WO2011001645A1

WO2011001645A1 - Automatic analysis device

Info

Publication number: WO2011001645A1
Application number: PCT/JP2010/004217
Authority: WO
Inventors: 井谷麻紀; 岡林理; 橋本佳亮
Original assignee: ベックマンコールター，インコーポレイテッド
Priority date: 2009-06-29
Filing date: 2010-06-24
Publication date: 2011-01-06
Also published as: JP2011007760A

Abstract

An automatic analysis device capable of reducing the movement of a reagent within a reagent container occurring when the transfer of the reagent container is stopped. An automatic analysis device is provided with a transfer control unit (34c) which controls a containing unit (14a) to a preset transfer speed in order to reduce the movement of a reagent within a reagent container (13) which is to be subjected to dispensing operation, said movement of the reagent occurring when the transfer of the reagent container (13) is stopped. The control by the transfer control unit (34c) is performed when the containing unit (14a) transfers the reagent container (13), which is to be subjected to dispensing operation, to a reagent suction position (P2) on the basis of the following information: reagent information relating to the reagent container (13) read by a reading unit (14e), the distance of the transfer calculated by a transfer distance calculation unit (34a), and the amount of the liquid reagent calculated by a liquid amount calculation unit (34b).

Description

Automatic analyzer

The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer for analyzing a specimen by dispensing a specimen and a reagent into a reaction container and measuring a reaction solution generated in the reaction container.

Conventionally, an automatic analyzer that analyzes a sample by dispensing a sample and a reagent into a reaction vessel and measuring the absorbance of the reaction solution reacted in the reaction vessel is known. This automatic analyzer stores a plurality of reagent containers containing reagents to be used for analysis on a reagent tray in a reagent storage, and rotates the reagent tray to dispense a desired reagent container according to a sample or analysis item. The reagent is dispensed by transferring to the dispensing position by the probe.

By the way, in recent years, automatic analyzers have been designed to rotate reagent trays at a high speed in order to improve the throughput of analysis processing. As a result of the high-speed rotation of the reagent tray, the centrifugal force on the reagent increases and the shaking of the reagent in the reagent container increases during the transfer. As a result, deterioration of the dispensing accuracy or contamination of the dispensing probe becomes a problem. . For this reason, there is known an automatic analyzer using a reagent container in which the shape of the container is changed so as to generate a frictional resistance in the centrifugal direction to reduce the shaking of the reagent being transferred (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-275251 A

However, although the automatic analyzer described in Patent Document 1 described above changes the shape of the reagent container to reduce the shaking of the reagent in the reagent container during the transfer, it proceeds by increasing the rotational speed of the reagent tray. The inertia force with respect to the direction is also increased. For this reason, there has been a problem that the shaking of the reagent becomes large due to the reaction of the inertial force with respect to the traveling direction side of the reagent container at the stop.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer that can reduce the shaking of the reagent when stopped due to the transfer of the reagent container containing the reagent.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an automatic analyzer according to the present invention dispenses a reagent and a sample into a reaction container by a dispensing mechanism having a liquid level detection unit. In the automatic analyzer for analyzing the sample by measuring the absorbance of the reacted reaction solution, a transfer means for storing a plurality of reagent containers containing the reagents and transferring the reagent containers to be dispensed to a reagent suction position; A storage medium that is provided in each of the reagent containers housed in the transfer means and stores reagent information including the shape of the reagent container and the type of reagent; a reading means for reading the reagent information from the storage medium; and the transfer A transfer length calculating means for calculating a transfer length from the storage position of the reagent container to be dispensed to the reagent suction position in the means, and before the liquid level detecting means detects A liquid amount calculating means for calculating a liquid amount of the reagent contained in the reagent container to be dispensed based on the height of the liquid level of the reagent contained in the reagent container to be dispensed and the reagent information; When the transfer means transfers the reagent container to be dispensed to the reagent suction position, it is accompanied by the transfer of the reagent container to be dispensed based on the reagent information, the transfer length, and the amount of the reagent liquid. Transfer control means for controlling the transfer means at a preset transfer speed so as to reduce the shaking of the reagent at the time of stopping.

