JPH0570113B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer in which an analyzer is disposed along a sample line along which sample racks arranged with samples are transferred.

The automatic analyzer of the present invention is suitable for use in biochemical analysis, for example.

(Conventional technology) An example of an automatic analyzer is shown in FIG.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a sample line to which sample racks 2 with samples lined up are transported by a belt.
Two sets of analysis units 4 and 6 are arranged along the line. Each analysis unit is equipped with a reaction line having a large number of reaction tubes, a reagent supply section that supplies reagents to the reaction tubes, a measurement section that optically detects the reaction, and the like. Reference numerals 5 and 7 indicate sampling nozzles for dispensing the sample sent through the sample line 1 to the respective analysis units 4 and 6. A rack supply section 8 and an emergency rack supply section 10 are provided on the entrance side of the sample line 1, and a rack storage section 12 is provided on the exit side of the sample line 1.

The sample rack for normal analysis is A of the rack supply section 8.
The emergency rack is supplied to position G of the emergency rack supply section 10. B is the starting position of the sample line 1, and the sample rack 2 is transported along the sample line 1 by a belt, stopped by a stopper at sample dispensing positions C and D of the analysis units 4 and 6, and dispensed. The sample rack 2 carried to the exit of the sample line 1 enters the rack storage section 12 at position E, and is sequentially stored toward position F.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) Even with an automatic analyzer as shown in FIG. 4, even if an abnormality occurs in the analysis results, retesting cannot be performed.

Furthermore, when a specimen is to be analyzed urgently, even if an emergency rack is supplied to the emergency rack supply unit 10,
If there is a sample rack for normal analysis that has already been sent to sample line 1, you cannot start dispensing samples from the emergency rack until the dispensing of the samples from the sample rack for normal analysis is completed. Analysis also has the problem of long waiting times.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer convenient for reexamination and emergency analysis.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In the present invention, in an automatic analyzer in which an analyzer is arranged along a sample line through which a sample is transferred, the sample line has an outbound path and a return path, and both the outbound path and the return path Equipped with a sample dispensing mechanism that can dispense the sample from the sample line to the analyzer, and one end of the outbound path of the sample line is equipped with a sample supply unit that sends the sample to the sample line, and the same side as the sample supply unit is provided. On the side, one end of the return path of the sample line is provided with a sample storage unit that receives the sample after dispensing from the sample line, and the other ends of the outbound and return paths of the sample line are provided with a return unit that transfers the sample from the outbound path to the return path, It is equipped with an emergency specimen insertion section that sends out the emergency specimen to the return path of the specimen line.

(Operation) Sample racks for normal analysis are sent from the outward path of the sample line and dispensed into the analyzer. After analysis, the sample is returned through the return path of the sample line, but if an abnormality occurs in the analysis results and a retest is required, the sample is re-dispensed from the sample dispensing position on the return path to the analyzer. Ru.

Sample racks containing samples that require urgent testing are supplied to the return route without passing through the outward route. Samples are dispensed on the return trip only in extremely limited cases, such as for retests or emergency tests, so there are fewer items to analyze, and the sample rack moves much faster on the return trip than on the outward trip. Waiting time will be shorter.

(Example) FIG. 1 represents one embodiment.

20 is the outward path of the sample line, 22 is the return path of the sample line, and each sample rack 1 is transported by a belt.
8 is transferred. On the outward path 20, the belt moves from the left side to the right side in the figure, and on the return path 22, the belt moves conversely from the right side to the left side.
A sample rack supply section 24 is connected to the left end of the outgoing path 20. The sample rack supply section 24 is normally supplied with sample racks 18 in which samples to be analyzed are lined up.
is supplied. At the left end of the return path 22 of the sample line is a storage section 2 for storing sample racks after sample dispensing.
6 are connected. A detection device 27 for identifying the sample rack is provided at a position where the sample rack 18 is delivered from the rack supply section 24 to the sample line 20.

Two sets of analysis units 28 and 30 are arranged along the sample lines 20 and 22. These analysis units 28, 30 have the same structure. Each analysis unit 28, 30 is provided with a reaction disk 32 on which reaction tubes are arranged along the circumference, and a reagent turntable 34, 36 on which reagents to be supplied to the reaction tubes are arranged along the circumference. ing. Reference numeral 38 denotes a sampling nozzle for dispensing the sample from the sample dispensing positions on the outward route 20 and the return route 22 into the reaction tubes of the reaction disk 32, and 40 and 42 dispense the reagents on the reagent turntables 34 and 36, respectively, into the reaction tubes of the reaction disk 32. Reagent dispensing nozzles 44 and 46 are stirring devices for stirring the reaction solution in the reaction tube on the reaction disk, and cleaning devices 48 and 50 are cleaning the reaction tube after the reaction. Although not shown in the figure, a spectrometer is provided that rotates around the same central axis as the reaction disk 32 in order to measure the reaction by measuring the absorbance of the reaction solution in the reaction tube.

In the figure, a return section 50 is provided at the right end of the sample lines 20 and 22 to temporarily hold the sample rack 18 sent from the outbound path 22 and return it to the return path 22 or insert an emergency rack. .
As shown in FIG. 2, the return section 50 is equipped with a standby table 52, and the standby table 52 is divided into four blocks, each of which can accommodate four sample racks 18. The standby table 52 can rotate around the intersection of the four blocks as shown in (A), and the entire four blocks can move linearly in the vertical direction as shown in (B). When storing the sample rack 18, the storage location of the standby table 52 is brought to position F by rotating and moving the standby table 52. waiting table 5
When discharging the sample rack 18 from the sample rack 2, the discharging position of the standby table 52 is moved to the H position. The sample rack 18 stored on the waiting table 52 is
The data are kept on standby on a standby table 52 until the analysis results from the analysis units 28 and 30 are available. after that,
The sample rack 18 is pushed out from the H position to the return path 22 after it is confirmed whether or not there is a need for reexamination.

