JPH10282115A - Specimen analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a specimen analyzer which can be suitably improved in specimen analyzing and processing efficiency as a whole while the falling of specimens is prevented at the time of transporting specimen racks. SOLUTION: A plurality of analytical units 6 and 14 is arranged along a transportation line 3 and a specimen rack 2 is successively transported to the units 6 and 14 or transported to either one of the units 6 and 14 for the analysis of a specimen contained in the rack 2. The specimen transporting speed pattern corresponding to the transporting distances to the destinations of the rack 2 are stored in advance in the storing section 52 of a control section 50 and the control section 50 reads out the speed patterns corresponding to the destinations of the rack 2 and controls the transportation line 3 in accordance with the speed patterns.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sample analyzer, and more particularly to a sample analyzer of a type in which sample racks are taken into a plurality of analysis units arranged along a transport line for transporting sample racks and then returned to the transport line. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There has been proposed a sample analyzer in which a plurality of analysis units are arranged along a transfer line for transferring a sample rack, distributed to desired analysis units according to analysis items and the like, transferred, and analyzed. . In such a sample analyzer, it is desirable to increase the transport speed of the sample rack as much as possible in order to increase the efficiency of sample analysis processing. From this viewpoint, the sample transport is performed at a constant speed as fast as possible.

[0003]

When the transport distance of the sample rack is long, the transport efficiency is maximized if the transport is performed at the maximum transport speed. However, if the maximum transport speed is applied even when the sample rack transport distance is short, there is a problem that the sample is easily spilled during transport of the sample rack.
Conversely, if the transport speed is set low with emphasis on preventing the sample from spilling when the sample rack transport distance is short, there is a problem that the transport efficiency decreases when the transport distance is long. Therefore, when the sample rack transport speed is set to be constant, it is difficult to prevent the sample from spilling during transport of the sample rack and to improve the sample analysis processing efficiency of the entire sample analyzer.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a sample analyzer suitable for improving sample analysis processing efficiency of the entire apparatus while preventing sample spillage during sample rack transport.

[0005]

The features of the sample analyzer according to the present invention include a transport line for transporting a sample rack, a plurality of analysis units arranged along the transport line,
A transport device for transporting the sample rack between the transport line and the plurality of analysis units, a storage device for previously storing a sample rack speed pattern corresponding to a transport distance of the sample rack, and a transport distance of the sample rack And a control device for controlling the transport line so as to transport the sample rack in accordance with the read speed pattern.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, a tray on which a number of sample racks 2 are arranged is loaded into a rack supply unit 1 having two rows of set spaces. The sample racks 2 in the rack supply unit are pushed out one by one to the rack supply unit outlet 34 by a known rack pushing mechanism. The sample rack 2 pushed out to the exit 34 is moved to the transport line entrance 35 by the hook that moves horizontally.

Each sample rack 2 is a rectangular parallelepiped support, and five sample containers are arranged along the length of the rack.
Arranged and maintained in columns. A bar code label indicating the type and rack number of the rack is attached to the sample rack 2. A bar code label indicating a container identification number or a sample reception number is attached to each sample container.

The transport line 3 comprises a belt line, and the transport operation is controlled so that the sample rack can be stopped at a predetermined position. The transfer line 3 is connected from the transfer line entrance 35 to the transfer line outlet (this is located in the first switching unit 22).
The sample rack can be transported up to. The rack identification unit 4 in FIG. 1 includes a barcode reader 5 as an identification device for identifying a destination of a sample rack that has arrived at a transport line entrance.
This type of identification device may be provided at the analysis unit 6, 14 other than the rack identification unit 4, or at the exit of the transport line. The contents of the barcode label of the rack and the contents of the barcode label of each container read by the barcode reader 5 are transmitted to the control unit 50, and the type of the sample rack and the type of the analysis item specified for each sample container. And the like are collated with the analysis information instructed in advance by the operation unit 55 in association with the sample reception number, the destination of the sample rack 2 is determined by the control unit 50 based on the collation result, and the storage unit 52
And used for subsequent processing of the sample rack.

