JPS5813863B2 - Automatic dispensing analysis system - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] The present invention relates to an automatic dispensing and analysis system that enables significant automation and mechanization of the testing system while maintaining the identity of the specimen when analyzing blood in clinical analyses. .

In blood chemistry tests in hospital clinical laboratories and health checkup centers, the blood collected from the subject is separated into two layers of akin mochi and serum using a centrifuge, and only the supernatant serum is separated as appropriate. The sample is separated using a suitable method and then used as a test sample for various analytical instruments.

However, in the above-mentioned clinical laboratories and health checkup centers, a large number of specimens are concentrated there, and since these specimens are of a nature that cannot be left undisturbed for long periods of time, the above-mentioned processing operation can shorten the number of specimens. While high efficiency is required to process the data within a certain time, it is also necessary to introduce a system into the processing system to quickly classify and organize accurate test data.

Particularly in blood tests, there are five or more test items for one specimen, but recently there are devices that automatically dispense the serum of multiple separated specimens into different sample containers at the same time. Automatic analyzers for sample containers have been developed.

However, the tests required for a subject do not necessarily cover all of the test items listed above, and the test items vary depending on the individual test subject. The process of dispensing samples, and after dispensing, applying the divided sample containers to each automatic analyzer without mistaking them, and organizing the data is extremely complicated.

Therefore, if manual processing was required, there would be a limit to the processing capacity, and furthermore, as the number of tests increases, human errors in accident processing, such as mistaking specimens and data entry errors, would occur frequently. Become.

In contrast, each sample container is equipped with an electrical detection means, which is stored in a central processing device, which automatically classifies and organizes the processing of each sample and performs dispensing according to the test items for each sample. It is also possible to control and automatically sort the materials and send them to an automatic analyzer.

However, with this method, when processing a large number of samples at the same time, it is necessary to provide the same number of electrical detection means on the equipment side for each individual container, which puts a heavy burden on the equipment and increases the cost. In addition to being expensive, the cost of the container as a whole also increases, and the detection accuracy decreases with repeated use due to cleaning of the container.

The present invention was invented in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks, and it handles a plurality of specimens in rack units, and when a rack is received in a dispensing machine, the rack number is input into the processing device in advance. Based on the analysis information of the individual sample containers corresponding to the rack number stored in the processing device, the samples in each sample container are sequentially dispensed into sample containers for various analyses, and the sample containers are aligned. The order is recorded on a worksheet using an attached printer, and the sample containers arranged in the recorded order are run through an automatic analyzer.The worksheet is then read into a sheet reader attached to the automatic analyzer, and the league output is used to obtain the above results. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an automatic dispensing analyzer that analyzes a specimen in a sample container according to set analysis contents, and with the above configuration, it is possible to perform aliquoting of serum without installing an electrical detection means in each specimen container. This allows the testing system to be significantly automated and mechanized while guaranteeing the identity of each specimen during the process from filling to sorting to automatic analysis.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an automatic dispensing and analysis system according to the present invention. The main devices constituting this system are placed at the collection point of each blood sample collected, and the information on each sample is transferred to the CPU ( A receiving device 1 sends the samples to a processing device), a centrifuge 2 is provided in the analysis room, each sample is centrifuged and sedimented in this centrifuge 2, and each sample is divided into sample containers for each analysis item based on information from the CPU. a printer 4 that prints out the samples contained in each sample container on a worksheet according to the order in which they are arranged; a printer 4 that receives the arranged sample containers and also receives the worksheet; Equipped with series reader 5 that reads
It consists of an automatic analyzer 6 that analyzes the sample in the sample container according to the set analysis content based on the league output of this series reader.

The analysis results are also sent to the CPU, where the results are displayed or printed out for each sample.

As shown in FIG. 2, the above-mentioned specimen is stored in a specimen container 10, and this specimen container 10 is stored in a specimen rack 11 provided with storage sections in the form of a plane matrix, and is received by the receiving machine 1. Samples are handled in racks.

