JPH11237384A - Clinical examination system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a clinical examination system fit to reduce a load on a main controller, thereby improving real time performance. SOLUTION: The system includes a transfer line 500 for transferring specimens and processing units 400a-400g for processing the specimens. The transfer line 500 includes transfer line units 500a-500g connected to the processing units 400a-400g in pairs. A main controller 20 is also set, and a unit controller is provided for each pair of the processing units 400a-400g and transfer line units 500a-500g connected to the processing units. The unit controller includes a control part for the corresponding processing unit and a control part for the transfer line unit connected to the corresponding processing unit. Each control part is connected to the main controller 20 via communication networks 30a, 30b, so that the processing units 400a-400g execute distributed processing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a clinical test system,
In particular, the present invention relates to a clinical test system suitable for being used for automatically and collectively automatically analyzing a specimen composed of a biological sample such as blood or urine and managing the analysis result.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 6 shows a configuration of a general clinical test system. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a host computer that controls the entire system, and 2 denotes a main controller that controls the processing units 40 to 46. 30a to 30g are main controllers 2
And a processing unit for sequentially controlling the processing units 40 to 46 and the transport line units 50a to 50g connected to the processing units. 3 is a main controller 2 and sequencers 30a to 3
Network 3 for connecting 0g.

The processing units 40 to 46 are specifically units having the following processing functions. That is, 40
Is the sample input /
Distributing unit, 41 is a centrifugal separation unit for centrifuging the sample, 42 is an opening unit for opening the test tube containing the sample, and 43 is online dispensing for dispensing the sample to be analyzed by this system. Unit, 44 is an analysis unit for analyzing a reaction solution of a sample and a reagent, 45 is an off-line dispensing unit for dispensing a sample not analyzed by this system, and 46 is a sample for storing and storing a sample. It is a storage unit.

Samples are put into test tubes, packed in several units in containers called racks, and in order from the top in FIG.
Sample input / distribution unit 40, centrifugal separation unit 4
1, plug opening unit 42, online dispensing unit 43,
The sample is transported along the path of the analysis unit 44, the offline dispensing unit 45, and the sample storage unit 46. Also, according to the processing schedule of the host computer 1,
Control data is transmitted from the main controller 2 to the sequencers 30a to 30g, and the sequencers 30a to 30g
0a to 50g and the processing units 40 to 46 are controlled.

[0005]

In a typical clinical test system, the main controller needs to monitor the status of a large number of sequencers by polling or the like. There is a possibility that the real-time property is impaired.

Further, since the transport line and the processing unit are controlled by one sequencer, the control of the transport line and the processing unit cannot be separated. For this reason,
If one of the transport line and the processing unit fails, the remaining control may be affected.
For example, if only the processing unit fails and the transport line is normal, it is preferable to bypass the failed processing unit and transport samples to the adjacent processing unit, but without changing the system arrangement, the failure will occur. There is a problem that the transport of the sample to the processing unit located downstream of the processing unit is stopped.

[0007] In a normal clinical test system, the system configuration is fluid and diversified depending on the equipment installation space and the test scale on the user side, and this is the first cause of complicating the system and increasing the price. It has become.

An object of the present invention is to provide a clinical test system suitable for improving the real-time performance by reducing the load on the main controller.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a transport line for transporting a sample and a processing unit for processing the sample, wherein the transport line is connected to the processing unit and can form a pair. A clinical test system comprising: a main controller; and a unit controller for each pair of the processing unit and a transport line unit to which the processing unit is connected, wherein the unit controller has a corresponding processing unit. And a control unit for the transport line unit to which the corresponding processing unit is connected, wherein each said control unit is connected to the main controller via a communication network, whereby the processing unit It is characterized in that distributed processing is performed for each.

[0010]

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an embodiment of a clinical test system according to the present invention. In the figure, 10
Is a host computer that controls the entire system, 20
Is a main controller for controlling each processing unit. 30
Is a communication network, a mechanism control data communication network 30a for transmitting and receiving mechanism data between the main controller 2 and the transport line unit 500 and each of the control units 40 to 46; Transport sign 50
0 and a sample data communication network 30b for transmitting and receiving sample data to and from the treatment units 400a to 400g.

