JPH05119043A - Automatic specimen transport system and real time random access automatic dispensing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To operate a dispensing and analysis processing in a real time random access mode when a multi-item analysis of the same sample is executed. CONSTITUTION:In a system structure, a bar code reader 5 is arranged in a specimen transport belt line 1 and a rack feeding control box 8 and a specimen feeding lift 9 for height adjustment for an automatic analyzer 11 in a separation analysis line 2' to be contained in a belt line 2 for dispensing. Also arranged are a host computer, a work station 12 which transmits or receives a signal to manage the processing of a specimen to the end of a separation system from the feeding into the sample transport belt line 12 and a separate second work station 13 which is connected to the work station 12 to manage the automatic analyzer for inspection of specimens to be dispensed by the transmission or reception of data. Under this management, automatic dispensation and analysis are operated in a real time random access mode.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sample inspection system for automatically inspecting a fluid as a sample in a clinical test or the like, and in particular, automatically supplies a sample to an automatic analyzer directly connected to a sample transport belt line. The present invention relates to an automatic sample transport system and a real-time random access automatic dispensing method for performing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a sample test is preceded only by a random access type process by a bar code reader in each automatic analyzer, and therefore the sample is preliminarily dispensed for each analyzer. , Automatic analysis has been carried out after manual insertion into analytical equipment.

Here, the following problems have been pointed out. Manual labor is needed. Mistake between samples during dispensing. Sample supply error due to misidentification of dispensing partner. Risk of infection from pathogens during sample dispensing. Lack of immediate reporting of routine testing of the same specimen.

In recognition of such problems, some attempts have been made to reform the processing efficiency and the like during this time by proposing a belt line system for automating the conveyance and distribution to the automatic analyzers. (For example, JP-A-63
-52061, JP-A-63-236966 or JP-A-2-64463).

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above-mentioned prior art is to improve the efficiency of the distribution process when pre-processing and carrying / distributing the sample, check the sample by the separation amount detection mechanism and the evacuation / retest line, or process speed and the number of samples. Control of transport timing by adjustment, etc., and the line configuration for each is provided, but it can not be said that it has achieved the sufficient purpose yet, and immediate report of routine inspection of the same sample There was nothing to look for in sex.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and solves the above-mentioned problems, and the immediate reportability of the routine test of the same sample is also achieved by the host computer in the automatic sample transport system. An automatic sample transport system and real-time system that has a mechanical communication means and enables real-time random access type management that simultaneously transports samples to multiple analyzers and simultaneously processes them in parallel while monitoring their processing operations. -The purpose is to provide a random access automatic dispensing system.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a sample rack and a sample stocker, a sample transport belt line consisting of a belt conveyor with a rack fixing, a dispensing sample cup stocker, and a dispenser. In a sample inspection automatic transfer system consisting of an injection belt line, a dispensing device, and an automatic analyzer connected to each of the above lines,
A bar code reader in the sample transport belt line, a separation analysis line included in the dispensing belt line, a rack feed control box and a sample loading lift for height adjustment for an automatic analyzer, a host computer and a signal. A first workstation that manages sample processing from the time when the sample transport belt line is loaded to the end of separation analysis, and an automatic analysis that is connected to this first workstation and inspects a dispensed sample by sending and receiving data. And a second workstation for managing the device.

Further, in the sample processing method of the sample inspection system having the automatic sample transport line, the first workstation stores transmission means for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the host computer, and sample processing information for each sample and for each rack. Means, a transmission device for transmitting and receiving signals to and from a pipetting device and a rack feed control box, an input / output device including a CRT, and a CPU, and is connected to the first workstation to automatically inspect a pipette sample A second workstation that manages the analyzer and a means for sending and receiving data, the line components under control of which are:
When performing multi-item analysis of the same sample, it is characterized by operating in real time and random access type.

[0009]

[Function] The sample cup for dispensing moves along the belt line for dispensing in parallel with the sample moving on the sample transport belt line,
Both of them are temporarily stopped in front of the dispensing device, and the dispensing is executed based on the dispensing instruction in the worksheet information received from the host computer.

After that, the stop is released, and the sample on the sample transport belt line goes straight as it is and is thrown into the automatic analyzer arranged in series at any time. On the other hand, the dispensing specimens that move in the separation analysis line in order of order are adjusted automatically in the time adjustment stocker by the rack feed control box, the assay start information is added based on the inspection item request information, and then automatically. It is put into a lift that is a transit to the analyzer.