Alternatively, the present invention is an automatic analyzer that analyzes a specimen, and dispenses a reagent and the specimen into a reaction container, a dispensing mechanism having a liquid level detection means, and a reaction solution reacted in the reaction container Measurement means for measuring the absorbance of the sample, analysis means for analyzing the sample, transfer means for storing a plurality of reagent containers containing the reagents and transferring the reagent containers to be dispensed to the reagent suction position, and the transfer means Provided in each of the plurality of reagent containers accommodated in the storage medium, storing a storage medium storing reagent information including the shape of the reagent container and the type of reagent, a reading unit for reading the reagent information from the storage medium, and the transfer unit Transfer length calculation means for calculating the transfer length from the storage position of the reagent container to be dispensed to the reagent suction position, and the reagent container to be dispensed detected by the liquid level detection means. Liquid amount calculating means for calculating the liquid amount of the reagent contained in the reagent container to be dispensed based on the height of the liquid level of the reagent and the reagent information, and When the reagent container is transferred to the reagent aspirating position, based on the reagent information, the transfer length, and the amount of the reagent liquid, the shaking of the reagent at the time of stopping accompanying the transfer of the reagent container to be dispensed is reduced. There is provided an automatic analyzer comprising: a transfer control means for controlling the transfer means at a preset transfer speed.

In one embodiment, in the automatic analyzer according to the present invention, the transfer speed is slower as the shape of the reagent container to be dispensed is larger.

In another embodiment, in the automatic analyzer according to the present invention, the transfer speed is slower as the transfer length is shorter.

In another embodiment, in the automatic analyzer according to the present invention, in the above invention, the transfer speed is slower as the amount of the reagent contained in the reagent container to be dispensed is larger.

In another aspect, the present invention dispenses the sample by dispensing the reagent and the sample into a reaction vessel by a dispensing mechanism having a liquid level detection means, and measuring the absorbance of the reaction solution reacted in the reaction vessel. An automatic analyzer for analyzing, wherein a plurality of reagent containers containing the reagents are stored, a transfer means for transferring the reagent containers to be dispensed to a reagent suction position, and a plurality of the reagent containers stored in the transfer means And a method of controlling an automatic analyzer provided with a storage medium storing reagent information including the shape of the reagent container and the type of reagent, the method comprising: reading the reagent information from the storage medium; A step of calculating a transfer length from the storage position of the reagent container to be dispensed to the reagent suction position in the transfer means, and before the liquid level detection means detects Calculating the amount of reagent contained in the reagent container to be dispensed based on the height of the liquid level of the reagent contained in the reagent container to be dispensed and the reagent information; and When the reagent container to be dispensed is transferred to the reagent aspirating position, based on the reagent information, the transfer length, and the amount of the reagent liquid, the stop time associated with the transfer of the reagent container to be dispensed Controlling the transfer means at a preset transfer rate to reduce reagent sway.

In various embodiments, the method of the present invention includes any one or more of the above features of the automated analyzer of the present invention.

In another aspect, the present invention dispenses the sample by dispensing the reagent and the sample into a reaction vessel by a dispensing mechanism having a liquid level detection means, and measuring the absorbance of the reaction solution reacted in the reaction vessel. An automatic analyzer for analyzing, wherein a plurality of reagent containers containing the reagents are stored, a transfer means for transferring the reagent containers to be dispensed to a reagent suction position, and a plurality of the reagent containers stored in the transfer means Is a control program used in an automatic analyzer provided with a storage medium storing reagent information including the shape of the reagent container and the type of reagent, and the control program implements a method for controlling the automatic analyzer The method includes reading the reagent information from the storage medium, and the reagent volume to be dispensed in the transfer means. Calculating the transfer length from the storage position to the reagent suction position, the height of the liquid level of the reagent stored in the reagent container to be dispensed detected by the liquid level detection means, and the reagent information The step of calculating the amount of the reagent contained in the reagent container to be dispensed based on the above, and when the transfer means transfers the reagent container to be dispensed to the reagent suction position, the reagent information and Controlling the transfer means at a preset transfer speed so as to reduce the shaking of the reagent at the time of stoppage accompanying the transfer of the reagent container to be dispensed based on the transfer length and the amount of the reagent solution; , Providing a control program.

