JPH11271317A - Device using optical sensor with function of self diagnosis - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the stoppage of a system due to anomalies by transferring a rack for checking, providing the function of self-diagnosis to detect the degree of margin of a reflection-type photo interrupter, and detecting the reduction in the function of the photo interrupter. SOLUTION: A sample and a reagent are mixed in a reaction container 23, and absorbance measurement is performed on the mixture solution for analysis by a multiple wavelength photometer 28. A rack 6 on which a sample container 9 is placed is transferred to analyzing devices 1 and 2 by a rack transferring line 5. A photo interrupter 10 for rack detection is provided at the stoppage location of a rack 8 on the transferring line 5, and the presence or absence of the rack is detected by the output signal of the photo interrupter 10. By using a rack for checking with low reflectance of light, light incident on a light receiving element is reduced, and it is possible to detect the reduction in the function of the photo interrupter 10 from an output signal at this time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a self-diagnosis function of an optical sensor for detecting the presence or absence of an object using light, and more particularly to an optical sensor for an apparatus such as an analyzer in which a light receiving / emitting surface is easily contaminated by a chemical or the like. The present invention relates to a device having a self-diagnosis function suitable for checking the degree of allowance for dirt or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Many conventional devices using an optical sensor having a self-diagnosis function use a light emitting diode as a light emitting element of a photo interrupter and a photo transistor or a photodiode as a light receiving element. When the photo interrupter is of a reflection type, light from the light emitting element is reflected by an object to be detected, and the reflected light is incident on the light receiving element.
A sufficient current is applied to the light emitting element so that the light receiving element is sufficiently saturated with the reflected light, and the light from the light emitting element is reflected / transmitted to turn on / off the light receiving element. It is possible to detect whether or not it is in the position.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-116410, a current flowing through a light emitting element whose light emission amount changes in accordance with a flowing current value is made smaller than a predetermined current at the time of checking for a deterioration in the function of a photointerrupter. Decrease in luminescence,
Deterioration of the detection level of the light receiving element, contamination of the light emitting and receiving surface of the light emitting element and the light receiving and emitting surface of the light receiving element, contamination of the reflection surface of the object to be detected, etc., to detect a margin for reduction of the light incident on the light receiving element, and deteriorate the function of the photo interrupter Is to be detected.

[0004]

In the above prior art, the current flowing through the light emitting element whose light emission amount changes according to the flowing current value is made smaller than a predetermined current at the time of checking the function degradation of the photointerrupter, thereby reducing the function of the photointerrupter. In recent years, in the case of a system using a photo interrupter, the current flowing to the light emitting element on the light emitting side of the photo interrupter has been limited in order to improve the reliability of the photo interrupter and reduce the number of external circuit components. Photointerrupters having a built-in resistance in a photointerrupter have become mainstream, and such photointerrupters are generally referred to as “positive power supply, reference potential (GND),
It has only a total of three input / output terminals for the "output signal" and cannot change the current flowing to the light emitting element on the light emitting side of the photo interrupter, and therefore cannot control the value of the current flowing to the light emitting element. There was a problem that it could not be checked.

In the medical examination industry, the analysis of biochemistry and the like is increasingly concentrated not on individual facilities but on examination centers and large hospitals, so that a large number of samples are analyzed at one facility. In order to analyze a large number of samples over many items, a plurality of analyzers are connected by a transport system or the like to perform each analysis. In such a system, a sample transport rack that can simultaneously transport multiple samples is used to efficiently transport samples to each analyzer, and the reliability of the transport mechanism of the sample transport rack can be ensured. It is becoming very important.

Further, standardization of sample transport racks is being promoted throughout the medical examination industry, and systems using racks are becoming mainstream. Here, in the rack transport mechanism, a detector for detecting whether or not the rack is at a predetermined position when transporting the rack includes a reflection-type photo for simplifying the detection mechanism, reducing the number of parts, and reducing costs. An interrupter is often used, and a large number of dozens or more reflective photointerrupters are used on a transport line.

In particular, since many chemicals and the like are used in the analysis of biochemistry and the like, the light receiving / emitting surface of the reflection type photo interrupter is easily stained. Degradation of the interrupter cannot be detected beforehand, and if the degradation does not reach the level where the rack cannot be detected, it is not known, and when the detection becomes impossible, the entire system becomes inoperable. was there.

