JPH10153601A - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic analyzer, which can enhance sample dispens ing efficiency and can improve the sample processing capability. SOLUTION: With respect to the same sample 2, the cycle time for dispensing the sample for the first analysis item is made longer than the cycle time for dispensing the sample for the second analysis and thereafter. In the first cycle, the sufficient cleaning of a sample dispensing probe 10 and the suction of the sufficient amount of a dummy sample for preventing the thinning of the sample are performed. At the cycle at the second time and thereafter, the cleansing is omitted, and suction of the dummy sample is omitted. Furthermore, the lowering speed of the sample dispensing probe 10 is made maximum, and the sample dispensing cycle time at the second time and thereafter is shortened.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer, and more particularly to an automatic analyzer suitable for quantitatively or qualitatively analyzing components in a sample such as blood or urine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Automatic analyzers are widely used from small devices to large devices. In recent years, with the increase in the number of specimens (the number of samples to be tested), realization of an apparatus having a high processing capacity is desired, and a parallel system in which a plurality of small apparatuses are arranged to form a large apparatus has been adopted. However, the parallel system inevitably doubles the number of components and is not advisable in terms of cost and reliability.

[0003] Efforts have been made to shorten the analysis cycle time in order to increase the throughput of automatic analyzers. The leading factor determining the analysis cycle time is the sample dispensing cycle time. Normally, in an automatic analyzer, it is necessary to dispense a sample in a certain amount corresponding to an analysis item. For example, if n items are to be analyzed, it is necessary to dispense the sample approximately n times for the same sample (there may be a case where two items are analyzed in one reaction vessel, and thus they may not exactly match). By shortening the cycle time of this sample dispensing, the analysis cycle time is shortened, and thus the processing capacity of the analyzer is increased.

When sample dispensing is performed a plurality of times for the same sample, as in the case of analyzing a plurality of items, the sample dispensing cycle time for each time is generally the same. in this case,
In order to increase the sample throughput, efforts are usually made to shorten the cycle time while maintaining the same sample dispensing cycle time.

[0005]

When it is necessary to dispense a plurality of samples for the same sample, the first sample dispense usually takes a longer time than the subsequent sample dispense. . In the first dosing cycle,
The need to perform a cleaning operation on the inner and outer walls of the sample dispensing probe to prevent carryover by another sample dispensed in the previous dispensing cycle, washing of the sample in the sample dispensing probe It is necessary to aspirate extra sample to prevent the effect of dilution of the sample due to diffusion into water (suction of the dummy sample), and lower the sample dispensing probe to contact the sample liquid surface. In this case, there is a limit in increasing the descending speed.

The reason that the lowering speed of the sample dispensing probe in the first sample dispensing cannot be increased so much is that the lowering of the sample dispensing probe is stopped at the moment when the tip comes into contact with the sample liquid surface. It is necessary, but if the descending speed of the sample dispensing probe is too fast, the shock at the time of stopping the sample dispensing probe causes a problem that the washing water jumps out of the tip into the sample. On the other hand, in the second and subsequent dispensing, since the sample liquid level is known by the first liquid level detection, the tip of the sample dispensing probe is lowered to near the sample liquid level. , And then slowly down to contact with the liquid surface, thereby increasing the average descending speed of the sample dispensing probe.

As described above, when a sample is dispensed a plurality of times with respect to the same sample, although the sample dispensing time is shorter in the subsequent sample dispensing than in the first sample dispensing, Generally, each sample dispensing cycle time is the same, so the sample dispensing cycle time is the first,
Must be determined based on long sample dispensing time,
This is a cause of shortening the analysis cycle time and thus preventing improvement of the sample processing capacity.

[0008] Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-40100 proposes a method for dispensing a sample in an automatic analyzer. This refers to slow dispensing over two cycles when the sample dispensing volume is small. However, no special consideration is given to shortening the sample dispensing cycle time.

An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer capable of improving sample dispensing efficiency and improving sample processing capacity.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided an automatic analyzer for performing a plurality of sample dispensing operations on the same sample and performing an analysis on each of the dispensed samples.
The time required for subsequent sample dispensing is set shorter than the time required for the first sample dispensing of the plurality of sample dispensing.