The transfer line entrance 35 is a transfer start point of the transfer line 3. The sample rack 2 identified by the rack identification unit 4 is connected to the rack loading mechanism 7 or 15 corresponding to the analysis unit 6 or 14. It is transported to the position, temporarily stopped, and taken into the sampling areas 8, 16 of the analysis units 6, 14 by the rack taking-in mechanisms 7, 15.

At the upstream of the transport line 3, an emergency sample input section 53 into which a sample rack for an emergency test can be set.
The sample rack placed here is carried by the rack transport hook to the transport line entrance 35 in preference to the sample rack for general samples supplied from the rack supply unit 1 and analyzed by the analysis unit. Inspection proceeds.
Analysis units 6 and 1 arranged along the transport line 3
Reference numeral 4 denotes a sampling line for receiving the sample rack from the transport line 3 and returning the sample rack after the dispensing process to the transport line 3 again, and a row of reaction vessels to form a reaction line. Reaction disks 10 and 18 for rotating a row of reaction vessels to advance a reaction between a sample and a reagent according to the analysis item, and a reagent disk 11 operating to position a reagent according to various analysis items at a reagent suction position. , 19 are provided. In addition, the analysis units 6 and 1
4 is a multi-wavelength photometer for measuring the reaction solution of each sample formed in the reaction vessel, and sampling areas 8 and
A sample dispensing mechanism 9, 1 for dispensing a sample in a sample container from 16 to a reaction container on a reaction disk 10, 18.
7 and reagent dispensing mechanisms 12 and 20 for dispensing reagents corresponding to the analysis items from the reagent bottles on the reagent disks 11 and 19 to the reaction vessels on the reaction disks 10 and 18.

The sample rack 2 holding a sample for which an item to be analyzed and inspected by the first analysis unit 6 is indicated is transferred from the transport line 3 to the sampling area 8 by the rack taking-in mechanism 7. The transferred sample rack 2 is moved from the take-in position to the sample collection position in the sampling area 8, and the pipette nozzle of the sample dispensing mechanism 9 is inserted into a required sample container to dispense the sample into the reaction container. Done. If two or more tests are instructed for the same sample container and the same sample rack 2
If the inspection item is specified for another sample container above, the sampling operation is subsequently repeated.

The sample rack 2 from which the sampling of all the specified analysis items has been completed is moved to a position corresponding to the rack discharge mechanism 13 and is transferred onto the transport line 3 by the rack discharge mechanism 13. On the other hand, the sample collected in the reaction vessel on the reaction disk 10 is reacted with the reagent dispensed by the reagent dispensing mechanism 12, and after a predetermined time, data corresponding to each analysis item measured by the multi-wavelength photometer is obtained. It is output to the control unit 50. The control unit 50
The analytical test data is compared with a predetermined criterion, and if the measured data is inappropriate, the sample that needs to be retested is associated with the sample rack number and the sample container number and stored in the storage unit 52 in a predetermined manner. The information is stored in the memory area, and the operation of the sorting device described later is controlled at an appropriate timing.

The transport line 3 is moved by the rack discharging mechanism 13.
The control unit 50 determines whether or not a sample for which an analysis item set in the second analysis unit 14 needs to be analyzed and placed is placed on the sample rack transferred above. If there is a sample to be inspected on 2, the sample rack is transported by the transport line 3 to a position corresponding to the rack loading mechanism 15. The sample rack stopped on the transport line 3 is transferred to the sampling area 16 by the rack take-in mechanism 15 and then moved to the sample collection position 42.
The sample is dispensed into the reaction container on the reaction disk 18 at. The sample rack 2 from which all samples of the necessary sample containers have been collected is transferred onto the transport line 3 by the rack discharge mechanism 21. Then, the sample rack 2 is transported to the transport line exit.

