WO2010150502A1

WO2010150502A1 - Automatic analysis device

Info

Publication number: WO2010150502A1
Application number: PCT/JP2010/004098
Authority: WO
Inventors: 黒田顕久
Original assignee: ベックマンコールター，インコーポレイテッド
Priority date: 2009-06-24
Filing date: 2010-06-18
Publication date: 2010-12-29
Also published as: JP2011007568A

Abstract

Provided is an automatic analysis device wherein by means of a shared dispensing nozzle, specified quantities of respective components of blood plasma, blood sera, and blood cells of a specimen can be accurately discharged into a reaction container, irrespective of the components of the specimen. As an embodiment of the above, there is disclosed an automatic analysis device that analyzes a specimen and that is equipped with a dispensing means wherein a dispensing pump and a dispensing nozzle are connected together by a pipeline, and wherein the aforementioned dispensing pump is caused to perform sucking and discharging operations, thereby sucking the aforementioned specimen from inside a specimen container into the above-mentioned dispensing nozzle, and wherein the specimen thus sucked is discharged into a container; a reaction means that reacts the sucked specimen with a reagent; a measuring means that measures the absorbance of the reaction liquid obtained by the aforementioned reaction means; an analysis means that analyzes the specimen; an acquisition device that acquires specimen information regarding the aforementioned sucked specimen and information regarding analysis items preestablished for the specimen; and a position control means whereby the discharging position of the specimen sucked by the aforementioned dispensing nozzle is controlled on the basis of the aforementioned specimen information and/or the aforementioned analysis item information, as obtained by the aforementioned acquisition means.

Description

Automatic analyzer

The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that analyzes a sample by dispensing a sample and a reagent into a container and measuring the absorbance of a reaction solution generated in the container.

Conventionally, blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in blood have been used as a diagnostic marker for diabetes. In an automatic analyzer, a blood sample collected from a subject is separated into plasma and blood cells by centrifugation, The blood glucose level is measured from the sample containing the component. On the other hand, the HbA1c value is measured from a specimen containing blood cell components.

By the way, in recent years, in an automatic analyzer, the amount of a sample dispensed by an analysis item for analyzing plasma or serum components is reduced to about 1 μL. For this reason, in order to dispense a sample with high accuracy, it is necessary to reduce the inner diameter of the tip of the dispensing nozzle to about 0.3 mm. However, when blood cell components are dispensed using a serum or serum component dispensing nozzle, the blood cell components are higher in viscosity than plasma or serum components, so that blood cell components can be aspirated. In some cases, the components become droplets at the tip of the dispensing nozzle and cannot be discharged with high accuracy. For this reason, in the automatic analyzer, compared to the dispensing nozzle that dispenses plasma or serum components, the dispensing nozzle with the tip inner diameter thicker than the blood cell components is used depending on each analysis item. However, since the apparatus is complicated and large, various dispensing methods have been proposed.

For example, in Patent Document 1, using a common dispensing nozzle for plasma or serum components and blood cell components, dispensing is preset for each liquid level position and analysis item in the sample container detected by the liquid level detection means. A method of calculating a descending distance at which the dispensing nozzle descends from the liquid surface based on the intrusion distance of the nozzle, and lowering the dispensing nozzle to the computed descending distance to suck and dispense a specimen containing a blood cell component Is disclosed.

Further, in Patent Document 2, plasma or serum components and blood cell components are set in advance for each liquid level position in the sample container detected by the liquid level detection means and each type of sample container using a common dispensing nozzle. Based on the penetration distance of the dispensing nozzle, calculate the descending distance that the dispensing nozzle descends from the liquid level, and lower the dispensing nozzle to the computed descending distance to aspirate the sample containing blood cell components and dispense A method is disclosed.

Moreover, in patent document 3, after attracting | sucking a liquid to a dispensing nozzle and discharging the attracted liquid to a container from a dispensing nozzle, the front-end | tip part of a dispensing nozzle is made to contact the liquid level in a container, and after that, from this liquid level A method for preventing a decrease in dispensing accuracy due to liquid droplets remaining on the dispensing nozzle or adhering liquid droplets to the dispensing nozzle while reducing the carry-over of the sample by moving the dispensing nozzle away Is disclosed.

JP 2000-46843 A JP-A-11-316239 JP 7-333230 A

However, in Patent Documents 1 and 2 described above, the plasma or serum component and the blood cell component are presented as a method for separating the suction positions of the blood cell component and reliably sucking the blood cell component. The problem that occurs when using a common dispensing nozzle is not solved. In other words, when a specimen containing blood cell components is discharged into a container, a specimen of a specimen is generated at the tip of the dispensing nozzle, so that a specified amount of specimen cannot be discharged into the container, and the analysis is highly accurate. In some cases, results could not be obtained.

In Patent Document 3, when dispensing a low-viscosity sample such as serum or plasma component as a specimen, it is intended to prevent droplets from adhering to the tip of the dispensing nozzle by using contact with the liquid surface. However, in order to perform the same operation regardless of the type and viscosity of the specimen, a highly viscous material such as a blood cell component and a low viscosity material such as a serum or plasma component are mixed in the same automatic analyzer. Therefore, there is a problem that dispensing according to the characteristics of each sample cannot be performed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and reliably uses a common dispensing nozzle for each component of plasma, serum, and blood cells, regardless of the components of the sample, so that the sample is reliably contained in a specified amount in the container. An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer capable of discharging.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the sample pump is connected to the sample nozzle through a pipe line, and the sample is drawn from the sample container into the sample nozzle by sucking and discharging the sample pump. And automatic dispensing for analyzing the sample by measuring the absorbance of the reaction solution by reacting the sample with the reagent in the container In the apparatus, acquisition means for acquiring sample information of the aspirated sample and analysis item information set in advance for the sample, and sample information and / or analysis item information acquired by the acquisition unit are also included. And a position control means for controlling a discharge position of the aspirated sample by the dispensing nozzle.