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, automatic analysis in which a reagent and a specimen are dispensed into a reaction container by a dispensing mechanism having a liquid level detection means, and the specimen is analyzed by measuring the absorbance of the reaction liquid reacted in the reaction container. An apparatus for storing a plurality of reagent containers containing the reagents and transferring each of the reagent containers to be dispensed to a reagent suction position; and a plurality of the reagent containers stored in the transfer means, A computer-readable recording medium recording a control program used in an automatic analyzer provided with a storage medium storing reagent information including the shape of a reagent container and the type of reagent, the control program including the automatic analyzer A method of controlling, wherein the method reads the reagent information from the storage medium; and Calculating the transfer length from the storage position of the reagent container to be dispensed to the reagent suction position in the means, and the liquid of the reagent contained in the reagent container to be dispensed detected by the liquid level detecting means Calculating the amount of reagent contained in the reagent container to be dispensed based on the height of the surface and the reagent information; and the transfer means places the reagent container to be dispensed in the reagent suction position. In the case of transfer, a transfer speed set in advance so as to reduce the shaking of the reagent at the time of stoppage accompanying the transfer of the reagent container to be dispensed based on the reagent information, the transfer length, and the amount of the reagent liquid And a step of controlling the transfer means.

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 includes reagent information from the storage medium provided in the reagent container to be dispensed, the transfer length of the reagent container to be dispensed, and the liquid amount of the reagent contained in the reagent container to be dispensed. Therefore, the transfer means is controlled at a transfer speed that reduces the shaking of the reagent at the time of stopping accompanying the transfer of the reagent container to be dispensed, so that the shaking of the reagent at the time of stopping accompanying the transfer of the reagent container is controlled. There exists an effect that it can reduce.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration including a reagent store, a reagent dispensing mechanism, and a reagent store control unit. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a transfer speed table in which the transfer speed of the storage unit is set. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the transfer speed of the storage unit set corresponding to the transfer length. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a change over time of the shaking of the reagent in the reagent container immediately after stopping. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an outline of the reagent container transfer process performed by the reagent storage control unit.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described while showing the best mode. Throughout this specification, it should be understood that the singular forms also include the plural concept unless specifically stated otherwise. Therefore, it is understood that singular modifiers (for example, articles such as “a”, “an”, “the”, etc. in the case of English) also include the plural concept thereof unless otherwise specified. Should be. In addition, it is to be understood that the terms used in the present specification are used in the meaning normally used in the above field unless otherwise specified. Thus, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the automatic analyzer according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. In the description of the drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic analyzer 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention dispenses a reagent and a sample into a reaction container 20, reacts them in the reaction container 20, and measures the absorbance of the reaction solution. And a control mechanism 3 that controls the entire automatic analyzer 1 including the measurement mechanism 2 and analyzes the measurement result in the measurement mechanism 2. 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 transfer unit 11 and dispensing the sample into the reaction container 20, and the reagent dispensed in the reaction container 20 A reagent container 14 for storing a plurality of stored reagent containers 13 and a reagent container for aspirating the reagent from the dispensing target reagent container 13 stopped at the reagent suction position P2 of the reagent container 14 and dispensing the reagent to the reaction container 20 By the injection mechanism 15, the stirring unit 16 that stirs the reagent and the sample dispensed in the reaction container 20, the photometric unit 17 that measures the absorbance of the liquid dispensed in the reaction container 20, and the photometric unit 17 Wash reaction vessel 20 after measurement That includes a cleaning unit 18, the dispensing of the specimen and the reagent into the reaction vessel 20, stirring, and a reaction vessel 19 for conveying the reaction vessel 20 to a predetermined position in order to perform the photometry and washing, the.

