WO2011074273A1 - Automatic analyzing device - Google Patents

Automatic analyzing device Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2011074273A1
WO2011074273A1 PCT/JP2010/007350 JP2010007350W WO2011074273A1 WO 2011074273 A1 WO2011074273 A1 WO 2011074273A1 JP 2010007350 W JP2010007350 W JP 2010007350W WO 2011074273 A1 WO2011074273 A1 WO 2011074273A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
sample
container
dispensing
dispensing probe
liquid level
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2010/007350
Other languages
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
三島直子
Original Assignee
ベックマン コールター， インコーポレイテッド
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by ベックマン コールター， インコーポレイテッド filed Critical ベックマン コールター， インコーポレイテッド
Publication of WO2011074273A1 publication Critical patent/WO2011074273A1/en

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/02—Burettes; Pipettes
    • B01L3/021—Pipettes, i.e. with only one conduit for withdrawing and redistributing liquids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F31/00—Mixers with shaking, oscillating, or vibrating mechanisms
    • B01F31/65—Mixers with shaking, oscillating, or vibrating mechanisms the materials to be mixed being directly submitted to a pulsating movement, e.g. by means of an oscillating piston or air column
    • B01F31/651—Mixing by successively aspirating a part of the mixture in a conduit, e.g. a piston, and reinjecting it through the same conduit into the receptacle
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/10—Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices
    • G01N35/1009—Characterised by arrangements for controlling the aspiration or dispense of liquids
    • G01N35/1011—Control of the position or alignment of the transfer device
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2400/00—Moving or stopping fluids
    • B01L2400/04—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means
    • B01L2400/0475—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means specific mechanical means and fluid pressure
    • B01L2400/0478—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means specific mechanical means and fluid pressure pistons
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N2035/00465—Separating and mixing arrangements
    • G01N2035/00534—Mixing by a special element, e.g. stirrer
    • G01N2035/00544—Mixing by a special element, e.g. stirrer using fluid flow
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/10—Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices
    • G01N2035/1027—General features of the devices
    • G01N2035/1048—General features of the devices using the transfer device for another function
    • G01N2035/1058—General features of the devices using the transfer device for another function for mixing
    • G01N2035/106—General features of the devices using the transfer device for another function for mixing by sucking and blowing

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an automatic analyzer, and a sample stirring method and a sample dispensing method in the automatic analyzer.
  • an automatic analyzer for analyzing a sample such as blood or body fluid dispenses a predetermined amount of a sample from a sample container containing the sample into a reaction container, and causes the sample to react with the reagent in the reaction container. Analyzing.
  • a sample container containing the sample into a reaction container
  • HbA1c hemoglobin A1c
  • the nozzle descending distance is calculated from the liquid surface position information and the sample container information of the whole blood sample contained in the sample container, and is calculated
  • an automatic analyzer that dispenses blood cell components from a specimen in which blood cells have settled by operating a specimen dispensing mechanism based on the nozzle descending distance (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).
  • the type of the sample container is determined by storing the blood cell sample aspiration position for each type of sample container.
  • An analyzer that aspirates a blood cell sample at a stored suction position for each sample container is disclosed (see Patent Document 3).
  • the reagent into the separated plasma / blood specimen is a position where the reagent probe can reach the blood cell layer.
  • the red blood cell layer is aspirated with the reagent probe, and the aspirated specimen is discharged as it is in the specimen, and the specimen is agitated.
  • An automatic analyzer that dispenses a sample has been proposed (see Patent Document 4).
  • the present invention relates to a sample container storage unit that stores a sample container for storing a sample, a reagent container storage unit that stores a reagent container for a reagent used for analyzing the sample, and a reaction between the reagents.
  • a sample-dispensing unit having a reaction-container storing unit for storing a reaction container for dispensing the sample, and a dispensing probe for dispensing the sample stored in the sample-container.
  • Sample dispensing means for dispensing a sample
  • liquid level detecting means for detecting the liquid level of the sample contained in the sample container
  • dropping the dispensing probe into the sample container to detect the liquid level
  • An agitation control means for controlling the sample to be agitated by repeating aspiration and discharge of the sample a plurality of times by the dispensing probe after reaching the sample liquid level detected by the means in the reaction container. Reagent and anti It is allowed to provide an automatic analyzer for analyzing the specimen.
  • the automatic analyzer of the present invention dispenses the sample into a reaction container by a sample dispensing means having a dispensing probe for dispensing the sample contained in the sample container, and the reagent is contained in the reaction container.
  • the automatic analyzer for analyzing the sample by reacting with the liquid level detecting means for detecting the level of the sample liquid stored in the sample container, the dispensing probe is lowered into the sample container, and the liquid level is detected.
  • agitation control means for controlling the sample to be agitated by repeating aspiration and discharge of the sample a plurality of times by the dispensing probe after reaching the sample liquid level detected by the detection means.
  • the automatic analyzer is the above-described invention, wherein the sample is a blood sample, and the sample information acquisition unit acquires the analysis item of the sample, and the sample information acquisition unit acquires the sample information Determination means for determining whether there is an analysis item using a whole blood sample as a sample analysis item, and when the determination means determines that there is an analysis item using a whole blood sample as a sample,
  • the agitation control means controls the sample to be agitated by repeating aspiration and discharge of the sample a plurality of times by the dispensing probe before dispensing the whole blood sample for the analysis item.
  • the agitation control unit controls the agitation control unit to start agitation by the aspiration and discharge of the specimen by the dispensing probe from the aspiration.
  • the automatic analyzer is the above-described invention, wherein the sample information acquisition unit acquires sample container information including the type of the sample container, and the sample container acquired by the sample information acquisition unit Calculation means for calculating a sample height based on information and a sample liquid level position detected by the liquid level detection means, and the agitation control means calculates the aspiration and discharge of the sample by the dispensing probe. Based on the sample height calculated by the means, control is performed so as to perform at different height positions.
  • the agitation control means sets the initial suction amount of the specimen by the dispensing probe to be larger than the discharge amount.
  • the automatic analyzer according to the present invention is the automatic analyzer according to the invention described above, wherein the stirring control means repeats the suction and discharge of the sample by the dispensing probe, and the dispensing probe is placed in the sample container. Control to descend toward the bottom.
  • the automatic analyzer according to the present invention is the automatic analyzer according to the above invention, wherein the agitation control unit lowers the dispensing probe after the sample is aspirated and discharged by the dispensing probe, and the aspiration is performed. -Control is performed so that the discharge and the lowering are repeated.
  • the automatic analyzer of the present invention is the above-described invention, wherein the sample is a blood sample separated into plasma and blood cells.
  • the automatic analyzer of the present invention is the above-described invention, wherein the determination unit determines whether or not there is an analysis item using a plasma sample as the analysis item of the sample, and the determination
  • the means determines that the analysis item of the sample includes an analysis item having a whole blood sample as a sample and an analysis item having a plasma sample as a sample
  • the order of the analysis items of the sample is changed to the whole blood sample as a sample.
  • the agitation control unit controls the sample to be agitated after the dispensing of the analysis item using the plasma as a sample is completed.
  • the analysis item using the whole blood sample as a sample is HbA1c.
  • the automatic analyzer is the above invention, wherein the calculation unit calculates a sample aspiration position based on the calculated sample height, and the agitation control unit is configured to agitate the sample after agitation.
  • the whole blood sample is aspirated and collected by the dispensing probe at the sample aspiration position calculated by the calculation means.
  • the automated analyzer of the present invention includes any two or more of the features described above.
  • the present invention provides a sample agitation method in an automatic analyzer, and the sample agitation method includes a sample dispensing means having a dispensing probe for dispensing a sample accommodated in a sample container.
  • a sample agitation method in an automatic analyzer for analyzing the sample by reacting with a reagent in the reaction vessel and detecting the liquid level of the sample contained in the sample container. The sample is lowered by the detection step, the dispensing probe is lowered into the sample container, and after reaching the sample liquid level detected in the liquid level detection step, the sample is aspirated and discharged by the dispensing probe repeatedly.
  • a stirring step of stirring is used to stir.
  • the sample agitation method in the automatic analyzer of the present invention is the sample information acquisition step in which the sample is a blood sample and the analysis item of the sample is acquired in the above invention, and the sample information
  • the agitation step is controlled so that the sample is agitated by repeating aspiration and discharge of the sample a plurality of times by the dispensing probe before dispensing the whole blood sample for the analysis item. To do.
  • the sample agitation method in the automatic analyzer of the present invention is the above invention, wherein the agitation step starts agitation by aspiration and discharge of the sample by the dispensing probe from aspiration. Control.
  • the sample agitation method in the automatic analyzer of the present invention is the above invention, wherein the sample information acquisition step acquires sample container information including the type of the sample container, and the sample information acquisition step includes A calculation step of calculating a sample height based on the acquired sample container information and the sample liquid level position detected by the liquid level detection step, wherein the agitation step includes aspiration and discharge of the sample by the dispensing probe. Based on the sample height calculated in the calculation step, control is performed so as to be performed at different height positions.
  • the agitation step sets an initial aspiration amount of the sample by the dispensing probe to be larger than a discharge amount.
  • the sample agitation method in the automatic analyzer of the present invention is the above-described invention, wherein the agitation step is performed while the sample is aspirated and discharged while the sample is aspirated and discharged.
  • the sample container is lowered toward the bottom of the sample container and stirred.
  • the sample agitating method in the automatic analyzer of the present invention is the above invention, wherein the agitating step lowers the dispensing probe after the sample is aspirated and discharged by the dispensing probe. Then, the agitation is performed by repeating the suction / discharge and the lowering.
  • the sample agitation method in the automatic analyzer of the present invention is the above invention, wherein the determination step determines whether or not the analysis item of the sample includes an analysis item using a plasma sample as a sample.
  • the determination step determines that the analysis item of the sample includes an analysis item using the whole blood sample as a sample and an analysis item using the plasma sample as a sample
  • the order of the analysis items of the sample is determined as whole blood Including a changing step of changing the analysis item having the sample as the sample to the last
  • the stirring step controls the stirring of the sample after the dispensing of the analysis item having the plasma as the sample is completed .
  • the sample agitation method in the automatic analyzer of the present invention is the above-described invention
  • the analysis item using the whole blood sample as a sample is HbA1c.
  • the sample agitation method in the automatic analyzer of the present invention is the above-described invention, wherein the sample is put into the reaction container by the sample dispensing means having a dispensing probe for dispensing the sample accommodated in the sample container.
  • a sample dispensing method in an automatic analyzer that dispenses and reacts with a reagent in the reaction vessel to analyze the sample, and the calculation step calculates after the sample is stirred by the sample stirring method described above
  • a specimen aspiration position is calculated based on the specimen height, and the whole blood specimen is aspirated by the dispensing probe at the computed specimen aspiration position, and the aspirated whole blood specimen is discharged into the reaction container.
  • the method of the present invention includes any one or more (two or more) optional features of the automatic analyzer and method of the present invention.
  • the present invention provides a method in which the sample is dispensed into a reaction container by a sample dispensing means having a dispensing probe for dispensing a sample contained in the sample container, and reacted with a reagent in the reaction container.
  • a control mechanism for controlling the stirring of the sample in the automatic analyzer for analyzing the sample, the liquid level detecting means for detecting the sample liquid level stored in the sample container, and the dispensing probe in the sample container Stirring control means for controlling the sample to be stirred by repeating aspiration and discharge of the sample a plurality of times by the dispensing probe after reaching the sample liquid level detected by the liquid level detection means;
  • a control mechanism is provided.
  • control mechanism of the present invention includes any one or more of the above features of the automatic analyzer and method of the present invention.
  • the present invention provides a method in which the sample is dispensed into a reaction container by a sample dispensing means having a dispensing probe for dispensing a sample contained in the sample container, and reacted with a reagent in the reaction container.
  • a control program for controlling the stirring of the sample in the automatic analyzer for analyzing the sample the control program for implementing a process executed by the automatic analyzer according to an instruction from an operator;
  • the processing includes a liquid level detection procedure for detecting the sample liquid level stored in the sample container, and the dispensing probe is lowered into the sample container and reaches the sample liquid level detected by the liquid level detection procedure.
  • a stirring procedure for stirring the sample by repeatedly aspirating and discharging the sample by the dispensing probe.
  • the program of the present invention includes any one or more of the above features of the automatic analyzer, method and control mechanism of the present invention.
  • the present invention provides a method in which the sample is dispensed into a reaction container by a sample dispensing means having a dispensing probe for dispensing a sample contained in the sample container, and reacted with a reagent in the reaction container.
  • a computer-readable recording medium recording a control program for controlling sample agitation in an automatic analyzer for analyzing the sample, wherein the control program is a process executed by the automatic analyzer in accordance with an instruction from an operator
  • the processing includes a liquid level detection procedure for detecting the liquid level of the specimen contained in the specimen container, and the dispensing probe is lowered into the specimen container to detect the liquid level.
  • a stirring procedure in which the sample is stirred by repeating aspiration and discharge of the sample with the dispensing probe after reaching the sample liquid level detected in the procedure. It provides a medium.
  • the recording medium of the present invention includes any one or more of the above features of the automatic analyzer, method, control mechanism, and program of the present invention.