A first object of the present invention is to transport a check rack in a system using a reflective photointerrupter in which tolerance cannot be checked by controlling a current flowing to a light emitting element on a light emitting side. By providing a self-diagnosis function to detect the margin of the reflective photo-interrupter, to detect the degradation of the function of the photo-interrupter,
An object of the present invention is to prevent the system from being stopped due to a photointerrupter abnormality, thereby improving the reliability of the entire system.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a function of automatically transporting a check rack and automatically perform a self-diagnosis for detecting a margin of a reflective photointerrupter.

A third object of the present invention is to prepare a plurality of types of check racks having different reflectivities of light emitted from the photointerrupter, and convey the check racks, thereby gradually reducing the function of the photointerrupter. It is to judge.

[0011] A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a function of transferring the result of the photointerrupter function deterioration check to a service center via a communication line, and to grasp the state of the function deterioration of the photointerrupter while staying at the service center. It is in.

[0012]

In order to achieve the first object, a transport line for transporting a rack for transporting a container containing a sample to be analyzed by an analyzer, a mechanism for transporting the rack and its mechanism A drive circuit for driving the mechanism, a rack detection circuit for detecting that the rack has been transported to a predetermined position, and sending a signal to the rack transport mechanism indicating that the rack has been transported to the predetermined position; A detector that detects that the rack has been transported to the predetermined position,
A light-emitting element that emits light by passing an electric current, and at least one reflective photointerrupter having a light-receiving element that receives light from the light-emitting element reflected on a rack and outputs an electric signal corresponding to the amount of received light; Means for generating a reference number corresponding to the photointerrupter, means for outputting a signal corresponding to the magnitude of the electric signal, and a check rack or a check rack having a low reflectance of light emitted from the photointerrupter at the time of checking the function of the photointerrupter. A check rack in which a seal having a low reflectance of light emitted from the photo interrupter is attached to a detection portion of the normal rack is conveyed, and a decrease in the function of the photo interrupter is determined based on an output signal from the comparison means, and the optical sensor The self-diagnosis is performed.

In order to achieve the second object, usually,
A check rack storage position for storing a check rack that has low reflectance of light emitted from the photo interrupter separately from the rack transfer line, and a check from the check rack storage position to the normal rack transfer line A mechanism for transporting the rack and automatically transporting the check rack from the storage position of the check rack to the normal rack transport line when the apparatus is started or at a predetermined time, and the check rack is usually The self-diagnosis of the photo-interrupter is automatically performed based on a self-diagnosis command for the deterioration of the function of the photo-interrupter when the check rack is transported from the means for transporting the rack on the transport line. In addition, an ID number is set for each rack as a rack ID unique to the rack, a means for reading and determining the ID number of the rack, and a rack in which the ID number for the check rack is set, is transported. The function of the photo interrupter is automatically judged to be deteriorated.

In order to achieve the third object, at least two types of check racks having different reflectivities of light emitted from the photointerrupter are prepared, and it is determined to which rank of the reflectivity a rack can be detected. The determination is performed stepwise. In order to achieve the fourth object, a data collection device for collecting the status of degradation of the function of the photo interrupter of the rack transport system including the analyzer is connected to a service center by a communication line, and the status of degradation of the function of the photo interrupter is determined by the service center. Is to be forwarded.

That is, when the rack is transported to a predetermined position on a transport line that transports a rack for transporting a container containing a sample to be analyzed by the analyzer, the rack is transported to a predetermined position. As a detector to detect
A light-emitting element that emits light by passing an electric current, and a reflection-type photointerrupter that receives light reflected from the light-emitting element to the rack and outputs an electric signal corresponding to the amount of light received to the light-receiving element. When the check rack for diagnosing the degradation of the function of the photointerrupter is at the rack detection position of each of the reflective photointerrupters for detecting racks, the output electric signal from the photointerrupter is low. By comparing the reference signal with the comparison means, it is possible to detect whether or not the function of the photointerrupter is reduced.

