JPH0972915A - Member housing case - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To read even the bar code of the reagent bottle placed on the innermost rotary stand when reagent placing stands are arranged in a concentric circular state. SOLUTION: Arranging means (rotary stands 2, 3, 4) of members to be detected arranged in a concentric circular state can be respectively independently rotated and the arranging means (rotary stands 3, 4) of the members to be detected excepting at least the innermost arranging means (rotary stand 2) of the member to be detected are equipped with reading spaces (chambers 3A, 4A) for reading discrimination codes (bar codes) by a code reading means (bar code reader 106) and, when the inside discrimination code is read, the arranging means 2, 3, 4 of respective members to be detected are driven to arrange the reading spaces 3A, 4A and the discrimination codes are read by the code reading means 106.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a member storage, and for example, to a member storage storing a large number of reagent bottles containing various kinds of reagents.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an automatic analyzer for automatically analyzing the components of a sample such as serum, the component (measurement item) to be measured
It has been practiced to add a reagent that reacts to a sample to a sample, measure the color-developed state and the like by an optical measuring means or the like, and obtain the component.

Such automatic analysis requires reagents suitable for the measurement items, and in most cases, the same number of reagents as the measurement items. In addition, due to the storability of reagents and the pretreatment of reaction process, etc., divide the reagent into two or more, and add the first reagent first and then the second reagent at the time of measurement. In addition, a plurality of reagents may be required for one measurement item. Especially in the current situation, many measurement items require two reagents.

Further, the number of measurable items is increasing with the progress of the measuring technique, and it is strongly demanded that an automatic analyzer can be constructed with as many reagents as possible. That is, there is a demand for an automatic analyzer that can measure a wide range of items at any time, and it has become an essential condition to install a large number of reagents.

The conventional automatic analyzer is provided with a specific place called a "reagent storage" for storing the reagents. The reagent storage has various shapes, and there are a circular table shape and a box shape. The reagent bottle containing the reagent is stored in this reagent storage, but the operator inputs the position information etc. from the keyboard of the automatic analyzer or the CRT etc. to determine which measurement item the reagent is stored in and at which position. Keep it.

However, as the number of reagents increases, inputting the position information of the reagent bottle becomes a difficult task for the operator. In addition, the work such as removing the reagent bottle is often a daily work because the amount of reagent is insufficient, etc.When returning to the reagent storage, if the position is wrong, correct measurement results can be obtained. Something that doesn't happen will happen.

Therefore, recently, a barcode label corresponding to reagent information (type, lot number, etc.) is attached to a reagent bottle, and a barcode reader provided in the reagent store reads the barcode label so that the reagent container Even if the reagent bottle is placed at the position, it has become possible to correctly select the reagent that matches the measurement item and dispense it.

From the viewpoint of reading the above-mentioned bar code, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the circular movable reagent container 100 has a simple structure and is easy to manufacture. The reagent storage 1
00 is for moving the reagent to the position of a probe (not shown) for sucking the reagent, and carries the target reagent bottle to the probe position by the rotation operation.

The movable reagent storage 100 is provided with a turntable 101 therein, and the partition plate 1 is placed on the turntable 101.
A large number of reagent bottles 10 at predetermined positions partitioned by 02
3 are radially mounted. A label 105 having a barcode 104 printed thereon is attached to the reagent bottle 103.

Further, a bar code reader 106 of a system for projecting light and reading the reflected light reflected by the bar code 104 is fixedly arranged on the outer periphery of the reagent container 100, and the reagent container 100 is rotated to a desired position. The barcode 104 on the reagent bottle 103 can be read. On the other hand, when the reagent storage is a fixed type, it is necessary to move the barcode reader itself, which complicates the configuration.

On the other hand, as described above, it is preferable that the number of installed reagents is as large as possible, and even in that case, it is desirable that the barcode of the reagent bottle can be read. As a reagent container that meets such a demand, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, a reagent container 1 in which rotary tables 111 and 112 for reagent placement are arranged concentrically
10 is considered. In this way, the number of reagents that can be stored can be dramatically increased.

[0012]

However, as is clear from FIG. 6, although it is possible to read the bar code 104 of the reagent bottle 103 placed on the outer rotary table 112 by the bar code reader 106, , The barcode 10 of the reagent bottle 103 on the inner turntable 111
Reading 4 is not possible because the outer reagent bottle blocks the light projected by the barcode reader 106.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to mount a reagent mount (detection member arranging means) rotary base (detection member arranging means) concentrically on the innermost rotary base. The object is to provide a member storage in which a barcode (identification code) of a placed reagent bottle (member to be detected) can be read by a barcode reader (code reading means).

