JPS6371656A - Automatic chemical analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable automatic chemical analysis by which exact photometric data is obtainable even with reaction tubes existing in the positions just before the start of rotation and just before the stop of rotation by providing a rotary table which rotates the respective reaction tubes by 1 turn plus >=2 pitches per cycle. CONSTITUTION:The respective reaction tubes 11a-11l stop after the tubes are rotated by one turn and half plus one pitch. When the total number of the reaction tubes is designated as (n), the total number P of the pitches to move the tube forward by one turn and half plus one pitch from the home position is +7 as n=12 in this case. Photometry of the respective reaction tubes which shut off the optical axis 16 of a measuring system 15 is continuously executed during the rotation of one turn and half plus one pitch. The photometry of the reaction tube 11f is first executed at the time t'1 and the photometry of the reaction tube 11g is executed at said time t'2. The photometry of the reaction tube 11l is executed at the final t'19. The reaction tubes existing in the positions just after the start of the rotation and just before the stop of the rotation are both subjected to the photometry twice in one cycle and at least the data for one time is the data obtd. at the specified rotating speed; therefore, said data is regarded to be the exact data.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Purpose of the Invention (Industrial Application Field) The present invention continuously collects photometric data of each reaction tube while rotating several reaction tubes in which samples and reagents are dispensed. Regarding automatic chemical analysis equipment.

(Prior Art) An automatic chemical analyzer that performs measurements as shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) is known as an apparatus for performing various chemical analyzes on human serum and the like.

Annular holder 2 provided on a rotary table (not shown)
A plurality of reaction tubes 1a to 11 are arranged inside.

The reaction tube is made of a light-transmitting material such as glass, and is configured to rotate in a constant cycle in the direction of arrow Y in the figure. For convenience of explanation, an example in which 12 reaction tubes are used is shown, but in an actual apparatus, several times as many reaction tubes are used.

A cleaning device for each reaction tube, a sample dispensing device, a first reagent dispensing device, a first sliding device, a second reagent dispensing device, and a second stirring device are installed at predetermined positions around the annular holder 2. (not shown), etc., and perform predetermined operations on the opposing reaction tubes at each position A to F. Figure 4 (
Both a) and (b) show the stopped state of the reaction tubes. For example, in the stopped state of FIG. The sample (serum, etc.) and reagents dispensed and mixed into the reaction tube up to just before the A position are washed away.Similarly, at the C position, the reaction tube 1a that was washed at the A position one cycle ago is washed away. At the C position, the first reagent is dispensed to the reaction tube 11, and at the D position, the first stirring operation is performed to the reaction tube 1k. and in position E, reaction tube 1
A second reagent dispensing operation is performed for the reaction tube 1h, and a second stirring operation is performed for the reaction tube 1h at the F position. A light source 3 is located in the middle of the rotation path of the annular holder 2 in the direction of the arrow Y.
A photometry system 5 consisting of a light source 3 and a measuring device 4 is provided, and an optical axis 6 connecting the light source 3 and the measuring device 4 crosses the rotation path. When the reaction tube blocks the light fIIl16 during rotation, the degree of blocking will vary depending on the state inside the reaction tube, so
The measuring device 4 can detect the absorbance according to the degree as photometric data.

After maintaining the stopped state of FIG. 4(a) for a predetermined time.

The annular holder rotates in the direction of arrow Y for a predetermined period of time, moves the position of each reaction tube, and then stops again.

This rotation is performed so that each reaction tube is moved by one rotation plus one pitch. FIG. 4(b) shows the arrangement of the respective reaction tubes 1a to 1e which have moved one rotation plus one pitch from the position of FIG. 4(a) and are in a stopped state. Even in this stopped state, each operation is performed in each of the devices A to E in the same way as described above.

Thereafter, by repeating the same operation with the combination of rotation time and stop time as one cycle, a new reaction tube advances every pitch, so photometry of each reaction tube can be carried out continuously. can.

Figure 6 shows, as an example, the photometric data obtained by rotating one cycle (one rotation plus one pitch) from the position of Figure 4(a) to the position of Figure 4(b), and the vertical axis shows the photometric data. is absorbance Q1, and the horizontal axis is time t.

When the rotation starts in the direction of the arrow Y from the position shown in FIG. Later, at tl3, photometry of the reaction tube 1f will be performed again.

