JPH08178844A - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To enhance the accuracy of measurement while dealing with reduction in the size and tube diameter of a reaction cell. CONSTITUTION: The automatic analyzer comprises a spot light source 21 for irradiating a reaction cell 26 with a spot light, and reflectors 22, 23. Incident angle θ of the spot light from the spot light source 21 to the side face of the reaction cell 26 is set so that the spot light enters the side face of the reaction cell 14 at a position slightly below the top face of a sample and leaves the side face on the opposite side at a position slightly above the bottom face of the sample. The reaction cell 26 is irradiated again with the spot light transmitted through the reaction cell 26.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic analysis in which a reaction cell prepared by dispensing and stirring a test sample and a reagent is irradiated with light, and the transmitted light is measured to analyze the measurement item components of the test sample. Regarding the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an automatic analyzer, a test sample and a reagent are dispensed and stirred in a reaction cell, this solution is irradiated with light, and the absorbance is measured from the transmitted light. From the change, the measurement item component (concentration) of the test sample is measured.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a main structure of a photometric unit (spectrophotometer) for measuring absorbance in a conventional automatic analyzer. The photometric unit includes a light source 1, a diffraction grating 2, and a detector 3. Light from the light source 1 is vertically irradiated to the side surface of the tubular reaction cell 4, the transmitted light is dispersed by the diffraction grating 2, and monochromatic light having a specific wavelength is incident on the detector 3. This detector 3 measures the absorbance of this incident light.

Let C be the concentration of the mixed solution of the test sample dispensed and stirred in the reaction cell 4 and the reagent, and let the intensity of the direct light from the light source 1 be I 0, the reaction cell 4 of this light. The transmission distance is D, and the intensity of the transmitted light from the reaction cell 4 is I.
1. If k is an extinction coefficient determined by the substance of the solution in the reaction cell, the wavelength of light, and the temperature, the relational expression log (I0 / I1) = kCD is established according to the Lambert-Beer law. Therefore, from this relational expression, the reaction cell 4
The concentration of the solution in the solution can be calculated from the absorbance.

[0005]

In recent years, in response to the demand for downsizing of automatic analyzers and large-scale processing functions, reaction cells have been developed.
The (reaction tube, blood collection tube) has a thinner shape. On the other hand, as described above, when the transmission distance D in the reaction cell becomes shorter, the ratio I of the direct light intensity I0 to the transmitted light intensity I1 is increased.
0 / I1 does not become small (close to 1). Therefore, there has been a problem that the ratio of the measurement error to the detected value becomes large and the measurement accuracy decreases. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer capable of coping with miniaturization and thinning of a reaction cell and improving measurement accuracy.

[0006]

The invention according to claim 1 is
In an automatic analyzer that irradiates a reaction cell in which a test sample and a reagent are dispensed and agitated with predetermined light and measures the transmitted light to analyze the measurement item components of the test sample, The incident angle is inclined with respect to the side surface of the reaction cell.

The invention according to claim 2 is an automatic analysis in which a reaction cell prepared by dispensing and stirring a test sample and a reagent is irradiated with light, and the transmitted light is measured to analyze the measurement item components of the test sample. In the apparatus, spot light irradiating means for irradiating the reaction cell with spot light as light, re-irradiating means for irradiating the reaction cell again with the transmitted light of the spot light irradiated by the spot light irradiating means on the reaction cell, and the re-irradiating means. The transmitted light of the spot light re-irradiated to the reaction cell by the irradiation means is measured to analyze the measurement item components of the test sample.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 2, wherein the incident angle of at least one of the spot light for irradiating the reaction cell and the spot light for re-irradiating the reaction cell with respect to the side surface of the reaction cell. It is tilted.

[0009]

In the invention according to claim 1, since the incident angle of light to the reaction cell is inclined with respect to the side surface thereof, the light transmission distance in the reaction cell becomes long. The transmitted light is measured to analyze the measurement item components of the test sample.

In the invention according to claim 2, spot light is irradiated onto the reaction cell by the spot light irradiation means. The spot light that has passed through the reaction cell is reflected by the re-irradiating means and is irradiated again on the reaction cell.