  • the dispensing probe of the sample dispensing unit is lowered into the sample container based on the sample liquid level information detected by the liquid level detection unit, and the sample is aspirated / discharged a plurality of times by the dispensing probe.
  • the sample can be easily agitated, so that it is possible to collect a whole blood sample without performing the work of inversion mixing of the sample container.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a sample dispensing apparatus used in the automatic analyzer of FIG.
  • FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the sample dispensing process according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is an operation diagram of whole blood sample dispensing according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the automatic analyzer 1 controls a measurement mechanism 9 that measures light passing through a reaction product between a specimen and a reagent, and the entire automatic analyzer 1 including the measurement mechanism 9. And a control mechanism 10 for analyzing a measurement result in the measurement mechanism 9.
  • the automatic analyzer 1 automatically performs analysis of a plurality of samples by cooperation of these two mechanisms.
  • the measurement mechanism 9 roughly includes a sample table 2, a reaction table 3, a reagent table 4, a sample dispensing device 5, a reagent dispensing device 7, and dispensing probe cleaning devices 6 and 8.
  • the sample table 2 includes a disk-shaped table, and includes a plurality of sample container storage portions 21 arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the table.
  • a sample container 22 containing a sample is detachably stored in each sample container storage unit 21, a sample container 22 containing a sample is detachably stored.
  • the sample container 22 has an opening that opens upward.
  • the sample table 2 is rotated in a direction indicated by an arrow in FIG. 1 by a sample table driving unit (not shown) with a vertical line passing through the center of the sample table 2 as a rotation axis.
  • the sample container 22 is transported to the sample aspirating position where the sample is aspirated by the sample dispensing device 5.
  • the sample table 2 includes a reading unit 23 that reads information on a recording medium of the sample container 22.
  • the reading unit 23 emits infrared light or visible light to the recording medium and processes reflected light from the recording medium to read information on the recording medium.
  • the reaction table 3 has an annular table and includes a plurality of reaction container storage portions 31 arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the table.
  • a transparent reaction container 32 for storing a sample and a reagent is detachably stored in an open shape upward.
  • the reaction table 3 is rotated in a direction indicated by an arrow in FIG. 1 by a reaction table driving unit (not shown) with a vertical line passing through the center of the reaction table 3 as a rotation axis.
  • the reaction container 32 is transported to the sample discharge position where the sample is discharged by the sample dispensing apparatus 5 or the reagent discharge position where the reagent is discharged by the reagent dispensing apparatus 7.
  • the photometric device 33 has a light source 33a and a light receiving unit 33b.
  • the light source 33a emits analysis light having a predetermined wavelength
  • the light receiving unit 33b measures the intensity of light emitted from the light source 33a and transmitted through the reaction solution in which the specimen and the reagent contained in the reaction container 32 have reacted.
  • the light source 33 a and the light receiving unit 33 b are arranged at positions where the light source 33 a and the light receiving unit 33 b are opposed to each other in the radial direction with the reaction container storage unit 31 of the reaction table 3 interposed therebetween.
  • the reaction table 3 includes a reaction container cleaning device 34 that discharges the measured reaction solution from the reaction container 32 and cleans the reaction container 32.
  • the reagent table 4 has a disk-shaped table and includes a plurality of reagent container storage portions 41 arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the table.
  • a reagent container 42 containing a reagent is detachably stored in each reagent container storage unit 41.
  • the reagent container 42 has an opening that opens upward.
  • the reagent table 4 is rotated in a direction indicated by an arrow in FIG. 1 by a reagent table driving unit (not shown) with a vertical line passing through the center of the reagent table 4 as a rotation axis.
  • the reagent container 42 is transported to the reagent suction position where the reagent is sucked by the reagent dispensing device 7.
  • the reagent table 4 includes a reading unit 43 that reads information on the recording medium of the reagent container 42.
  • the reading unit 43 emits infrared light or visible light to the recording medium, and reads the information on the recording medium by processing the reflected light from the recording medium.
  • the sample dispensing device 5 has a dispensing probe for aspirating and discharging a sample attached to the distal end, and freely moves up and down in the vertical direction and rotates around a vertical line passing through its proximal end as a central axis. Provide an arm.
  • the sample dispensing device 5 is provided between the sample table 2 and the reaction table 3, sucks the sample in the sample container 22 transported to a predetermined position by the sample table 2 with a dispensing probe, rotates the arm, The sample is dispensed into the reaction container 32 conveyed to a predetermined position by the reaction table 3, and the sample is transferred into the reaction container 32 on the reaction table 3 at a predetermined timing.
  • the sample dispensing device 5 includes a liquid level detection unit 60 (see FIG. 2) that detects the sample liquid level stored in the sample container 22.
  • the reagent dispensing apparatus 7 has a dispensing probe for aspirating and discharging the reagent attached to the distal end portion, and freely moves up and down in the vertical direction and rotates around the vertical line passing through its base end portion as a central axis. Provide an arm.
  • the reagent dispensing device 7 is provided between the reagent table 4 and the reaction table 3, sucks the reagent in the reagent container 42 transported to a predetermined position by the reagent table 4 with a dispensing probe, rotates the arm, The reagent is dispensed into the reaction container 32 transported to a predetermined position by the reaction table 3, and the reagent is transferred into the reaction container 32 on the reaction table 3 at a predetermined timing.
  • the reagent dispensing device 7 also includes a liquid level detection unit (not shown) that detects the reagent liquid level stored in the reagent container 42.
  • the dispensing probe cleaning device 6 is provided between the sample table 2 and the reaction table 3 and is provided in the middle of the horizontal movement locus of the dispensing probe 50 (see FIG. 2) in the sample dispensing device 5. In order to prevent carryover in between, the dispensing probe 50 is washed by the dispensing probe washing device 6 every time the sample is dispensed by the dispensing probe 50.
  • the dispensing probe cleaning device 8 is provided between the reagent table 4 and the reaction table 3 and in the middle of the trajectory of the horizontal movement of the dispensing probe in the reagent dispensing device 7 to prevent carryover between reagents. Therefore, every time the reagent is dispensed by the dispensing probe, the dispensing probe is cleaned by the dispensing probe cleaning device 8.
  • the control mechanism 10 includes a control unit 101, an input unit 102, an analysis unit 103, a storage unit 104, an output unit 105, a transmission / reception unit 107, and a sample dispensing control unit 108.
  • Each unit included in the control mechanism 10 is electrically connected to the control unit 101.
  • the control unit 101 is configured using a CPU or the like, and controls processing and operation of each unit of the automatic analyzer 1.
  • the control unit 101 performs predetermined input / output control on information input / output to / from each of these components, and performs predetermined information processing on this information.
  • the analysis unit 103 is connected to the photometric device 33 via the control unit 101, analyzes the component concentration of the sample based on the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 33 b, and outputs the analysis result to the control unit 101.
  • the input unit 102 is a part that performs an operation of inputting an inspection item or the like to the control unit 101. For example, a keyboard or a mouse is used.
  • the storage unit 104 is configured by using a hard disk that magnetically stores information and a memory that loads various programs related to the process from the hard disk and electrically stores them when the automatic analyzer 1 executes the process. Various information including the analysis result of the specimen is stored.
  • the storage unit 104 may include an auxiliary storage device that can read information stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a PC card.
  • the storage unit 104 stores information required for analysis of all analysis items that can be analyzed, for example, analysis conditions such as sample dispensing amount and sample aspiration amount, and examination items (analysis items) input by the input unit 102. ) May be stored.
  • the output unit 105 is configured using a printer, a speaker, and the like, and outputs various information related to analysis under the control of the control unit 101.
  • the output unit 105 includes a display unit 106 configured using a display or the like.
  • the display unit 106 displays analysis contents, alarms, and the like, and a display panel or the like is used.
  • the input unit 102 and the display unit 106 may be realized by a touch panel.
  • the transmission / reception unit 107 has a function as an interface for performing transmission / reception of information according to a predetermined format via a communication network (not shown).
  • the sample dispensing control unit 108 includes a determination unit 108a, a change unit 108b, an agitation control unit 108c, and a calculation unit 108d.
  • the determination unit 108a determines whether or not there is an analysis item HbA1c using the whole blood sample as a sample analysis item read from the recording medium attached to the sample container 22 by the reading unit 23.
  • the information may be recorded on the recording medium of the sample container 22 or may be stored in the storage unit 104 by the operator via the input unit 102.
  • the changing unit 108b changes the order of the analysis items of the sample to all The analysis item (HbA1c) using the blood sample as a sample is changed to the last.
  • the agitation control unit 108c lowers the dispensing probe of the sample dispensing device 5 into the sample container 22, and after the dispensing probe reaches the sample liquid level detected by the liquid level detection unit 60, the sample is sampled by the dispensing probe.
  • the sample is controlled to be agitated by repeating aspiration and discharge a plurality of times. It is preferable that the stirring of the sample by repeating the suction and discharge of the sample by the dispensing probe is started from the suction in order to prevent foaming due to air mixing into the sample. Further, it is preferable for control that the sample suction amount and the discharge amount by the dispensing probe are the same, but by setting only the first suction amount large, a dummy sample can be secured in the dispensing probe. It is possible to prevent air mixing.
  • the calculation unit 108d calculates the sample height and the sample aspiration position based on the sample container information acquired by the reading unit 23 and the sample liquid level position detected by the liquid level detection unit 60.
  • the sample dispensing device 5 dispenses a sample from the sample container 22 to the reaction container 32.
  • the reagent dispensing device 7 dispenses a reagent from the reagent container 42 into the reaction container 32.
  • the reaction container 32 into which the sample and the reagent are dispensed reacts while the sample and the reagent are agitated while being conveyed along the circumferential direction by the reaction table 3, and passes between the light source 33 a and the light receiving unit 33 b. pass.
  • the analysis light emitted from the light source 33a and passed through the reaction solution in the reaction vessel 32 is measured by the light receiving unit 33b and analyzed for component concentration and the like.
  • the reaction vessel 32 is used by the reaction vessel washing device 34 after the measurement reaction solution is discharged and washed, and then used again for analyzing the specimen.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the sample dispensing device 5.
  • the sample dispensing device 5 includes a dispensing probe 50, a probe driving unit 53, a dispensing pump 55, a pump driving unit 56, a liquid feeding pump 59, a tank 57, and a liquid level detecting unit 60. Yes.
  • the sample dispensing apparatus 5 is provided with a dispensing probe 50 that rotates in a horizontal plane and dispenses a sample to an arm that is moved up and down.
  • the dispensing probe 50 is made of a conductive metal material such as stainless steel.
  • the dispensing probe 50 is connected to a dispensing pump 55 by a pipe 51, and the dispensing pump 55 and the liquid feeding pump 59 are connected via a pipe 52.
  • the dispensing probe 50 is moved by the probe drive unit 53 in the horizontal direction indicated by the arrow X and the vertical direction indicated by Z in the drawing, and is transferred from the sample container 22 conveyed to the lower part of the dispensing probe 60 according to the analysis item.
  • a plasma sample or whole blood sample is aspirated, and the aspirated sample is discharged into the reaction container 32 on the reaction table 3 to dispense the sample.
  • the dispensing pump 55 is a syringe pump that sucks the sample in the sample container 22 with the dispensing probe 50 and then discharges the sample sucked into the reaction container 32 conveyed by the reaction table 3.
  • the piston 55b is reciprocated within the syringe 55a.
  • the liquid feed pump 59 sucks up the deaerated extruded water L1 stored in the tank 57 and pumps it into the pipe 52 through the electromagnetic valve 58.
  • the electromagnetic valve 58 is switched to “open” when the pumped water L1 sucked up into the pipe 52 is pumped into the pipe 52 by the control signal from the control unit 101, and the dispensing probe 55 causes the dispensing probe 50 to be Is sucked and discharged, it is switched to “closed”.
  • the liquid level detection unit 60 detects the liquid level of the sample stored in the sample container 22.
  • the liquid level detection unit 60 includes an oscillation circuit 61 and a liquid level detection circuit 62, and a metal plate 22 c is disposed near the bottom of the sample container 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the oscillation circuit 61 and the metal plate 22c are grounded.
  • the liquid level detection unit 60 detects the liquid level based on the change in capacitance between the dispensing probe 50 and the sample in the sample container 22 based on the oscillation signal oscillated by the oscillation circuit 61.
  • the liquid level detection circuit 62 includes an amplifier 62a that amplifies the oscillation signal introduced into the amplifier 62a, a diode 62b that rectifies the oscillation signal amplified by the amplifier 62a, a capacitor 62c that smoothes the rectified signal, A comparator 62d for comparing the smoothed signal with the reference signal.
  • the comparator 62d outputs a liquid level detection signal to the control unit 101 when the input smoothing signal (voltage) is larger than the reference value signal (voltage).
  • a capacitance type liquid level detection method is adopted, but a liquid level may be detected using an optical element such as a CCD.
  • FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the sample dispensing process according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • the reading unit 23 reads the analysis item information and sample container information of the sample from the storage medium attached to the sample container 22 of the sample to be analyzed, and the sample dispensing control unit via the control unit 101 reads the information. (Step S101). Based on the transmitted analysis item information, the determination unit 108a determines whether or not HbA1c, which is an analysis item using whole blood as a sample, has been ordered for the sample (step S102). When the determination unit 108a determines that there is an analysis item (HbA1c) using a whole blood sample as a sample (Yes in step S102), the determination unit 108a further uses plasma for the sample as a sample based on the transmitted analysis item information.