By the way, when performing such photometry, in order to obtain accurate photometry data, it is desirable that all the reaction tubes (12 in this case) that are the subject of photometry rotate at the same speed.

However, when moving from the position shown in FIG. 4(a) to FIG. 4(b), the reaction tube 1f that first blocks the optical axis 6 immediately after the rotation starts, or the reaction tube 1g adjacent thereto, and the last one that blocks the optical axis 6 immediately before the rotation stops. It is impossible for the reaction tube 1f that blocks the shaft 6 or the adjacent reaction tube 10, etc., to maintain the same rotational speed as the reaction tube in the pond due to the restriction of the rotational structure, so the rotational speed always becomes slower. Therefore, the photometric data of those reaction tubes Ql, Q2 and Q+2. Since Qt3 is data incremented by 1 at a point that is off the center of the reaction tube, it lacks accuracy and must be excluded.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As described above, in conventional automatic chemical analyzers, there is a problem in that accurate photometric data cannot be obtained from the reaction tubes located immediately after the start of rotation and immediately before the stop of rotation. .

The present invention was made in response to such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic chemical analyzer that can obtain accurate photometric data even when the reaction tube is at a position of δ5 immediately after the start of rotation and immediately before the stop of rotation. It's something.

[Structure 1 of the Invention (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized in that it is equipped with a rotary table that rotates each reaction tube by one rotation plus two pitches or more per cycle. There is.

(Effect) Rotate each reaction tube 1 turn plus 2 pitches or more, for example 1 and a half turns]
By rotating the pitch, the rotation angle in one cycle can be greatly increased, so photometric data can be obtained twice in one cycle for both reaction tubes located immediately after the start of rotation and immediately before the rotation stops. . Since at least one of these data is obtained by 1q at a constant rotational speed, it can be considered as accurate data. Therefore, accurate photometric data can be obtained.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view (not showing) of an automatic chemical analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which an annular holder 12 is provided on a rotary table 10 whose rotation is controlled by a drive source (not shown). In this annular holder 12, a plurality of, for example, twelve, translucent reaction tubes 11a to 1J2 made of glass or the like are arranged.

By driving the rotary table 10, the annular holder 12 rotates each reaction tube in the direction of arrow Y in the figure in a constant cycle.

A photometry system 15 consisting of a light source 13 and a measuring device 14 is provided in the middle of the rotational path, and an optical axis 16 connecting the light source 13 and the measuring device 14 crosses the rotational path.

The rotary table 10 is controlled to rotate each reaction tube one and a half revolutions plus one pitch per cycle.

A cleaning device 17 for each reaction tube is provided at a predetermined position around the annular holder 12. Sample dispensing device 18° First reagent dispensing device 19. First stirring device 20. Second reagent dispensing device 21. A second stirring device 22 is arranged. As shown in the figure, when the rotary table 10 is stopped, the cleaning device 17 uses nozzles 17a, 17b, and 17G to clean each of the opposing reaction tubes 11.
b.

The cleaning operations 11c and 11d are performed. Similarly, the sample dispensing device 18 performs a sample dispensing operation to the reaction tube 11a using the nozzle 18a, and the first and second reagent dispensing devices 1
9.21 is each nozzle 19a.

21a performs a reagent dispensing operation to each reaction tube 111.11i, and the first and second @ stirring devices 20.degree.
Perform the stirring operation. 23 is a constant temperature unit for keeping the temperature of each reaction tube on the rotary table 10 constant at, for example, 37°C.

When each reaction tube rotates in the direction of arrow Y due to the rotation of the rotary table 10 and blocks the optical axis 16 of the measurement system 15, the degree of blocking varies depending on the state inside the reaction tube, so the measuring device 14 Absorbance according to the degree of absorption is detected as measurement data. Although FIG. 1 shows, as an example, a case in which two types of reagents are dispensed, the number of types may be one, or three or more types, which may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose.

The output signal of the measuring device 14 is converted into a digital signal by the A/P converter 24 and applied to the CPU 25 . CPU
25 has a display 26. Printer 27. An operation panel 28 is connected, and by operating the operation panel 28, the measurement results can be displayed on the display 26 or printed out from the printer 27.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

From the state of FIG. 2(a), which is the same arrangement as the stopped state of the rotary table 10 of FIG. After being rotated by a pitch, it stops at the position shown in FIG. 2(b).