Further, the automatic analyzer according to the present invention is the above invention, wherein the pressure detection means for detecting the pressure in the conduit when the sample is aspirated, and the temporal change of the pressure detected by the pressure detection means And calculating whether the viscosity of the aspirated sample calculated by the viscosity calculation unit is a dischargeable viscosity, based on Selection means for selecting, and when the determination means determines that the viscosity of the aspirated sample is a dischargeable viscosity, a selection means for selecting a discharge method for discharging the sample according to the viscosity of the aspirated sample; And the selecting means selects a submerged ejection method for ejecting the specimen in the liquid when the viscosity of the aspirated specimen exceeds a predetermined threshold.

The automatic analyzer according to the present invention further comprises liquid level calculation means for calculating the liquid level height of the liquid contained in the container according to the above invention, wherein the position control means is selected by the selection means. The ejection position of the aspirated sample is controlled according to the ejection method performed and the liquid level calculated by the liquid level calculation means.

In the automatic analyzer according to the present invention, the analysis item is an item for analyzing a sample containing a blood cell component.

In another aspect, the present invention is an automatic analyzer for analyzing a sample, wherein the automatic analyzer connects a dispensing pump and a dispensing nozzle by a pipe line, and operates the suction and discharge of the dispensing pump. A dispensing means for aspirating the specimen from the specimen container into the dispensing nozzle, discharging the aspirated specimen into the container for dispensing, a reaction means for reacting the aspirated specimen and a reagent, Measurement means for measuring the absorbance of the reaction solution obtained by the reaction means, analysis means for analyzing the sample, sample information of the aspirated sample, and information on analysis items set in advance for the sample are acquired. An acquisition unit; and a position control unit that controls a discharge position of the aspirated sample by the dispensing nozzle based on the sample information and / or the analysis item information acquired by the acquisition unit. To provide an analysis apparatus.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the automatic analyzer of the present invention includes a pressure detection unit that detects a pressure in the pipe line when the sample is aspirated, and a time of the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit. Based on the change, viscosity calculation means for calculating the viscosity of the aspirated specimen as the specimen information, and whether or not the viscosity of the aspirated specimen calculated by the viscosity calculation means is a dischargeable viscosity. Determining means for determining, and selecting means for selecting a discharge method for discharging the sample according to the viscosity of the aspirated sample when the determining means determines that the viscosity of the aspirated sample is a dischargeable viscosity; The selection means selects a submerged ejection method for ejecting the specimen in liquid when the viscosity of the aspirated specimen exceeds a predetermined threshold.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the automatic analyzer of the present invention comprises a liquid level calculation means for calculating the liquid level height of the liquid contained in the container, and the position control means includes the selection means The ejection position of the aspirated sample is controlled in accordance with the selected ejection method and the liquid level calculated by the liquid level calculation means.

In another embodiment of the present invention, in the automatic analyzer of the present invention, the analysis item is an item for analyzing a specimen containing a blood cell component.

In one aspect, the present invention connects a dispensing pump and a dispensing nozzle by a pipe line, and sucks and sucks a sample from the sample container into the dispensing nozzle by sucking and discharging the dispensing pump. A method for controlling an automatic analyzer that comprises a dispensing device that discharges a dispensed sample into a container, dispenses the sample with the reagent in the container, measures the absorbance of the reaction solution, and analyzes the sample In the method, the sample information acquired in the step of acquiring the sample information of the aspirated sample and the information of the analysis item set in advance for the sample, and the step of acquiring the information, and / or And a step of controlling a discharge position of the aspirated specimen by the dispensing nozzle based on the information of the analysis item.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the method of the present invention includes a step of detecting the pressure in the conduit when the sample is aspirated, and the time-dependent change in the detected pressure. Calculating the viscosity of the aspirated sample as information, determining whether the calculated viscosity of the aspirated sample is a dischargeable viscosity, and the viscosity of the aspirated sample in the determination Is a step of selecting a discharge method for discharging the sample according to the viscosity of the aspirated sample when the viscosity of the aspirated sample exceeds a predetermined threshold And a step of selecting an in-liquid discharge method for discharging the specimen in the liquid.

In another embodiment of the present invention, in the method of the present invention, the step of calculating the liquid level height of the liquid contained in the container and the step of controlling the discharge position include the selected discharge method and the calculation And controlling the ejection position of the aspirated specimen according to the liquid level height.

In another embodiment of the present invention, in the method of the present invention, the analysis item is an item for analyzing a specimen containing a blood cell component.

In another aspect, the present invention connects a dispensing pump and a dispensing nozzle by a pipe line, and sucks and sucks a sample from the sample container into the dispensing nozzle by sucking and discharging the dispensing pump. A control device used in an automatic analyzer that discharges the dispensed specimen into a container and dispenses the specimen, reacts the specimen with the reagent in the container, measures the absorbance of the reaction solution, and analyzes the specimen The control program is for implementing a method for controlling the automatic analyzer, and the method includes sample information of the aspirated sample and analysis items set in advance for the sample. And aspirating the sample by the dispensing nozzle based on the sample information and / or the analysis item information acquired in the information acquiring step and the information acquiring step. Providing comprises control program and controlling the discharge position.

In various embodiments, the program of the present invention includes any one or more of the above-described features of the automatic analyzer or the control method of the present invention.

In another aspect, the present invention connects a dispensing pump and a dispensing nozzle by a pipe line, and sucks and sucks a sample from the sample container into the dispensing nozzle by sucking and discharging the dispensing pump. A control device used in an automatic analyzer that discharges the dispensed specimen into a container and dispenses the specimen, reacts the specimen with the reagent in the container, measures the absorbance of the reaction solution, and analyzes the specimen A computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded, wherein the control program is for implementing a method for controlling the automatic analyzer, and the method includes specimen information of the aspirated specimen and the specimen Obtaining the information on the analysis item set in advance for the sample information and / or the information on the analysis item obtained in the step of obtaining the information. DOO to provide encompassing recording medium, and controlling the discharge position of the specimens the suction by the dispensing nozzle.