The rack for checking the deterioration of the function of the photo interrupter is usually provided with a check rack storage position for storing the check rack separately from the line for transporting the rack, and is used when the apparatus is started up or at a predetermined time. When this happens, the check rack is automatically transferred from the check rack storage position to the normal rack transfer line,
Normally, the check rack can be transported on a line that transports the rack, and the self-diagnosis of the photo-interrupter can be automatically performed based on a self-diagnosis command for the deterioration of the function of the photo-interrupter.

Further, a rack I unique to the check rack is used.
An ID number is set as D. When the rack ID number of the check rack is being conveyed when the rack ID number is read and determined, the self-diagnosis command for the deterioration of the function of the photo interrupter is issued so that the Self-diagnosis can be performed automatically.

At least two types of check racks having different reflectivities of light emitted from the photo interrupter are prepared. By determining the rack of which reflectivity rank is being conveyed by the rack ID, and comparing the output signal of the photointerrupter corresponding to the reflectivity rank of the rack with the reference number, it is possible to detect up to which reflectivity rank. It is possible to determine whether or not the photointerrupter has been successfully performed, and to detect the deterioration of the function of the photointerrupter step by step.

Further, the service center is connected to a data collector for collecting the result of the photointerrupter function deterioration check by a communication line such as a public line, and the status of the photointerrupter function deterioration is transferred to the service center. It is possible to ascertain the state of functional deterioration of the photo interrupter.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an analyzer according to this embodiment.
FIG. 1 shows a system in which one or a plurality of analyzers for analyzing a biological sample (in FIG. 1, two analyzers are shown for simplicity) are connected by a rack transport line. . The analyzers 1 and 2 in this embodiment analyze a sample by mixing a sample and a reagent in the reaction vessel 23 and measuring the absorbance of the mixed solution with a multi-wavelength photometer 28 at a wavelength corresponding to each analysis item. Things. Therefore, the analyzers 1 and 2 include a mechanism 21 for dispensing a sample into the reaction vessel 23, a mechanism 26 for injecting a reagent into the reaction vessel 23, a mechanism 27 for stirring a mixed solution in the reaction vessel 23, and a mixing of the reaction vessel 23. It comprises a multi-wavelength photometer 28 for measuring the absorbance of the liquid, a mechanism 29 for cleaning the used reaction vessel 23, and the like.

The analyzers 1 and 2 are connected by a rack transport line 5, and a rack 6 on which a sample container 9 containing a sample placed in a rack input section 3 is pushed out to the rack transport line 5, The rack is transported to the analyzers 1 and 2 on the transport line 5, the sample is dispensed by the analyzers 1 and 2, transported to the rack storage unit 4, and stored in the rack storage unit. The rack 8 on the rack transport line 5 is temporarily stopped at the position where the sample is dispensed by the analyzer 1 for dispensing the sample by the sample dispensing mechanism 21. At this time, at least one of the rack transport lines 5
One photo interrupter 10 for rack detection is provided, and it is possible to detect whether or not the rack 8 is stopped at a predetermined position by determining the output signal of the photo interrupter.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a general reflection type photointerrupter and a rack detection system in which the value of a current flowing through a light emitting element cannot be controlled. When the rack is within the object detection range of the reflective photointerrupter 32, the light emitted from the light emitting element 34 is reflected on the detection site 39 of the rack 31 and is incident on the light receiving element 36. The current flowing through the light emitting element 34 is determined by the current limiting resistor 35 and the power supply voltage. The light incident on the light receiving element 36 is converted into an output signal Vo by a photocurrent conversion circuit 37, and the output signal Vo is changed according to the magnitude of the incident light.

A circuit for detecting a change in the photointerrupter output signal Vo is provided by a photointerrupter input / output connector 33.
To detect the presence of a rack. When a check rack having a low reflectance of light emitted from the photo interrupter 32 is used as the sample container transport rack 31, light from the light emitting element 34 is reflected on the sample container transport rack 31 and light incident on the light receiving element 36 is reduced. In this case, the deterioration of the function of the photointerrupter 32 can be detected from the output signal Vo at this time.