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. Stored in the reagent storage 14, an input unit 32 for inputting detailed information and operation information of the automatic analyzer 1, an analysis unit 33 for analyzing the components of the specimen based on the measurement result of the absorbance measured by the photometry unit 17, and the reagent storage 14. The reagent container control unit 34 that controls the reagent container 13 to be dispensed to the reagent suction position P2, and a hard disk, a memory, and the like. Various programs for processing and operation of each unit of the automatic analyzer 1 Information related to sample analysis is realized by a storage unit 35 for storing various types of information including information related to sample analysis, a display, a printer, and the like. And an output unit 36 that outputs, a.

In the automatic analyzer 1 configured as described above, the reagent dispensing mechanism 15 dispenses with the plurality of reaction containers 20 sequentially transferred on the reaction tank 19 stopped at the reagent suction position P <b> 2 of the reagent storage 14. After dispensing the reagent from the target reagent container 13, the specimen dispensing mechanism 12 dispenses the specimen from the specimen container 11a stopped at the specimen aspirating position P1. Thereafter, the photometry unit 17 measures the absorbance of the reaction solution in a state where the reagent and the sample are reacted, and the analysis unit 33 analyzes based on the measurement result, so that the component analysis of the sample is automatically performed. . 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 reagent store 14, the reagent dispensing mechanism 15, and the reagent store control unit 34 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration including the reagent storage 14, the reagent dispensing mechanism 15, and the reagent storage control unit 34. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the reagent store 14 includes a storage portion 14a, a drive portion 14b, a main body portion 14c, a lid 14d, and a reading portion 14e.

The storage portion 14a is formed in a disc shape, and a plurality of storage chambers are formed on the upper surface at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. The storage unit 14a detachably stores the reagent container 13 in each storage chamber, and transfers the reagent container 13 to be dispensed to the reagent suction position P2. The drive unit 14b is realized by a pulse motor, and rotates the storage unit 14a around the vertical line passing through the center of the reagent store 14 under the control of the reagent store control unit 34. The main body portion 14c is formed in a cylindrical shape so as to integrally cover the side surface and the bottom surface of the storage portion 14a, and prevents outside air from entering the inside. A window portion 14f is provided in a part of the side wall of the main body portion 14c. The window portion 14f is realized by a transparent material such as glass. The lid 14d is openable and closable with respect to the main body part 14c, and is provided on the upper part of the storage part 14a to prevent evaporation and denaturation of the reagent stored in the reagent container 13. The lid 14d is provided with a hole 14g as a reagent aspirating position P2 for aspirating the reagent by the reagent dispensing mechanism 15.

The reading unit 14e is realized by a barcode reader or the like, and reads reagent information from a storage medium (not shown) provided in the reagent container 13 stored in the storage unit 14a via the window unit 14f. The reading unit 14e outputs the reagent information read from the storage medium provided in the reagent container 13 to the reagent storage control unit 34 in association with the storage position of the reagent container 13 in the storage unit 14a. The storage medium is realized by a barcode or a two-dimensional code, and stores reagent information. Here, the reagent information refers to information including at least the shape of the reagent container 13 and the type of reagent. Further, the viscosity is set corresponding to each type of reagent. The reading unit 14e is a memory provided in the reagent container 13 before the start of analysis, for example, at the time of initialization when the automatic analyzer 1 is turned on or whenever a new reagent container 13 is stored in the storage unit 14a. Read reagent information from the medium. The reading unit 14e reads reagent information from a storage medium provided in the reagent container 13 every time the reagent container 13 crosses the reading unit 14e.