  • step S103 It is determined whether or not the analysis item to be ordered has been ordered (step S103).
  • the determination unit 108a determines that there is an analysis item using a plasma sample as a sample (Yes in step S103)
  • the changing unit 108b adds HbA1c, which is an analysis item using whole blood as a sample, to the end of the analysis item of the sample.
  • the analysis order is changed so as to perform analysis (step S104).
  • the sample collected in the sample container 22 is subjected to pretreatment such as centrifugation, and then the sample table 2 of the automatic analyzer 1. Therefore, after the plasma sample, which is the upper layer component, is first dispensed, the analysis items are replaced in order to agitate the sample and dispense the whole blood sample.
  • the sample dispensing control unit 108 lowers the dispensing probe 50 into the sample container 22.
  • the liquid level detector 60 detects the sample liquid level based on the change in capacitance between the dispensing probe 50 and the sample in the sample container 22 (step S105).
  • the sample dispensing control unit 108 sucks the plasma sample with the dispensing probe 50 (step S106), transfers the dispensing probe 50 to the reaction table 3 by driving the probe driving unit 53, and then sucked plasma.
  • the specimen is discharged into the reaction container 32 (step S107).
  • the sample dispensing control unit 108 confirms whether or not dispensing of all plasma samples has been completed for the sample (step S108). When dispensing of all the plasma samples is completed for the sample (step S108, Yes), the process proceeds to step S109, while when dispensing of all the plasma samples is not completed for the sample. (Step S108, No), the process proceeds to Step S105, and a plasma sample is dispensed.
  • the liquid level is detected by the liquid level detection unit 60 (step S109), and based on the detected liquid level position and the analysis item information and sample container information acquired by the reading unit 23 in step S101, the calculation unit 108d
  • the height h (see FIG. 4 (4-2)) and the whole blood sample suction position are calculated (step S110).
  • the specimen height h is calculated from the liquid level position and specimen container information.
  • the whole blood sample aspiration position is obtained by multiplying the calculated sample height h by the collection position set by the user (for example, 20%, 30%, etc. as a ratio to the sample height).
  • the specimen separated in layers is stirred by repeating the suction and discharge of the specimen by the dispensing probe 50 under the control of the stirring control unit 108c (step S111).
  • the dispensing probe 50 performs agitation by repeating the suction and discharge of the separated sample at least twice.
  • the first suction and discharge of the specimen is preferably performed by sucking plasma near the liquid surface.
  • the sample to be aspirated for the second time and thereafter becomes a sample in which plasma and blood cells are partially mixed (has a lower viscosity than the blood cell sample), so that the dispensing probe 50 having a small inner diameter can be easily aspirated and discharged. it can.
  • the sample is aspirated and discharged by the dispensing probe 50 at different height positions of the sample, and the sample aspirating and discharging positions may be set in advance. For example, when the sample height h is set to perform stirring by suction and discharge at 0.7 h and 0.3 h, first, the dispensing probe 50 is lowered to the sample height of 0.7 h, and then the sample is aspirated and discharged. After the ejection, the dispensing probe 50 is further lowered to the specimen height of 0.3 h, and then the specimen is aspirated and ejected. More specifically, the agitation control unit 108c drives the probe driving unit 53 and the pump control unit 56 to agitate the descent of the dispensing probe 50 and the suction and discharge of the sample twice or more. I do.
  • FIG. 4 is an operation diagram of whole blood sample dispensing when the sample aspirating and discharging positions are set in advance.
  • the stirring control unit 108c lowers the dispensing probe 50 into the sample container 22 (FIG. 4 (4-1)), and after detecting the sample liquid level (FIG. 4 (4-2)), the sample calculated by the calculation unit
  • the dispensing probe 50 is lowered to a preset sample aspirating and discharging position based on the height h, and the plasma sample is aspirated and discharged (FIG. 4 (4-3)).
  • the agitation control unit 108c lowers the dispensing probe 50 to the next sample aspirating and discharging position, and agitates the sample by aspirating and discharging the sample partially mixed with plasma and blood cells (FIG. 4 (4-4)). After agitation, the agitation control unit 108c moves the dispensing probe 50 to the whole blood sample aspiration position calculated by the calculation unit 108d, aspirates the whole blood sample (FIG. 4 (4-5)), and reacts the aspirated sample. Dispense into container.
  • the position where the specimen is finally aspirated and discharged is the same as the whole blood specimen aspirating position, but it is not limited to this. It is not a thing.
  • the sample may be aspirated and discharged from the bottom surface of the sample container 22 and stirred, and then the whole blood sample may be aspirated by raising the dispensing probe 50 to the whole blood sample aspirating position.
  • the suction and discharge by the dispensing probe 50 may be performed while the dispensing probe 50 is lowered.
  • the descending speed of the dispensing probe 50, the suction time and discharge time per time, and the number of times (the suction speed and the discharge speed are constant) may be set in advance. It should be noted that in both cases where the dispensing probe 50 is lowered and aspirated and discharged alternately, and in the case where the suction and discharge are performed while the dispensing probe 50 is lowered, bubbles are caused by the introduction of air into the sample.
  • the initial aspiration amount of the sample is set larger than the discharge amount by a dummy amount, and the aspirated dummy amount is held in the dispensing probe, thereby Mixing can be reliably prevented.
  • the agitation control unit 108c once lowers the dispensing probe 50 to the bottom surface of the specimen container 22 to cause convection of the specimen due to the lowering, and then aspirates and discharges the specimen while raising the dispensing probe 50. May be performed.
  • the sample dispensing control unit 108 moves the dispensing probe to the whole blood sample aspirating position and aspirates the whole blood sample (step S112).
  • the agitation control unit 108c transfers the dispensing probe 50, which has aspirated the whole blood sample by driving the probe driving unit 53, to the reaction table 3 and discharges it to the predetermined reaction container 32 (step S113).
  • the sample dispensing control unit 108 checks whether or not dispensing for all the samples set in the sample table 2 has been completed (step S114). When the dispensing of all the samples has been completed (step S114, Yes), the sample dispensing process is terminated, and when the dispensing of all the samples has not been completed (No at step S114), the process proceeds to step S101. To do.
  • step S115 the sample dispensing control unit 108 uses the liquid level detection unit 60 to perform the sample.
  • the plasma sample is aspirated by the dispensing probe 50 (step S116), and the aspirated plasma sample is discharged into the reaction container 32 (step S117).
  • the sample dispensing control unit 108 repeats steps S115 to S117 until dispensing of all plasma samples is completed for the sample (step S118, No), and dispensing of all plasma samples is completed for the sample. If yes (step S118, Yes), the process proceeds to step S114.
  • step S109 Dispense whole blood samples. An analysis item using whole blood as a sample is ordered, but a sample for which an analysis item using plasma as a sample is not ordered is set in the sample table 2 in a whole blood state without being subjected to centrifugation. However, since the blood cell layer may settle before dispensing is started, the sample is also agitated by the agitation method in steps S109 to S111 described above, and then the whole blood sample is dispensed. .
  • the automatic analyzer 1 it is possible to collect a whole blood sample without performing the work of inversion mixing of the sample container by the user, and thereby, the cap at the time of inversion mixing of the sample container In addition to preventing sample contamination due to misplacement, etc., it is also possible to prevent dispensing failures due to bubbles that may be caused by overturning mixing. Furthermore, according to the automatic analyzer of the present embodiment, it is possible to mix new blood cells and old blood cells in the separated blood cell layer, so that more accurate measurement values can be obtained.
  • a control program for controlling processing executed by the automatic analyzer 1 is installed in the storage unit 104 of the control mechanism 10 shown in FIG.
  • the computer can function as part or all of the control mechanism 10 (FIG. 1).
  • 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.
  • control mechanism 3 (FIG. 1).
  • the operation of the control mechanism 10 means that a control method corresponding to the installed control program is executed. This is because the control method corresponds to the operation method of the control mechanism.
  • the automatic dispensing device, the sample agitation method, and the sample dispensing method of the present invention are useful for an analyzer that analyzes both a plasma sample and a whole blood sample, and particularly an analysis that requires analysis accuracy. Suitable for the field of equipment.

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Abstract

Disclosed is an automatic analyzing device capable of avoiding end-over-end mixing of subject containers, which is a burden to users, while an increase in the cost of the device is suppressed. Also disclosed are a method of agitating subjects and a method of dispensing subjects for the automatic analyzing device. An automatic analyzing device (1) dispenses a subject accommodated in a subject container (22) to a reaction vessel (32) using a subject dispensing device (5), and analyzes the subject by reacting the subject with a reagent inside the reaction vessel (32). The automatic analyzing device comprises a liquid surface detecting means that detects the liquid surface of the subject accommodated in the subject container (22); and an agitation control unit (108c) that performs control such that a dispensing probe of the subject dispensing device (5) is lowered to the inside of each subject container (22) and such that the dispensing probe repeatedly sucks and ejects the subject a plurality of times after the dispensing probe reaches the liquid surface of the subject detected by the liquid surface detecting means so that the subject is agitated.

Description

自動分析装置Automatic analyzer
　本発明は、自動分析装置、ならびに前記自動分析装置における検体攪拌方法および検体分注方法に関する。 The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer, and a sample stirring method and a sample dispensing method in the automatic analyzer.
　従来、血液や体液等の検体を分析する自動分析装置は、検体が収容された検体容器から一定量の検体を反応容器に分注し、反応容器内で試薬と検体とを反応させて検体を分析している。このような自動分析装置において、血液に含まれるヘモグロビンＡ１ｃ（ＨｂＡ１ｃ）の測定を行う場合、検体容器内の血液から血球成分を分注する必要がある。この血球成分を含む全血検体は、検体容器に採取した後、放置しておくと血球成分が沈降し、血漿成分と血球成分とに分離してしまう。そこで、確実に血球成分を採取するために、分注直前にユーザーが検体容器を転倒混和した後、全血検体の分注を行っていた。 Conventionally, an automatic analyzer for analyzing a sample such as blood or body fluid dispenses a predetermined amount of a sample from a sample container containing the sample into a reaction container, and causes the sample to react with the reagent in the reaction container. Analyzing. In such an automatic analyzer, when measuring hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) contained in blood, it is necessary to dispense blood cell components from the blood in the sample container. If the whole blood sample containing this blood cell component is collected in a sample container and left to stand, the blood cell component will settle and separate into a plasma component and a blood cell component. Therefore, in order to reliably collect blood cell components, a user dispenses a whole blood sample after the user mixed the sample container by inversion just before dispensing.
　これに対し、ユーザーの負担を軽減して血球成分を確実に分注するために、検体容器に収容された全血検体の液面位置情報と検体容器情報とからノズル下降距離を算出し、算出したノズル下降距離に基づき検体分注機構を動作させることにより、血球が沈降した検体から血球成分を分注する自動分析装置が提案されている（特許文献１および２参照）。 On the other hand, in order to reduce the burden on the user and reliably dispense blood cell components, the nozzle descending distance is calculated from the liquid surface position information and the sample container information of the whole blood sample contained in the sample container, and is calculated There has been proposed an automatic analyzer that dispenses blood cell components from a specimen in which blood cells have settled by operating a specimen dispensing mechanism based on the nozzle descending distance (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).
　さらに、血漿と血球とに層分離した検体を収容する検体容器から血球検体を分注するために、検体容器の種類毎に血球検体の吸引位置を記憶させることにより、検体容器の種類を判別後、記憶された検体容器毎の吸引位置で血球検体を吸引させる分析装置が開示されている（特許文献３参照）。 Further, in order to dispense a blood cell sample from a sample container containing a layer-separated sample into plasma and blood cells, the type of the sample container is determined by storing the blood cell sample aspiration position for each type of sample container. An analyzer that aspirates a blood cell sample at a stored suction position for each sample container is disclosed (see Patent Document 3).
　また、血漿と血球とに層分離した検体から血球成分を採取してヘモグロビンＡ１ｃを分析するために、試薬プローブが血球層に到達しうる位置である、層分離した血漿／血球検体内への試薬プローブ下降位置を算出し、算出した下降位置まで試薬プローブを下降させた後、赤血球層を試薬プローブで吸引し、吸引した検体を検体内でそのまま吐出することにより該検体を攪拌した後、全血検体を分注する自動分析装置が提案されている（特許文献４参照）。 In addition, in order to collect blood cell components from a specimen separated into plasma and blood cells and analyze hemoglobin A1c, the reagent into the separated plasma / blood specimen is a position where the reagent probe can reach the blood cell layer. After calculating the probe lowering position and lowering the reagent probe to the calculated lowering position, the red blood cell layer is aspirated with the reagent probe, and the aspirated specimen is discharged as it is in the specimen, and the specimen is agitated. An automatic analyzer that dispenses a sample has been proposed (see Patent Document 4).