In various embodiments, the computer-readable recording medium of the present invention includes any one or more of the features of the automatic analyzer or the control method thereof of the present invention.

The automatic analyzer according to the present invention provides a discharge position of the sample sucked by the dispensing nozzle based on the sample information of the sample sucked by the dispensing device and / or the information of the analysis item set in advance for the sample. By controlling the above, there is an effect that the specimen can be reliably discharged in a specified amount into the container regardless of the components of the specimen.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the specimen dispensing mechanism and the position control unit. FIG. 3 is a pressure change diagram when the dispensing nozzle sucks a specimen containing blood cell components. FIG. 4 is an operation diagram showing an outline of the operation of the sample dispensing mechanism. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an outline of the sample dispensing process by the position control unit. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an outline of special dispensing processing by the position control unit.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the automatic analyzer according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. In the description of the drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic analyzer 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention dispenses a reagent and a sample into a reaction vessel 20, reacts them in the reaction vessel 20, and measures the absorbance of this reaction solution. A measurement mechanism 2 and a control mechanism 3 that controls the entire automatic analyzer 1 including the measurement mechanism 2 and analyzes a measurement result in the measurement mechanism 2 are provided. The automatic analyzer 1 automatically performs analysis of a plurality of samples by cooperation of these two mechanisms.

First, the measurement mechanism 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the measurement mechanism 2 includes a sample transport unit 11 that sequentially transports a sample rack 11b holding a plurality of sample containers 11a containing a sample such as blood or urine, in the direction of the arrow in the figure. The sample dispensing mechanism 12 for aspirating the sample from the sample container 11a stopped at the sample aspirating position P1 on the sample transport unit 11 and discharging the sample to the reaction container 20 for dispensing, and the portion in contact with the sample are washed. The first reagent from the cleaning unit 13, the reagent storage 14 storing a plurality of reagent containers 14 a storing reagents dispensed in the reaction container 20, and the reagent container 14 a stopped at the reagent suction position P <b> 2 in the reagent storage 14 Alternatively, the reagent dispensing mechanism 15 that sucks the second reagent and discharges the reagent into the reaction container 20 to dispense, the stirring unit 16 that stirs the reagent dispensed in the reaction container 20 and the sample, and the reaction container Absorbance of liquid dispensed into 20 The photometric unit 17 to be measured, the cleaning unit 18 to clean the reaction vessel 20 that has been measured by the photometric unit 17, and the reaction vessel 20 to perform dispensing, stirring, photometry, and washing of the specimen and reagents into the reaction vessel 20 The reaction tank 19 which conveys to a predetermined position.

Further, a recording medium storing identification information for identifying a sample accommodated therein is affixed to the sample container 11a and the sample rack 11b (not shown). Therefore, the sample transport unit 11 is provided with a sample container reading unit 11c that reads a recording medium attached to the sample container 11a and the sample rack 11b.

Next, the control mechanism 3 will be described. The control mechanism 3 is realized by a CPU or the like, and is realized by a control unit 31 that controls processing and operation of each unit of the automatic analyzer 1, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel having an input / output function, and the like, and is necessary for analysis of a sample. The input unit 32 to which detailed information and the operation information of the automatic analyzer 1 are input, the analysis unit 33 for analyzing the component of the sample based on the measurement result of the absorbance measured by the photometry unit 17, and the aspirated sample are discharged. At this time, the position control unit 34 for controlling the discharge position of the aspirated sample in the vertical direction in the reaction container 20 and the operation of the sample dispensing mechanism 12 and a hard disk, a memory, and the like are realized. Realized by the storage unit 35 that stores various information including information related to various programs and specimen analysis related to operation, and a display, printer, etc. Is provided with an output unit 36 for outputting information concerning the sample analysis, the.

In the automatic analyzer 1 configured as described above, the reagent dispensing mechanism 15 dispenses the first reagent from the reagent container 14a of the reagent container 14 with respect to the plurality of reaction containers 20 that are sequentially transferred on the reaction tank 19. After the injection, the sample dispensing mechanism 12 dispenses the sample from the sample container 11a stopped at the sample suction position P1. Thereafter, the reagent dispensing mechanism 15 dispenses the second reagent from the reagent container 14 a of the reagent container 14 into the reaction container 20. Furthermore, the photometry unit 17 measures the absorbance of the reaction solution in a state in which the first reagent, the sample, and the second reagent are reacted, and the analysis unit 33 analyzes based on the measurement result to analyze the component of the sample. Is done automatically. Thereafter, the cleaning unit 18 cleans the reaction vessel 20 being conveyed after the measurement by the photometry unit 17 is completed, and reuses the reaction vessel 20. Thereafter, the washed reaction vessel 20 is reused to perform a plurality of analysis processes.

Next, the sample dispensing mechanism 12 and the position controller 34 shown in FIG. 1 will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the specimen dispensing mechanism 12 and the position control unit 34. The sample dispensing mechanism 12 has a dispensing nozzle 41, a dispensing pump 46, and a washing water pump 50, as shown in FIG.

The dispensing nozzle 41 is made of a rod-like tube made of stainless steel or the like, and is attached to the arm 42. The arm 42 operates by driving the drive unit 43, and can freely move up and down in the vertical direction and rotate around the vertical axis passing through the connection unit 44 via the connection unit 44 that connects the arm 42 and the drive unit 43. Do. The drive unit 43 drives the arm 42 under the control of the position control unit 34 to lower the tip of the dispensing nozzle 41 into the sample container 11 a or the reaction container 20.