[0014]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is arranged such that a member to be detected having an identification code and the member to be detected are arranged, and each member rotates independently. Detectable member arranging means arranged in a drivable concentric manner, and a code for arranging along the outermost detected member arranging means of the detected member arranging means and reading the identification code of the detected member Reading means, and at least the other detected member arranging means excluding the detected member arranging means at the innermost circumference is provided with a reading space for the code reading means to read the identification code. Characterize.

According to the first aspect of the invention, when the identification code of the detected member arranged on the innermost detected member arranging means is read, the innermost detected member arranging means is read. The reading spaces provided in the other member-to-be-detected arranging means except for are aligned (see FIG. 1). In this way, since there is no obstacle in the reading field between the code reading means and the innermost identification code, the innermost identification code can be read by the code reading means. .

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below based on illustrated embodiments. Note that the same reference numerals are given to the already described portions, and redundant description is omitted. 1 and 2 are plan views of a reagent storage (member storage) of the present embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an automatic analyzer to which the reagent storage is applied.

As shown in FIG. 1, the reagent storage 1 has a triple concentric circular shape, and the first to third turntables 2, 3, 4 are arranged in order from the inside.
Is arranged, and each of the turntables 2, 3 and 4 is configured to be independently rotatable. The first turntable 2 is a partition plate 5a,
A chamber for reagent placement is formed by being partitioned by 5b, 5c ... At equal intervals, and the reagent bottle 103 can be accommodated in all the chambers.

Similarly, the second rotary table 3 has partition plates 6a, 6b,
Although the chambers for reagent placement are formed by being partitioned by 6c ... at equal intervals, the reagent bottle 103 can be accommodated in other chambers except one chamber 3A therein.
That is, in the room 3A, it is prohibited to store a shield that blocks the light projection from the barcode reader 106 onto the barcode of the reagent bottle 103.

Similarly, the third turntable 4 also has partition plates 7a, 7
Although a room for reagent placement is formed by being partitioned by b, 7c ... at equal intervals, it is possible to store the reagent bottle 103 in another room except one room 4A therein. . That is, in the room 4A, it is prohibited to store a shield that blocks light projection from the barcode reader 106 onto the barcode of the reagent bottle 103.

When reading the bar code of the reagent bottle 103 on the innermost circumference, when the operator inputs it from the operation panel (not shown), the second and third turntables 3 and 4 are respectively The rooms 3A and 4A are stopped at positions facing the barcode reader 106. In this state, there is no object between the barcode reader 106 and the innermost first rotary table 2 that obstructs the reading field of the barcode reader 106. It becomes possible to read the code.

Further, the reagent bottle 103 on the second turntable 2
In the case of reading the bar code of No. 3, when the operator inputs the fact from the operation panel (not shown), as shown in FIG.
The vehicle is stopped at a position facing 6. In this state, there is no object blocking the reading field of the barcode reader 106 between the barcode reader 106 and the second rotary table 3, so the barcode of the reagent bottle 103B on the second rotary table 3 should be read. Will be possible.

Next, based on FIG. 3, an automatic analyzer using the reagent storage (having double concentric circles) configured as described above will be described. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 11 denotes a sampler on which a sample is placed, and a plurality of samples can be set at once by putting the sample therein. The sampler 12 includes a probe 13 for sampling a sample, and the probe 13 is connected via a tube 14 to a pump 15 for sucking and discharging the sample. Reference numeral 16 is a reaction tube table, and when the reaction tube array placed on the reaction tube table is sequentially rotated and crosses the optical path of the photometric unit 17, the reaction solution in the reaction tube is photometrically measured and the concentration is converted (calculated). .

Reference numerals 18 and 19 respectively denote first and second reagent arms, each arm is provided with a probe 20, 21 and is connected to a reagent pump 22, 23 by a tube respectively. The probes 20, 21 and the like are each in the reagent storage 1
Aspirate the reagents placed in A and 1B (described later),
The reagent is dispensed into the reaction tubes on the reaction tube table 16.
Reference numerals 26 and 27 are stirrer arms that stir the mixed liquid of the sample and the reagent.

As shown in the figure, the reagent storages 1A and 1B are
It is a reagent storage with a double concentric circular reagent array. 106
A and 106B are bar code readers installed at the outer edges of the reagent storages 1A and 1B, respectively. A glass window for reading the barcode readers 106A and 106B is provided on the walls of the reagent storages 1A and 1B in which reagent bottles (not shown) are housed, and the barcode readers are provided inside the reagent storages with the effect of heat insulation. The beam (projection light) of is incident.

Reference numerals 30 and 31 are partition plates for partitioning the outer peripheral side arrangement and the inner peripheral side arrangement of the reagent storages 1A and 1B. Each room is formed by this partition plate. Partition plates 30, 31
Also, a glass window is provided at a position facing the bar code readers 106A and 106B. A motor (not shown) is arranged so that each reagent array table of each reagent storage 1A, 1B can be driven independently.