特開平１１－３１６２３９号公報JP-A-11-316239 特開２０００－４６８４３号公報JP 2000-46843 A 特開２００７－３２２３１７号公報JP 2007-322317 A 特開２０００－１２１６５０号公報JP 2000-121650 A
　本発明は、検体を収容するための検体容器を収納する検体容器収納部と、前記検体を分析するために使用される試薬のための試薬容器を収納する試薬容器収納部と、前記試薬を反応させるための反応容器を収納する反応容器収納部と、前記検体容器に収容された検体を分注する分注プローブを有する検体分注手段であって、前記検体分注手段によって前記反応容器に前記検体が分注される、検体分注手段と、前記検体容器内に収容される検体液面を検出する液面検知手段と、前記分注プローブを前記検体容器内に降下させ、前記液面検知手段で検出した検体液面に到達後、前記分注プローブにより前記検体の吸引と吐出とを複数回繰り返すことにより前記検体を攪拌するよう制御する攪拌制御手段と、を備える、前記反応容器内で試薬と反応させて前記検体を分析する自動分析装置を提供する。 The present invention relates to a sample container storage unit that stores a sample container for storing a sample, a reagent container storage unit that stores a reagent container for a reagent used for analyzing the sample, and a reaction between the reagents. A sample-dispensing unit having a reaction-container storing unit for storing a reaction container for dispensing the sample, and a dispensing probe for dispensing the sample stored in the sample-container. Sample dispensing means for dispensing a sample, liquid level detecting means for detecting the liquid level of the sample contained in the sample container, and dropping the dispensing probe into the sample container to detect the liquid level An agitation control means for controlling the sample to be agitated by repeating aspiration and discharge of the sample a plurality of times by the dispensing probe after reaching the sample liquid level detected by the means in the reaction container. Reagent and anti It is allowed to provide an automatic analyzer for analyzing the specimen.
　別の局面において、本発明の自動分析装置は、検体容器に収容された検体を分注する分注プローブを有する検体分注手段によって前記検体を反応容器に分注し、該反応容器内で試薬と反応させて前記検体を分析する自動分析装置において、前記検体容器内に収容される検体液面を検出する液面検知手段と、前記分注プローブを前記検体容器内に降下させ、前記液面検知手段で検出した検体液面に到達後、前記分注プローブにより前記検体の吸引と吐出とを複数回繰り返すことにより前記検体を攪拌するよう制御する攪拌制御手段と、を備える。 In another aspect, the automatic analyzer of the present invention dispenses the sample into a reaction container by a sample dispensing means having a dispensing probe for dispensing the sample contained in the sample container, and the reagent is contained in the reaction container. In the automatic analyzer for analyzing the sample by reacting with the liquid level detecting means for detecting the level of the sample liquid stored in the sample container, the dispensing probe is lowered into the sample container, and the liquid level is detected. And agitation control means for controlling the sample to be agitated by repeating aspiration and discharge of the sample a plurality of times by the dispensing probe after reaching the sample liquid level detected by the detection means.
　１つの実施形態において、本発明の自動分析装置は、上記発明において、前記検体は血液検体であって、前記検体の分析項目を取得する検体情報取得手段と、前記検体情報取得手段が取得した前記検体の分析項目に全血検体を試料とする分析項目があるか否かを判定する判定手段と、を備え、前記判定手段が全血検体を試料とする分析項目があると判定した場合に、前記攪拌制御手段は、該分析項目用に全血検体を分注する前に前記分注プローブにより前記検体の吸引と吐出とを複数回繰り返すことにより前記検体を攪拌するよう制御する。 In one embodiment, the automatic analyzer according to the present invention is the above-described invention, wherein the sample is a blood sample, and the sample information acquisition unit acquires the analysis item of the sample, and the sample information acquisition unit acquires the sample information Determination means for determining whether there is an analysis item using a whole blood sample as a sample analysis item, and when the determination means determines that there is an analysis item using a whole blood sample as a sample, The agitation control means controls the sample to be agitated by repeating aspiration and discharge of the sample a plurality of times by the dispensing probe before dispensing the whole blood sample for the analysis item.
　１つの実施形態において、また、本発明の自動分析装置は、上記発明において、前記攪拌制御手段は、前記分注プローブによる前記検体の吸引と吐出とによる攪拌を、吸引から開始させるよう制御する。 In one embodiment, and in the above-described invention, the agitation control unit controls the agitation control unit to start agitation by the aspiration and discharge of the specimen by the dispensing probe from the aspiration.
　１つの実施形態において、また、本発明の自動分析装置は、上記発明において、前記検体情報取得手段は前記検体容器の種類を含む検体容器情報を取得し、前記検体情報取得手段が取得した検体容器情報と、前記液面検知手段が検出した検体液面位置に基づき検体高さを算出する算出手段を備え、前記攪拌制御手段は、前記分注プローブによる前記検体の吸引と吐出とを、前記算出手段が算出した検体高さに基づき、異なる高さ位置で行うよう制御する。 In one embodiment, the automatic analyzer according to the present invention is the above-described invention, wherein the sample information acquisition unit acquires sample container information including the type of the sample container, and the sample container acquired by the sample information acquisition unit Calculation means for calculating a sample height based on information and a sample liquid level position detected by the liquid level detection means, and the agitation control means calculates the aspiration and discharge of the sample by the dispensing probe. Based on the sample height calculated by the means, control is performed so as to perform at different height positions.
　１つの実施形態において、また、本発明の自動分析装置は、上記発明において、前記攪拌制御手段は、前記分注プローブによる前記検体の初回吸引量を吐出量より大きく設定する。 In one embodiment, and in the automatic analyzer of the present invention, in the above invention, the agitation control means sets the initial suction amount of the specimen by the dispensing probe to be larger than the discharge amount.
　１つの実施形態において、また、本発明の自動分析装置は、上記発明において、前記攪拌制御手段は、前記分注プローブにより前記検体の吸引と吐出とを繰り返しながら、前記分注プローブを前記検体容器底面方向に向かって降下するよう制御する。 In one embodiment, the automatic analyzer according to the present invention is the automatic analyzer according to the invention described above, wherein the stirring control means repeats the suction and discharge of the sample by the dispensing probe, and the dispensing probe is placed in the sample container. Control to descend toward the bottom.
　１つの実施形態において、また、本発明の自動分析装置は、上記発明において、前記攪拌制御手段は、前記分注プローブによる前記検体の吸引および吐出の後、前記分注プローブを下降し、該吸引・吐出と該下降とを繰り返し行うよう制御する。 In one embodiment, the automatic analyzer according to the present invention is the automatic analyzer according to the above invention, wherein the agitation control unit lowers the dispensing probe after the sample is aspirated and discharged by the dispensing probe, and the aspiration is performed. -Control is performed so that the discharge and the lowering are repeated.
　１つの実施形態において、また、本発明の自動分析装置は、上記発明において、前記検体は、血漿と血球に層分離した血液検体である。 In one embodiment, the automatic analyzer of the present invention is the above-described invention, wherein the sample is a blood sample separated into plasma and blood cells.
　１つの実施形態において、また、本発明の自動分析装置は、上記発明において、前記判定手段は、前記検体の分析項目に血漿検体を試料とする分析項目があるか否かを判定し、前記判定手段が、前記検体の分析項目に全血検体を試料とする分析項目と血漿検体を試料とする分析項目とがあると判定した場合、前記検体の分析項目の順番を、全血検体を試料とする分析項目が最後となるように変更する変更手段を備え、前記攪拌制御手段は、前記血漿を試料とする分析項目の分注が終了した後、前記検体の攪拌を行うよう制御する。 In one embodiment, the automatic analyzer of the present invention is the above-described invention, wherein the determination unit determines whether or not there is an analysis item using a plasma sample as the analysis item of the sample, and the determination When the means determines that the analysis item of the sample includes an analysis item having a whole blood sample as a sample and an analysis item having a plasma sample as a sample, the order of the analysis items of the sample is changed to the whole blood sample as a sample. The agitation control unit controls the sample to be agitated after the dispensing of the analysis item using the plasma as a sample is completed.
　１つの実施形態において、また、本発明の自動分析装置は、上記発明において、全血検体を試料とする分析項目はＨｂＡ１ｃである。 In one embodiment, and in the above-described automatic analyzer of the present invention, the analysis item using the whole blood sample as a sample is HbA1c.
　１つの実施形態において、また、本発明の自動分析装置は、上記発明において、前記算出手段は、算出した検体高さに基づき検体吸引位置を算出し、前記攪拌制御手段は、前記検体の攪拌後、前記算出手段が算出した検体吸引位置において、前記分注プローブにより全血検体を吸引採取するよう制御する。 In one embodiment, the automatic analyzer according to the present invention is the above invention, wherein the calculation unit calculates a sample aspiration position based on the calculated sample height, and the agitation control unit is configured to agitate the sample after agitation. The whole blood sample is aspirated and collected by the dispensing probe at the sample aspiration position calculated by the calculation means.
　種々の実施形態において、本発明の自動分析装置は、上記の２つ以上の任意の特徴を含む。 In various embodiments, the automated analyzer of the present invention includes any two or more of the features described above.
　また別の局面において、本発明は、自動分析装置における検体攪拌方法を提供し、この検体攪拌方法は、検体容器に収容された検体を分注する分注プローブを有する検体分注手段によって前記検体を反応容器に分注し、該反応容器内で試薬と反応させて前記検体を分析する自動分析装置における検体攪拌方法であって、前記検体容器内に収容される検体液面を検出する液面検知ステップと、前記分注プローブを前記検体容器内に降下させ、前記液面検知ステップで検出した検体液面に到達後、前記分注プローブにより前記検体の吸引と吐出とを繰り返すことにより前記検体を攪拌する攪拌ステップと、を含む。 In another aspect, the present invention provides a sample agitation method in an automatic analyzer, and the sample agitation method includes a sample dispensing means having a dispensing probe for dispensing a sample accommodated in a sample container. Is a sample agitation method in an automatic analyzer for analyzing the sample by reacting with a reagent in the reaction vessel and detecting the liquid level of the sample contained in the sample container The sample is lowered by the detection step, the dispensing probe is lowered into the sample container, and after reaching the sample liquid level detected in the liquid level detection step, the sample is aspirated and discharged by the dispensing probe repeatedly. A stirring step of stirring.
　１つの実施形態において、また、本発明の自動分析装置における検体攪拌方法は、上記発明において、前記検体は血液検体であって、前記検体の分析項目を取得する検体情報取得ステップと、前記検体情報取得ステップが取得した前記検体の分析項目に全血検体を試料とする分析項目があるか否かを判定する判定ステップと、を含み、前記判定ステップが全血検体を試料とする分析項目があると判定した場合に、前記攪拌ステップは、該分析項目用に全血検体を分注する前に前記分注プローブにより前記検体の吸引と吐出とを複数回繰り返すことにより前記検体を攪拌するよう制御する。 In one embodiment, and the sample agitation method in the automatic analyzer of the present invention is the sample information acquisition step in which the sample is a blood sample and the analysis item of the sample is acquired in the above invention, and the sample information A determination step of determining whether or not the analysis item of the sample acquired in the acquisition step includes an analysis item using a whole blood sample as a sample, and the determination step includes an analysis item using a whole blood sample as a sample The agitation step is controlled so that the sample is agitated by repeating aspiration and discharge of the sample a plurality of times by the dispensing probe before dispensing the whole blood sample for the analysis item. To do.
　１つの実施形態において、また、本発明の自動分析装置における検体攪拌方法は、上記発明において、前記攪拌ステップは、前記分注プローブによる前記検体の吸引と吐出とによる攪拌を、吸引から開始させるよう制御する。 In one embodiment, the sample agitation method in the automatic analyzer of the present invention is the above invention, wherein the agitation step starts agitation by aspiration and discharge of the sample by the dispensing probe from aspiration. Control.
　１つの実施形態において、また、本発明の自動分析装置における検体攪拌方法は、上記発明において、前記検体情報取得ステップは前記検体容器の種類を含む検体容器情報を取得し、前記検体情報取得ステップが取得した検体容器情報と、前記液面検知ステップが検出した検体液面位置に基づき検体高さを算出する算出ステップを含み、前記攪拌ステップは、前記分注プローブによる前記検体の吸引と吐出とを、前記算出ステップが算出した検体高さに基づき、異なる高さ位置で行うよう制御する。 In one embodiment, the sample agitation method in the automatic analyzer of the present invention is the above invention, wherein the sample information acquisition step acquires sample container information including the type of the sample container, and the sample information acquisition step includes A calculation step of calculating a sample height based on the acquired sample container information and the sample liquid level position detected by the liquid level detection step, wherein the agitation step includes aspiration and discharge of the sample by the dispensing probe. Based on the sample height calculated in the calculation step, control is performed so as to be performed at different height positions.
　１つの実施形態において、また、本発明の自動分析装置における検体攪拌方法は、上記発明において、前記攪拌ステップは、前記分注プローブによる前記検体の初回吸引量を吐出量より大きく設定する。 In one embodiment, and the sample agitation method in the automatic analyzer of the present invention is the above invention, the agitation step sets an initial aspiration amount of the sample by the dispensing probe to be larger than a discharge amount.