The dispensing pump 46 is realized by a syringe pump, and is connected to a dispensing nozzle 41, a pressure sensor 48 for detecting the pressure in the piping 45, and an electromagnetic valve 49 for adjusting the flow rate of the washing water Wa via the piping 45. Has been. The dispensing pump 46 aspirates the sample into the dispensing nozzle 41 by the reciprocating movement of the plunger 46 a by the plunger driving unit 47, and discharges the sucked sample to the reaction container 20 to perform dispensing. The plunger driver 47 adjusts the amount of sample dispensed by driving the plunger 46 a under the control of the position controller 34. Another pipe 52 is connected to the electromagnetic valve 49, and a washing water pump 50 that supplies the washing water Wa is connected to the other end of the pipe 52. Further, another pipe 53 is connected to the cleaning water pump 50, and the other end of the pipe 53 reaches the cleaning water tank 51 that stores the cleaning water Wa.

The pressure sensor 48 detects the pressure of the washing water Wa in the pipe 45 and outputs it as an analog pressure signal to the amplification circuit 48a. The amplification circuit 48a amplifies the analog pressure signal output from the pressure sensor 48, and outputs the amplified pressure signal to the processing unit 48b. The processing unit 48b is realized by an A / D converter, converts the analog pressure signal input from the amplification circuit 48a into a digital signal, processes it, and outputs it to the detection unit 48c. The detection unit 48 c detects the pressure for a predetermined time in the pressure signal converted by the processing unit 48 b, for example, the pressure at the time when the sample has been sucked into the dispensing nozzle 41, and the storage unit 35 via the control unit 31. Output to.

The washing water pump 50 sucks up the washing water Wa stored in the washing water tank 51 and supplies the washing water Wa into the pipe 45 through an electromagnetic valve 49 provided between the washing water pump 50 and the pressure sensor 48. Here, the electromagnetic valve 49 is opened when the suctioned wash water Wa is supplied into the pipe 45 under the control of the position control unit 34, and the dispensing nozzle 41 sucks the sample by the dispensing pump 46. In case it is closed. The washing water Wa is an incompressible fluid such as deionized ion exchange water or distilled water.

The position control unit 34 includes an acquisition unit 34a, a viscosity calculation unit 34b, a determination unit 34c, a selection unit 34d, a liquid level calculation unit 34e, and a drive control unit 34f. The acquisition unit 34 a stores, via the control unit 31, the sample information of the sample sucked into the dispensing nozzle 41 by the sample dispensing mechanism 12 and the analysis item information set in advance for the sucked sample from the storage unit 35. get. Specifically, when the sample analysis item set based on the sample identification information read by the sample container reading unit 11c is acquired from the storage unit 35 and / or when the sample is aspirated into the dispensing nozzle 41 The specimen information of various specimens generated in the above is acquired from the storage unit 35.

The viscosity calculating unit 34b acquires the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 48 when the sample dispensing mechanism 12 sucks the sample into the dispensing nozzle 41 via the control unit 31, and changes in the acquired pressure over time. Calculate the viscosity of the aspirated specimen based on Specifically, the viscosity of the aspirated sample is calculated with reference to a calibration curve indicating the relationship between the change in the output voltage corresponding to the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 48 and the viscosity of the sample. The calibration curve is stored in the storage unit 35.

The determination unit 34c determines whether or not the viscosity of the sample sucked into the dispensing nozzle 41 calculated by the viscosity calculation unit 34b is a dischargeable viscosity. When the viscosity of the sample sucked into the dispensing nozzle 41 calculated by the viscosity calculation unit 34b is a viscosity that cannot be discharged, the determination unit 34c determines that the viscosity of the sucked sample is abnormal.

When the determination unit 34c determines that the viscosity of the sample sucked into the dispensing nozzle 41 is a dischargeable viscosity, the selection unit 34d discharges the sample according to the viscosity of the sample sucked into the dispensing nozzle 41. Select the discharge method. The selection unit 34d selects an in-liquid discharge method for discharging the sample in the liquid when the viscosity of the sample sucked into the dispensing nozzle 41 exceeds a predetermined threshold. Note that the selection unit 34d may select a discharge method for discharging the sample according to the information of the analysis items set in advance for the sample sucked into the dispensing nozzle 41.

The liquid level calculating unit 34e calculates the liquid level of the liquid stored in the reaction vessel 20. Specifically, the liquid level calculation unit 34e supplies the liquid amount of the first reagent dispensed into the reaction container 20 corresponding to the analysis item of the sample sucked into the dispensing nozzle 41 via the control unit 31. Is obtained from the storage unit 35, and the liquid level of the liquid stored in the reaction vessel 20 is calculated based on the obtained liquid amount and the shape of the reaction vessel 20.

The drive control unit 34f discharges the sample aspirated by the dispensing nozzle 41 based on the sample information of the aspirated sample acquired by the acquisition unit 34a and / or the information of the analysis item set in advance for the aspirated sample. Control the position. The ejection position of the aspirated specimen is determined by the specimen ejection method. Therefore, the drive control unit 34f uses the dispensing nozzle 41 by using at least one of the sample information of the sample acquired by the acquiring unit 34a, the information on the analysis items of the sample, and the ejection method selected by the selecting unit 34d. The ejection position of the aspirated sample is controlled. Specifically, when the selection unit 34d selects the submerged discharge method, the drive control unit 34f drives the drive unit 43 to a dispensing nozzle up to a position below the liquid level stored in the reaction vessel 20. The tip of 41 is lowered and the aspirated specimen is discharged. In addition, when the selection unit 34d selects the aerial discharge method, the drive control unit 34f drives the drive unit 43 so that the tip of the dispensing nozzle 41 reaches a position above the liquid level stored in the reaction vessel 20. Is lowered to discharge the aspirated sample.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the pressure change of the washing water Wa in the pipe 45 detected by the pressure sensor 48 when the specimen containing the blood cell component is sucked into the dispensing nozzle 41 will be described. A polygonal line L1 indicates a pressure change of the washing water Wa in the pipe 45 detected by the pressure sensor 48 when a specimen containing at least a blood cell component is sucked into the dispensing nozzle 41. In FIG. 3, the horizontal axis indicates time, and the vertical axis indicates the output voltage of the pressure signal detected by the pressure sensor 48. Time t1 indicates the start of sample aspiration, and time t2 indicates the end of sample aspiration.