The processing units 400a to 400g are specifically units having the following processing functions. 400
a is a sample input / distribution unit for separating the input sample according to the test item, 400b is a centrifugal separation unit for centrifuging the sample, 400c is an open unit for opening the test tube containing the sample, and 400d is An online dispensing unit for dispensing a sample to be analyzed by this system, an analysis unit for analyzing a reaction solution of a sample and a reagent, and an offline unit for dispensing a sample not to be analyzed by this system. Dispensing unit and 4
00g is a sample storage unit for storing and storing a sample.

The transfer line 500 is a transfer line unit 5
The transport line units and the processing units, which are connected to each other so that the processing units 400a to 400g can be separated from each other, are paired with each other. Further, the width of the transport line units 500a to 500g is equal to the width of the processing units 400a to 400g.
It is unified so that it can be connected to any of 400 g.

Samples are placed in test tubes, packed in several units in containers called racks, and in order from the top in FIG.
The sample is transferred and processed along the path of the sample input / distribution unit 400a, the centrifugal separation unit 400b, the stopper unit 400c, the online dispensing unit 400d, the analysis unit 400e, the offline dispensing unit 400f, and the sample storage unit 400g.

As described above, the communication network 30 includes the mechanism control data communication network 30a and the specimen data communication network 30b, the former being the transport line units 500a to 500g and the processing units 400a to 400a.
400g is connected to the main controller 2 to perform mutual mechanical system control data communication, and the latter is to connect the mechanical system control data communication network 30a and the processing units 400a to 400g to the main controller 2 to perform mutual sample data communication. I do.

FIG. 2 shows the internal configuration of the unit controller.
Reference numeral 401 denotes a unit controller, which is a pair of a processing unit and a transport line unit (the number of pairs of a processing unit and a transport line unit is 7 in the example of FIG. 1).
However, only one unit controller 401 is shown in FIG. 2 for simplification. FIG.
Each of the transfer line units 500a to 500g has a transfer line unit mechanism system control unit 401a,
Each of the processing units 400a to 400g has a processing unit control unit 401b.
Includes a processing unit mechanism control unit 401b1 and a sample processing data unit 401b2. Each of the unit controllers 401 provided for each pair of the processing unit and the transport line unit controls the transport line unit mechanism system controller 4 in the transport line unit paired with each other.
01a and the processing unit controller 40 in the processing unit
1b.

Mechanism control unit 401 for transport line unit
The mechanism-system control MPU 62 and the mechanism-system controller 62 of the processing unit mechanism-system controller 401b1 can perform mechanism-system data communication via the mechanism-system control data communication network 30a. The data communication network I / F 61 is an interface for that purpose. The sample data communication MPU 82 of the sample data processing unit 401b2 is connected to the sample data communication network 3
0b, sample data communication can be performed, and the sample data communication network I / F 81
Is the interface for that.

Mechanism control unit 401 for transport line unit
a is a mechanism data communication network I / F 61 which is an interface between the mechanism control data communication network 30 a and the mechanism control MPU 62, and converts the data on the mechanism control data communication network 30 a into the data format of the pulse generator 63. A MPU 62 for controlling the mechanical system, a pulse generator 63 that outputs a pulse to the stepping motor, a pulse output voltage level of the pulse generator 63, and a stepping motor 65
Motor driving circuit 6 that drives an exciting current through each phase of
4. It is constituted by a stepping motor 65 used for driving the belt of the transport line. The pulse generator 63 has a built-in storage element capable of reading, writing, and holding data, such as a flash memory, which stores a plurality of drive pattern data for the stepping motor 65. By using this element,
Even in the field, the drive pattern data can be changed via the mechanism control data communication network 30a.

As described above, the processing unit device control section 401b includes the processing unit mechanism system control section 401b1 and the sample data control section 401b2. The internal structure of the processing unit mechanism system control section 401b1 is a transport line unit. It is the same as the mechanism control unit 401a. The sample data processing unit 401b2 is connected to the sample data communication network 3
0b and a sample data communication network I / F 81, which is an interface between the sample data communication MPU 82 and the sample data communication network 30b
The sample data communication MPU 82 converts the data into the above data, and a sample detection sensor 83 for analyzing the sample.