FIG. 3a shows a sample rack 11 which is provided with storage sections arranged in rows and columns, for example, five rows and four columns, and therefore a total of 24 samples A to X can be accommodated here. specimens will be accommodated.

The sample rack 11 is also provided with electrical detection means for indicating the rack number.

The receiving machine 1 receives the sample rack 11 and detects the rack number of the sample rack 11. Next to the receiving position 12, there is a detection means for detecting in which position the sample is stored, and a keyboard 13 for writing the name of the subject and the index number of the sample in the sample container to be stored, and a test item. A keyboard 14 for entry is provided, and a display 15 is provided above the keyboards 13 and 14 for checking the entered information, as well as displaying the name and index number entered on the keyboard 13.
A label R with the following information written on it is printed out at the same time from an opening 16 formed in the upper part of the display 15, and this label R is attached to the sample container 10 to confirm when the sample is damaged.

The output end of the reception machine 1 is connected to the central CPU for automatic preparative dispensing and automatic analysis, which will be described later, and the information such as the rack number, sample container position and index number, and test items are stored as a pair of information. It is sent to the CPU as

Therefore, the CPU stores at the same time the position of the rack 11 of which rack number each specimen is stored, the name of the specimen, the index number, and which analysis item is to be analyzed.

- When all the sample containers 10 containing blood collected from different subjects are accommodated in the sample rack 11 placed on the reception machine 1 according to the operating procedure described in A, and the rank 110 matrix is filled. This sample rack 11 is transported to an analysis room and subjected to a centrifuge 2 installed there.

This centrifuge 2 is designed so that each of the above-mentioned specimens can be applied to the rack 11 all at once, so that the blood in each specimen container 10 is separated into serum and blood clots, and the CPU
The storage position stored in the memory is maintained as is.

The sample rack 11 after centrifugation is placed in an automatic dispenser 3.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, the automatic sorting and dispensing machine 3 includes suction and discharge nozzles 30 arranged in the same number as the sample ranks 110 in the row direction, and a nozzle unit 31 that arranges and holds the nozzles 30 in the horizontal direction. The nozzle unit 31 is guided by a horizontal guide G to move, and each nozzle 30 is moved up and down by a lifting mechanism (not shown).

Further, on the front side of the preparative dispensing machine 3 (appearing on the right side of the nozzle unit 31 in the figure), there is provided a receiving section 32 for the sample rack 11 and its guide 32a, and a place where the confirmation symbol of the sample rack 11 is written. A detection sensor 33 configured similarly to the reception machine 1 is provided at a confirmation location of the reception section 32 opposite to the reception section 32, and detects the rack number of the rack 11. I am trying to send it to .

Furthermore, although the above-mentioned preparative dispensing machine 3 is not shown, each of the above-mentioned nozzles 3
A plurality of blood clot and serum detection probes are provided at the tips of the nozzles so as to be interlocked with each other, and the operation mode of the nozzle device is set to suction, and the control of the elevating mechanism is controlled based on the detection output of the detection probe. A control device configured to perform switching control between serum fractionation control, serum dispensing control performed by setting the operation mode of the nozzle device to discharge, and control of the transfer device of the nozzle unit 32. It is.

Then, the dispensing information of each sample container corresponding to the detected rack number is inputted to the control device from the CPU,
Based on this, serum dispensing control is performed to dispense only the serum in each sample container into sample cups for various analyses, which will be described later.

Therefore, if there are a total of five analysis items, if three analysis items necessary for the subject are entered into the reception machine, the preparative dispensing machine will transfer the aspirated serum to the three designated sample cups. Dispensing will be carried out.

Sample rack 3 that accommodates a plurality of each of the above sample cups
4, the sample rack 1 is placed in the head 35 of the preparative dispenser 2.
1 and are arranged side by side, facing each other.