As shown in FIG. 2, the reagent dispensing mechanism 15 includes a dispensing nozzle 15a, an arm 15b, a driving unit 15c, a connecting unit 15d, and a liquid level detecting unit 15e. The dispensing nozzle 15a is made of a rod-like tube made of stainless steel or the like, and is attached to the arm 15b. The arm 15b is operated by driving of the driving unit 15c, and is centered on a vertical axis passing through the connecting unit 15d and moving up and down in the vertical direction via the connecting unit 15d connecting the arm 15b and the driving unit 15c. Rotate. The liquid level detection unit 15e detects the height of the liquid level of the reagent based on the change amount of the electrical signal change caused by the contact between the dispensing nozzle 15a and the reagent accommodated in the reagent container 13. The liquid level detection unit 15 e outputs the detected liquid level of the reagent to the reagent storage control unit 34.

As shown in FIG. 2, the reagent storage control unit 34 includes a transfer length calculation unit 34a, a liquid amount calculation unit 34b, a transfer control unit 34c, and a storage unit 34d. The transfer length calculation unit 34a calculates the transfer length from the storage position of the reagent container 13 to be dispensed to the reagent suction position P2. Here, the calculated transfer length is converted as the number of pulses output to the pulse motor. The liquid amount calculation unit 34b is a dispensing target reagent container included in the reagent information read by the reading unit 14e and the height of the liquid level of the reagent contained in the dispensing target reagent container 13 detected by the liquid level detection unit 15e. Based on the shape of 13, the amount of the reagent contained in the reagent container 13 to be dispensed is calculated. When the storage unit 14a transfers the reagent container 13 to be dispensed to the reagent suction position P2, the transfer control unit 34c transfers the reagent information read by the reading unit 14e and the transfer length and liquid calculated by the transfer length calculation unit 34a. Based on the amount of the reagent calculated by the amount calculation unit 34b, the storage unit 14a is controlled at a preset transfer speed so as to reduce the shaking of the reagent when stopped due to the transfer of the reagent container 13 to be dispensed. . The storage unit 34d stores a transfer speed that is set in advance so as to reduce the shaking of the reagent at the time of stoppage accompanying the transfer of the reagent container 13 to be dispensed.

Here, the transfer speed of the storage unit 14a stored in the storage unit 34d will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a transfer speed table in which the transfer speed of the storage unit 14a is set. The automatic analyzer 1 normally performs analysis processing according to a certain sequence, and the operation time of each part is set. For this reason, the storage unit 14a is set so as to finish transferring the reagent container 13 to be dispensed to the reagent suction position P2 within a predetermined time. That is, the storage unit 14a takes the reagent container 13 to be dispensed to the reagent suction position P2 for a predetermined time without considering the type (viscosity) of the reagent, the shape of the reagent container 13, the amount of the reagent, and the transfer length. Set to finish the transfer within. Therefore, when the storage unit 14a transfers the reagent container 13 to be dispensed to the reagent suction position P2 at a predetermined transfer speed, the type (viscosity) of the reagent, the shape of the reagent container 13, the amount of the reagent, and the transfer length The shaking of the reagent at the time of stopping accompanying the transfer of the reagent container 13 differs depending on each.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the transfer speed table R <b> 1 is used to transfer the reagent container 13 to be dispensed according to the information on the reagent type (viscosity), reagent container shape, liquid amount, and transfer length. The transfer speed of the storage portion 14a is set so as to reduce the shaking of the reagent at the time of stopping. For example, in FIG. 3, in the case of the reagent “A”, the reagent container shape “α”, the liquid amount “ab” and the transfer length “d3”, the transfer speed “s3” of the storage portion 14a is set. That is, when the storage unit 14a transfers the reagent container 13 to be dispensed to the reagent suction position P2, the transfer control unit 34c uses the transfer speed table R1 shown in FIG. 3 and the reagent information read by the reading unit 14e. Transfer that reduces the shaking of the reagent when stopped due to the transfer of the reagent container 13 to be dispensed, based on the transfer length calculated by the transfer length calculation unit 14a and the reagent liquid amount calculated by the liquid amount calculation unit 34b The speed is acquired from the storage unit 34d, and the storage unit 14a is controlled at the acquired transfer speed. As a result, the shaking of the reagent when the reagent aspirating position P2 is stopped by the storage unit 14a corresponds to the type (viscosity) of the reagent, the shape of the reagent container 13, the amount of the reagent, and the transfer length of the storage unit 14a. Compared with the case where the transfer speed is not set, it can be greatly reduced. Note that the transfer speed of the storage portion 14a in the transfer speed table R1 of FIG. 3 described above is obtained and set in advance by experiments and simulations.