When the total number of reaction tubes is taken as self, the total number of pitches P to move one and a half rotations plus one pitch from the original position is P-(1 rotation pitch F(>-1-(n/2>+1) (
However, if n is an even number). In this example, n = 12, so P = (number of pitches per revolution) + 7, and as shown in Fig. 2 (a>
All of the reaction tubes 11a to 111 are moved 7 pitches in the direction of arrow Y from the position shown in FIG. 2(b) and are stopped.

During this rotation of one and a half rotations plus one pitch, photometry of each reaction tube that blocks the optical axis 16 of the measurement system] 5 can be continuously performed. FIG. 3 shows the photometric data obtained in this way. When rotation starts in the direction of arrow Y from the position shown in FIG. Finally, in step 18, photometry of the reaction tube 11j2 is performed.

In such a series of photometry operations, as is clear from Fig. 3, by rotating by one and a half revolutions plus one pitch, the first light beam immediately after the start of rotation is the reaction tube 11f that blocks the optical axis ]6, and the last one is just before the rotation stops. The reaction tube 11J blocks the optical axis 16!
Seven reaction tubes 11t, 11g, 1]h,
11i, 11j.

11, since photometry is performed twice during one cycle of rotation in 11f, two photometric data are obtained each time.

In particular, the reaction tubes 11f and 1N located immediately after the rotation starts and immediately before the rotation stops! and the reaction tube 11 adjacent to these
g, 11 are also included in this range, and these reaction tubes 11f,
11cx is El and E'1 twice, and reaction tube 1
For "lk and 11J, photometric data is obtained twice at E2°E2'.

Data obtained in each case once at a constant rotational speed equal to the rotational speed of the other reaction tubes (Q'a).

Q'? and Q't3.0'14), so it can be adopted as accurate data.

Therefore, all data of the 12 reaction tubes 11a to 111 can be obtained in one rotation cycle.

Thereafter, by repeating photometry using a combination of rotation time and stop time as one cycle, photometry data as shown in FIG. 3 can be obtained each time.

In the above example, each reaction tube was
An example of rotating by half a rotation plus one pitch was shown, but
This is a desirable example, and in principle 1
If the rotation is plus 2 pitches or more, the effect can be expected. Moreover, the number of reaction tubes can also be selected arbitrarily.

In addition, in an arrangement in which the stop position moves by half a rotation plus one pitch for each rotation cycle as in this embodiment, it is possible to arrange two stirring positions close to each other.
There is also the advantage that the first and second stirring operations can be performed by one stirring device.

[Effect of the Invention 1] As explained above, according to the present invention, 1q of positive photometric data can be obtained even in the reaction tube located at the position immediately after the start of rotation and immediately before the stop of rotation.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing an automatic chemical analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 2(a) and (b) are schematic diagrams explaining the present invention in detail, and FIG. 3 is a characteristic obtained by the present invention. 4 (a>, (b) are schematic diagrams showing conventional examples, and FIG. 5 (a)
) and (b) are schematic diagrams showing the photometric principle of an automatic chemical analyzer, and FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram obtained by a conventional example. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Rotary table, 11a to 11p... Reaction tube, 12... Annular holder, 13... Light source, 14... Measuring device, 15... Photometry system, 16... Optical axis, 17...Cleaning device, 18...Sample dispensing device, 1
9.21... Reagent dispensing device, 20.22... Stirring device, 17a, 17b, 17c, 18a, 19a. 20a, 21a, 22a--Nozzle, 23... Constant temperature unit, 24... A/D converter, 25... CPU
, 26... Display, 27... Printer, 28
···control panel. Chi, 1,. 11゜l↓9 story noku-ttsuv plan figure

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A plurality of reaction tubes into which samples and reagents are dispensed are arranged in a ring on a rotary table, and by rotating the rotary table in a constant cycle, a photometry system installed across the rotation path is created. Accordingly, an automatic chemical analyzer for obtaining photometric data of each reaction tube is characterized in that the automatic chemical analyzer is equipped with a rotary table that rotates each reaction tube by one rotation plus two pitches or more per cycle. (2) The rotary table rotates each reaction tube one and a half times plus one
An automatic chemical analyzer according to claim 1, which rotates the pitch.