When viewed from the nozzle unit 32 side, as shown in FIG. 7, there are spare spaces 36a1 on both sides of the bed 350.
and a storage space 36b are formed, each of the above racks 3
4 are transferred in the order of this spare space 36a→bed 35→storage space 36b.

Further, in the sample rack 34, a large number of sample containers C11 to C5n are arranged in a plane matrix, and sample containers C1x to C5X of different types are arranged in the moving direction of the nozzle unit 31, that is, in the row direction, and in a direction perpendicular thereto. That is, sample containers Cx1 to Cxn of the same type are arranged in the column direction in the same number as the sample ranks 110 in the column direction, and the sample rack 34 can be divided into rows.

Here, the outline of the operation of the above device will be explained. First, when the sample rack 11 is located in the receiving section, the detection sensor 33 detects this and sends this rack number information to the CPU, and the nozzle unit 32 is placed in the sample rack. 1
1 (the state shown in Fig. 6), and the serum and blood separately contained in the large number of sample containers Sll to S1n lined up in that row. Have the students perform the operation of separating only the serum from the rice cake for each sample.

On the other hand, the CPU reads the dispensing information of each sample of the rack No. accepted by the receiving machine 1 based on the detected rack NO, sends this to the control section of the preparative dispensing device, and performs dispensing based on this. will be held.

That is, once the serum separation for all samples in that row has been completed, the nozzle unit 31 then transfers the sample containers C11 to C1n in the first row of the sample rack 2.
The serum sampled earlier based on the CPUO dispensing information is placed in each sample container C11 to C,n in that column.
Then, the prescribed amount is dispensed and dispensed into each row.

When the dispensing in the first row is completed, the nozzle unit 5 is moved to the second row of sample containers C2, to C2n, and there again, the nozzle unit 5 is moved to the second row of sample containers C2, to C2n. Dispense and dispense the same amount into each column, and thereafter dispense in the same manner for the third and fourth columns.

When the fifth and final row is reached, all the serum remaining in the sample containers C51 to C5,1 of that row is discharged.

When the serum sampled from the sample containers 10 in the first row has been dispensed into the sample containers C, 1 to C5n arranged in one sample rack 34 as described above, this dispensed The sample rack 34 in which sample containers C11-C5n are arranged is sent into the storage space 36b, and a new sample rack 34 in which empty sample containers are arranged is taken out from the preliminary space 36a and installed at the previous dispensing position. While doing this, the nozzle unit 31 is moved, and the nozzle unit 31 is moved there.
A plurality of nozzles 30 attached to each of the nozzles 30 are washed and dried.

After this washing and drying is completed, the nozzle unit 5 is moved again and placed on the second row of sample containers 10 in the sample rack 4, and serum fractionation is performed there again. Dispense this into each row of C11 to C5n arranged in the newly installed sample rack 2,
When dispensing in all rows is completed, the sample rack 34 is replaced again, and the series of operations of cleaning the nozzle unit 31 is repeated.

By repeating this series of operations, all rows of sample containers 10 arranged in the sample rack 10 are
Once the blood serum collection and dispensing for '' have been completed, the sample rack is replaced and all the operations described above are repeated again.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3b, the 24 specimens from A to X stored in the specimen rack 11 are arranged in rows A-F, rows GL,
Divided into 4 columns, M-R column and S-X column, each with 5 columns in the row direction.
The sample racks 34 are dispensed into six rows of sample racks 34 in the column direction.

For example, for the six specimens in rows A to F, 30 samples of a1 to a5; to f1 to f5 are created for the same sample rack.

Since each sample rack can be divided, samples to be analyzed of the same type for each analysis item can be rearranged into the same sample rack as shown in Figure 3C.
~X1, a2~X2, a3~X3, a4~x4, a5~
It is collected for each similar analysis item of X5.

The printer 4 attached to the sorting/dispensing machine 3 prints out a worksheet 38 for each row of sample cups in accordance with the analysis item information of the CPU at the same time as dispensing.

Therefore, if there are five analysis items, five worksheets will be created.

