JPH0694728A - Sample pallet of clinical examination device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To identify the type of a specimen container when grasping the specimen container by a carrier robot. CONSTITUTION:When a specimen container with external dimensions of 13mm to 16 mm is used, a circular hole 62 with a specific depth is provided at a supporting stand 61 so that only the specimen container with the outer dimension of 13mm can enter a bottom part and supporting members 64 and 66 which have centers on the center axis of the hole 62 of the supporting stand and have holes with a diameter exceeding 16mm are provided on the upper part of the supporting stand 61 to support the specimen container so that it does not fall. When the specimen container is placed on a specimen container, the height of each specimen container differs, thus identifying the type of the specimen container according to the height difference when the specimen container is grasped from an upper part by a carrier robot.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is an analyzer for clinical examination of samples such as blood and urine in a medical institution such as a hospital, in which a sample container containing a sample is set up at a start yard (a sample reception place) of the analyzer. It is related to a sample pallet for supporting.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a clinical laboratory tester, an automatic analyzer is used which automatically performs analysis when a sample is placed in a sample container and placed in a start yard. However, the analyzer handles only the same type of sample. It is a single-function analyzer. Samples of different types are placed in sample containers of different shapes and analyzed by independent analyzers. Therefore, in each of the analyzers, a plurality of sample containers each containing a sample are accommodated in the sample rack and transported from the start yard to the dispensing position by, for example, a belt conveyor. Since the sample rack accommodates only the same type of sample containers, the sample rack has only to have a function of standing and supporting a plurality of sample containers.

On the other hand, the present inventors have integrated a plurality of types of analyzers having different types of samples to be measured, and if sample containers of different types are placed in the start yard, they are automatically distributed to the corresponding analyzers. We have developed and proposed a combined analyzer that can be transported and started to perform analysis operations. In such a combined analyzer, the type of sample container placed in the start yard is different, so it is necessary to identify the type of sample container in the start yard. In the composite analyzer developed by the present inventors, a self-propelled articulated robot (hereinafter referred to as a transport robot) is used to distribute and transport a sample container. The transport robot descends from above the sample container and grabs the sample container.

[0004]

Since the conventional automatic analyzer does not need to identify the sample container, a special sample pallet is not necessary, but the complex analyzer developed by the present inventors has different types of samples. The container is placed in the start yard. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to identify the type of the sample container when the transport robot grabs the sample container.

[0005]

According to the present invention, in order to identify the type of the sample container when the transport robot grabs the sample container, the height is changed depending on the type of the sample container in the start yard. There are biochemical analyzers, blood analyzers, urine analyzers, etc. as clinical analyzers.
Sample containers used in these analyzers have different outer diameter dimensions. Therefore, by using the difference in outer diameter, when the sample container is placed on the sample pallet in the start yard, the height of the sample container will be different so that the sample container can be grasped by the transfer robot. Be able to identify the type of.

The sample pallet of the present invention is a sample pallet for standing and supporting a plurality of types of sample containers having at least different outer diameter dimensions, and only a cylindrical sample container having the smallest outer diameter dimension is inserted to the bottom. A support with a circular hole of depth, and a hole with a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the sample container with the maximum outer diameter, with the center on the center axis of the hole of the support at the top of the support. And a support member having.

[0007]

1 is a block diagram showing an example of a compound analyzer under development in which the sample pallet of the present invention is used, and FIG. 2 shows an example in which an analyzer and other parts of the compound analyzer are arranged. It is a thing. A biochemical analyzer 2, a blood analyzer 4, and a urine analyzer 6 are arranged as analyzers,
A transport robot 24 that moves along a traveling shaft 26 is provided for transporting the sample container stored in the sample rack to these analyzers. A start yard 10 is provided for placing a sample container in which a sample is put and identification information is attached as a bar code, and a bar code reader 16 is provided near the start yard 10 to identify the bar code in the start yard 10. It is arranged. The information is identified by the barcode reader 16 in the start yard 10, and when it is necessary to remove the rubber stopper of the sample container, an opening mechanism (cap killer) 12 for opening the stopper is provided.
Is also arranged. Depending on the analysis request content in the biochemical analysis from the opened sample container, the sample necessary for the analysis is prepared for another analysis device 8 for performing the manual analysis of the items which are not analyzed by the biochemical analysis device 2. An automatic dispenser 14 is located near the opening mechanism 12 for dispensing into the cup 15.

