JPH11223633A - Chemical analysis technique - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively operate a device, and to conduct highly precise analysis. SOLUTION: In this chemical analysis technique, plural analytical items having different reaction times are analyzed by scrapping plural reaction containers 1 after measured in order from an endless reaction line 2 in a reaction container scrapping position, while the respective plural reaction containers 1 supplied from a reaction container supplying position to the endless reaction line 2 are conveyed to a sample dispensing position, a reagent dispensing position, a mesuring position and the reaction container scrapping position in order. A conveying time for the reaction containers 1 from the reagent dispensing position to the reaction container scrapping position is set shorter than the maximum reaction time for the analytical items analyzed together there, the reaction containers 1 for the reaction time-finished analytical items out of the reaction containers conveyed to the reaction container scrapping position are selectively scrapped from the reaction line 2, and the reaction containers 1 for the reaction time-unfinished analytical items are made to comtinue reaction without being scrapped from the reaction line 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for distributing a plurality of reaction vessels, each supplied from a reaction vessel supply position to an endless reaction line, to a sample dispensing position, a reagent dispensing position,
While sequentially transporting to the measurement position and the reaction vessel disposal position,
Dispensing a sample at the sample dispensing position, starting a reaction by dispensing a reagent at the reagent dispensing position to the reaction container where the sample has been dispensed, measuring the reaction product at the measurement position, The present invention relates to a chemical analysis method for analyzing a plurality of analysis items having different reaction times by sequentially discarding from a reaction line at a reaction vessel discarding position from a reaction vessel having completed measurement.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an automatic analyzer for performing a conventional chemical analysis method, for example, as shown in FIG.
Are stored and held at equal intervals on the same circumference of the turntable 2 (reaction line), and by rotating the turntable 2 intermittently counterclockwise, each reaction vessel 1 stopped at each stop position , The sample is dispensed at the position A,
After dispensing the reagent at the position B, measurement is performed at a predetermined measurement position, the reaction vessel 1 after the measurement is discarded, and a new reaction vessel 1 is discarded.
Some have a cycle in which they are rotated to the position A again in exchange for the same.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned automatic analyzer, if it is attempted to analyze a plurality of analysis items whose reaction time differs depending on the item,
In the item where the reaction time is short, the reaction ends at the position C or the position D before the reaction vessel 1 makes one rotation of the reaction line, whereas in the item where the reaction time is long, the reaction line 1 goes around the reaction line once and the position E or the like ends. In some cases, the reaction ends at position F.

As described above, in the case where one reaction line has a reaction time of one or more laps and a reaction time of less than one lap, the measurement is completed after two laps, that is, the reaction is terminated. If the sample in the container is set to be discarded in two rounds, the operation efficiency of the apparatus is deteriorated because there is a sample occupying the reaction line even though the reaction is completed in the first round. On the other hand, if the measurement is set to be completed in one round, for items longer in reaction time than in one round, a measurement result can be obtained only halfway through the reaction, and the analysis accuracy is reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a chemical analysis method capable of operating the apparatus efficiently and performing highly accurate analysis. I do.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method for dispensing each of a plurality of reaction vessels supplied from a reaction vessel supply position to an endless reaction line at a sample dispensing position and a reagent dispensing. The sample is dispensed at the sample dispensing position while being sequentially transported to the position, the measurement position, and the reaction container disposal position, and the reagent is dispensed at the reagent dispensing position to the reaction container where the sample has been dispensed, and the reaction is performed. Is started, the reaction products are measured at the measurement position, and a plurality of analysis items having different reaction times are analyzed in such a manner that the measurement is completed and the reaction containers are sequentially discarded from the reaction line at the reaction container disposal position. In doing so, the transfer time of the reaction container from the reagent dispensing position to the reaction container disposal position is set to a time shorter than the longest reaction time of the analysis item to be analyzed together, and the transfer to the reaction container disposal position is performed. Of the reaction vessels, the reaction vessels for the analysis items for which the reaction time is over are selectively discarded from the reaction line, and the reaction vessels for the analysis items for which the reaction time is not over are reacted without being discarded from the reaction line. Is continued.

[0007]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an automatic analyzer for performing a chemical analysis method according to the present invention. This embodiment shows a disposable type automatic analyzer.

Around the periphery of the turntable 2, holders 15 for detachably holding the reaction vessel 1 are formed at equal intervals, and these holders 15 are automatically supplied to the reaction vessel by a reaction vessel automatic supply device 16 at a reaction vessel supply position. 1 is selectively supplied and each of the plurality of reaction vessels 1 supplied to the turntable 2 is rotated by the rotation of the turntable 2 by the drive motor 3 to dispense the sample, the reagent, the measurement position, and the reaction. The sample is dispensed at the sample dispensing position while being sequentially transported to the container disposal position, the reagent is dispensed at the reagent dispensing position to the reaction container where the sample has been dispensed, and the reaction is started. Is measured at the measurement position to analyze a plurality of analysis items having different reaction times. Here, the transport time of the reaction container 1 from the reagent dispensing position to the reaction container disposal position is a time shorter than the longest reaction time of the analysis items to be analyzed together.