In particular, in a system such as an analyzer used for biochemical analysis, in a device using many liquids such as samples and reagents, the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface of the photo interrupter 32 are easily stained. Light emission amount including deterioration of internal elements such as light emitting element 34 and light receiving element 36,
Insufficient margin of the function of the photo interrupter can be detected before the decrease in the amount of received light becomes inoperable. Using a normal rack having a high reflectance as the sample container transport rack 31,
A similar effect can be obtained by affixing a seal having a low reflectance of light emitted from the photo interrupter 32 to the rack detection site 39 and using this as a check rack.

FIG. 3 shows a single analyzer or a combination of a plurality of analyzers (two analyzers in FIG. 3 for simplicity of explanation) connected by a rack transport line, and functions of a photointerrupter. This system is provided with a mechanism for providing a dedicated storage position for a check rack for performing a lowering check, and for transporting the rack on a line for transporting the rack from the rack storage position. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a rack storage position 41 is provided on the back side of the rack transport line 5, the rack is pushed out to the rack transport line 5 when the function of the photo interrupter is checked for deterioration, and the check rack is stored in the rack storage unit 4. Further, by providing the rack return line 43 for returning the rack to the rack insertion unit side, the check rack can be returned to the storage position 41 after the completion of the photointerrupter function deterioration check.

By providing a mechanism for storing and transporting the check rack in this manner, a self-diagnosis command is issued so as to transport the check rack when the apparatus is started or at a predetermined time. As a result, it is possible to automatically check the function degradation of the photo interrupter, and always check the margin of the photo interrupter before or during use of the system, thereby improving the reliability of the system. .

Further, in a system such as an analyzer that uses a large number of reflection photointerrupters of several tens or more on a transport line of a rack, it is extremely time-consuming to check the photointerrupters one by one. Since it takes a long time to use the device, the tolerance of the photo interrupter can be checked only by flowing the check rack, and the photo interrupter whose margin is lost can be operated before it becomes inoperable. Work such as maintenance can be performed effectively.

Also, a rack ID dedicated to the check rack
Is provided, and a function of reading and determining the ID is provided.
As shown in FIG. 4, at least one hole is provided in the rack, and an ID is set according to a combination of whether the hole is covered or opened. The rack ID reading unit 50 uses a transmission-type optical sensor or the like to read the rack 42. The opening / closing of the hole is read, and the rack
When it is determined that the rack having the hole with the hole of the rack ID of No. 2 has been conveyed, the CPU 52 automatically issues a photo-interrupter self-diagnosis command to the photo-interrupter signal control unit by automatically issuing the command. Deterioration of the function of the photo interrupter can be checked.

FIG. 5 shows a system for transferring the tolerance check result of the customer-side equipment 63 and the photointerrupter to the service center 60 using the public line 62 or the like. CPU52
The result of checking the tolerance of the photointerrupter according to the self-diagnosis command from the server is transferred from the photointerrupter signal data collection unit 55 to the service center 60 using the public line 62. As a result, the service person can check the margin of the photo interrupter 10 at the service center, perform effective and quick maintenance when the margin is insufficient, and find that the photo interrupter has become inoperable. The system can be prevented from being stopped due to the cause.

[0031]

The present invention has the following effects.

In a system in which a rack is used like an analyzer and a reflective photointerrupter is used for rack detection, a rack having a low reflectance is conveyed as a rack for checking the function of the photointerrupter, thereby checking the tolerance of the photointerrupter. Can be self-diagnosed and can alert users and services before the photointerrupter becomes inoperable. Further, by automatically checking the tolerance of the photointerrupter when a predetermined check rack is transported, there is no need for a complicated check operation, and there is always a margin when starting the apparatus. The reliability of the system can be improved by performing the degree check.