The re-irradiated spot light again passes through the reaction cell, and the transmitted light is measured to analyze the measurement item components of the test sample. In the invention corresponding to claim 3, in addition to the operation of the invention corresponding to claim 2, the incident angle of at least one of the first irradiation and the re-irradiation of the spot light to the reaction cell is inclined with respect to the side surface of the reaction cell. Therefore, the permeation distance in the reaction cell becomes long.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a main configuration of a photometric unit (spectrophotometer) for measuring absorbance in an automatic analyzer to which the present invention is applied.

The photometry section includes a light source 11, a diffraction grating 12, and
It is composed of a detector 13. The light from the light source 11 is transmitted from a position near the lower portion of the top surface of the test sample on the side surface of the reaction cell 14 to a position near the upper portion of the bottom surface height of the test sample on the opposite side surface of the reaction cell 14. In addition, the light from the light source 11 is applied to the side surface of the reaction cell 14 while being inclined from above the angle θ.

The diffraction grating 12 is arranged at a position where the transmitted light is incident from a position near the upper part of the bottom surface height of the test sample on the side surface on the opposite side of the reaction cell 26. The detector 13 is arranged at a position where monochromatic light of a specific wavelength emitted by being split by the diffraction grating 12 is incident.

In the first embodiment having such a structure,
The light from the light source 11 is incident on the side surface of the reaction cell 14 at an angle θ from a position near the lower portion of the height of the upper surface of the test sample. The incident light is slightly refracted at the incident surface (not shown) and passes through the mixed solution of the test sample and the reagent in the reaction cell 14, and the light on the opposite side of the reaction cell 14 is detected. After passing through the position near the upper part of the bottom surface of the sample, the transmitted light is incident on the diffraction grating 12 at an angle θ.

The transmitted light is dispersed by the diffraction grating 12, and a monochromatic light having a specific wavelength out of the dispersed light is incident on a detector 13, and this detector 13 converts the incident monochromatic light. The strength I1 is measured.

Since the intensity I 0 of the light emitted from the light source 11 and the thickness D of the reaction cell 14 are known in advance and the extinction coefficient k is also known, the absorbance is calculated. From this absorbance, the concentration C of the mixed liquid of the test sample and the reagent can be calculated.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the incident angle θ of light with respect to the side surface of the reaction cell 14 is incident on the side surface of the reaction cell 14 from a position in the vicinity of the lower portion of the upper surface position of the sample to be tested, and then on the opposite side. The light transmission distance in the reaction cell 14 can be lengthened by inclining the side surface of the test sample so as to escape from the position near the upper part of the bottom position of the test sample.

Therefore, the reaction cell can be made smaller and the tube can be made smaller, and the measurement accuracy can be improved.
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a main configuration of a photometric section for measuring absorbance in an automatic analyzer to which the present invention is applied. The photometric unit includes the spot light source 21 and the first reflector 2
2, a second reflection plate 23, a diffraction grating 24, and a detector 25.

The output time of the spot light output from the spot light source 21 is such that the interference of light is caused by the detector 25 even when the spot light crosses in the mixed solution of the sample and the reagent in the reaction cell 26. It is a short time that does not affect the measurement of light.

The spot light from the spot light source 21 is located near the lower portion of the upper surface of the test sample on the side surface of the reaction cell 26 and above the lower surface of the test sample on the opposite side surface of the reaction cell 26. The spot light from the spot light source 21 is applied to the side surface of the reaction cell 26 while being inclined from above the angle θ so as to be transmitted to a nearby position.

The first reflector 22 is the reaction cell 2
The second reflection plate 23 is reflected by the first reflection plate 22. The second reflection plate 23 is reflected by the first reflection plate 22. It is arranged at a position for irradiating the reaction cell 26 with the formed spot light again.

The diffraction grating 24 is arranged at a position where the transmitted light of the spot light re-irradiated to the reaction cell 26 is incident. The detector 25 is arranged at a position where monochromatic light of a specific wavelength emitted by being split by the diffraction grating 24 is incident.

In the second embodiment having such a structure,
The spot light from the spot light source 21 is incident on the side surface of the reaction cell 26 at an angle θ from a position near the lower portion of the upper surface height of the test sample. The incident spot light is slightly refracted on the incident surface (not shown), passes through the mixed solution of the test sample and the reagent in the reaction cell 26, and is incident on the opposite side surface of the reaction cell 26. The transmitted spot light passing through the position near the upper portion of the bottom surface of the test sample is incident on the first reflecting plate 22 at an angle θ and is reflected.