　１つの実施形態において、また、本発明の自動分析装置における検体攪拌方法は、上記発明において、前記攪拌ステップは、前記分注プローブによる前記検体の吸引と吐出とを行いながら、前記分注プローブを前記検体容器底面方向に向かって降下して攪拌する。 In one embodiment, the sample agitation method in the automatic analyzer of the present invention is the above-described invention, wherein the agitation step is performed while the sample is aspirated and discharged while the sample is aspirated and discharged. The sample container is lowered toward the bottom of the sample container and stirred.
　１つの実施形態において、また、本発明の自動分析装置における検体攪拌方法は、上記発明において、前記攪拌ステップは、前記分注プローブによる前記検体の吸引および吐出の後、前記分注プローブを下降し、該吸引・吐出と該下降とを繰り返し行うことにより攪拌する。 In one embodiment, the sample agitating method in the automatic analyzer of the present invention is the above invention, wherein the agitating step lowers the dispensing probe after the sample is aspirated and discharged by the dispensing probe. Then, the agitation is performed by repeating the suction / discharge and the lowering.
　１つの実施形態において、また、本発明の自動分析装置における検体攪拌方法は、上記発明において、前記判定ステップは、前記検体の分析項目に血漿検体を試料とする分析項目があるか否かを判定し、前記判定ステップが、前記検体の分析項目に全血検体を試料とする分析項目と血漿検体を試料とする分析項目とがあると判定した場合、前記検体の分析項目の順番を、全血検体を試料とする分析項目が最後となるように変更する変更ステップを含み、前記攪拌ステップは、前記血漿を試料とする分析項目の分注が終了した後、前記検体の攪拌を行うよう制御する。 In one embodiment, the sample agitation method in the automatic analyzer of the present invention is the above invention, wherein the determination step determines whether or not the analysis item of the sample includes an analysis item using a plasma sample as a sample. When the determination step determines that the analysis item of the sample includes an analysis item using the whole blood sample as a sample and an analysis item using the plasma sample as a sample, the order of the analysis items of the sample is determined as whole blood Including a changing step of changing the analysis item having the sample as the sample to the last, and the stirring step controls the stirring of the sample after the dispensing of the analysis item having the plasma as the sample is completed .
　１つの実施形態において、また、本発明の自動分析装置における検体攪拌方法は、上記発明において、全血検体を試料とする分析項目はＨｂＡ１ｃである。 In one embodiment, and the sample agitation method in the automatic analyzer of the present invention is the above-described invention, the analysis item using the whole blood sample as a sample is HbA1c.
　１つの実施形態において、また、本発明の自動分析装置における検体攪拌方法は、上記発明において、検体容器に収容された検体を分注する分注プローブを有する検体分注手段によって検体を反応容器に分注し、該反応容器内で試薬と反応させて前記検体を分析する自動分析装置における検体分注方法であって、上記に記載の検体攪拌方法により前記検体を攪拌した後、算出ステップが算出した検体高さに基づき検体吸引位置を算出し、算出した検体吸引位置において、前記分注プローブにより全血検体を吸引し、吸引した全血検体を前記反応容器に吐出する。 In one embodiment, the sample agitation method in the automatic analyzer of the present invention is the above-described invention, wherein the sample is put into the reaction container by the sample dispensing means having a dispensing probe for dispensing the sample accommodated in the sample container. A sample dispensing method in an automatic analyzer that dispenses and reacts with a reagent in the reaction vessel to analyze the sample, and the calculation step calculates after the sample is stirred by the sample stirring method described above A specimen aspiration position is calculated based on the specimen height, and the whole blood specimen is aspirated by the dispensing probe at the computed specimen aspiration position, and the aspirated whole blood specimen is discharged into the reaction container.
　種々の実施形態において、本発明の方法は、本発明の自動分析装置および方法の上記のいずれか一つまたは複数（２つ以上）の任意の特徴を含む。 In various embodiments, the method of the present invention includes any one or more (two or more) optional features of the automatic analyzer and method of the present invention.
　他の局面において、本発明は、検体容器に収容された検体を分注する分注プローブを有する検体分注手段によって前記検体を反応容器に分注し、前記反応容器内で試薬と反応させて前記検体を分析する自動分析装置における検体の攪拌を制御する制御機構であって、前記検体容器内に収容される検体液面を検出する液面検知手段と、前記分注プローブを前記検体容器内に降下させ、前記液面検知手段で検出した検体液面に到達後、前記分注プローブにより前記検体の吸引と吐出とを複数回繰り返すことにより前記検体を攪拌するよう制御する攪拌制御手段と、を備える、制御機構を提供する。 In another aspect, the present invention provides a method in which the sample is dispensed into a reaction container by a sample dispensing means having a dispensing probe for dispensing a sample contained in the sample container, and reacted with a reagent in the reaction container. A control mechanism for controlling the stirring of the sample in the automatic analyzer for analyzing the sample, the liquid level detecting means for detecting the sample liquid level stored in the sample container, and the dispensing probe in the sample container Stirring control means for controlling the sample to be stirred by repeating aspiration and discharge of the sample a plurality of times by the dispensing probe after reaching the sample liquid level detected by the liquid level detection means; A control mechanism is provided.
　種々の実施形態において、本発明の制御機構は、本発明の自動分析装置および方法の上記のいずれか一つまたは複数の任意の特徴を含む。 In various embodiments, the control mechanism of the present invention includes any one or more of the above features of the automatic analyzer and method of the present invention.
　別の局面において、本発明は、検体容器に収容された検体を分注する分注プローブを有する検体分注手段によって前記検体を反応容器に分注し、前記反応容器内で試薬と反応させて前記検体を分析する自動分析装置における検体の攪拌を制御する制御プログラムであって、前記制御プログラムは、操作者からの指示に従って前記自動分析装置によって実行される処理を実装するためのものであり、前記処理は、前記検体容器内に収容される検体液面を検出する液面検知手順と、前記分注プローブを前記検体容器内に降下させ、前記液面検知手順で検出した検体液面に到達後、前記分注プローブにより前記検体の吸引と吐出とを繰り返すことにより前記検体を攪拌する攪拌手順と、を含む、プログラムを提供する。 In another aspect, the present invention provides a method in which the sample is dispensed into a reaction container by a sample dispensing means having a dispensing probe for dispensing a sample contained in the sample container, and reacted with a reagent in the reaction container. A control program for controlling the stirring of the sample in the automatic analyzer for analyzing the sample, the control program for implementing a process executed by the automatic analyzer according to an instruction from an operator; The processing includes a liquid level detection procedure for detecting the sample liquid level stored in the sample container, and the dispensing probe is lowered into the sample container and reaches the sample liquid level detected by the liquid level detection procedure. And a stirring procedure for stirring the sample by repeatedly aspirating and discharging the sample by the dispensing probe.
　種々の実施形態において、本発明のプログラムは、本発明の自動分析装置、方法および制御機構の上記のいずれか一つまたは複数の任意の特徴を含む。 In various embodiments, the program of the present invention includes any one or more of the above features of the automatic analyzer, method and control mechanism of the present invention.
　別の局面において、本発明は、検体容器に収容された検体を分注する分注プローブを有する検体分注手段によって前記検体を反応容器に分注し、前記反応容器内で試薬と反応させて前記検体を分析する自動分析装置における検体の攪拌を制御する制御プログラムを記録したコンピュータ読み取り可能な記録媒体であって、前記制御プログラムは、操作者からの指示に従って前記自動分析装置によって実行される処理を実装するためのものであり、前記処理は、前記検体容器内に収容される検体液面を検出する液面検知手順と、前記分注プローブを前記検体容器内に降下させ、前記液面検知手順で検出した検体液面に到達後、前記分注プローブにより前記検体の吸引と吐出とを繰り返すことにより前記検体を攪拌する攪拌手順と、を含む、記録媒体を提供する。 In another aspect, the present invention provides a method in which the sample is dispensed into a reaction container by a sample dispensing means having a dispensing probe for dispensing a sample contained in the sample container, and reacted with a reagent in the reaction container. A computer-readable recording medium recording a control program for controlling sample agitation in an automatic analyzer for analyzing the sample, wherein the control program is a process executed by the automatic analyzer in accordance with an instruction from an operator The processing includes a liquid level detection procedure for detecting the liquid level of the specimen contained in the specimen container, and the dispensing probe is lowered into the specimen container to detect the liquid level. A stirring procedure in which the sample is stirred by repeating aspiration and discharge of the sample with the dispensing probe after reaching the sample liquid level detected in the procedure. It provides a medium.
　種々の実施形態において、本発明の記録媒体は、本発明の自動分析装置、方法、制御機構およびプログラムの上記のいずれか一つまたは複数の任意の特徴を含む。 In various embodiments, the recording medium of the present invention includes any one or more of the above features of the automatic analyzer, method, control mechanism, and program of the present invention.
　本発明は、液面検知手段が検出した検体液面情報に基づき検体分注手段の分注プローブを前記検体容器内に降下させ、前記分注プローブにより前記検体の吸引・吐出を複数回繰り返すことにより前記検体を容易に攪拌することができるため、検体容器の転倒混和という作業を行うことなく全血検体の採取が可能となる。 According to the present invention, the dispensing probe of the sample dispensing unit is lowered into the sample container based on the sample liquid level information detected by the liquid level detection unit, and the sample is aspirated / discharged a plurality of times by the dispensing probe. Thus, the sample can be easily agitated, so that it is possible to collect a whole blood sample without performing the work of inversion mixing of the sample container.
図１は、本発明の実施の形態にかかる自動分析装置を示す概略図である。FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention. 図２は、図１の自動分析装置で使用される検体分注装置の概略図である。FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a sample dispensing apparatus used in the automatic analyzer of FIG. 図３は、本発明の実施の形態にかかる検体分注処理のフローチャートである。FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the sample dispensing process according to the embodiment of the present invention. 図４は、本発明の実施の形態にかかる全血検体分注の動作図である。FIG. 4 is an operation diagram of whole blood sample dispensing according to the embodiment of the present invention.
　以下に添付図面を参照して、本発明にかかる自動分析装置の好適な実施の形態を詳細に説明する。なお、本発明は、これらの実施の形態に限定されるものではなく、本発明の要旨を逸脱しない範囲で種々の変更が可能である。また、図面の記載において、同一部分には同一の符号を付している。 Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an automatic analyzer according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited to these embodiment, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention. In the description of the drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.
　図１は、本発明の実施の形態にかかる自動分析装置を示す概略図である。図１に示すように、自動分析装置１は、検体と試薬との間の反応物を通過する光を測定する測定機構９と、測定機構９を含む自動分析装置１全体の制御を行なうとともに、測定機構９における測定結果の分析を行なう制御機構１０とを備える。自動分析装置１は、これらの二つの機構が連携することによって複数の検体の分析を自動的に行なう。 FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic analyzer 1 controls a measurement mechanism 9 that measures light passing through a reaction product between a specimen and a reagent, and the entire automatic analyzer 1 including the measurement mechanism 9. And a control mechanism 10 for analyzing a measurement result in the measurement mechanism 9. The automatic analyzer 1 automatically performs analysis of a plurality of samples by cooperation of these two mechanisms.
　まず、測定機構９について説明する。測定機構９は、大別して検体テーブル２と、反応テーブル３と、試薬テーブル４と、検体分注装置５と、試薬分注装置７と、分注プローブ洗浄装置６および８とを備えている。 First, the measurement mechanism 9 will be described. The measurement mechanism 9 roughly includes a sample table 2, a reaction table 3, a reagent table 4, a sample dispensing device 5, a reagent dispensing device 7, and dispensing probe cleaning devices 6 and 8.
　検体テーブル２は、円盤状のテーブルを有し、該テーブルの周方向に沿って等間隔で複数配置された検体容器収納部２１を備えている。各検体容器収納部２１には、検体を収容した検体容器２２が着脱自在に収納される。検体容器２２は、上方に向けて開口する開口部を有している。また、検体テーブル２は、検体テーブル２の中心を通る鉛直線を回転軸として検体テーブル駆動部（図示せず）によって図１に矢印で示す方向に回転する。検体テーブル２が回転すると検体容器２２は、検体分注装置５によって検体が吸引される検体吸引位置に搬送される。 The sample table 2 includes a disk-shaped table, and includes a plurality of sample container storage portions 21 arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the table. In each sample container storage unit 21, a sample container 22 containing a sample is detachably stored. The sample container 22 has an opening that opens upward. The sample table 2 is rotated in a direction indicated by an arrow in FIG. 1 by a sample table driving unit (not shown) with a vertical line passing through the center of the sample table 2 as a rotation axis. When the sample table 2 rotates, the sample container 22 is transported to the sample aspirating position where the sample is aspirated by the sample dispensing device 5.
　なお、検体容器２２には、収容された検体の検体ＩＤや分析項目に関する検体情報、および検体容器２２の種類に関する検体容器情報を有する記録媒体（図示せず）が貼り付けてある。一方、検体テーブル２は、検体容器２２の記録媒体の情報を読み取る読取部２３を備えている。読取部２３は、記録媒体に対して赤外光または可視光を発し、記録媒体からの反射光を処理することによって、記録媒体の情報を読み取る。 Note that a recording medium (not shown) having sample information regarding the sample ID and analysis item of the stored sample and sample container information regarding the type of the sample container 22 is attached to the sample container 22. On the other hand, the sample table 2 includes a reading unit 23 that reads information on a recording medium of the sample container 22. The reading unit 23 emits infrared light or visible light to the recording medium and processes reflected light from the recording medium to read information on the recording medium.