The transport robot 24 travels by the traveling shaft 24 so as to transport the sample container and the sample rack containing the sample container over the range indicated by the symbol 28 in FIG. The range is specified. Each of the analyzers 2, 4, 6 is provided with a bar code reader 18, 20, 22 for reading and confirming the identification information of the sample container contained in the sample rack and conveyed.

The workstation 34 registers the analysis request, issues a bar code label, and transmits the request information to the biochemical analyzer 2 via the data collection controller 36.
Send to. The biochemical analyzer 2 analyzes necessary items in accordance with the sent request information, and the inspection data is sent to the workstation 32 via the data collection controller 36. The inspection data of the blood analyzer 4 is also sent to the workstation 3 via the data collection controller 36.
Sent to 2. The test data of the urine analyzer 6 is sent to the workstation 32 via the data collection controller 38. The workstation 32 creates a report or the like based on the inspection data of each analyzer.

A control computer 30 is arranged to control the dispensing operation of the dispenser 14, a dispensing request is issued to the dispenser 14 in response to a command from the workstation 34, and the dispensing result is given to the workstation. Sent to 32.
A robot drive unit 40 is provided to control the sample distribution operation of the transfer robot 24, the transfer operation to the opening mechanism, the transfer to each analyzer, etc. The robot drive unit 40 is the same as the dispenser 14 in the control computer. Controlled by 30.

An example of the opening mechanism 12 is shown in FIG. The sample container 42 transported by the transport robot 24 is attached to the rubber stopper 4
A holder 44 is provided for fixing 6 up. A lever 50 having a rotation center 48 is provided near the lower portion of the sample container 42 so as to hit the rubber stopper 46 of the sample container 42 fixed to the holder 44, and a large claw 52 that contacts the rubber stopper 46 is provided above the lever 50. And a small claw 54 is provided on the lower side of the transfer robot 2 at the upper end of the lever 50.
4 is provided with a protrusion 56. When the projecting portion 56 is pushed in the clockwise direction in the figure by the transfer robot 24, the claw 52 makes a circular motion about the center point 48 as a rotation center and pushes the rubber stopper 46 to remove it. In order to optically detect the presence or absence of the rubber plug 46, a sensor 59 that allows light to pass through is provided at the height of the rubber plug 46.

As shown in FIG. 4, the movement of the lever 50 is such that the pawl 52 rotates clockwise in the figure to a position where the rubber plug 46 is partially removed (B), and is then returned counterclockwise. (C) Then, the rubber stopper 46 is completely removed from the sample container 42 by rotating again in the clockwise direction (D). The small claw 54 is an auxiliary claw for dropping the rubber stopper 46 when it remains on the upper portion of the sample container 42.

An embodiment of a sample pallet for placing a sample container on the start yard 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. The sample container used in the clinical analyzer is shown in FIG.
As shown in (A), the sample for biochemical analysis (serum) has an outer diameter of 16 mm and a height of 100 mm, and the sample for blood analyzer (whole blood) has an outer diameter of 13 mm and a height of 100 mm. 7
A blood collection tube c of 5 mm, an outer diameter of 16 mm for a urine analysis sample,
A urine spitz b having a height of 100 mm and a thin bottom is used. The blood collection tubes a and c are sealed with rubber stoppers. Therefore, as a pallet 60 for placing these sample containers in the start yard, as shown in FIG.
That is, a circular hole 62 having a predetermined depth is formed so that only the blood collection tube c having an outer diameter of 13 mm can reach the bottom. In order to support the sample container so that it does not fall down, as shown in FIG. 6, the sample container having the maximum outer diameter dimension is centered on the center axis of the hole 62 of the support table at the upper part of the support table 61. A support member 64 having a hole with a diameter dimension, ie a diameter greater than 16 mm,
66 is provided.