Emergency rack insertion section 5 adjacent to return section 50
4 are provided. A specimen rack for emergency analysis is placed in the emergency rack insertion section 54, the rack is identified by the rack detection section 56, and placed on the standby table 52 from position O.

In the vicinity of the standby table 52, a separate item analysis device 60 such as ISE that can perform measurements in a short time is provided. 62 is a sampling nozzle for dispensing a specimen into the analyzer 60.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the sample rack 18.

Five sample cups 64 are arranged in the sample rack 18. A hole 66 for rack recognition is bored in the side surface of the specimen rack 18. This hole 66
The type of specimen rack 18 (routine, control, calibration,
It is used to recognize things like emergency use (for emergency use, etc.) and serial numbers.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

A sample rack 18 for normal analysis is placed in the supply section 24, moved to position B, and then sent to the outward path 20 of the sample line. At this time, the rack detection section 58 recognizes the type of specimen rack 18 from the hole 66 at position C. As a result, the analysis item of each sample in the sample rack 18 is recognized.

The sample rack 18 that has moved on the sample line 20 is D.
The sampling nozzle 38 aspirates and dispenses the sample for the item to be measured by the analysis unit 28. When the analysis unit 28 finishes dispensing all the samples in the sample rack 18, the sample rack 18 moves again along the sample line 20 and is stopped by a stopper at the sample dispensing position E of the next analysis unit 30. The analysis unit 30 performs sample dispensing. When the sample dispensing in the analysis unit 30 is completed, the sample rack 18 is sent from position F to the standby table 52 of the return section 50. Analysis unit 28,3
The sample rack 18, which had been waiting on the standby table 52 until the analysis result at 0, is recognized by the analysis result as to whether or not re-examination is required, is pushed out from the position H to the return path 22 of the sample line, and the sample rack 18 is transferred to the return path 22 of the sample line if necessary. The sample is re-dispensed to the analysis units 30 and 28 at dispensing positions I and J, and a re-examination is performed. After redispensing, K
The sample is stored in the rack storage section 26 from the position , and the series of analyzes is completed.

In the case of emergency analysis, the emergency rack is placed in the emergency rack insertion section 54, and after its type is recognized by the hole 66 of the specimen rack in the emergency rack detection section 56,
It is placed on the standby table 52 from position O. In this case, the emergency rack is moved to the H position without waiting and enters the return path 22 of the sample line, where the sample is dispensed into the analysis units 30 and 28 at the sample dispensing positions I and J, and then into the storage section at the K position. It is stored in 26. When dispensing the sample on the return route 22, the dispensing in each analysis unit 30, 28 is performed on the return route 22 of the sample line.
This is done with priority over dispensing from the sample at 0.

The embodiment of FIG. 1 may be an apparatus that does not include the sample rack insertion section 54. In that case, the emergency rack may be placed on the standby table 52, or it may be placed directly at the position H where the sample line enters the return path 22.

As in the example, when dispensing specimens on both the outbound and return trips, priority should be given to dispensing from the return trip, and a sample rack that requires urgent testing can be installed on the return trip. For example, emergency interrupt analysis becomes possible.

If a standby table is provided, emergency racks can be inserted in succession up to the number of sample racks that can be placed on the standby table.

By providing a device such as an ISE that can perform analysis in a short time in the vicinity of the standby table 52 in addition to the analysis units 28 and 30, the results of those items can be obtained quickly.

By predetermining measurement item groups for set tests, such as liver function and renal function, according to the type using holes 66 for type recognition in the sample rack 18, it is easy to place the samples on the sample racks for the items that need to be measured. By simply setting it in the supply section 24 or the emergency rack insertion section 54, analysis can be started without any particular item selection being registered.

(Effects of the Invention) In the present invention, the sample line is provided with an outbound path and a return path, and the sample can be dispensed from both the outbound and inbound sample lines to the analyzer. Although the movement speed of the rack is slow, the return path of the sample line set up for reexamination or emergency testing is usually only a few percent of the number of analysis items, so results can be obtained with almost no waiting time.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram showing one embodiment, Fig. 2 is a plan view showing a return section in the same embodiment, Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a sample rack in the same embodiment, and Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a sample rack in the same embodiment.
The figure is a schematic configuration diagram showing a conventional automatic biochemical analyzer. 18...Sample rack, 20...Sample line outward path, 22...Sample line return path, 24...Rack supply section, 26...Rack storage section, 28, 30...
Analysis unit, 32...Reaction disk, 34,3
6... Reagent turntable, 38... Sampling nozzle, 50... Return part, 52... Standby table, 54... Emergency rack insertion part.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In an automatic analyzer in which an analyzer is arranged along a sample line through which the sample is transferred, the sample line has an outbound path and a return path, and the sample is dispensed from the sample line on both the outbound path and the return path to the analyzer. a sample dispensing mechanism capable of dispensing the sample, one end of the outbound path of the sample line is provided with a sample supply unit for sending the sample to the sample line, and one end of the return path of the sample line is provided on the same side as the sample supply unit is provided. is equipped with a sample storage section that receives the sample after dispensing from the sample line.
An automatic analyzer characterized in that the other ends of the outbound and inbound paths of the sample line are provided with a return section that transfers the sample from the outbound path to the inbound path, and an emergency sample insertion section that sends out the emergency sample to the return path of the sample line.