Each sample rack containing a sample container containing a control sample, a standard sample, a washing solution, and the like has a different color in appearance from the sample rack for a general sample. It is registered in the sample type table of the storage unit 52 of the control unit 50 in advance as a rack that does not need to be retested. When the bar code reader 5 identifies the rack as a general sample rack, the rack pushing mechanism of the sorting device (see FIG. 1) so that the sample rack is taken into the standby unit 40 at the sorting position also serving as the transport line outlet. (Not shown) is operated by the control unit 50.

The sorting device for sorting the sample racks in the direction specified by the control unit 50 includes a first switching unit 22.
And a second switching unit 27. The first switching unit 22 directs the sample rack to the standby unit 40 or the rack collection unit 23 according to the rack identification information from the barcode reader 5. The second switching unit 27 returns the sample rack that has been waiting in the standby unit 40 to the return line 29 or the return line 29 in accordance with the result of the control unit 50 determining whether or not the retest is necessary based on the test results of the analysis units 6 and 14. Orient to the rack collection unit 23. All of the sample racks other than the racks that are not registered in advance as the racks that do not require retesting are temporarily stored in the standby unit 40 after the sample is collected in the analysis unit.

The sample rack accommodated in the standby section 40
While moving in the receiving area 24 and the sending area 25, the control unit 50 waits for the test results of the analysis units 6 and 14 to be output to the control unit 50. The sample rack determined to be unnecessary for retesting is moved from the exit of the transport line 3 or the exit of the standby unit 40 to the entrance of the rack collection unit on the subsequent collection line, and the rack is pushed by the rack pushing mechanism 28a or 28b. It is stored in the section 23.

The return line 29 comprises a belt line extending from the return line entrance 31 to the return line exit 32. The sample rack 2 moved to the return line entrance 31 from the standby unit 40 because it is determined that the retest is necessary is not interrupted by the other sample racks by the return line 29 to the return line exit 32 at the end. Conveyed.
Then, the sample rack is moved from the return line outlet 32 to the rack supply unit outlet 34 by the rack moving mechanism 30,
Next, the transport line 3 is moved to the transport line entrance 35 and again transport line 3
To the analysis units 6, 14. The first analysis test data and the retest analysis test data are displayed on the display unit 54. The sample rack to be retested is programmed to be delivered to the transport line 3 prior to the sample rack supplied from the rack supply unit 1. As a result, the final analysis result of the sample whose analysis test has been started first can be obtained as soon as possible.

The unit of the standby unit 40 is the analysis unit 1
The sample rack, which is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the unit 4 and the unit of the rack collection unit 23, is sampled and determined to be unnecessary for retesting, is immediately stored in the rack collection unit 23 so as not to hinder the processing of another sample rack. You. Since the sample racks from which the samples are collected are intensively sorted near the exit of the transport line 3, the rack processing mechanism near the exit of the return line 29 can be simplified.

The exit of the transport line also serves as the sample rack distribution position and the entrance of the standby unit 40. Analysis unit 6
Alternatively, the sample rack 2 discharged from the transport line 3 and conveyed by the transport line 3 is sorted at the position of the transport line exit depending on whether the rack does not need to be re-examined or the rack may need to be re-examined. When the sample rack instructed not to be retested arrives at the exit of the transport line, the sample rack is delivered to the collection line by the rack feeding mechanism and stopped at the entrance of the collection unit. Next, the rack is pushed by the rack pushing mechanism 28 a or 28 b in a direction orthogonal to the length direction of the sample rack 2 and is housed in the rack collecting section 23.

The sample racks 2 stored in the standby section 40 are discharged from the standby section exit of the delivery area 25 in the order in which they are transported by the transport line 3. When the control unit 50 determines whether or not the re-test is necessary for the first sample rack in the sending-out area 25 based on the test results of the analysis units 6 and 14, the first sample rack 2 is placed at the exit of the standby unit. Is positioned.

If it is determined that the first sample rack does not need to be retested, this sample rack is delivered to the collection line by the rack feeding mechanism, and is passed from the entrance of the collection section to the rack collection section by the rack pushing mechanism 28a or 28b. 23.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the first sample rack needs to be retested, the sample rack at the exit of the standby section is transported to the return line entrance 31. The sample rack that has reached the return line entrance 31 is moved onto the return line 29 by the rack feed mechanism, and is transported to the return line exit 32 by the transport operation of the return line 29. Each time the leading sample rack in the sending area 25 is positioned at the standby unit outlet, the above-described processing is performed according to the necessity of the retest, and the sample rack that proceeds to the rack collection unit 23 and the return line entrance 31 It is sorted to the sample rack which goes to the direction.