In addition, the transfer speed by the storage unit 14a is set to be slower as the transfer length of the reagent container 13 is shorter than that when the transfer length is longer. Specifically, since the storage unit 14a is set to finish the transfer of the reagent container 13 within a predetermined time, when the transfer length is short, the transfer speed is slowed down and the reagent container within the predetermined time. What is necessary is just to finish 13 transfers. Thereby, the reaction caused by the inertial force accompanying the stop can be reduced, and the shaking of the reagent can be reduced. Further, the transfer speed is set to be slower as the volume of the shape of the reagent container 13 and the amount of the reagent liquid increase. Specifically, since the reaction due to the inertial force accompanying the stop is determined by the liquid amount (weight) and the transfer speed, when the liquid amount is large, the transfer speed by the storage portion 14a is set to be slow. Thereby, since the reaction caused by the inertial force accompanying the stop can be reduced, the shaking of the reagent can be reduced.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the transfer speed of the storage portion 14a set corresponding to the transfer length. In FIG. 4, the horizontal axis indicates time, the vertical axis indicates speed, and the broken lines L1 to L4 indicate the transfer speeds s1 to s4 in the transfer speed table R1 of FIG. Specifically, when the transfer speed “s3” is set in the transfer speed table R1 of FIG. 3, it becomes a broken line L3. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, it has been confirmed that the shaking of the reagent stored in the reagent container 13 to be dispensed when the reagent suction position P2 is stopped is reduced. In FIG. 4, the acceleration time and the deceleration time are the same regardless of the transfer length. However, the acceleration time and the deceleration time correspond to the reagent type (viscosity), the shape of the reagent container 13 and the reagent type, respectively. May be adjusted. For example, when the amount of reagent solution is large, the acceleration time is shortened and the deceleration time is lengthened, and the acceleration at the time of deceleration is made a gentle slope. Thereby, the shaking of the reagent accommodated in the reagent container 13 can be reduced by reducing the reaction of the inertial force at the time of stopping.

Here, the reagent container transfer process performed by the reagent storage control unit 34 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, the reagent storage control unit 34 determines whether there is a newly accepted sample (step S101). Specifically, it is determined whether a new sample has been received based on information input to the input unit 32 by the operator. 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 it is determined that there is a newly received sample (step S101: Yes), the reagent storage control unit 34 sets the reagent information of the reagent container 13 to be dispensed in which the reagent corresponding to the analysis item of the sample is stored. And the storage position of the reagent container 13 to be dispensed in the storage unit 14a is acquired from the storage unit 34d (step S102), and the transfer length calculation unit 34a dispenses in the storage unit 14a acquired by the reagent storage control unit 34. The transfer length from the storage position of the target reagent container 13 to the reagent suction position P2 is calculated (step S103).

Thereafter, the liquid amount calculation unit 34b dispenses the reagent to be dispensed based on the reagent information of the reagent vessel 13 to be dispensed and the liquid level of the reagent vessel 13 to be dispensed detected by the liquid level detection unit 15e. The amount of the reagent stored in the container 13 is calculated (step S104).

Thereafter, the transfer control unit 34c reduces the shaking of the reagent at the time of stoppage accompanying the transfer of the reagent container 13 to be dispensed based on the reagent information, the transfer length, and the amount of the reagent of the reagent container 13 to be dispensed. The preset transfer speed is acquired from the storage unit 34d (step S105).