As shown in FIG. 3, when a specimen containing at least a blood cell component is sucked into the dispensing nozzle 41, the pressure value of the washing water Wa in the pipe 45 becomes a negative pressure state. This pressure value changes depending on the viscosity of the aspirated specimen. Specifically, the higher the viscosity of the aspirated specimen, the greater the negative pressure in the pressure in the pipe 45, so the output voltage detected by the pressure sensor 48 is detected lower.

Therefore, in this embodiment, a dischargeable viscosity is set based on the relationship between the output voltage detected by the pressure sensor 48 and the viscosity of the sample, and a discharge method for discharging the sample according to the viscosity of the sample is used. Set the selection range. Specifically, when V1 is the output voltage before and after the sample is aspirated and the output voltage detected by the pressure sensor 48 is V, the absolute value of the temporal change in the output voltage detected by the pressure sensor 48 is Let ΔV = | V−V1 |. As a result, when the absolute value of the temporal change in the output voltage detected by the pressure sensor 48 is ΔV> | V3-V1 |, the viscosity is set so as not to be discharged, and | V2-V1 | ≦ ΔV <| V3-V1 The range of | is defined as the range of the submerged ejection method, and the range of ΔV <| V2-V1 | is defined as the range of the aerial ejection method. Here, V2 and V3 are predetermined constants that satisfy V1 <V2 <V3. The range shown in FIG. 3 may be changed depending on the type of sample, the analysis item, the capability of the automatic analyzer 1, and the like.

Here, the operation of the specimen dispensing mechanism 12 will be described in detail. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an outline of the operation of the specimen dispensing mechanism 12. The operation of the sample dispensing mechanism 12 when dispensing a sample containing at least a blood cell component will be described. First, the sample dispensing mechanism 12 lowers the dispensing nozzle 41 into the sample container 11a containing the sample separated into the plasma layer R1 and the blood cell layer R2 (FIG. 4A). In this case, the aspirating position by the dispensing nozzle 41 is stopped at the plasma layer R1, but the aspirating position by the dispensing nozzle 41 is set according to the analysis item, the liquid amount, the type, and the like of the sample.

Thereafter, the sample dispensing mechanism 12 sucks the sample into the dispensing nozzle 41 (FIG. 4B). At this time, the pressure sensor 48 detects a pressure change in the pipe 45 and outputs it to the storage unit 35 via the control unit 31. Thereafter, the specimen dispensing mechanism 12 raises the dispensing nozzle 41 (FIG. 4C) and transfers the dispensing nozzle 41 onto the reaction vessel 20.

Thereafter, the sample dispensing mechanism 12 accommodates the dispensing nozzle 41 in the reaction container 20 when the viscosity of the aspirated sample is within the range of the viscosity of the sample that can be dispensed in the air when the viscosity of the sample is a dischargeable viscosity. The sample is lowered to above the liquid level of the reagent La (FIG. 4D), and the sample sucked into the dispensing nozzle 41 is discharged into the reaction container 20 (FIG. 4E). In this case, since the sucked sample has a low viscosity and can be discharged in the air, no droplet is generated at the tip of the dispensing nozzle 41, and the sucked sample can be reliably discharged in a specified amount. In addition, this discharge is the same as the discharge method in a normal analysis item. Thereafter, the specimen dispensing mechanism 12 raises the dispensing nozzle 41 from the inside of the reaction container 20 (FIG. 4 (f)), transfers the dispensing nozzle 41 to the cleaning unit 13, and then cleans the dispensing nozzle 41 (FIG. 4). 4 (g)), the sample dispensing process is terminated.

On the other hand, when the viscosity of the aspirated sample is a dischargeable viscosity, the sample dispensing mechanism 12 is within the range of the viscosity of the sample that can be dispensed in the liquid. Is lowered so as to sink into the reagent La accommodated in the reaction container 20 (FIG. 4 (h)), and the aspirated specimen is discharged into the reagent La (FIG. 4 (i)). In this case, the droplet S generated at the tip of the dispensing nozzle 41 can be removed by using the adsorption force of the reagent La, and can be reliably discharged into the reaction container 20 even if the viscosity of the specimen is high. it can. Note that this specimen discharge method is a liquid discharge method. Thereafter, the specimen dispensing mechanism 12 raises the dispensing nozzle 41 from the reaction container 20 (FIG. 4 (j)), and after the dispensing nozzle 41 is transferred to the cleaning unit 13, the dispensing nozzle 41 is washed (FIG. 4). 4 (g)), the sample dispensing process is terminated.

In addition, the sample dispensing mechanism 12 dispenses when the viscosity of the aspirated sample is within the range of the viscosity of the sample that can be dispensed in the air and the reaction container 20 is empty when the viscosity of the aspirated sample is dischargeable. The tip of the nozzle 41 is lowered to the vicinity of the bottom surface in the reaction container 20 (FIG. 4 (k)), and the aspirated specimen is discharged (FIG. 4 (l)). In this case, the droplet S generated at the tip of the dispensing nozzle 41 can be removed by adsorbing the droplet S generated at the tip of the dispensing nozzle 41 to the bottom surface in the reaction container 20, and the viscosity of the specimen can be removed. Even if it is high, it can be surely dispensed into the reaction vessel 20. This specimen discharge method is a bottom surface discharge method. Thereafter, the specimen dispensing mechanism 12 raises the dispensing nozzle 41 from the inside of the reaction container 20 (FIG. 4 (m)), transfers the dispensing nozzle 41 to the cleaning unit 13, and then cleans the dispensing nozzle 41 (FIG. 4). 4 (g)), the sample dispensing process is terminated.