The maximum time during which the sample rack accommodated in the standby unit 40 waits in the standby unit 40 is about twice as long as the time required for the analysis items requiring the maximum reaction time in the analysis units 6 and 14 to be analyzed. It is. The maximum number of sample racks that must be kept in the waiting section 40 is determined by the maximum reaction time. For example, the number of sample containers accommodated in the sample rack is 5, and the maximum reaction time is 1
Under the condition that the sampling time is 0 minute, the sampling interval is 4.5 seconds, and each item is sampled one by one from each sample container, it is sufficient that 27 sample racks can be stored in the standby unit 40. Even if the maximum reaction time is doubled in consideration of the margin, the number of sample racks is 54. Therefore, it is sufficient that the space for accommodating sample racks in the standby unit 40 is 27 to 54 racks. It is.

Referring to FIG. 2, the sample rack transport process will be described. In step 101, one sample rack is moved from the rack supply unit 1 to the transport line entrance 35 which is the transport start point on the transport line 3. I do. The sample rack on the transport line entrance 35 is identified by the barcode reader 5 as a rack identification device as to whether it is a rack that does not require retesting, and the sample information of the sample containers arranged on the sample rack is identified. The identification information is sent to the control unit 50 and stored in the storage unit 50 (Step 102). Further, in step 102, the transport by the transport line 3 is started, and the sample rack is moved to a position corresponding to the analysis units 6 and 14 for analyzing the analysis items specified for the sample on the sample rack.

In step 103, the sample rack is moved from the transport line 3 to the sampling areas 8 and 16, and a sample for the designated analysis item is collected from each sample container on the sample rack and is placed on the reaction disks 10 and 18. Dispense into a reaction vessel. The sample rack for which the sample collection processing has been completed is moved to the transport line 3 again in step 104.

Based on the stored identification information, the control unit 50 determines whether the sample rack has a possibility of re-testing or a sample rack that does not require re-testing. A determination is made for the sample rack (step 105). If re-examination is not required, step 106
Then, the sample rack after the transfer is collected in the rack collecting unit 23, and the processing of the sample rack is ended. Step 1
The sample rack determined to have a possibility of retesting in step 05 proceeds to step 107 and is stored in the standby unit 40 by the rack sorting device.

While the sample rack is moving in the standby unit 40, the analysis test results of the corresponding samples by the analysis units 6 and 14 are output, and based on the output, whether the sample to be retested is on the corresponding sample rack. The control unit 50 determines whether or not it is not. In step 108, it is checked whether or not the necessity of retesting has been determined for the sample rack at the head of the rack row arranged in the standby unit 40, and if it has been determined, it is re-determined in step 109. It is determined whether an inspection is required. If the determination in step 108 has not been made, the process proceeds to step 110, and the first sample rack is made to wait in the standby unit 40 until it is determined that the retest is necessary.

The sample rack for which re-examination is unnecessary in step 109 is collected in the rack collecting section 23 via the intersection position 80 in accordance with step 111, and the processing is terminated. On the other hand, the sample rack determined to require a retest in step 109 is moved from the standby unit 40 to the return line entrance 31 according to step 112. In step 113, the sample rack is transported to the return line exit 32. The sample rack is stored in step 11
After being moved to the transport line entrance 35 and identified in 4, the transport unit 3 transports it for re-inspection by the analysis units 6 and 14.

The sample rack 2 may be transported not only to the analysis units 6 and 14 in order for the analysis of the sample held by the sample rack 2 but also to one of them. Also, the number of analysis units may be more than two.