Further, it is the CPU section 32 and the interface section 33 that drive and control the reagent storage, the bar code reader and the like described above, and the measurement operation is performed based on an instruction (described next) from the console section 34. Is controlled, the density value is calculated based on the data obtained from the photometric unit 17, and the output device 35 performs printing or the like.

Parameters required for measurement are input to the console section 28. This parameter is sampler 1
Instructions on which item to measure the sample placed on 6,
Information such as measurement wavelength and sampling amount. These pieces of information are stored in the storage device 36, and when the information is needed, the CPU section 32 sequentially refers to the information.

When the above-mentioned information input is completed, the console section 34 also gives an instruction to start the measurement. The CPU unit 32, which has received the instruction to start the measurement, controls each measurement operation device and executes the sampling of the sample. Before that, the reagent necessary for the measurement is placed at any position in the reagent storage 1A, 1B. Perform an operation to check whether or not

This operation will be described with reference to the operation of the first reagent storage 1A. First, the tables on the inner and outer circumferences of the reagent storage 1A are moved to respective origin positions (predetermined in advance). Then, the bar code reader 106A is operated to rotate only the outer peripheral table of the first reagent storage 1A. Bar code reader 106
In A, the barcode label of the reagent on the outer peripheral table can be seen through the reading window.
The data is transferred to the U unit 32. Since the CPU unit 32 is checking the data from the barcode reader 106A while controlling which room in the reagent storage 1A is in the readable position, the content of the barcode of the reagent in each room is known.

Therefore, it is possible to determine which reagent of which measurement item is in which room from the contents of the label, and the reagent information is recorded in the storage unit 36. The reading on the outer peripheral side is completed after one round.

Next, reading on the inner circumference side is performed. First, the reading space portion (reading space) S of the outer peripheral side table is moved to a position facing the barcode reader 106A. This moving volume is stored in the storage unit 36 as reagent information, as in the case of the outer circumference.

With the above operation, the reading of the barcode of the first reagent is completed. The same reading operation is performed for the second reagent. By doing so, since the position information of the reagent and the like have been found, the measurement of the sample on the normal sampler may be started.

Generally, it is necessary to keep the reagent cold (10 ° C. or lower), and the reagent storage is provided with a cold keeping function. Although there are means for supplying cold air from a refrigerator, means for using a Peltier element, and the like as the cold keeping means, it is preferable to insert a heat insulating material or to store the reagent bottles as tightly as possible for efficient cold keeping.

Further, in the present embodiment, the case where one bar code reader and one reading space are provided has been described, but two or more bar code readers may be provided. By doing this, even when a large number of reagent bottles are arranged on the same rotary table, the information of the desired reagent bottle can be read / read in a short time.
Reading becomes possible. Further, in the present embodiment, the case of the reagent container that stores the reagent bottle has been described, but it goes without saying that the member that stores the reagent bottle is not limited to the reagent bottle.

[0035]

As described above, according to the present invention, a member to be detected having an identification code and the member to be detected are arranged in concentric circles so that they can be independently driven to rotate. And a code reading unit that is arranged along the outermost detected member placement unit of the detected member placement unit and that reads the identification code of the detected member. The other detected member placement means other than the innermost detected member placement means has a reading space for the code reading means to read the identification code, and therefore is placed on the inner detected member placement means. When reading the identification code of the detected member, the reading space on the outside is aligned and the identification code on the inside is read by the code reading means. Therefore,
Since a large number of detected member arranging means (turntables) can be arranged concentrically, a large number of detected members can be accommodated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a main part of an embodiment of the present invention in which a barcode of a reagent bottle on an innermost rotary table is read.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a main part of the embodiment, which is a diagram for reading a bar code on an intermediate rotary table.

FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram when the present invention is applied to an automatic analyzer.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a conventional reagent storage.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the conventional reagent storage.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a simple improvement plan of the conventional reagent store.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Reagent Storage (Member Storage) 2 Innermost Rotation Table (Detected Member Arrangement Means) 3 Intermediate Rotation Table (Detected Member Arrangement Means) 3A Room (Reading Space) 4 Outermost Rotation Table (Detected Members) Arrangement means) 4A room (reading space) 103 reagent bottle (detected member) 106 bar code reader (code reading means)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A member to be detected having an identification code, a member to be detected and the member to be detected are arranged concentrically so as to be independently rotatable and driven, and the member to be detected. A code reading unit arranged along the outermost detected member arranging unit of the member arranging unit for reading the identification code of the detected member, and at least the innermost peripheral detected member arranging unit is excluded. The other member-to-be-detected arranging means is provided with a reading space for the code reading means to read the identification code.