The action between the components of each line during this period is as follows.
The first to manage the sample processing from the time when the sample transport belt line is inserted to the time when the separation analysis is completed by sending and receiving signals to and from the host computer.
It is managed and operated by a workstation and a second workstation that is connected to this first workstation and manages an automatic analyzer that tests the dispensed sample by sending and receiving data, and its execution is real-time random access type. Made in.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the equipment configuration of an automatic sample transport system according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which 1 is a sample transport belt line, 2 is a dispensing belt line, 2'is a separation analysis line, and 3 is a sample stocker. 4 is a sample cup stocker for dispensing, 5 is a bar code reader, 6 is a dispensing device, 7 is a gate (stopper), 8 is a rack feed control box, 9 is a sample loading lift, 10 is an automatic analyzer A, 11 Is automatic analyzer B, 12 is the first workstation, 13 is the second
Workstations, 14 are sample racks and 15 are samples.

As shown in the figure, in this system,
A dispensing belt line (2) including a sample transport belt line (1) and a separation and analysis line (2 ') is prepared, and stockers (3) and (4) are arranged in the orthogonal direction at the starting end positions of each line. ing. Hereinafter, the sample transport mechanism will be mainly described. First, attach the barcode-attached sample (15) to the sample rack (1
It is put into 4) and put into the sample stocker (3). At this time, the sample stocker (3) is operating at a slow speed, and the rack (14) can be continuously loaded into the sample stocker (3). Next, the sample is introduced into the sample transport belt line (1), and the line injection here is performed by the air piston that operates at the loading position together with the arrival confirmation.

The sample (15) moving on the sample transport belt line (1) receives the bar code information for each sample by the bar code reader (5) and passes through the bar code reader (5) in rack units. To do. On the other hand, in the dispensing belt line (2), the rack feed control box (8)
Thus, the dispensing sample cup stocker (4) supplies the dispensing sample cup.

The moving sample (15) and the dispensing sample cup run in parallel on each line and are temporarily stopped in front of the dispensing device (6). Dispensed by the device (6). The dispensing process at this time is also performed for each rack, but the cups on the rack are packed forward in the dispensing execution order, and the analysis order for separation analysis (arrangement order)
Newly added. After that, the processing of the sample information is performed in rack units based on the arrangement information here.

Further, the dispensing device (6) is equipped with a function of issuing a warning sound and interrupting the dispensing process to prompt a response when an obstacle (sample shortage, clogging, etc.) occurs during the dispensing process. At this time, the first workstation (12) receives the error signal from the aforesaid dispensing device (6), displays the failure point on the CRT, and starts the patrol lamp. Recovery (restart) after this process is performed artificially.

After the dispensing work is completed, the gates (stoppers) (7) of both belt lines are opened, and each sample starts to move. At this time, in the separation / analysis line (2 '), the dispensed sample is adjusted by the rack feed control box (8) for time adjustment, that is, the timing of loading into the analyzer B (11), and the height is increased together with the start command. The sample is sent to the adjustment sample loading lift (9), and the analyzer B is sent through it.
It is automatically put into (11).

The test data (analysis value) is transferred to the DST (data station) of the sample test system controlled by the host computer via the second and first workstations, processed online, and processed by a plurality of terminals. It is possible to inquire from.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the sample transport data transmission configuration of this embodiment for explaining the present system and the real-time random access automatic dispensing system described above, and the signal lines are also shown in the figure. There is.