　反応テーブル３は、円環状のテーブルを有し、該テーブルの周方向に沿って等間隔で複数配置された反応容器収納部３１を備えている。各反応容器収納部３１には、検体と試薬を収容する透明な反応容器３２が上方に向けて開口した形態で着脱自在に収納される。また、反応テーブル３は、反応テーブル３の中心を通る鉛直線を回転軸として反応テーブル駆動部（図示せず）によって図１に矢印で示す方向に回転する。反応テーブル３が回転すると、反応容器３２は、検体分注装置５によって検体が吐出される検体吐出位置や、試薬分注装置７によって試薬が吐出される試薬吐出位置に搬送される。 The reaction table 3 has an annular table and includes a plurality of reaction container storage portions 31 arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the table. In each reaction container storage unit 31, a transparent reaction container 32 for storing a sample and a reagent is detachably stored in an open shape upward. The reaction table 3 is rotated in a direction indicated by an arrow in FIG. 1 by a reaction table driving unit (not shown) with a vertical line passing through the center of the reaction table 3 as a rotation axis. When the reaction table 3 rotates, the reaction container 32 is transported to the sample discharge position where the sample is discharged by the sample dispensing apparatus 5 or the reagent discharge position where the reagent is discharged by the reagent dispensing apparatus 7.
　測光装置３３は、光源３３ａおよび受光部３３ｂを有している。光源３３ａは、所定波長の分析光を出射し、受光部３３ｂは、光源３３ａから出射されて、反応容器３２に収容された検体と試薬が反応した反応液を透過した光の強度を測定する。測光装置３３は、前記光源３３ａと受光部３３ｂが反応テーブル３の反応容器収納部３１を挟んで半径方向に対向する位置に配置されている。なお、反応テーブル３は、測定後の反応液を反応容器３２から排出し、該反応容器３２を洗浄する反応容器洗浄装置３４を備えている。 The photometric device 33 has a light source 33a and a light receiving unit 33b. The light source 33a emits analysis light having a predetermined wavelength, and the light receiving unit 33b measures the intensity of light emitted from the light source 33a and transmitted through the reaction solution in which the specimen and the reagent contained in the reaction container 32 have reacted. In the photometric device 33, the light source 33 a and the light receiving unit 33 b are arranged at positions where the light source 33 a and the light receiving unit 33 b are opposed to each other in the radial direction with the reaction container storage unit 31 of the reaction table 3 interposed therebetween. The reaction table 3 includes a reaction container cleaning device 34 that discharges the measured reaction solution from the reaction container 32 and cleans the reaction container 32.
　試薬テーブル４は、円盤状のテーブルを有し、該テーブルの周方向に沿って等間隔で複数配置された試薬容器収納部４１を備えている。各試薬容器収納部４１には、試薬を収容した試薬容器４２が着脱自在に収納される。試薬容器４２は、上方に向いて開口する開口部を有している。また、試薬テーブル４は、試薬テーブル４の中心を通る鉛直線を回転軸として試薬テーブル駆動部（図示せず）によって図１に矢印で示す方向に回転する。試薬テーブル４が回転すると試薬容器４２は、試薬分注装置７によって試薬が吸引される試薬吸引位置に搬送される。 The reagent table 4 has a disk-shaped table and includes a plurality of reagent container storage portions 41 arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the table. In each reagent container storage unit 41, a reagent container 42 containing a reagent is detachably stored. The reagent container 42 has an opening that opens upward. The reagent table 4 is rotated in a direction indicated by an arrow in FIG. 1 by a reagent table driving unit (not shown) with a vertical line passing through the center of the reagent table 4 as a rotation axis. When the reagent table 4 rotates, the reagent container 42 is transported to the reagent suction position where the reagent is sucked by the reagent dispensing device 7.
　なお、試薬容器４２には、収容された試薬の種類や収容量に関する試薬情報を有する記録媒体（図示せず）が貼り付けてある。一方、試薬テーブル４は、試薬容器４２の記録媒体の情報を読み取る読取部４３を備えている。読取部４３は、記録媒体に対して赤外光または可視光を発し、記録媒体からの反射光を処理することによって、記録媒体の情報を読み取る。 Note that a recording medium (not shown) having reagent information regarding the type and amount of the contained reagent is attached to the reagent container 42. On the other hand, the reagent table 4 includes a reading unit 43 that reads information on the recording medium of the reagent container 42. The reading unit 43 emits infrared light or visible light to the recording medium, and reads the information on the recording medium by processing the reflected light from the recording medium.
　検体分注装置５は、検体の吸引および吐出を行なう分注プローブが先端部に取り付けられ、鉛直方向への昇降および自身の基端部を通過する鉛直線を中心軸とする回転を自在に行なうアームを備える。検体分注装置５は、検体テーブル２と反応テーブル３との間に設けられ、検体テーブル２によって所定位置に搬送された検体容器２２内の検体を分注プローブによって吸引し、アームを旋回させ、反応テーブル３によって所定位置に搬送された反応容器３２に分注して検体を所定タイミングで反応テーブル３上の反応容器３２内に移送する。また、検体分注装置５は、検体容器２２内に収容される検体液面を検出する液面検知部６０（図２参照）を備える。 The sample dispensing device 5 has a dispensing probe for aspirating and discharging a sample attached to the distal end, and freely moves up and down in the vertical direction and rotates around a vertical line passing through its proximal end as a central axis. Provide an arm. The sample dispensing device 5 is provided between the sample table 2 and the reaction table 3, sucks the sample in the sample container 22 transported to a predetermined position by the sample table 2 with a dispensing probe, rotates the arm, The sample is dispensed into the reaction container 32 conveyed to a predetermined position by the reaction table 3, and the sample is transferred into the reaction container 32 on the reaction table 3 at a predetermined timing. The sample dispensing device 5 includes a liquid level detection unit 60 (see FIG. 2) that detects the sample liquid level stored in the sample container 22.
　試薬分注装置７は、試薬の吸引および吐出を行なう分注プローブが先端部に取り付けられ、鉛直方向への昇降および自身の基端部を通過する鉛直線を中心軸とする回転を自在に行なうアームを備える。試薬分注装置７は、試薬テーブル４と反応テーブル３との間に設けられ、試薬テーブル４によって所定位置に搬送された試薬容器４２内の試薬を分注プローブによって吸引し、アームを旋回させ、反応テーブル３によって所定位置に搬送された反応容器３２に分注して試薬を所定タイミングで反応テーブル３上の反応容器３２内に移送する。また、試薬分注装置７は、試薬容器４２内に収容される試薬液面を検出する液面検知部（図示しない）を備える。 The reagent dispensing apparatus 7 has a dispensing probe for aspirating and discharging the reagent attached to the distal end portion, and freely moves up and down in the vertical direction and rotates around the vertical line passing through its base end portion as a central axis. Provide an arm. The reagent dispensing device 7 is provided between the reagent table 4 and the reaction table 3, sucks the reagent in the reagent container 42 transported to a predetermined position by the reagent table 4 with a dispensing probe, rotates the arm, The reagent is dispensed into the reaction container 32 transported to a predetermined position by the reaction table 3, and the reagent is transferred into the reaction container 32 on the reaction table 3 at a predetermined timing. The reagent dispensing device 7 also includes a liquid level detection unit (not shown) that detects the reagent liquid level stored in the reagent container 42.
　分注プローブ洗浄装置６は、検体テーブル２と反応テーブル３との間であって、検体分注装置５における分注プローブ５０（図２参照）の水平移動の軌跡の途中位置に設けられ、検体間のキャリーオーバー防止のために、分注プローブ５０により検体の分注を行なうたびに分注プローブ洗浄装置６にて分注プローブ５０の洗浄を行なう。分注プローブ洗浄装置８は、試薬テーブル４と反応テーブル３との間であって、試薬分注装置７における分注プローブの水平移動の軌跡の途中位置に設けられ、試薬間のキャリーオーバー防止のために、分注プローブにより試薬の分注を行なうたびに分注プローブ洗浄装置８にて分注プローブの洗浄を行なう。 The dispensing probe cleaning device 6 is provided between the sample table 2 and the reaction table 3 and is provided in the middle of the horizontal movement locus of the dispensing probe 50 (see FIG. 2) in the sample dispensing device 5. In order to prevent carryover in between, the dispensing probe 50 is washed by the dispensing probe washing device 6 every time the sample is dispensed by the dispensing probe 50. The dispensing probe cleaning device 8 is provided between the reagent table 4 and the reaction table 3 and in the middle of the trajectory of the horizontal movement of the dispensing probe in the reagent dispensing device 7 to prevent carryover between reagents. Therefore, every time the reagent is dispensed by the dispensing probe, the dispensing probe is cleaned by the dispensing probe cleaning device 8.
　つぎに、制御機構１０について説明する。図１に示すように、制御機構１０は、制御部１０１、入力部１０２、分析部１０３、記憶部１０４、出力部１０５、送受信部１０７および検体分注制御部１０８を備える。制御機構１０が備える各部は、制御部１０１に電気的に接続されている。制御部１０１は、ＣＰＵ等を用いて構成され、自動分析装置１の各部の処理および動作を制御する。制御部１０１は、これらの各構成部位に入出力される情報について所定の入出力制御を行い、かつ、この情報に対して所定の情報処理を行う。分析部１０３は、制御部１０１を介して測光装置３３に接続され、受光部３３ｂが受光した光量に基づいて検体の成分濃度等を分析し、分析結果を制御部１０１に出力する。入力部１０２は、制御部１０１へ検査項目等を入力する操作を行う部分であり、例えば、キーボードやマウス等が使用される。 Next, the control mechanism 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the control mechanism 10 includes a control unit 101, an input unit 102, an analysis unit 103, a storage unit 104, an output unit 105, a transmission / reception unit 107, and a sample dispensing control unit 108. Each unit included in the control mechanism 10 is electrically connected to the control unit 101. The control unit 101 is configured using a CPU or the like, and controls processing and operation of each unit of the automatic analyzer 1. The control unit 101 performs predetermined input / output control on information input / output to / from each of these components, and performs predetermined information processing on this information. The analysis unit 103 is connected to the photometric device 33 via the control unit 101, analyzes the component concentration of the sample based on the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 33 b, and outputs the analysis result to the control unit 101. The input unit 102 is a part that performs an operation of inputting an inspection item or the like to the control unit 101. For example, a keyboard or a mouse is used.
　記憶部１０４は、情報を磁気的に記憶するハードディスクと、自動分析装置１が処理を実行する際にその処理にかかわる各種プログラムをハードディスクからロードして電気的に記憶するメモリとを用いて構成され、検体の分析結果等を含む諸情報を記憶する。記憶部１０４は、ＣＤ－ＲＯＭ、ＤＶＤ－ＲＯＭ、ＰＣカード等の記憶媒体に記憶された情報を読み取ることができる補助記憶装置を備えてもよい。また、記憶部１０４には、分析可能なすべての分析項目についての分析に要する情報、たとえば、検体分注量、検体吸引量等の分析条件や、入力部１０２により入力された検査項目（分析項目）を記憶させてもよい。 The storage unit 104 is configured by using a hard disk that magnetically stores information and a memory that loads various programs related to the process from the hard disk and electrically stores them when the automatic analyzer 1 executes the process. Various information including the analysis result of the specimen is stored. The storage unit 104 may include an auxiliary storage device that can read information stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a PC card. In addition, the storage unit 104 stores information required for analysis of all analysis items that can be analyzed, for example, analysis conditions such as sample dispensing amount and sample aspiration amount, and examination items (analysis items) input by the input unit 102. ) May be stored.
　出力部１０５は、プリンタ、スピーカー等を用いて構成され、制御部１０１の制御のもと、分析に関する諸情報を出力する。出力部１０５は、ディスプレイ等を用いて構成された表示部１０６を備える。表示部１０６は、分析内容や警報等を表示するもので、ディスプレイパネル等が使用される。入力部１０２および表示部１０６はタッチパネルによって実現するようにしてもよい。送受信部１０７は、図示しない通信ネットワークを介して所定の形式にしたがった情報の送受信を行なうインターフェースとしての機能を有する。 The output unit 105 is configured using a printer, a speaker, and the like, and outputs various information related to analysis under the control of the control unit 101. The output unit 105 includes a display unit 106 configured using a display or the like. The display unit 106 displays analysis contents, alarms, and the like, and a display panel or the like is used. The input unit 102 and the display unit 106 may be realized by a touch panel. The transmission / reception unit 107 has a function as an interface for performing transmission / reception of information according to a predetermined format via a communication network (not shown).
　検体分注制御部１０８は、判定部１０８ａと、変更部１０８ｂと、攪拌制御部１０８ｃと、算出部１０８ｄとを備える。 The sample dispensing control unit 108 includes a determination unit 108a, a change unit 108b, an agitation control unit 108c, and a calculation unit 108d.