FIG. 3A shows an operation flow at the time of executing the initial operation on the main controller side. A status transmission request is issued to each unit controller by broadcast communication (1).
In response, it is determined whether or not responses have been received from all the unit controllers (2). If the result is "YES", the process is terminated. If the result of the determination is "NO", it is further determined whether or not a timeout has occurred (3).
If “ES”, it is regarded as abnormal, and if “NO”, the flow returns to step (2).

FIG. 3B shows an operation flow at the time of executing the initial operation on the unit controller side. A status check inside the processing unit is performed (1), and it is determined whether the result is OK (2). If the result is "NO", it is regarded as abnormal, and if "YES", it is determined whether or not there is a transmission request from the main controller (3). If the result is "YES", the process is terminated, and if "NO", it is further determined whether or not a timeout has occurred (4). If the result is "YES", it is regarded as abnormal, and if "NO", the flow returns to step (3).

More specifically, after the power is turned on, the mechanism control MPU 62 in the unit controller 401 issues a self-diagnosis command to the pulse generator 63.
The pulse generator 63 has a built-in data read,
The self-diagnosis data is read from a writable and holdable storage device and converted into a pulse. Pulse generator 63
The output pulse is converted into a voltage level by a motor driving circuit 64, and an exciting current is supplied to each phase of the stepping motor 65 to set the mechanism system to a neutral position.

When the initial operation of the mechanical system is completed, the mechanical system control MPU 62 issues a motor status check command to the pulse generator 63 and holds the result. Here, when the mechanism control MPU 62 detects an abnormality in the unit mechanism control unit 401b1 and determines that only the transport line unit mechanism control unit 401a is operable, the unit controller 401 determines the sample.
A bypass operation mode is entered, which is an operation mode in which the sheet is simply conveyed to the adjacent control unit.

The main controller 20 waits for a certain period of time until the self-diagnosis of the mechanical system of each unit controller is completed.
A status transmission request is made to the processing units 400a to 400g by broadcast communication via the mechanism control data communication network 30a. In response to this, the MPU 62 for controlling the mechanical system inside the processing units 400a to 400g reports the self-diagnosis result. Thereby, the main controller 2 grasps the states of all the processing units 40 to 46.

FIG. 4 shows an operation flow when a unit controller event is executed. Unit controller No. , Sample No. And event No. Is input to the host computer 10, the information is transmitted from the main controller 20 to the unit controller 401.
(1). The unit controller determines whether or not there is a response (2), and the result is “YE”.
If "S", the unit controller executes the specified event (3), and it is determined whether or not the execution has been completed normally (4). If the result is "YES", an end report is made (5), and then it is determined whether or not all the events are finished (6). If the result is "YES", the process ends.

In step (2), if the judgment result is "N
If "O", it is determined whether or not a timeout has occurred (7). If the result is "YES", abnormal processing is performed (8), and if "NO", the flow returns to step (2).
In step (4), if the determination result is "NO", it is determined whether retry is possible (9). If the result is "YES", the flow returns to step (3),
If "NO", an abnormality report is made (10), and abnormal processing is performed (8).

In more detail, upon receiving an instruction from the host computer 10 after the end of the initial operation, the main controller 20 sends an event No. to the processing units 40 to 46.
And Sample No. Send The MPU 62 for controlling the mechanical system in the unit controller 401 receives the event No. And sample N
o. The event No. is first sent to the pulse generator 63 inside the transport system control unit 401a. Issue an operation command corresponding to. The pulse generator 63 registers in advance a mechanism-based control data that has been turned into an event corresponding to each event in a built-in storage device capable of reading, writing, and holding data. Therefore, the corresponding mechanism control data is read out by the issued command and converted into a pulse. The output pulse of the pulse generator 63 is converted in voltage level by a motor driving circuit 64 and
By supplying an exciting current to each phase of the stepping motor 65
To rotate. By the above operation, the transport line 500 is operated, and the loading of the sample is completed.

After the loading of the sample is completed, the MPU for controlling the mechanical system
An event No. 62 sends an event No. to the pulse generator 63 inside the processing unit mechanism system control unit 401 b 1. Issue an operation command corresponding to. In the same manner as described above, the syringe, the sampling arm, and the like inside the processing unit are operated to perform operations such as sample distribution, dispensing, and analysis, which are operations unique to the processing unit.