Thereafter, the transfer control unit 34c controls the storage unit 14a at the acquired transfer speed and transfers the reagent container 13 to be dispensed to the reagent suction position P2 (step S106). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the reagent “A” accommodated in the reagent container 13 to be dispensed, the shape “α” of the reagent container 13 to be dispensed, the liquid amount “ab” and the transfer When the length is “d3”, the transfer control unit 34c acquires the transfer rate “s3” from the transfer rate table R1 of the storage unit 34d, and controls the storage unit 14a with this transfer rate “s3” to be dispensed. The reagent container 13 is transferred to the reagent suction position P2.

Thereafter, the reagent storage controller 34 determines whether or not there is an instruction to end the analysis from the controller 31 (step S107). If there is no instruction to end the analysis (step S107: No), the process returns to step S101, and the processes from step S101 to step S106 described above are repeated. On the other hand, when there is an analysis end instruction from the control unit 31 (step S107: Yes), the reagent storage control unit 34 ends the reagent container transfer process.

In one embodiment of the present invention, when the storage unit 14a transfers the reagent container 13 to be dispensed to the reagent suction position P2, the reagent information and the transfer length of the reagent container 13 to be dispensed read by the reading unit 14e. Based on the transfer length calculated by the height calculator 34a and the reagent liquid amount calculated by the liquid amount calculator 34b, the transfer controller 34c accompanies the transfer of the reagent container 13 to be dispensed stored in the storage unit 34d. By acquiring a preset transfer speed so as to reduce the shaking of the reagent at the time of stopping, and controlling the storage unit 14a at this acquired transfer speed, the reagent container 13 to be dispensed when the reagent suction position P2 is stopped. The shaking of the reagent accommodated in the container can be reduced.

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 a 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. 6 described in detail above is not limited to being implemented by software (for example, a program. The functions of each step shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are implemented by hardware (for example, a 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 based on the description of the present invention and the common general technical knowledge from the description of specific preferred embodiments of the present invention. Patents, patent applications, and references 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. 2009-154289, the entire contents of which 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 between a sample and a reagent, and in particular, a reagent at the time of stopping accompanying the transfer of a reagent container It is suitable for the field where it is required to reduce the fluctuation of the vibration.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic analyzer 2 Measurement mechanism 3 Control mechanism 11 Specimen transfer part

11a Specimen container

11b Specimen rack 12 Specimen dispensing mechanism 13 Reagent container 14 Reagent storage

14a Storage part

14b, 15c Drive part

14c Main part 14d Lid

14e Reading part

14f Window part 14g Hole 15 Reagent dispensing mechanism 15a Dispensing nozzle 15b Arm 15d Connection 15e Liquid level detection unit 16 Stirring unit 17 Photometric unit 18 Washing unit 19 Reaction tank 20 Reaction vessel 31 Control unit 32 Input unit 33 Analysis unit 34 Reagent control Unit 34a transfer length calculation unit 34b liquid amount calculation unit 34c

transfer control unit

34d, 35 storage unit 36 output unit P1 specimen suction position P2 reagent suction position R1 transfer speed table