[0011]

FIG. 4 shows an example of an automatic analyzer for carrying out the present invention. Sample 2 in sample container 1 (see FIG. 1)
Using the sample syringe mechanism 20 (see also FIG. 1) including the sample syringe 11 and the plunger 12, the sample is dispensed from the reaction vessel 4 on the reaction disk 16 through the sample dispensing probe 10 of the sampling mechanism 3 (see FIG. 1). Dispense into The reagent 6 corresponding to the analysis item is added to the reaction container via the reagent probe of the reagent sampling mechanism 5 using the reagent syringe mechanism 17, and the sample and the reagent dispensed using the stirring mechanism 7 are further added. Of the mixture. The change in the absorbance of the reaction solution in which the reaction has started is measured by a photometer 8, A / D conversion and data processing are performed, and the analysis result is printed. After the analysis, the reaction vessel is washed with the washing water from the washing pump 18 in the washing tank 15 through the washing mechanism 9 and reused for a new analysis. Reagent 19 is used as needed.

The operation of dispensing a sample according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1A shows the sample dispensing operation for the first analysis item after the sample switching. First, the electromagnetic valves 3 and 14 are opened in the washing tank 15 to wash the inner and outer walls of the sample dispensing probe 10. Next, the sample dispensing probe is moved and lowered and inserted into the sample container 1. The sample dispensing probe is in contact with the sample liquid surface, and after a certain amount of the probe tip is inserted into the liquid surface, the sample dispensing probe is dispensed. The lowering of the probe is stopped, and the liquid level is stored in the storage device of the microcomputer.

Subsequently, the plunger 12 of the sample syringe 11 is moved down to suck the sample into the sample dispensing probe. At this time, the sample suction amount is a dummy amount (20 μl).
+ Volume used for reaction (5 μl) = 25 μl. Thereafter, the sample dispensing probe rises and moves into the reaction vessel 4, and the plunger in the sample syringe is moved upward to discharge the sample in an amount of 5 μl used for the reaction.

Thereafter, the sample dispensing probe moves upward and continuously shifts to a sample dispensing operation for the same sample for the analysis of the second analysis item shown in FIG. 1 (b). That is, since the sample is the same as that in FIG. 1 (a), the inner and outer walls of the sample dispensing probe are not washed, and the same sample container is left again (with a dummy of 20 μl left in the sample dispensing probe). Descends. This descent can be performed at a much higher speed than in FIG. 1 (about 5 times). This is because the liquid level is stored in advance (even if the liquid level is lowered due to the suction of the sample in the previous cycle, the current liquid level can be predicted from the suction amount and the cross-sectional area of the sample container). The sample dispensing probe descends at a high speed near the liquid surface, decelerates near the liquid surface (approximately 5 mm short), and when plunging into the liquid surface, reaches the same speed as the first sample dispensing. Slow down.

In FIG. 1, when the first sample dispensing cycle time is T1, and the second and subsequent sample dispensing cycle times are T2, T3,..., Tn, T1 =
The relationship mT2 = mT3... = mTn is satisfied. m is an integer except for 1. Specifically, in the example of FIG. 1, T1 = 4 seconds, T2 = T3... = Tn = 2 seconds, m
= 2.

FIG. 2 shows a descent speed diagram of the sample dispensing probe. FIG. 2A shows the speed at the time of dispensing and lowering the first analysis item, and FIG. 2B shows the speed at the time of dispensing and lowering the second analysis item. Since the descending drive of the sample dispensing probe is performed by the stepping motor, the descending speed can be controlled by controlling the pulse rate given to the motor. After the liquid level is detected, a certain pulse is given to the motor, the pulse is stopped, and the motor is stopped. The area of the hatched portion corresponds to the amount of the sample dispensing probe protruding into the liquid surface. In FIGS. 2A and 2B, the hatched portions can have the same area (amount). Also, the speed at which the sample dispensing probe stops can be the same.

Next, the plunger of the sample syringe is lowered to aspirate a volume of 6 μl used for the reaction for the second analysis item. The probe for dispensing the sample is raised and moved into the reaction vessel, and the amount used for the reaction for the second analysis item is 6 μm.
1 is discharged. After the end of the ejection, the sample dispensing probe rises, and the process shifts to the sample dispensing for the third analysis item.

The second sample after the third sample dispensing (FIG. 2)
(B)) Similarly, the cycle time can be shortened by cleaning the sample dispensing probe inside the sample container in the shortest time without cleaning the inner and outer walls of the sample dispensing probe and performing dummy suction. is there.