When the sample container is placed on the sample pallet 60, the blood collection tube a does not enter the hole 62, and the whole blood sample a projects above the sample pallet. In the urine spitz b, a part of the bottom part thereof enters the hole 62, and the height becomes lower than that of the blood collection tube a. The blood collection tube c enters the hole and has the lowest height. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5B, the height of each sample container is different, and when the sample is held from above by the transport robot, the type of sample container can be identified by the difference in height. That is, when grasped by the transfer robot, the one that can be grasped at the position A is identified as the blood collection tube a, the one that can be grasped at the position B is the urine spitz b, and the one that cannot be grasped until it reaches the position C is identified as the blood collection tube c. Figure 6 shows sample pallet 6
It shows a state in which the sample containers are arranged at 0. FIG. 7 shows the appearance of such a sample pallet 60.

Next, the operation of the combined analyzer of FIGS. 1 and 2 using this sample pallet 60 will be described. FIG. 8 schematically shows the flow of inspection work after the inspection is requested. When the workstation 34 performs request registration in accordance with the inspection request form, the workstation 34 issues a barcode label of the sample identification information including the sample type information. Blood is collected and urine is collected from the patient, and a barcode label is attached to the sample container containing the sample. When performing biochemical analysis, the sample is centrifuged and serum is collected in a blood collection tube. Each sample container containing a sample of serum, whole blood, urine, etc. is sample pallet 60 in the start yard 10.
Placed in. Bar code reader 1 in the start yard
6 reads the barcode attached to the sample container.
At this time, the transport robot grabs the sample container placed on the sample pallet 60 and rotates it so that the barcode reader 16 can read it. Depending on the height at which the transport robot was able to grab the sample container, control was performed. The computer 30 recognizes the type of the sample container. This makes it possible to know the position where the bar code label is attached and to read it accurately, and also to find out the installation position of the analyzer that analyzes the sample and the empty sample rack that stores the sample container, and place the sample container there. Can be transported up to.

In the case of a sample for biochemical analysis, the rubber stopper of the blood collection tube is removed by the opening mechanism 12 before the sample container is distributed to the sample rack for the biochemical analyzer, and depending on the contents of the analysis request, the transfer robot may be used. Since there is a sample that needs to be analyzed by the analyzer 8 that is not connected by 24, such sample is dispensed into the sample cup for the analyzer 8 using the automatic pipetting device 14, A worksheet for the analyzer (matching information at the time of data collection) is created as internal information. After that, the opened blood collection tube is transported to and accommodated in a corresponding empty sample rack for biochemical analysis at the empty rack setting position 17.

Sample pallet 6 in the start yard 10
The operation after 0 is set will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. As shown in FIG. 9, when the sample pallet 60 is placed on the start yard 10, if a sample container is actually present in the sample pallet, the process proceeds to A to read the barcode, and if there is no sample container, the other. It is determined whether or not the sample pallet is present, and the bar code is read for the sample of the next sample pallet (steps S1 to S3). If there is no sample container in another sample pallet, it waits for 30 seconds until the next sample pallet arrives (step S4). If the sample pallet still does not come, it is judged whether or not there is a sample rack containing the sample container, and if so, it is judged whether or not the analysis device for transporting the sample rack is ready for analysis (steps S5, S).
6) If an analysis preparation for a new sample is not made, for example, the previous sample is still being analyzed, an alarm is issued (step S7). If the preparation is completed, the sample rack is transported to the start part of the corresponding analyzer (step S8), and a start signal is sent to the analyzer (step S9). Prepare an empty rack for the next sample.
If there is no empty rack, an alarm is issued (steps S10-1).
2).

As long as there are sample racks containing sample containers, those sample racks are transported to the corresponding analyzers, and when the transport of all sample racks is completed, new sample containers are again placed in the start yard 10. Wait for the sample pallet 60 to be placed.