Claims

An automatic analyzer for analyzing a sample,
A dispensing mechanism having a liquid level detection means for dispensing the reagent and the sample into a reaction container;
Measuring means for measuring the absorbance of the reaction solution reacted in the reaction vessel;
An analysis means for analyzing the specimen;
A transfer means for storing a plurality of reagent containers containing the reagents and transferring a reagent container to be dispensed to a reagent suction position;
A storage medium that is provided in each of the reagent containers housed in the transfer means and stores reagent information including the shape of the reagent container and the type of reagent;
Reading means for reading the reagent information from the storage medium;
A transfer length calculating means for calculating a transfer length from a storage position of the reagent container to be dispensed in the transfer means to the reagent suction position;
Based on the height of the liquid level of the reagent contained in the reagent container to be dispensed detected by the liquid level detection means and the reagent information, the amount of the reagent contained in the reagent container to be dispensed is determined. A liquid amount calculating means for calculating;
When the transfer means transfers the reagent container to be dispensed to the reagent suction position, the reagent container to be dispensed is transferred based on the reagent information, the transfer length, and the amount of the reagent liquid. An automatic analyzer comprising: transfer control means for controlling the transfer means at a preset transfer speed so as to reduce the shaking of the reagent at the time of stopping.
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the transfer speed is slower as the shape of the reagent container to be dispensed is larger.
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the transfer speed is slower as the transfer length is shorter.
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the transfer speed is slower as the amount of reagent contained in the reagent container to be dispensed is larger.
An automatic analyzer that analyzes a sample by dispensing a reagent and a sample into a reaction vessel by a dispensing mechanism having a liquid level detection means, and measuring the absorbance of the reaction solution reacted in the reaction vessel, A plurality of reagent containers containing the reagent, and a transfer means for transferring a reagent container to be dispensed to a reagent suction position; and a plurality of reagent containers stored in the transfer means, each having a shape of the reagent container and A method of controlling an automatic analyzer equipped with a storage medium storing reagent information including the type of reagent, the method comprising:
Reading the reagent information from the storage medium;
Calculating a transfer length from a storage position of the reagent container to be dispensed in the transfer means to the reagent suction position;
Based on the height of the liquid level of the reagent contained in the reagent container to be dispensed detected by the liquid level detection means and the reagent information, the amount of the reagent contained in the reagent container to be dispensed is determined. A calculating step;
When the transfer means transfers the reagent container to be dispensed to the reagent suction position, the reagent container to be dispensed is transferred based on the reagent information, the transfer length, and the amount of the reagent liquid. Controlling the transfer means at a preset transfer speed so as to reduce the shaking of the reagent at the time of stopping.
An automatic analyzer that analyzes a sample by dispensing a reagent and a sample into a reaction vessel by a dispensing mechanism having a liquid level detection means, and measuring the absorbance of the reaction solution reacted in the reaction vessel, A plurality of reagent containers containing the reagent, and a transfer means for transferring a reagent container to be dispensed to a reagent suction position; and a plurality of reagent containers stored in the transfer means, each having a shape of the reagent container and A control program used in an automatic analyzer provided with a storage medium storing reagent information including reagent types, the control program for implementing a method for controlling the automatic analyzer, the method Reading the reagent information from the storage medium;
Calculating a transfer length from a storage position of the reagent container to be dispensed in the transfer means to the reagent suction position;
Based on the height of the liquid level of the reagent contained in the reagent container to be dispensed detected by the liquid level detection means and the reagent information, the amount of the reagent contained in the reagent container to be dispensed is determined. A calculating step;
When the transfer means transfers the reagent container to be dispensed to the reagent suction position, the reagent container to be dispensed is transferred based on the reagent information, the transfer length, and the amount of the reagent liquid. And a step of controlling the transfer means at a preset transfer speed so as to reduce the shaking of the reagent at the time of stopping.
An automatic analyzer that analyzes a sample by dispensing a reagent and a sample into a reaction vessel by a dispensing mechanism having a liquid level detection means, and measuring the absorbance of the reaction solution reacted in the reaction vessel, A plurality of reagent containers containing the reagent, and a transfer means for transferring a reagent container to be dispensed to a reagent suction position; and a plurality of reagent containers stored in the transfer means, each having a shape of the reagent container and A computer-readable recording medium that records a control program used in an automatic analyzer equipped with a storage medium storing reagent information including the type of reagent, and the control program implements a method for controlling the automatic analyzer Reading the reagent information from the storage medium; and
Calculating a transfer length from a storage position of the reagent container to be dispensed in the transfer means to the reagent suction position;
Based on the height of the liquid level of the reagent contained in the reagent container to be dispensed detected by the liquid level detection means and the reagent information, the amount of the reagent contained in the reagent container to be dispensed is determined. A calculating step;
When the transfer means transfers the reagent container to be dispensed to the reagent suction position, the reagent container to be dispensed is transferred based on the reagent information, the transfer length, and the amount of the reagent liquid. And a step of controlling the transfer means at a preset transfer speed so as to reduce the shaking of the reagent at the time of stopping.