The transport speed of the sample rack 2 by the transport line 3 affects the efficiency of sample analysis processing by the sample analyzer. Sample transport rack 2 for improving sample analysis processing efficiency
It is desirable to increase the transport speed of the wafer. However, if the transport speed of the sample rack 2 is too short while the transport distance of the sample rack 2 is short, there is a problem that the sample is easily spilled during transport of the sample rack. Conversely, if the transport speed is set low in accordance with the transport of the sample rack 2 over a short distance, the transport efficiency of the sample rack at the time of long-distance transport, and therefore, the sample analysis processing efficiency of the entire sample analyzer will be reduced. For this reason, in order to prevent sample spillage during sample rack transport and improve sample analysis processing efficiency, the sample rack transport speed depends on the sample rack destination, that is, the sample rack transport distance. Should be changed. In the embodiment of the present invention, from such a viewpoint, the transport speed of the sample rack 2 is switched in a plurality of stages according to the transport distance to the destination.

This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 shows the speed pattern of the sample rack 2 and the horizontal axis represents time t.
The vertical axis represents the transport speed v (t) of the sample rack 2. The speed pattern shown in FIG. 3A is a speed pattern used when the sample rack 2 is transported from the transport line entrance 35 to the rack loading mechanism 7 and from the rack discharge mechanism 21 to the transport line exit. The speed pattern shown in FIG. 3B is the speed pattern used for transporting from the rack discharge mechanism 13 to the rack take-in mechanism 15 and from the transport line entrance 35 to the transport line exit, and FIG. C) indicates a speed pattern used when the paper is conveyed from the conveyance line entrance 35 to the conveyance line exit. These speed patterns are stored in the storage unit 52 of the control unit 50 in advance, and the control unit 50 reads out the speed patterns according to the destination of the sample rack 2 and reads the read speeds. The control of the transport line 3 is performed so that the speed of the sample rack is controlled according to the pattern.
That is, the shorter the distance to the destination of the sample rack 2 is, the lower the transport speed is, and the longer it is, the higher the transport speed is. Therefore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the sample analysis processing efficiency can be improved while preventing the sample from being spilled due to the transport of the sample rack.

As can be seen immediately from FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, in each speed pattern, the speed gradually increases and reaches the maximum value, and the maximum value is maintained for a certain period of time. And then gradually decrease. According to this, the sample rack 2
Since the transport of the sample from the start of transport to the stop of the sample is smoothly performed, and the shock applied to the sample is reduced, the effect of preventing the sample from being spilled is further enhanced. This also leads to a higher maximum transport speed, and thus a more efficient sample analysis process.

[0033]

According to the present invention, there is provided a sample analyzer suitable for improving sample analysis processing efficiency of the entire apparatus while preventing sample spillage during sample rack transport.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a sample analyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a sample transport process by the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an inspection conveyance speed pattern used in the apparatus of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... rack supply unit, 2 ... sample rack, 3 ... transport line,
4 ... Rack identification unit, 6,14 ... Analysis unit, 7,15
... Rack loading mechanism, 13, 21 ... Rack discharging mechanism,
22: first switching unit, 23: rack collecting unit, 24: receiving area, 25: sending area, 27: second switching unit,
29: return line, 32: return line exit, 35: transport line entrance, 40: standby unit, 50: control unit, 52: storage unit.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Maki 882 Mage, Oaza-shi, Hitachinaka-shi, Ibaraki Pref.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A transport line for transporting a sample rack, a plurality of analysis units arranged along the transport line, a transfer device for transporting the sample rack between the transport line and the plurality of analysis units, A storage device for previously storing a sample rack speed pattern corresponding to the transport distance of the sample rack; and a speed pattern corresponding to the transport distance of the sample rack.
And a controller for controlling the transport line so as to transport the sample rack in accordance with the read speed pattern. 2. The speed pattern when the transport distance of the sample rack is long is higher than the speed pattern when the transport distance of the sample rack is short. 2. The sample analyzer according to 1. 3. The speed pattern according to claim 1, wherein the speed gradually increases and reaches a maximum value, and thereafter the maximum value is maintained for a certain period of time and then gradually decreases. A sample analyzer described in 1.