Further, by transferring the result of the tolerance check of the photointerrupter to the service center using a public line or the like, the service person can perform effective maintenance and the photointerrupter becomes inoperable. This can prevent the system from being stopped due to this.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a rack-type reflective photointerrupter shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of an analyzer provided with a rack storage position according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for automatically determining a check rack according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram in which customer equipment and a service center of the present invention are connected.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Analyzer 1, 2 ... Analyzer 2, 3 ... Rack input unit,
Reference numeral 4: rack storage unit, 5: rack transfer line, 6: rack set in rack input unit, 7: rack stored in rack storage unit, 8: rack during sample dispensing, 9: sample container, 10 ... Reflection type photo interrupter for rack detection, 2
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... sample dispensing mechanism, 22 ... reaction container rotation mechanism, 23 ... reaction container, 24 ... reagent storage container rotation mechanism, 25 ... reagent storage container, 26 ... reagent dispensing mechanism, 27 ... stirring mechanism, 28 ... multi-wavelength luminous intensity 29, cleaning mechanism, 31: sample container transport rack, 32, reflection type photo interrupter, 33, photo interrupter input / output connector, 34, light emitting element, 35, current limiting resistance of light emitting element, 36, light receiving element, 37 ... Photocurrent conversion circuit, 39: rack detection site, 41: check rack storage position, 42: check rack, 43: rack return line, 50: rack ID reading unit, 51: rack ID determination unit, 52: CPU, 53 ... Photo interrupter signal control unit, 54 ... Input signal buffer, 55 ... Photo interrupter signal data collection unit, 56 ... Rack hole for rack ID setting, 57 The light passing through the rack holes rack ID setting, 60 ... service center, 61 ... communication repeater,
62: public line, 63: customer equipment including an analyzer.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus for analyzing one or a plurality of biological samples, a rack input section for inputting a rack for transporting a container containing the sample to be analyzed by the analyzer, and the analysis is completed. A storage unit for storing the rack on which the sample is placed is connected by a transport line, a mechanism for transporting the rack to each analyzer, a drive circuit for driving the mechanism, and the rack being transported to a predetermined position. Has a rack detecting circuit for sending a signal to the rack transport circuit indicating that the rack has been transported to a predetermined position, and has detected that the rack has been transported to a predetermined position. A light-emitting element that emits light by passing an electric current to a detector that emits light, and a light-receiving element that receives light reflected from the light-emitting element to the rack and outputs an electric signal corresponding to the amount of received light. In a rack transport apparatus having at least one reflective photo-interrupter, a unit for generating a reference number corresponding to the photo-interrupter, and a unit for outputting a signal corresponding to the magnitude of the electric signal, light emitted from the photo-interrupter An apparatus using an optical sensor having a self-diagnosis function, characterized in that a rack having different reflectivity is prepared and a specific rack is transported as a check rack, thereby determining the deterioration of the function of the photo interrupter. 2. An apparatus using an optical sensor having a self-diagnosis function according to claim 1, wherein a rack to be transported uses a normal rack having a high reflectance of light emitted from said photo-interrupter, and light emitted from said photo-interrupter. Affixing a seal having a low reflectivity to a part of the rack for detecting the presence or absence of the rack, and transporting the normal rack to which the seal is adhered as a check rack, thereby determining the functional deterioration of the photointerrupter. A device using an optical sensor having a self-diagnosis function. 3. An apparatus using an optical sensor having a self-diagnosis function according to claim 1, wherein a rack storage position for storing said check rack separately from a line for transporting the rack, and said rack storage position. A mechanism for transporting the check rack to a rack transport line, and automatically moves the check rack from the rack storage position automatically when the apparatus is started or at a predetermined time. An optical sensor having a self-diagnosis function, wherein a function of the photointerrupter is determined by transferring the check rack along a rack transfer line. 4. An apparatus using an optical sensor having a self-diagnosis function according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a rack ID unique to the rack is provided.
By setting an ID number on each rack, reading and identifying the ID number and having a rack identification unit, setting a dedicated rack ID on the check rack, and transporting the check rack, An apparatus using an optical sensor having a self-diagnosis function, which is configured to determine a decrease in the function of a photo interrupter. 5. An apparatus using an optical sensor having a self-diagnosis function according to claim 1, wherein at least two types of check racks having different reflectivities of light emitted from the photo interrupter. Prepared, and has a function of judging to which rank of the reflectivity the rack could be detected in a stepwise manner. By transporting the at least two kinds of racks, the function of the photointerrupter can be reduced step by step. An apparatus using an optical sensor having a self-diagnosis function characterized by making a judgment. 6. An apparatus using an optical sensor having a self-diagnosis function according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, wherein the result of the function degradation check of the photo interrupter is checked via a communication line. A device using an optical sensor having a self-diagnosis function, wherein the device is transferred to a service center.