After the operation unique to the processing unit, the mechanism control MPU 62 sends a normal end report to the unit controller 401 located downstream of the system through the mechanism control data communication network 30a, and sends the sample data communication network. 30b, the sample No. And an operation result report. In addition, adjacent to the unit controller 401,
In addition, the unit controller 401 located downstream is checked on the same path as to whether or not the unit controller 401 can be carried in. If it is determined that the mechanism control MPU 62 can be carried out, the event No. is sent to the pulse generator 63 in the transport line unit mechanism control unit 401a. Issue an operation command corresponding to. Hereinafter, in the same manner as described above, the transport line is operated to complete the unloading of the sample.

If an abnormality occurs during a series of these operations, the mechanical system control MPU 62
It is determined whether or not retry is possible based on the status information from, and if possible, the retry operation is performed a specified number of times. If the retry is successful, the process is continued, and if it is determined that the retry is not possible or if the retry fails, a report is made to the main controller 2 and the process shifts to abnormal processing.

FIG. 5 shows a code system of a mechanism control data communication network for reference. The code of the mechanism control data communication network 30a includes LENGTH indicating the number of bytes of the MSG and MSG. No, MPU for mechanism system control
It is composed of an MSG, which is a message such as a command or data between the main controller 20 and the main controller 62. Also, M
SG is the command No. , LENGTH indicating the number of bytes of DATA, and DATA which is a data area.

As can be understood from the above description, by enabling distributed processing in units of processing units, the load on the main controller can be reduced and the real-time performance can be improved. Is further separated into a mechanical communication network and a sample data network to further improve real-time performance and to transport samples to adjacent processing units using only the transport line during maintenance of processing units. did. Further, event-related mechanism control data is registered in advance between the transport line and the processing unit, and the event-related control data is registered from the host computer in the event number. Is designated to read and control the transport line and the processing unit, so that the traffic on the mechanical system network is reduced, and the real-time property is further improved. In addition, since the transport units are unified so that the processing units can be connected to each other, it has become possible to reduce the system price.

[0032]

According to the present invention, there is provided a clinical test system suitable for reducing the load on the main controller and improving the real-time performance.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a clinical test system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a unit controller.

FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart when an initial operation is executed on the main controller side and the unit controller side.

FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart when a unit controller event is executed.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a code system of a mechanism control data communication network.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a normal clinical test system.

[Explanation of symbols]

10: host computer, 20: main controller, 30: communication network, 30a: mechanism system control data communication network, 30b: specimen data communication network,
400a to 400g: processing unit, 500: transport line, 500a to 500g: transport line unit, 40
1: unit controller, 401a: transport line unit mechanism system controller, 401b: processing unit controller, 401
b1: Mechanism control unit for processing unit, 401b2: Sample data processing unit.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A clinical test system including a transport line for transporting a sample and a processing unit for processing the sample, wherein the transport line is connected to the processing unit and includes a transport line unit capable of forming a pair. A main controller, and a unit controller for each pair of the processing unit and a transport line unit to which the processing unit is connected. The unit controller includes a control unit for a corresponding processing unit and a control unit for the corresponding processing unit. A control unit for a transport line unit to which a corresponding processing unit is connected, said respective control units being connected to said main controller via a communication network, thereby causing said processing units to perform respective distributed processing. A clinical test system characterized by the above. 2. The control unit for a processing unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit for the processing unit includes a processing system control unit for the processing unit and a sample data processing unit. The communication network includes a mechanism control data communication network and a specimen data communication network, and the transport line unit mechanism system control unit and the processing unit mechanism system control unit include the mechanism system control data communication. A clinical test system, wherein a sample data processing unit is connected to the main controller via the sample data communication network via a communication network. 3. The mechanism control data according to claim 1, wherein the main controller is connected to a host computer, and the mechanism controller for the transport line unit and the mechanism controller for the sample processing unit are event-based mechanism control data. A storage device in which the transport line unit and the processing unit are mechanism-controlled based on mechanism system control data stored in the storage device by designating an event from the host computer. Clinical testing system. 4. The clinical test system according to claim 1, wherein the width of the sample transport line unit is unified so that the sample processing units can be connected to each other.