When the start yard 10 recognizes that there is a sample container, the bar code of the sample container is read by the bar code reader 16 as shown in FIG. Return to the original position, issue an alarm and return to step S2 (step S2
1, 22). When the barcode is correctly read, according to the read identification information, if the sample is for biochemical analysis, the process proceeds to the flow shown in FIG. 11 (step S23). If it is not for biochemical analysis, it is judged whether it is for blood analysis (step S24). If it is for blood analysis, the sample container is inserted into the sample rack for the blood analyzer, and the barcodes are aligned in the same direction. It is inserted and inserted. If it is not for blood analysis, it is determined to be for urine analysis, and the barcodes are aligned and inserted into the sample rack for the urine analyzer (step S35).

When the sample rack becomes full after being inserted into the sample rack and the analyzer can be analyzed, the sample rack is installed at the start portion of the corresponding analyzer and an analysis start signal is sent to send the next signal. Prepare an empty sample rack for your sample. If there is no empty sample rack, an alarm will be issued. When the sample rack is full and is transported, if the analyzer is not in an analyzable state, a flag is set to indicate that the next process is to be performed, and an alarm is issued (steps S26 to S33, S36 to S46).

FIG. 11 shows a processing procedure when the sample is judged to be a sample for biochemical analysis by reading a bar code. The sample container of the biochemical analysis sample is conveyed to the opening mechanism 12 and is subjected to the opening process (step S5).
0, S51). When the cap is removed, when the manual analysis is included, the sample cup for the manual analysis is dispensed, and then the barcode is aligned and inserted into the sample rack for biochemical analysis ( Step S52-
S55). When the cap of the blood collection tube cannot be removed in step S52, the blood collection tube is returned to the start yard 10 and an alarm is issued (steps S63, 64). When the sample rack is full, it is judged whether or not the biochemical analyzer can analyze, and if possible, the sample rack is transported to the start portion of the biochemical analyzer and an analysis start signal is sent (steps S56 to 59). ). Then, an empty sample rack is prepared for the next sample (step S6).
0). If there is no empty rack, an alarm is issued (steps S61 and S62). If the biochemical analyzer is still performing the previous analysis when the sample rack is full, a flag is set for the next process and an alarm is issued (steps S57, S65).

[0022]

According to the present invention, depending on the outer diameter of the sample container,
Since the height of the sample container varies depending on the depth of the hole formed in the support base, when the sample container is grasped from above the sample container by the transfer robot, the sample container can be grasped at any position. It becomes possible to identify the type of sample container depending on whether it is high or low. The type information of the identified sample container can be distributed to the sample rack for the corresponding analyzer and used as information for transporting the sample rack to the corresponding analyzer.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an example of a composite analyzer under development in which a sample palette of the present invention is used.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the composite analyzer.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing an opening mechanism used in the combined analyzer.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an opening operation in the opening mechanism of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a front view (A) showing types of sample containers and a front cross-sectional view (B) showing an outline of one embodiment of a sample pallet placed in a start yard.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a state in which sample containers are arranged on the sample pallet of the same example.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a sample pallet of the same example.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing pretreatment and sample transportation in the combined analyzer.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation after a sample is placed on a start yard in the combined analyzer.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation after the barcode reading is performed in the start yard by the combined analyzer.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation when the sample is judged to be a biochemical analysis sample by the combined analyzer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Biochemical analyzer 4 Blood analyzer 6 Urine analyzer 10 Start yard 12 Opening mechanism 14 Dispenser 16, 18, 20, 22 Bar code reader 24 Transport robot 26 Travel axis 60 Sample pallet 61 Sample pallet support 62 Support stand holes 64, 66 Support members

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A sample pallet for erecting and supporting a plurality of types of sample containers having at least different outer diameter dimensions, wherein only a cylindrical sample container having the smallest outer diameter dimension reaches a bottom portion and is a circular shape having a predetermined depth. A supporting base having a hole, and a supporting member having a hole having a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the sample container having the maximum outer diameter, having a center on the central axis of the hole of the supporting base at the upper part of the supporting base A sample pallet that is equipped with.