Further, when the viscosity of the aspirated sample exceeds the dischargeable viscosity, the sample dispensing mechanism 12 lowers the tip of the dispensing nozzle 41 into the reaction container 20 (FIG. 4 (n)), and removes the aspirated sample. When discharging, a droplet S is generated by the sample sucked at the tip of the dispensing nozzle 41 (FIG. 4 (o)). In this case, the specimen cannot be dispensed in a prescribed amount into the reaction vessel 20 by the droplet S generated at the tip of the dispensing nozzle 41 (FIG. 4 (p)). For this reason, when the viscosity of the aspirated sample exceeds the dischargeable viscosity, the sample dispensing mechanism 12 transfers the dispensing nozzle 41 to the cleaning unit 13 and cleans the dispensing nozzle 41 (FIG. 4G). The sample dispensing process is terminated.

Next, the sample dispensing process by the position controller 34 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, first, the position control unit 34 determines whether there is a newly received sample via the control unit 31 (step S <b> 101). Specifically, when the sample container 11a crosses the sample container reading unit 11c, information obtained by the sample container reading unit 11c reading information pasted on the sample container 11a is stored in the storage unit 35, or an operation is performed. Based on the information input to the input unit 32 by the person, it is determined whether or not there is a newly received sample. When it is determined that there is no newly received sample (step S101: No), the determination process in step S101 is repeated. On the other hand, when there is a newly received sample (step S101: Yes), the acquisition unit 34a, via the control unit 31, sets the type of the newly received sample and the analysis item set for this sample. Information is acquired from the storage unit 35 (step S102).

Thereafter, the position control unit 34 determines whether or not the analysis item information set for the sample acquired by the acquisition unit 34a is an analysis item of the sample including a blood cell component, for example, HbA1c (step S103). . If the analysis item is not an analysis item of a sample containing a blood cell component (step S103: No), the position control unit 34 drives the sample dispensing mechanism 12 to execute a normal dispensing process (step S104). On the other hand, when the analysis item is a sample including a blood cell component (step S103: Yes), the position control unit 34 drives the sample dispensing mechanism 12 to execute a special dispensing process described later (step S105).

Thereafter, the position control unit 34 determines whether or not there is an analysis end instruction from the control unit 31 (step S106). If there is no instruction to end the analysis (step S106: No), the process proceeds to step S101, and the above-described processing is repeated. On the other hand, when there is an instruction to end the analysis (step S106: Yes), this process ends.

Here, the special dispensing process by the position control unit 34 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, the drive control unit 34f drives the drive unit 43 and the plunger drive unit 47 to suck the sample stored in the sample container 11a stationary at the sample suction position into the dispensing nozzle 41 (step S201).

Thereafter, the viscosity calculating unit 34b acquires the output voltage in the pressure change waveform of the washing water Wa in the pipe 45 detected by the pressure sensor 48 when the sample is sucked into the dispensing nozzle 41 from the storage unit 35 (step S202). ), The viscosity of the aspirated specimen is calculated based on the time change of the output voltage in the acquired pressure change waveform (step S203).

Thereafter, the determination unit 34c determines whether the viscosity of the aspirated sample is a dischargeable viscosity (step S204). When the suctioned specimen has a dischargeable viscosity (step S204: Yes), the process proceeds to step S206. On the other hand, when the viscosity of the aspirated sample is a viscosity that cannot be discharged (step S204: No), the position control unit 34 performs an abnormality process (step S205). Specifically, the drive control unit 34f drives the drive unit 43 and the plunger drive unit 47 to discharge the aspirated specimen to the cleaning unit 13 and cleans the dispensing nozzle 41. After that, the position control unit 34 causes the output unit 36 to output information indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the viscosity of the aspirated sample via the control unit 31.

Thereafter, the liquid level calculation unit 34e calculates the liquid level of the liquid in the reaction container 20 to be discharged (step S206). Specifically, the amount of the first reagent dispensed into the reaction container 20 and the shape of the reaction container 20 that discharges the aspirated specimen corresponding to the type or analysis item of the specimen acquired by the acquisition unit 34a. Based on this, the liquid level height of the liquid stored in the reaction vessel 20 is calculated.

Thereafter, the selection unit 34d determines whether or not the viscosity of the aspirated sample is within the range of viscosity that can be discharged in the air (step S207). When the viscosity of the aspirated specimen is outside the range of viscosity that can be discharged in the air (step S207: No), the position controller 34 determines the reaction container 20 based on the liquid level calculated by the liquid level calculator 34e. It is determined whether or not the reagent is dispensed in the inside (step S208). When the reagent is not dispensed in the reaction container 20 (step S208: No), the selection unit 34d selects the bottom surface discharge method ((k) to (m) shown in FIG. 4), and the drive control unit 34f. Drives the drive unit 43, lowers the tip of the dispensing nozzle 41 to the bottom surface in the reaction vessel 20 (step S209), and proceeds to step S212. On the other hand, when the reagent is dispensed in the reaction container 20 (step S208: Yes), the selection unit 34d selects the submerged discharge method ((h) to (j) shown in FIG. 4) and drives it. The controller 34f drives the drive unit 43 to lower the tip of the dispensing nozzle 41 to a position below the liquid level stored in the reaction container 20 (step S210), and the process proceeds to step S212.

