washed, and a washing stock solution is added in-line to the washing path. An automatic chemical analysis apparatus characterized by comprising a cleaning liquid supply means for supplying a cleaning liquid obtained by pouring and adding a diluting liquid to the reaction container.