[0009] Of the reaction containers 1 conveyed to the reaction container disposal position in this way, the reaction container 1 of the analysis item whose reaction time has expired is automatically transferred from the turntable 2 by the automatic reaction container disposal device 17. And the reaction vessel 1
The new reaction container 1 is supplied by the automatic reaction container supply device 16 in a state where the holder unit 15 having been discarded is transported to the next reaction container supply position. Further, among the reaction containers 1 transported to the reaction container disposal position, the reaction containers 1 of the analysis items for which the reaction time has not ended are allowed to continue the reaction without being discarded from the turntable 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the reaction vessel automatic supply device 16 comprises a plurality of reaction vessels 1 arranged and stored in a cassette 21.
Is positioned on the positioning member 24 via the transfer member 23 by the motor 22, and the front row of the
By means of 5, the reaction vessel 1 is transported via a slider 26 in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction by the transport member 23, so that the reaction vessel 1 is selectively supplied to the holder section 15 of the turntable 2.

The automatic disposing device 17 for the reaction vessel is shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the ejection lever 27 is provided swingably about the shaft 28, and the ejection lever 27 is selectively driven by the motor via the cam 29, so that the measurement and the reaction time are completed and the set conditions are satisfied. The reached reaction vessel 1 is scratched out and allowed to fall naturally from the turntable 2 to a waste cylinder.

Even if the reaction vessel 1 has been measured, it is reused repeatedly under certain set conditions, for example, a predetermined number of times or until the cleaning effect no longer appears, and then discarded, thereby further improving the analysis efficiency. You may. In this case, a reaction vessel presence / absence detection sensor 18 composed of a micro switch or the like is provided close to the outer periphery of the turntable 2,
The cleaning device 1 is controlled by the drive control device 13 based on the output.
4 is selectively driven to wash the reaction vessel 1 where the measurement is completed and the set conditions are reached.

The cleaning device 14 is provided with a test solution suction nozzle 4, a cleaning water supply nozzle 5 and a reaction tube drying nozzle 6 held by a vertically movable holder 7, and these three nozzles 4,
The reaction vessels 5 and 6 are moved up and down integrally via a holder 7 by the drive of a drive motor 8 so that the reaction vessels 1 located under the respective nozzles
To selectively penetrate the inside. Test solution suction nozzle 4
The nozzle 6 for drying the reaction tube is connected to a drain tank 10 via a drain pump 9, and the washing water supply nozzle 5 is connected to a washing tank 12 via a feed pump 11.

In this manner, based on the output of the reaction vessel presence / absence detection sensor 18, only when the reaction vessel 1 to be cleaned is present at all positions of the nozzles 4, 5 and 6, the drive control unit 13 controls the drive motor 8 While controlling the driving of the pumps 9 and 11, the nozzles 4, 5 and 6 are made to enter the reaction vessel 1, respectively, and the test solution having been analyzed by the test solution suction nozzle 4 is discharged. The washing water is supplied to the reaction vessel 1 from which the test solution has been discharged by 5, the washing water is discharged from the reaction vessel 1 to which the washing water has been supplied by the reaction tube drying nozzle 6, and the reaction vessel 1 is dried. Perform the cleaning operation.

With such a configuration, when the reaction container 1 is disposable, if the reaction container 1 to be cleaned is not present on the turntable 2, the cleaning can be prevented from being performed.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, a reaction container for accommodating an analysis item whose reaction time is one rotation and two rotations is also provided on one turntable 2.
Above, by dividing and arranging the reaction line, the operation efficiency can be increased. Further, a turning mechanism of the turntable 2 is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 52-40189,
As disclosed in JP-A-59-135367 and the like, in the case of stopping each of a plurality of reaction vessels, a series of stop positions from the above-described sample dispensing to the replacement of the reaction vessels are set. The present invention may be applied in the same manner, with the time when stopped as one cycle.

[0017]

As described above, according to the present invention,
For example, it is possible to continue the analysis without waste while efficiently discarding the reaction vessel in the same reaction line for the item where the measurement is completed in one round and the item where the measurement is completed in two rounds, thereby improving the operation efficiency of the apparatus and improving the accuracy. High analysis can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an automatic analyzer for performing a chemical analysis method according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an example of a reaction vessel automatic supply device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of an example of a reaction container automatic disposal device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reaction container 2 Turntable 3 Drive motor 4 Test solution suction nozzle 5 Cleaning water supply nozzle 6 Reactor tube drying nozzle 7 Holder 8 Drive motor 9 Drain pump 10 Drain tank 11 Water supply pump 12 Wash water tank 13 Drive control device 14 Cleaning device 15 Holder part 16 Automatic reaction container supply device 17 Automatic reaction container disposal device 18 Reaction container presence / absence detection sensor

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Each of a plurality of reaction vessels respectively supplied from a reaction vessel supply position to an endless reaction line,
A sample is dispensed at the sample dispensing position while being sequentially transported to a sample dispensing position, a reagent dispensing position, a measurement position, and a reaction container disposal position, and the reagent dispensing position is dispensed to the reaction container where the sample has been dispensed. The reaction is started by dispensing the reagent in the above, the reaction product is measured at the measurement position, and the measurement is terminated from the reaction line at the reaction container discard position in order from the reaction container where the measurement was completed, so that the reaction time In analyzing a plurality of different analysis items, the transfer time of the reaction container from the reagent dispensing position to the reaction container disposal position is set to a time shorter than the longest reaction time of the analysis items analyzed together, Among the reaction containers transported to the container disposal position, the reaction containers of the analysis items whose reaction time has ended are selectively discarded from the reaction line, and the reaction containers of the analysis items whose reaction time has not ended are the reaction lines. A chemical analysis method characterized by continuing the reaction without discarding it.