　判定部１０８ａは、読取部２３が検体容器２２に貼付された記録媒体から読み取った検体の分析項目に全血検体を試料とする分析項目のＨｂＡ１ｃがあるか否かを判定する。該情報は、検体容器２２の記録媒体に記録されるほか、オペレータが入力部１０２を介して記憶部１０４に記憶させておいてもよい。 The determination unit 108a determines whether or not there is an analysis item HbA1c using the whole blood sample as a sample analysis item read from the recording medium attached to the sample container 22 by the reading unit 23. The information may be recorded on the recording medium of the sample container 22 or may be stored in the storage unit 104 by the operator via the input unit 102.
　変更部１０８ｂは、判定部１０８ａが検体の分析項目に全血検体を試料とする分析項目と血漿検体を試料とする分析項目とがあると判定した場合、前記検体の分析項目の順番を、全血検体を試料とする分析項目（ＨｂＡ１ｃ）が最後となるように変更する。 When the determination unit 108a determines that the analysis item of the sample includes an analysis item having the whole blood sample as a sample and an analysis item having the plasma sample as the sample, the changing unit 108b changes the order of the analysis items of the sample to all The analysis item (HbA1c) using the blood sample as a sample is changed to the last.
　攪拌制御部１０８ｃは、検体分注装置５の分注プローブを検体容器２２内に降下させ、液面検知部６０で検出した検体液面に前記分注プローブが到達後、前記分注プローブにより検体の吸引と吐出とを複数回繰り返すことにより検体を攪拌するよう制御する。前記分注プローブによる検体の吸引と吐出とを繰り返すことによる検体の攪拌は、検体中へのエアー混入による泡立ちを防止すべく、吸引から開始させることが好ましい。また、前記分注プローブによる検体の吸引量および吐出量は同量とすることが制御上好ましいが、初回の吸引量のみ大きく設定することにより、ダミー検体を前記分注プローブ内に確保することができ、エアー混入を防止できる。 The agitation control unit 108c lowers the dispensing probe of the sample dispensing device 5 into the sample container 22, and after the dispensing probe reaches the sample liquid level detected by the liquid level detection unit 60, the sample is sampled by the dispensing probe. The sample is controlled to be agitated by repeating aspiration and discharge a plurality of times. It is preferable that the stirring of the sample by repeating the suction and discharge of the sample by the dispensing probe is started from the suction in order to prevent foaming due to air mixing into the sample. Further, it is preferable for control that the sample suction amount and the discharge amount by the dispensing probe are the same, but by setting only the first suction amount large, a dummy sample can be secured in the dispensing probe. It is possible to prevent air mixing.
　算出部１０８ｄは、読取部２３が取得した検体容器情報と、液面検知部６０が検出した検体液面位置に基づき検体高さおよび検体吸引位置を算出する。 The calculation unit 108d calculates the sample height and the sample aspiration position based on the sample container information acquired by the reading unit 23 and the sample liquid level position detected by the liquid level detection unit 60.
　このような構成の自動分析装置１では、反応容器３２に対して検体分注装置５が、検体容器２２から検体を分注する。また、反応容器３２には、試薬分注装置７が試薬容器４２から試薬を分注する。そして、検体および試薬が分注された反応容器３２は、反応テーブル３によって周方向に沿って搬送される間に検体と試薬とが攪拌されて反応し、光源３３ａと受光部３３ｂとの間を通過する。このとき、光源３３ａから出射され、反応容器３２内の反応液を通過した分析光は、受光部３３ｂによって測光されて成分濃度などが分析される。そして、分析が終了した反応容器３２は、反応容器洗浄装置３４によって測定後の反応液が排出されて洗浄された後、再度検体の分析に使用される。 In the automatic analyzer 1 having such a configuration, the sample dispensing device 5 dispenses a sample from the sample container 22 to the reaction container 32. In addition, the reagent dispensing device 7 dispenses a reagent from the reagent container 42 into the reaction container 32. The reaction container 32 into which the sample and the reagent are dispensed reacts while the sample and the reagent are agitated while being conveyed along the circumferential direction by the reaction table 3, and passes between the light source 33 a and the light receiving unit 33 b. pass. At this time, the analysis light emitted from the light source 33a and passed through the reaction solution in the reaction vessel 32 is measured by the light receiving unit 33b and analyzed for component concentration and the like. After the analysis, the reaction vessel 32 is used by the reaction vessel washing device 34 after the measurement reaction solution is discharged and washed, and then used again for analyzing the specimen.
　次に、検体分注装置５の分注機構について、図２を参照して説明する。図２は、検体分注装置５の概略図である。 Next, the dispensing mechanism of the sample dispensing device 5 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the sample dispensing device 5.
　検体分注装置５は、図２に示すように、分注プローブ５０、プローブ駆動部５３、分注ポンプ５５、ポンプ駆動部５６、送液ポンプ５９、タンク５７、液面検知部６０を備えている。 As shown in FIG. 2, the sample dispensing device 5 includes a dispensing probe 50, a probe driving unit 53, a dispensing pump 55, a pump driving unit 56, a liquid feeding pump 59, a tank 57, and a liquid level detecting unit 60. Yes.
　検体分注装置５は、図１に示すように、水平面内を回動すると共に、上下方向に昇降されるアームに検体を分注する分注プローブ５０が設けられる。分注プローブ５０は、ステンレス等の導電性金属材料からなる。図２に示すように、分注プローブ５０は、配管５１によって分注ポンプ５５と接続され、分注ポンプ５５と送液ポンプ５９は、配管５２を介して接続されている。分注プローブ５０は、プローブ駆動部５３によって図中矢印Ｘで示す水平方向およびＺで示す上下方向に移動され、分注プローブ６０の下部に搬送されてくる検体容器２２から、分析項目に応じて血漿検体または全血検体を吸引し、吸引した検体を反応テーブル３上の反応容器３２に吐出することによって検体を分注する。 As shown in FIG. 1, the sample dispensing apparatus 5 is provided with a dispensing probe 50 that rotates in a horizontal plane and dispenses a sample to an arm that is moved up and down. The dispensing probe 50 is made of a conductive metal material such as stainless steel. As shown in FIG. 2, the dispensing probe 50 is connected to a dispensing pump 55 by a pipe 51, and the dispensing pump 55 and the liquid feeding pump 59 are connected via a pipe 52. The dispensing probe 50 is moved by the probe drive unit 53 in the horizontal direction indicated by the arrow X and the vertical direction indicated by Z in the drawing, and is transferred from the sample container 22 conveyed to the lower part of the dispensing probe 60 according to the analysis item. A plasma sample or whole blood sample is aspirated, and the aspirated sample is discharged into the reaction container 32 on the reaction table 3 to dispense the sample.
　分注ポンプ５５は、分注プローブ５０に検体容器２２内の検体を吸引した後、反応テーブル３により搬送されてくる反応容器３２に吸引した検体を吐出するシリンジポンプであり、ポンプ駆動部５６によってピストン５５ｂがシリンジ５５ａ内を往復動される。 The dispensing pump 55 is a syringe pump that sucks the sample in the sample container 22 with the dispensing probe 50 and then discharges the sample sucked into the reaction container 32 conveyed by the reaction table 3. The piston 55b is reciprocated within the syringe 55a.
　送液ポンプ５９は、タンク５７に貯留された脱気した押し出し水Ｌ１を吸い上げ、電磁弁５８を介して配管５２内に圧送する。このとき、電磁弁５８は、制御部１０１からの制御信号によって、吸い上げた押し出し水Ｌ１を配管５２内に圧送する場合には「開」に切り替えられ、分注ポンプ５５によって分注プローブ５０が検体を吸引し、吐出する場合には「閉」に切り替えられる。 The liquid feed pump 59 sucks up the deaerated extruded water L1 stored in the tank 57 and pumps it into the pipe 52 through the electromagnetic valve 58. At this time, the electromagnetic valve 58 is switched to “open” when the pumped water L1 sucked up into the pipe 52 is pumped into the pipe 52 by the control signal from the control unit 101, and the dispensing probe 55 causes the dispensing probe 50 to be Is sucked and discharged, it is switched to “closed”.
　液面検知部６０は、検体容器２２に収容される検体の液面を検出する。液面検知部６０は、発振回路６１、液面検知回路６２を備え、検体容器２２の底部近傍には金属板２２ｃが配置されている。図２に示すように、発振回路６１および金属板２２ｃは接地されている。 The liquid level detection unit 60 detects the liquid level of the sample stored in the sample container 22. The liquid level detection unit 60 includes an oscillation circuit 61 and a liquid level detection circuit 62, and a metal plate 22 c is disposed near the bottom of the sample container 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the oscillation circuit 61 and the metal plate 22c are grounded.
　液面検知部６０は、発振回路６１が発振する発振信号により、分注プローブ５０と検体容器２２内の検体との間の静電容量の変化により液面を検知する。液面検知回路６２は、増幅器６２ａ内に導入された発振信号を増幅する増幅器６２ａと、増幅器６２ａで増幅された発振信号を整流するダイオード６２ｂと、整流された信号を平滑化するコンデンサ６２ｃと、平滑化信号を基準信号と比較するコンパレータ６２ｄとを有している。コンパレータ６２ｄは、入力される平滑化信号（電圧）が基準値信号（電圧）よりも大きい場合に液面検知信号を制御部１０１へ出力する。本実施の形態では、静電容量式の液面検知方式を採用するが、ＣＣＤ等の光学素子を使用して液面を検知するものであってもよい。 The liquid level detection unit 60 detects the liquid level based on the change in capacitance between the dispensing probe 50 and the sample in the sample container 22 based on the oscillation signal oscillated by the oscillation circuit 61. The liquid level detection circuit 62 includes an amplifier 62a that amplifies the oscillation signal introduced into the amplifier 62a, a diode 62b that rectifies the oscillation signal amplified by the amplifier 62a, a capacitor 62c that smoothes the rectified signal, A comparator 62d for comparing the smoothed signal with the reference signal. The comparator 62d outputs a liquid level detection signal to the control unit 101 when the input smoothing signal (voltage) is larger than the reference value signal (voltage). In the present embodiment, a capacitance type liquid level detection method is adopted, but a liquid level may be detected using an optical element such as a CCD.
　次に、本実施の形態にかかる検体分注処理について説明する。図３は本発明の実施の形態にかかる検体分注処理のフローチャートである。 Next, the sample dispensing process according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the sample dispensing process according to the embodiment of the present invention.
　まず、読取部２３は、分析を行う検体の検体容器２２に付された記憶媒体から、該検体の分析項目情報および検体容器情報を読み取り、該情報を制御部１０１を介して検体分注制御部１０８に送信する（ステップＳ１０１）。判定部１０８ａは、送信された分析項目情報に基づき、該検体について全血を試料とする分析項目であるＨｂＡ１ｃがオーダーされているか否かを判定する（ステップＳ１０２）。判定部１０８ａが全血検体を試料とする分析項目（ＨｂＡ１ｃ）ありと判定した場合（ステップＳ１０２、Ｙｅｓ）、さらに判定部１０８ａは、送信された分析項目情報に基づき、該検体について血漿を試料とする分析項目がオーダーされているか否かを判定する（ステップＳ１０３）。判定部１０８ａが血漿検体を試料とする分析項目ありと判定した場合（ステップＳ１０３、Ｙｅｓ）、変更部１０８ｂは、全血を試料とする分析項目であるＨｂＡ１ｃについて、前記検体の分析項目の最後に分析を行うように分析順序を入れ替える（ステップＳ１０４）。血漿検体と全血検体の両方を試料とする分析項目がオーダーされている場合、検体容器２２に採取された検体は、遠心分離等の前処理を行った後、自動分析装置１の検体テーブル２に設置されるため、先に上層成分である血漿検体の分注を行なった後、該検体の攪拌をして、全血検体の分注を行うために、分析項目の入れ替えを行う。 First, the reading unit 23 reads the analysis item information and sample container information of the sample from the storage medium attached to the sample container 22 of the sample to be analyzed, and the sample dispensing control unit via the control unit 101 reads the information. (Step S101). Based on the transmitted analysis item information, the determination unit 108a determines whether or not HbA1c, which is an analysis item using whole blood as a sample, has been ordered for the sample (step S102). When the determination unit 108a determines that there is an analysis item (HbA1c) using a whole blood sample as a sample (Yes in step S102), the determination unit 108a further uses plasma for the sample as a sample based on the transmitted analysis item information. It is determined whether or not the analysis item to be ordered has been ordered (step S103). When the determination unit 108a determines that there is an analysis item using a plasma sample as a sample (Yes in step S103), the changing unit 108b adds HbA1c, which is an analysis item using whole blood as a sample, to the end of the analysis item of the sample. The analysis order is changed so as to perform analysis (step S104). When analysis items using both a plasma sample and a whole blood sample are ordered, the sample collected in the sample container 22 is subjected to pretreatment such as centrifugation, and then the sample table 2 of the automatic analyzer 1. Therefore, after the plasma sample, which is the upper layer component, is first dispensed, the analysis items are replaced in order to agitate the sample and dispense the whole blood sample.
　変更部１０８ｂによる分析順序の入れ替え後、入れ替えた分析順に分注を開始する。まず、検体分注制御部１０８は、分注プローブ５０を検体容器２２内に降下する。この降下の際、液面検知部６０は、分注プローブ５０と検体容器２２内の検体との間の静電容量の変化に基づいて検体液面を検知する（ステップＳ１０５）。 After the change of the analysis order by the changing unit 108b, dispensing starts in the changed analysis order. First, the sample dispensing control unit 108 lowers the dispensing probe 50 into the sample container 22. At the time of the descent, the liquid level detector 60 detects the sample liquid level based on the change in capacitance between the dispensing probe 50 and the sample in the sample container 22 (step S105).