Here, the first workstation (hereinafter,
It is called WS1. ) And the second workstation (hereinafter, referred to as WS2), the operation between the line components will be described in a to r. a. The sample rack is loaded on the sample transport belt line. b. WS1 receives the barcode information from the barcode reader. c. Use the rack feed control box to feed the dispensing sample cup. d. WS1 converts the barcode information into a sample ID No. and sends it to the host computer (sample inspection system). e. WS1 receives the worksheet information from the host computer. f. The rack feed control box confirms that the sample in rack units has arrived at the dispensing position by the position sensor and sends it to WS1. g. WS1 sends the dispensing information to the dispensing device. h. The dispensing device automatically performs the dispensing work. i. The dispensing device transmits a dispensing work end signal to WS1. j. WS1 sends a dispensing end signal to the rack feed control box. k. WS1 transmits the dispensed information and the inspection item information to WS2. l. When the gate is opened, the sample (rack) feed to the sample transport belt line is started. m. When the gate is opened, the dispensing sample (rack) is started to be sent to the separation analysis line. n. Analysis started by the automatic analyzer A arranged in series on the sample transport belt line. o. In the separation analysis line, WS2 sends the dispensed information and the inspection item request information to the automatic analyzer B together with the ID No. p. The automatic analyzer B displays the test results for each sample as WS2
Send to. q. WS1 requests the test result from the buffer of WS2 and receives it, if any. r. WS1 sends the data of the automatic analyzer B to the host computer.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining the operating procedure of this system managed by WS1 and WS2.
Here, indicates that when the rack does not come at the time of confirming the arrival of the sample rack, an inquiry is made to WS2, and the following processing is started from here after the processing is completed regardless of the presence or absence of data. Indicates that while confirming the arrival of the sample (rack) and while waiting for the arrival, the WS 2 is queried for data and, regardless of the presence or absence of data, after the processing is completed, the following processing is started from here. Goes to WS2 for data inquiry during rack sending and waiting for sending,
It indicates that the following processing is started from here after the processing is completed regardless of the presence or absence of data. Sends a data inquiry to WS2, and after processing is completed, regardless of the existence of data,
From here, the following processing is started. Is WS
2 shows that the measurement data is taken and transmitted to the host computer, and thereafter, the following processing is started.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the assignment of the arrangement order of the samples on each transport line. As can be seen in the figure, the barcode of the sample placed on the sample rack is read, and a dispensing command signal is issued for the alignment information by the dispensing information and the barcode ID. Then, it is dispensed from the sample on the sample transport line to the sample rack for dispensing, at this time,
Dispensing to the sample rack for dispensing is carried out forward, and a line-up order is given for each analysis line.

[0023]

The present invention is constructed as described above, and has the following remarkable effects. (1) Simultaneous parallel and serial processing of a plurality of analyzers is possible, and the analysis of batch processing is improved to real-time processing. This, at the same time, allows immediate reporting of routine tests on the same specimen. (2) It is possible to eliminate manual sample dispensing work and the resulting mix-up of sample or mistaken supply, and to eliminate the risk of infection during sample dispensing. (3) Since this system can be operated only by the person in charge of sample reception, for example, it has high economic efficiency including reduction in human cost and is rational. (4) Simultaneous multi-item simultaneous analysis of the same sample is easily performed by arranging various analyzers on the line side, so immediate reporting and labor saving of all routine tests can be realized at the same time.
Therefore, it can be expected to greatly contribute to the efficiency and speed of inspection.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a device configuration of an automatic sample transport system which is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sample transport data transmission configuration diagram of an embodiment for explaining the present system and a real-time random access automatic dispensing system.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operating procedure of this system managed by WS1 and WS2.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the order of arrangement of samples on each transport line.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Sample transport belt line 2 Dispensing belt line 2'Separation and analysis line 3 Sample stocker 4 Dispensing sample cup stocker 5 Bar code reader 6 Dispensing device 7 Gate (stopper) 8 Rack feed control box 9 Sample loading lift 10 Automatic Analyzer A 11 Automatic analyzer B 12 1st workstation (WS1) 13 2nd workstation (WS2) 14 Sample rack

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A sample rack and a sample stocker, a sample transport belt line consisting of a belt conveyor with a fixed rack, a sample cup stocker for dispensing, a dispensing belt line, a dispensing device, and each of the above lines are connected. In the automatic sample inspection transport system consisting of the automated analyzer
A bar code reader on the sample transport belt line, a separation analysis line included in the dispensing belt line, a rack feed control box and a sample loading lift for height adjustment for an automatic analyzer, a host computer and signals. A first workstation that manages the sample processing from sending and receiving the sample transport belt line to the end of separation analysis, and an automatic analysis that is connected to this first workstation and inspects the dispensed sample by transmitting and receiving data. An automatic sample transport system comprising a second workstation for managing the apparatus. 2. A sample processing method for a sample inspection system having an automatic sample transport line, wherein the first workstation according to claim 1 transmits a signal to and from a host computer, and sample processing for each sample and for each rack. It has a means for storing information, a dispensing device and a rack feed control box, a transmission means for transmitting and receiving signals, an input / output means including a CRT, and a CPU, and is connected to the first workstation to It has a second workstation that manages the automatic analyzer that performs the test and a means for sending and receiving data, and the line components under this control are real-time random access type when performing multi-item analysis of the same sample. Real-time random access automatic dispensing system characterized by working.