On the other hand, when the viscosity of the aspirated specimen is within the range of the viscosity that can be discharged in the air (step S207: Yes), the selection unit 34d uses the air discharge method ((d) to (f) shown in FIG. )) Is selected, and the drive control unit 34f drives the drive unit 43 to lower the tip of the dispensing nozzle 41 to a position above the liquid level contained in the reaction vessel 20 (step S211). The process proceeds to S212.

Thereafter, the drive controller 34f drives the plunger driver 47 to discharge the sample sucked into the dispensing nozzle 41 into the reaction container 20 (step S212). Thereafter, the drive control unit 34f drives the drive unit 43, transfers the dispensing nozzle 41 to the cleaning unit 13, cleans the dispensing nozzle 41 (step S213), and ends the present process.

In this embodiment, when the sample is discharged into the reaction container 20 based on the information on the sample aspirated by the sample dispensing mechanism 12 and / or the analysis item set in advance for the aspirated sample. By controlling the discharge position of the injection nozzle 41, the sample is reliably discharged into the reaction container in a prescribed amount by using a common dispensing nozzle for each component of plasma, serum and blood cells, regardless of the component of the sample. be able to.

In the above-described embodiment, the ejection method of the aspirated specimen is selected based on the specimen information of the specimen aspirated into the dispensing nozzle 41. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the analysis item of the aspirated specimen is selected. The specimen ejection method may be selected in accordance with the above information, for example, the information on the analysis item of the specimen including the blood cell component. In this case, an in-liquid discharge method may be selected as an analysis item for analyzing a sample containing blood cell components.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the viscosity of the aspirated specimen is abnormal, the second reagent corresponding to this specimen is not dispensed, so that waste of the reagent can be prevented.

In the above-described embodiment, when the aspirated sample is discharged into the reaction container 20, the dispensed nozzle 41 is lowered to the discharge position and the aspirated sample is discharged. The sample may be discharged while the dispensing nozzle 41 is lowered or raised again from the discharge position after the dispensing nozzle 41 has been lowered to the discharge position in accordance with the analysis item and the amount of the aspirated sample.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the sample sucked by the submerged discharge method is discharged into the reaction container 20, the tip of the dispensing nozzle 41 is lowered to a position below the liquid level in the reaction container 20. However, for example, a liquid level discharge method of discharging the aspirated specimen by bringing the tip of the dispensing nozzle 41 into contact with the liquid level in the reaction vessel 20 may be used. Thereby, the droplet S generated at the tip of the dispensing nozzle 41 can be removed by utilizing the adsorption force of the liquid stored in the reaction container 20. In addition, when selecting a liquid level discharge method, you may select according to an analysis item, or you may set so that an operator may select a liquid level discharge method before the start of an analysis.

In the above-described embodiment, the specimen containing the blood cell component is ejected. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and ejection of the specimen that settles due to the difference in time until analysis, for example, red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets The present invention can also be applied to the discharge of a specimen including

In the above-described embodiment, the sample dispensing process is performed when the sample contained in the sample container 11a is aspirated and the aspirated sample is discharged into the reaction container 20. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the reagent container 14a is used. The reagent dispensing process may be performed in which the reagent stored in the container is aspirated and the aspirated reagent is discharged into the reaction container 20. In the reagent stored in the reagent container 14a, the water may evaporate with time and the viscosity may increase. For this reason, the conventional automatic analyzer may not be able to dispense the reagent into the reaction container in a specified amount. On the other hand, based on the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor 48 when the reagent dispensing mechanism 15 dispenses the reagent from the reagent container 14 a into the reaction container 20, the dispensing nozzle 41 in the reagent dispensing mechanism 15. By controlling the position of the tip of the reagent, it is possible to reliably dispense the reagent in a specified amount.

In the above-described embodiment, the sample dispensing process is performed when the sample contained in the sample container 11a is aspirated and the aspirated sample is discharged into the reaction container 20. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the aspirated sample is used. Before being discharged into the reaction container 20, it may be once discharged and diluted in another container such as a dilution container, and the diluted specimen may be dispensed into the reaction container 20.

In the above-described embodiment, since the position of the tip of the dispensing nozzle 41 is controlled every time the sample is dispensed, a cleaning process corresponding to the discharge operation can be performed, and the dispensing nozzle 41 is cleaned. It is possible to reduce the amount of cleaning liquid.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, although one reagent storage and one reagent dispensing mechanism are provided, two reagent storages and two reagent dispensing devices may be provided.

A control program for controlling processing executed by the automatic analyzer 1 is installed in the storage unit 35 (also shown in FIG. 2) of the control mechanism 3 shown in FIG. Generally, by installing such a control program in the memory of a computer, the computer can function as part or all of the control mechanism 3 (FIG. 1, not shown in FIG. 2). . Such a control program may be installed in the memory before the computer is shipped, or may be installed in the memory after the computer is shipped. The program may be installed in the computer memory by reading the program recorded in the recording medium, or the program downloaded via a network such as the Internet may be installed in the computer memory. Any type of computer can be used as the computer. 5 and 6 described in detail above are not limited to being implemented by software (for example, a program. For example, the functions of the steps shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are performed by hardware (for example, , Circuit, board, semiconductor chip) or a combination of software and hardware.

As described above, the present invention has been exemplified using the preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention should not be construed as being limited to this embodiment. It is understood that the scope of the present invention should be construed only by the claims. It is understood that those skilled in the art can implement an equivalent range from the description of specific preferred embodiments of the present invention based on the description of the present invention and common general technical knowledge. Patents, patent applications, and documents cited herein should be incorporated by reference in their entirety, as if the contents themselves were specifically described herein. Understood.

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-150034, and the entire contents thereof are the same as those described in this specification. It should be understood that it should be incorporated as a component.