FIG. 3 shows a time sequence of the operation of FIG. FIG. 3A shows a sample dispensing cycle for the first analysis item, and FIG. 3B shows a sample dispensing cycle for the second and subsequent analysis items. As described with reference to FIG. 1, T1 = mT2 = mT3... = MTn
(M is an integer excluding 1). In particular,
T1 = 4 seconds, T2 = T3... = Tn = 2 seconds, m = 2
Is shown. The cycle time of the reaction disk 16 is the same as 2 seconds of T2 each time. Even if T1 is lengthened by dispensing a sample, the cycle of the reaction disk 16 is not affected, and this is operated in a 2 second cycle. In other words, when the cycle lengthens at T1, the analysis can be performed without disturbing the cycle of the reaction disk by passing the empty reaction vessel.

When m is set to 3 and T1 is set to 6 seconds, the dummy amount is further increased when the sample is nearly water-soluble, such as urine, and the sample is very thin due to diffusion into the washing water. As a result, the prevention of thinning of the sample becomes more effective.

The time required for cleaning the inner and outer walls of the sample dispensing probe is determined by the degree of the carrier, and the degree of the carrier depends on the type of the sample. Therefore, it is desirable that the value of m can be changed according to the type of the sample.

Table 1 shows that (1) a completely random access method of 2 seconds cycle (currently difficult to realize), (2) T1 = 4 seconds, T2 = T3... The comparison of the processing capacity of each sample (sample) in the near complete random access method and (3) the complete random access method in a 4-second cycle is shown.

[0023]

[Table 1]

Table 1 shows the number of requested items per sample vertically and shows the sample processing speed (sample / hour) at that time. The completely random access method of (1) with a 2-second cycle is a method that is difficult to realize at present. This is (2)
In comparison with the above, the great result is that the sample processing capability is prominent only when one item is requested. However, the outstanding sample processing capability of 1800 samples / hour is not very meaningful. With only a small number of inspection centers demanding very limited applications, most facilities are 90
A method in which 0 samples / hour is sufficient, and a sample processing speed is hardly reduced even when the number of requested items is large is desired. (1) and (2) indicate that when the number of requested items per sample is large, almost the same sample processing speed can be obtained.

In the embodiment, the first example of the sample dispensing is shown as the washing timing of the inner and outer walls of the sample dispensing probe. However, depending on the interpretation, it may be interpreted that the washing is performed in the last cycle of the sample. it can. However, it should be noted that the technical scope of the present invention should not be influenced by the difference between the starting points on the time chart.

[0026]

According to the present invention, there is provided an automatic analyzer capable of improving sample dispensing efficiency and improving sample processing capacity.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of a sample dispensing operation in an automatic analyzer according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an example of a descending velocity diagram of a sample dispensing probe in an automatic analyzer according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a time sequence as an example of a sample dispensing operation in the automatic analyzer according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of an automatic analyzer as an example for implementing the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: sample container, 2: sample, 4: reaction container, 10: sample dispensing probe, 13, 14: solenoid valve, 15: washing tank, 1
6: reaction disk, 17: reagent syringe mechanism, 18: washing pump, 20: sample syringe mechanism.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An automatic analyzer for executing a plurality of sample dispensing operations on the same sample and executing an analysis on each of the dispensed samples, wherein the first sample dispensing operation of the plurality of sample dispensing operations is performed. An automatic analyzer characterized in that the time required for dispensing a sample thereafter is set shorter than the time required. 2. The time required for the first sample dispensing of the plurality of sample dispensing is m of the time required for subsequent sample dispensing.
2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the number is twice (m is an integer other than 1). 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the time required for the first sample dispensing of the plurality of sample dispensing is changed according to the type of the sample. Automatic separator. 4. The sample dispensing probe is moved toward the sample so as to aspirate the sample into the sample dispensing probe for dispensing the sample, and the aspirated sample is removed from the sample dispensing probe. Means for moving the sample dispensing probe in a direction away from the sample so as to discharge from the injection probe to another location, the means being directed toward the sample on the sample dispensing probe. The moving speed of the plurality of sample dispensers is controlled so as to be faster in the subsequent sample dispensing than in the first sample dispensing of the plurality of sample dispensing. Automatic analyzer described.