The reflected spot light is further divided into the second spot light.
Is reflected by the reflection plate 23 and is reflected again.
Is irradiated. The spot light re-irradiated and re-transmitted on the reaction cell 26 is incident on the diffraction grating 24.

The spot light is dispersed by the diffraction grating 24, and monochromatic light having a specific wavelength of the dispersed spot light is incident on a detector 25, and the detector 25
, The intensity I2 of the incident monochromatic light is measured.

Since the intensity I 0 of the spot light emitted from the spot light source 21 and the thickness D of the reaction cell 26 are known in advance and the extinction coefficient k is also known, the absorbance is calculated. From this absorbance, the concentration C of the mixed liquid of the test sample and the reagent can be calculated from the relational expression log (I0 / I2) = kCD.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the spot light source 21 for irradiating the reaction cell 26 with the spot light and the reflectors 22 and 23 are provided, and the spot light once transmitted through the reaction cell 26 is converted into the reaction cell. By irradiating 26 again, the transmission distance of the spot light in the reaction cell 26 can be lengthened.

Therefore, the reaction cell can be made smaller and thinner and the measurement accuracy can be improved.
In the second embodiment, the case where the two reflectors 22 and 23 are provided has been described. However, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, the spot light transmitted through the reaction cell 26 is reflected by one reflector 31. The reaction cell 26 may be irradiated again.

Further, in the second embodiment, the incident angle θ of the spot light from the spot light source 21 with respect to the side surface of the reaction cell 26 is incident on the side surface of the reaction cell 14 near the lower portion of the upper surface position of the sample to be tested. Then, the light transmission distance in the reaction cell 26 can be further lengthened by inclining the side surface on the opposite side from the position near the upper portion of the bottom position of the test sample.

Therefore, the effect of the first embodiment can be further enhanced. In the second embodiment, the spot light reflected by the second reflecting plate 23 is re-irradiated vertically to the side surface on the opposite side of the reaction cell 26.
As shown in FIG. 4, the light is incident from a position near the lower portion of the upper surface position of the test sample on the side surface on the opposite side of the reaction cell 26, and is emitted to a position near the upper portion of the lower surface position of the test sample on the side surface of the reaction cell 26. The incident angle θ may be inclined.

Further, in the second embodiment, the case where the spot light is re-irradiated to the reaction cell 26 once is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is also applicable to two or more times. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0034]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention,
Since the light transmission distance in the reaction cell can be lengthened, it is possible to provide an automatic analyzer which can respond to downsizing and thinning of the reaction cell and can improve measurement accuracy.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a main configuration of a photometric unit of an automatic analyzer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a main configuration of a photometric unit of an automatic analyzer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a modified example of a main part configuration of a photometry unit of the automatic analyzer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a view showing another example of a modified example of the main part configuration of the photometric section of the automatic analyzer according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a main part configuration of a photometric unit of a conventional automatic analyzer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 ... Light source, 12, 24 ... Diffraction grating, 13.25 ... Detector, 14, 26 ... Reaction cell, 21 ... Spot light source, 22, 23, 31 ... Reflector plate.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An automatic analyzer for irradiating a predetermined light to a reaction cell in which a test sample and a reagent are dispensed and stirred, and measuring the transmitted light to analyze the measurement item components of the test sample, An automatic analyzer, wherein an incident angle of the light to the reaction cell is inclined with respect to a side surface of the reaction cell. 2. An automatic analyzer for irradiating light to a reaction cell in which a test sample and a reagent are dispensed and stirred and measuring the transmitted light to analyze the measurement item components of the test sample, As a spot light irradiating means for irradiating the reaction cell with spot light, a re-irradiating means for irradiating the reaction cell again with the transmitted light of the spot light irradiated by the spot light irradiating means for the reaction cell, and the re-irradiating means. An automatic analyzer characterized in that the transmitted light of the spot light re-irradiated to the reaction cell is measured to analyze the measurement item component of the test sample. 3. The automatic analyzer according to claim 2, wherein
An automatic analyzer, wherein an incident angle of at least one of spot light irradiating the reaction cell and spot light re-irradiating to the reaction cell is inclined with respect to a side surface of the reaction cell.