As described above, the dispensing device, the automatic analyzer, and the control method thereof according to the present invention are useful for an analyzer that analyzes a reaction product of a sample and a reagent, and in particular, in a container regardless of the components of the sample. It is suitable for the field where it is required to discharge the specimen in a specified amount.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic analyzer 2 Measurement mechanism 3 Control mechanism 11 Specimen transfer part 11a Specimen container 11b Specimen rack 11c Specimen container reading part 12 Specimen dispensing mechanism 13, 18 Washing part 14 Reagent storage 14a Reagent container 15 Reagent dispensing mechanism 16 Stirring part 17 Photometry unit 19 Reaction tank 20 Reaction vessel 31 Control unit 32 Input unit 33 Analysis unit 34 Position control unit 34a Acquisition unit 34b Viscosity calculation unit 34c Determination unit 34d Selection unit 34e Liquid level calculation unit 34f Drive control unit 35 Storage unit 36 Output unit 41 Dispensing nozzle 42 Arm 43 Drive part 44

Connection part

45, 52, 53 Piping 46 Dispensing pump 46a Plunger 47 Plunger drive part 48 Pressure Sensor 48a amplifier 48b processor 48c detector 49 solenoid valve 50 the washing water pump 51 the washing water tank La reagent R1 plasma layer R2 blood cell layer S droplet Wa washing water

Claims

An automatic analyzer for analyzing a sample, wherein the automatic analyzer is
The dispensing pump and the dispensing nozzle are connected by a pipe line, and the dispensing pump is sucked and discharged to suck the sample from the sample container into the dispensing nozzle and discharge the sucked sample to the container. Dispensing means for dispensing,
Reaction means for reacting the aspirated specimen and reagent;
Measuring means for measuring the absorbance of the reaction solution obtained by the reaction means;
An analysis means for analyzing the specimen;
Acquisition means for acquiring sample information of the aspirated sample and information of an analysis item set in advance for the sample;
Position control means for controlling a discharge position of the aspirated specimen by the dispensing nozzle based on the specimen information and / or the analysis item information obtained by the obtaining means;
An automatic analyzer.
Pressure detecting means for detecting the pressure in the conduit when the sample is aspirated;
Viscosity calculating means for calculating the viscosity of the aspirated specimen as the specimen information based on the temporal change in pressure detected by the pressure detecting means;
Determining means for determining whether or not the viscosity of the aspirated specimen calculated by the viscosity calculating means is a dischargeable viscosity;
A selection unit that selects a discharge method for discharging a sample according to the viscosity of the aspirated sample when the determination unit determines that the viscosity of the aspirated sample is a dischargeable viscosity;
Further comprising
2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit selects a submerged discharge method that discharges a specimen in a liquid when the viscosity of the aspirated specimen exceeds a predetermined threshold.
A liquid level calculating means for calculating the liquid level height of the liquid contained in the container;
3. The automatic analysis according to claim 2, wherein the position control unit controls the discharge position of the aspirated sample according to the discharge method selected by the selection unit and the liquid level height calculated by the liquid level calculation unit. apparatus.
2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the analysis item is an item for analyzing a sample containing a blood cell component.
A dispensing pump and a dispensing nozzle are connected by a pipe line, and a sample is sucked into the dispensing nozzle from the sample container by sucking and discharging the dispensing pump, and the sucked sample is discharged into the container for dispensing. A method of controlling an automatic analyzer that comprises a dispensing device for pouring, reacts a sample with a reagent in the container, measures the absorbance of the reaction solution, and analyzes the sample,
) Obtaining specimen information of the aspirated specimen and information on analysis items set in advance for the specimen;
) Controlling the discharge position of the aspirated sample by the dispensing nozzle based on the sample information and / or the analysis item information acquired in the step of acquiring the information.
Detecting the pressure in the conduit when the sample is aspirated;
Calculating the viscosity of the aspirated specimen as the specimen information based on the temporal change in the detected pressure;
Determining whether or not the calculated viscosity of the aspirated specimen is a dischargeable viscosity;
A step of selecting a discharge method for discharging a sample according to the viscosity of the aspirated sample when it is determined in the determination that the viscosity of the aspirated sample is a dischargeable viscosity; The method according to claim 5, further comprising a step of selecting a submerged ejection method for ejecting the specimen in the liquid when the viscosity exceeds a predetermined threshold value.
The step of calculating the liquid level height of the liquid stored in the container and the step of controlling the discharge position include discharging the aspirated specimen according to the selected discharge method and the calculated liquid level height. And controlling the position.
The method according to claim 5, wherein the analysis item is an item for analyzing a specimen containing a blood cell component.
A dispensing pump and a dispensing nozzle are connected by a pipe line, and a sample is sucked into the dispensing nozzle from the sample container by sucking and discharging the dispensing pump, and the sucked sample is discharged into the container for dispensing. A control program for use in an automatic analyzer that comprises a dispensing device for pouring, reacts a sample with a reagent in the container, measures the absorbance of the reaction solution, and analyzes the sample, , For implementing a method for controlling the automatic analyzer, the method comprising:
) Obtaining specimen information of the aspirated specimen and information on analysis items set in advance for the specimen;
And a step of controlling a discharge position of the aspirated sample by the dispensing nozzle based on the sample information and / or the analysis item information acquired in the step of acquiring the information.
A dispensing pump and a dispensing nozzle are connected by a pipe line, and a sample is sucked into the dispensing nozzle from the sample container by sucking and discharging the dispensing pump, and the sucked sample is discharged into the container for dispensing. A computer-readable record provided with a dispensing device for injecting, reacting a sample and a reagent in the container, measuring the absorbance of the reaction solution, and recording a control program used in the automatic analyzer for analyzing the sample The control program is for implementing a method for controlling the automatic analyzer, the method comprising:
) Obtaining specimen information of the aspirated specimen and information on analysis items set in advance for the specimen;
And) controlling a discharge position of the aspirated sample by the dispensing nozzle based on the sample information and / or the analysis item information acquired in the step of acquiring the information.