As shown in Fig. 6, the worksheet 38 has the name of the analyzer written in the upper column, and a print column 39 showing the dispensing order in a matrix is displayed in the lower column. One index number of the sample is printed in the column 39 in the order in which the sample was dispensed.

The row direction of this print column 390 shows the arrangement order of the samples in the sample racks that are dispensed at one time, and the column direction shows the arrangement order in sample rack units.

Therefore, in order to carry out the recombination as shown in FIG. 3C, the operator reads this worksheet 38 and collects the sample racks obtained by the above-mentioned dispensing operations for each similar analysis item.

Further, next to the printing field 39, there is provided a printing field 40 in which the index number is printed as a barcode, and the index number in the order of the printing field 39 is printed as a barcode.

In order to create a barcode, it is preferable to use an inkjet printer or an electrostatic printer.

After this dispensing operation and recombination operation, each sample rack is transported to each automatic analyzer 5, and the operator sets each sample cup in the analyzer 6 while reading the worksheet. 38 into the automatic analyzer 6.

At the same time, the operator causes the sheet reader 5 attached to the analyzer 6 to read the bar code of the worksheet 38.

Therefore, the automatic analyzer 6 performs the analysis in the order of the index numbers written on the worksheet 38.

The analysis data of each sample analyzed by each automatic analyzer 6 is sent to the CPU together with the above-mentioned index number, and the CPU searches for the index number and aggregates the data for each analysis item and displays or prints it out. It is.

In addition, when using an automatic analyzer that analyzes all of the analysis items, there is no need to recombine the sample racks as described above. Index N of the shape of the sample rack shown in
Configure the worksheet to print O, transport the sample rack as it is to the automatic analyzer, set each sample container in the analyzer in the order listed on the worksheet, and have the sheet reader read the worksheet. The analysis can be performed while

As explained above, in the automatic dispensing system of the present invention, each sample is handled in units of racks, from sample reception to dispensing and analysis, so handling is simple and quick, and a large number of samples can be processed simultaneously. .

In addition, even if these samples are not individually equipped with electrical detection means, the name, index number information, and test item information of the sample are stored in advance depending on the position in the sample rack, so the equipment, container, etc. The configuration is simple and inexpensive, and dispensing control can be performed based on the test item for each sample simply by detecting the rack number of the sample rack.

Furthermore, a worksheet containing the analysis details will be printed out at the same time as dispensing, so set the dispensed sample containers in the analyzer in the order listed on the worksheet, and insert this worksheet into the analyzer. Since the analysis is performed while being read into the attached series reader, there is no need to mix up or confuse the large number of samples dispensed according to the analysis items, and the analysis can be performed while matching the sample and its information. It has the advantage of being able to perform

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the entire automatic dispensing and analysis system according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the receiving machine and sample rack, and Figures 3 a, b, and c are views of each sample from reception to analysis. 4 and 5 are side views and a plan view of the dispensing machine, and FIG. 6 is a plan view of the worksheet. 3...Dispensing machine, 4...Printer, 5...Shiichi reader,
6...Analyzer, 10...Sample container, 11...Sample rack, 38...Worksheet, CPU...Processing device, S1~
5n...Sample container.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Receiving a sample rack accommodating a plurality of sample containers,
A detection means for identifying this rack number and inputting this identified information into a processing device, and a detection means for identifying each of the above-mentioned specimen containers based on the analysis information of each sample container corresponding to the detected rack number stored in this processing device. Dispensing machine that has a dispensing mechanism that sequentially dispenses the specimen in the sample container into sample containers for various analyses; attached to this dispensing machine, and aligns sample containers for various analyzes based on analysis information from the processing device A printer that records the order on a worksheet and prints it out; A printer that receives the ordered sample container and also includes a sheet reader that accepts and reads the worksheet, and the sheet reader outputs the sample in the sample container. An automatic dispensing analysis system consisting of: an analyzer that analyzes according to the settings and analysis contents;