JPS6325558A - Automatic chemical analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable the utilizing all the data necessary for the measurement of items effectively regardless of a larger processing speed, by setting a photometry position between a cleaning/drying position and a reagent distributing position. CONSTITUTION:A photometry point P is set between a cleaning/drying section Q and a sample distribution point S. Now when the photometry point P is set, for example, immediately after the cleaning/drying section Q, reaction tubes i and i+1 which cross the photometry point Q immediately after the start of driving a reaction tube table, namely, within a rising time t1 in the driving of the reaction tube table do not contribute to the measuring of items of an object to be inspected as they are fresh from the cleaning/drying section Q; no reagent is injected thereinto nor no reaction is caused therein. Therefore, though such reaction tubes cross the photometry point within the rising time t1, they do not deserve any photometry. This enables utilization of all data necessary for the measurement of items effectively.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention is directed to the technical field of medical equipment for diagnosis, and more particularly to the reaction of a liquid sample, such as l1fT] with a reagent. This invention relates to an automatic chemical analyzer that automatically measures absorbance and calculates and displays concentration based on the absorbance.

(Prior Art) Recent automatic chemical analyzers employ a so-called random access method in which samples and reagents are randomly dispensed and photometered to a large number of reaction tubes in a reaction line. A conventional example of such a device will be explained with reference to FIG.

The apparatus shown in the figure has a large number of reaction tubes 1 on a reaction tube table.
A reaction line L is formed by arranging a to 1n in a circular shape and rotatable, and a sample dispensing point S and a first reagent dispensing point R1 are formed along the rotation direction of the reaction tube with respect to this reaction line L, respectively. , the second reagent dispensing point R2, the photometric point P by the photometric system 2, and the washing/drying section Q are provided at appropriate intervals, and after dispensing the sample into any reaction tube 1a at the sample dispensing point S, this The reaction tube 1a is rotated to the first reagent dispensing point R1 to dispense the first reagent, and further rotated to the second reagent dispensing point R2 to dispense the second reagent. In this way, the sample and the first. For photometry, each of the reaction tubes 1a to 1n into which the second reagent has been dispensed is driven to rotate so as to advance by n rotations plus m pitches (for example, 1 rotation plus 1 pitch) and guided to the photometry point P, and the photometry system 2 The photometric data is obtained by directly photometrically measuring each of the reaction tubes 1a to 1n. After photometry has been completed, each of the reaction tubes 1a to 1n is stopped in a washing and drying section Q, where they are washed and dried before being used for the next measurement. Each photometric data obtained by the photometric system 2 is displayed on a TV monitor or printed out using a printer to be useful for diagnosis.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) In the conventional apparatus described above, each of the reaction tubes 1a to 1n into which the sample and the first and second reagents are dispensed is connected to the photometric point P.
For example, since the system uses a method of advancing sequentially at a rate of 1 rotation plus 1 pitch, the reaction tubes 1a to 1n for photometry are
The reaction line must be advanced one or more times each time, which increases the cycle time for each reaction tube 1a to 1n. For example, focusing on a specific reaction tube 1a, it takes 8 to 1 to advance one rotation plus one pitch for photometry.
If the stopping time for washing and drying is about 0 seconds and the stopping time for washing and drying is about 6 seconds, the time for one cycle will be about 18 seconds including the stopping time for photometry, and the processing speed in this case is 200 tests/ It's time. At such a processing speed, there is no need to consider the start-up time of the rotation drive of the reaction tube table, and the position of the photometric point P is
It was not particularly considered.

However, as the processing speed increases, for example to 400 tests/hour, the time required for photometry becomes shorter, and several reaction tubes cross the photometry point P within the startup time of the reaction tube table drive. A situation arises. in this case,
Regarding test items measured in these reaction tubes during the start-up time, a problem has arisen in that the data becomes inaccurate and cannot be used as measurement data.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to enable effective use of all data necessary for item measurement even when processing speed is increased.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object quickly, the present invention has a structure in which a photometric position is set between a washing/drying position and a reagent dispensing position.

(for production) Since the present invention has the above configuration, it operates as follows.

That is, since the photometry position is set between the washing position and the reagent dispensing position, the reaction tubes that cross the photometry position during the start-up time of driving the reaction tube table are reaction tubes from the washing and drying position. . Since no reagent has been dispensed into the reaction tube from the washing and drying position and no reaction has occurred yet,
This is necessary because it does not have any effect on the measurement items of the sample.

Therefore, even if such a reaction tube crosses the photometry position during the start-up time, that reaction tube is originally meaningless for photometry, and as a result, according to the present invention, when the processing speed is increased, However, all the data necessary for item measurement can be used effectively.

(Example) The illustrated embodiment will be described below.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention. The configuration and operation other than the position of the photometric system are the same as those of the conventional system shown in FIG. 5, so a description thereof will be omitted. The difference from the one shown in FIG. 5 is the photometric position, that is, the position of the photometric point P.
The photometric point P is installed between the washing/drying section Q and the sample dispensing point S. Specifically, in the illustrated example, the photometric point P is set immediately after the washing and drying section Q.

FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) are diagrams showing the individual reaction tubes passing through the photometric point P and the timing of driving the reaction tube table when the processing speed is low and high. As can be seen from the figure, when the processing speed is low, the rise time of driving the reaction tube table is longer than 1, and the cycle t is longer than 1.
2, each reaction tube passes through the photometric point P, so it is not affected by the rise time t1.On the other hand, when the processing speed increases, the reaction tube table first passes the photometric point P within the drive rise time t1. From the reaction tube passing through P, several (i in the figure)
and i+1) have already passed through the photometric point P. In this case, the test items measured in these reaction tubes i and i+1 during the start-up time cannot be adopted as measurement data because the data will be inaccurate.

However, in this device, the photometric point P is cleaned.

Since it is installed immediately after the drying section Q, the reaction tubes i and i+1 that cross the photometric point P immediately after the reaction tube table starts to be driven, that is, within the start-up time t1 of the reaction tube table drive, react from the washing and drying section Q. Since the reagent has not yet been dispensed into the tube and no reaction has occurred, it does not affect the measurement items of the sample in any way. Therefore, even if such a reaction tube changes the photometry position (yellow) during the start-up time, that reaction tube is originally meaningless for photometry, and as a result, according to this device, the photometry position is This means that all data can be used effectively.

Other positions of such photometric points include a position in front of the sample dispensing point S (FIG. 3) and a position in front of the first reagent dispensing point R1 (FIG. 4).

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

For example, in the above example, the reaction tube table is rotated by 1 rotation plus 1 rotation.
Although the description has been given of the case where the rotation is driven at a pitch, the same applies to the case where the rotation is driven at one rotation plus (-1) pitch.

[Effects of the Invention] As described in detail above, according to the present invention, by setting the photometry position between the washing/drying position and the reagent dispensing position, even if the processing speed increases, the amount necessary for item measurement can be maintained. All data can be used effectively.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of the essential parts of an embodiment of an automatic chemical analyzer according to the present invention, FIGS. FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of the main parts of the modified example of the same as the above, and FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of the main parts of the conventional apparatus. 1a to 1n...Reaction tube, P...Photometric position, Q...
Washing/drying position, R...Reagent dispensing position, S...Sample dispensing position. Agent Patent Attorney Noriyuki Chika
Norio Ogo Figure 4 Figure 5

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A reaction tube table in which a large number of reaction tubes are arranged in a circular shape and rotates by n rotations plus m pitches in one cycle, and a sample table that dispenses a sample into the reaction tubes along the moving direction of the reaction tubes. The injection position, the reagent dispensing position for dispensing the reagent, and the washing and drying position for washing and drying the reaction tube are set in sequence, and the absorbance of the reaction result between the sample dispensed into the reaction tube and the reagent is measured. An automatic chemical analyzer in which a photometric position is set, wherein the photometric position is set between the washing/drying position and the reagent dispensing position. (2) The automatic chemical analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the photometry position is set immediately after the washing and drying position. (3) The automatic chemical analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the photometric position is set immediately before the sample dispensing position. (4) The automatic chemical analyzer according to claim 3, wherein when the reagent dispensing positions are set at two positions, first and second, the photometry position is set immediately before the first reagent dispensing position.