　液面検知後、検体分注制御部１０８は、分注プローブ５０により血漿検体を吸引させ（ステップＳ１０６）、分注プローブ５０をプローブ駆動部５３の駆動により反応テーブル３に移送後、吸引した血漿検体を反応容器３２に吐出させる（ステップＳ１０７）。 After the liquid level is detected, the sample dispensing control unit 108 sucks the plasma sample with the dispensing probe 50 (step S106), transfers the dispensing probe 50 to the reaction table 3 by driving the probe driving unit 53, and then sucked plasma. The specimen is discharged into the reaction container 32 (step S107).
　検体分注制御部１０８は、前記検体について、すべての血漿検体の分注が終了したか否かを確認する（ステップＳ１０８）。前記検体について、すべての血漿検体の分注が終了した場合には（ステップＳ１０８、Ｙｅｓ）、ステップＳ１０９に移行する一方、前記検体について、すべての血漿検体の分注が終了していない場合には（ステップＳ１０８、Ｎｏ）、ステップＳ１０５に移行して血漿検体の分注を行なう。 The sample dispensing control unit 108 confirms whether or not dispensing of all plasma samples has been completed for the sample (step S108). When dispensing of all the plasma samples is completed for the sample (step S108, Yes), the process proceeds to step S109, while when dispensing of all the plasma samples is not completed for the sample. (Step S108, No), the process proceeds to Step S105, and a plasma sample is dispensed.
　前記検体についての、すべての血漿検体の分注終了後、全血検体を試料とする分析項目であるＨｂＡ１ｃ用の分注を行う。まず、液面検知部６０により液面を検出し（ステップＳ１０９）、検出した液面位置と、ステップＳ１０１で読取部２３が取得した分析項目情報および検体容器情報に基づき、算出部１０８ｄは、検体高さｈ（図４（４－２）参照）および全血検体吸引位置を算出する（ステップＳ１１０）。検体高さｈは、液面位置と検体容器情報から算出する。全血検体吸引位置は、算出した検体高さｈにユーザーにより設定された採取位置（たとえば、検体高さに対する比率として２０％、３０％など）を乗じて求める。 After the dispensing of all plasma samples for the sample, dispensing for HbA1c, which is an analysis item using the whole blood sample as a sample, is performed. First, the liquid level is detected by the liquid level detection unit 60 (step S109), and based on the detected liquid level position and the analysis item information and sample container information acquired by the reading unit 23 in step S101, the calculation unit 108d The height h (see FIG. 4 (4-2)) and the whole blood sample suction position are calculated (step S110). The specimen height h is calculated from the liquid level position and specimen container information. The whole blood sample aspiration position is obtained by multiplying the calculated sample height h by the collection position set by the user (for example, 20%, 30%, etc. as a ratio to the sample height).
　全血検体の吸引位置を算出後、攪拌制御部１０８ｃの制御のもと、分注ブローブ５０による検体の吸引および吐出を繰り返しにより層分離した検体を攪拌する（ステップＳ１１１）。本発明の実施の形態では、分注プローブ５０により、層分離した検体の吸引と吐出とを、少なくとも２回以上繰り返すことにより攪拌を行う。ここで、１回目の検体の吸引および吐出は、液面近くの血漿を吸引することが好ましい。最初に粘度の低い血漿検体の吸引および吐出を行なうことにより、効率よく検体の対流を生じさせることができる。これにより、２回目以降に吸引する検体は、血漿と血球が一部混合した検体（血球検体より粘度が低い）となるため、内径が小さい分注プローブ５０でも容易に吸引及び吐出を行なうことができる。 After calculating the aspiration position of the whole blood specimen, the specimen separated in layers is stirred by repeating the suction and discharge of the specimen by the dispensing probe 50 under the control of the stirring control unit 108c (step S111). In the embodiment of the present invention, the dispensing probe 50 performs agitation by repeating the suction and discharge of the separated sample at least twice. Here, the first suction and discharge of the specimen is preferably performed by sucking plasma near the liquid surface. By first aspirating and discharging a plasma specimen having a low viscosity, convection of the specimen can be efficiently generated. As a result, the sample to be aspirated for the second time and thereafter becomes a sample in which plasma and blood cells are partially mixed (has a lower viscosity than the blood cell sample), so that the dispensing probe 50 having a small inner diameter can be easily aspirated and discharged. it can.
　また、分注プローブ５０による検体の吸引および吐出は、検体の異なる高さ位置で行うことが好ましく、検体の吸引および吐出位置を予め設定してもよい。たとえば、検体高さｈに対し、０．７ｈ、０．３ｈで吸引および吐出による攪拌を行なうよう設定された場合、まず０．７ｈの検体高さまで分注プローブ５０を下降後、検体の吸引および吐出を行なった後、さらに０．３ｈの検体高さまで分注プローブ５０を下降後、検体の吸引および吐出を行なう。より具体的には、攪拌制御部１０８ｃは、プローブ駆動部５３およびポンプ制御部５６を駆動して、分注プローブ５０の下降と、検体の吸引および吐出とを２回以上繰り返し行なわせることにより攪拌を行う。 Further, it is preferable that the sample is aspirated and discharged by the dispensing probe 50 at different height positions of the sample, and the sample aspirating and discharging positions may be set in advance. For example, when the sample height h is set to perform stirring by suction and discharge at 0.7 h and 0.3 h, first, the dispensing probe 50 is lowered to the sample height of 0.7 h, and then the sample is aspirated and discharged. After the ejection, the dispensing probe 50 is further lowered to the specimen height of 0.3 h, and then the specimen is aspirated and ejected. More specifically, the agitation control unit 108c drives the probe driving unit 53 and the pump control unit 56 to agitate the descent of the dispensing probe 50 and the suction and discharge of the sample twice or more. I do.
　図４は、検体の吸引および排出位置を予め設定した場合の、全血検体分注の動作図である。攪拌制御部１０８ｃは、分注プローブ５０を検体容器２２内に下降し（図４（４－１））、検体液面を検出後（図４（４－２））、算出部が算出した検体高さｈに基づいて予め設定された検体の吸引および排出位置まで分注プローブ５０を下降して、血漿検体を吸引および吐出する（図４（４－３））。その後、攪拌制御部１０８ｃは、分注プローブ５０を次の検体の吸引および吐出位置まで下降して、血漿と血球が一部混合した検体を吸引および吐出することにより、検体の攪拌を行う（図４（４－４））。攪拌後、攪拌制御部１０８ｃは、算出部１０８ｄが算出した全血検体吸引位置まで分注プローブ５０を移動させ、全血検体を吸引し（図４（４－５））、吸引した検体を反応容器に吐出させる。 FIG. 4 is an operation diagram of whole blood sample dispensing when the sample aspirating and discharging positions are set in advance. The stirring control unit 108c lowers the dispensing probe 50 into the sample container 22 (FIG. 4 (4-1)), and after detecting the sample liquid level (FIG. 4 (4-2)), the sample calculated by the calculation unit The dispensing probe 50 is lowered to a preset sample aspirating and discharging position based on the height h, and the plasma sample is aspirated and discharged (FIG. 4 (4-3)). Thereafter, the agitation control unit 108c lowers the dispensing probe 50 to the next sample aspirating and discharging position, and agitates the sample by aspirating and discharging the sample partially mixed with plasma and blood cells (FIG. 4 (4-4)). After agitation, the agitation control unit 108c moves the dispensing probe 50 to the whole blood sample aspiration position calculated by the calculation unit 108d, aspirates the whole blood sample (FIG. 4 (4-5)), and reacts the aspirated sample. Dispense into container.
　なお、攪拌及び全血検体の分注時間の短縮化のためには、最後に検体の吸引および吐出を行なう位置と、全血検体吸引位置が同じであることが好ましいが、これに限定されるものではない。例えば、検体容器２２底面で検体の吸引および吐出を行ない、検体を攪拌した後、全血検体吸引位置まで分注プローブ５０を上昇させて全血検体を吸引させてもよい。 In order to shorten the stirring time and the dispensing time of the whole blood sample, it is preferable that the position where the specimen is finally aspirated and discharged is the same as the whole blood specimen aspirating position, but it is not limited to this. It is not a thing. For example, the sample may be aspirated and discharged from the bottom surface of the sample container 22 and stirred, and then the whole blood sample may be aspirated by raising the dispensing probe 50 to the whole blood sample aspirating position.
　あるいは、分注プローブ５０による検体の吸引および吐出を、検体の異なる高さ位置で行うために、分注プローブ５０を下降しながら、分注プローブ５０による吸引および吐出を行なってもよい。かかる場合は、分注プローブ５０の下降速度ならびに１回あたりの吸引時間および吐出時間とその回数（吸引速度および吐出速度は一定とする）を予め設定しておけばよい。なお、分注プローブ５０の下降と吸引および吐出を交互に行なう場合、また、分注プローブ５０を下降しながら吸引および吐出を行なう場合のいずれの場合も、検体内への空気の持込による泡立ちを防止するため、検体の吸引から開始するものであり、検体の初回吸引量を吐出量よりダミー量分だけ大きく設定して、吸引したダミー量を分注プローブ内に保持することにより、空気の混入を確実に防止することができる。また、攪拌制御部１０８ｃは、一旦分注プローブ５０を検体容器２２底面まで分注プローブを下降させ、下降による検体の対流を生じさせた後、分注プローブ５０を上昇させながら検体の吸引および吐出を行なってもよい。 Alternatively, in order to perform suction and discharge of the sample by the dispensing probe 50 at different height positions of the sample, the suction and discharge by the dispensing probe 50 may be performed while the dispensing probe 50 is lowered. In such a case, the descending speed of the dispensing probe 50, the suction time and discharge time per time, and the number of times (the suction speed and the discharge speed are constant) may be set in advance. It should be noted that in both cases where the dispensing probe 50 is lowered and aspirated and discharged alternately, and in the case where the suction and discharge are performed while the dispensing probe 50 is lowered, bubbles are caused by the introduction of air into the sample. In order to prevent the sample from being aspirated, the initial aspiration amount of the sample is set larger than the discharge amount by a dummy amount, and the aspirated dummy amount is held in the dispensing probe, thereby Mixing can be reliably prevented. The agitation control unit 108c once lowers the dispensing probe 50 to the bottom surface of the specimen container 22 to cause convection of the specimen due to the lowering, and then aspirates and discharges the specimen while raising the dispensing probe 50. May be performed.
　分注プローブ５０による検体攪拌後、検体分注制御部１０８は全血検体吸引位置まで分注プローブを移動させて、全血検体を吸引する（ステップＳ１１２）。 After sample stirring by the dispensing probe 50, the sample dispensing control unit 108 moves the dispensing probe to the whole blood sample aspirating position and aspirates the whole blood sample (step S112).
　攪拌制御部１０８ｃは、プローブ駆動部５３の駆動により全血検体を吸引した分注プローブ５０を反応テーブル３まで移送し、所定の反応容器３２に吐出する（ステップＳ１１３）。 The agitation control unit 108c transfers the dispensing probe 50, which has aspirated the whole blood sample by driving the probe driving unit 53, to the reaction table 3 and discharges it to the predetermined reaction container 32 (step S113).
　全血検体分注終了後、検体分注制御部１０８は、検体テーブル２にセットされたすべての検体についての分注が終了したか否かを確認する（ステップＳ１１４）。すべての検体の分注が終了した場合は（ステップＳ１１４、Ｙｅｓ）、検体分注処理を終了し、すべての検体の分注が終了していない場合は（ステップＳ１１４、Ｎｏ）、ステップＳ１０１に移行する。 After completing the whole blood sample dispensing, the sample dispensing control unit 108 checks whether or not dispensing for all the samples set in the sample table 2 has been completed (step S114). When the dispensing of all the samples has been completed (step S114, Yes), the sample dispensing process is terminated, and when the dispensing of all the samples has not been completed (No at step S114), the process proceeds to step S101. To do.
　ステップＳ１０２で、判定部１０８ａが全血を試料とする分析項目がないと判定した場合は（ステップＳ１０２、Ｎｏ）、ステップＳ１１５に移行し、検体分注制御部１０８が液面検知部６０により検体液面を検出後（ステップＳ１１５）、分注プローブ５０により血漿検体を吸引し（ステップＳ１１６）、吸引した血漿検体を反応容器３２に吐出する（ステップＳ１１７）。検体分注制御部１０８は、前記検体について、すべての血漿検体の分注が終了するまで（ステップＳ１１８、Ｎｏ）、ステップＳ１１５～Ｓ１１７を繰り返し、前記検体について、すべての血漿検体の分注が終了した場合には（ステップＳ１１８、Ｙｅｓ）、ステップＳ１１４に移行する。 If the determination unit 108a determines in step S102 that there is no analysis item using whole blood as a sample (No in step S102), the process proceeds to step S115, and the sample dispensing control unit 108 uses the liquid level detection unit 60 to perform the sample. After detecting the liquid level (step S115), the plasma sample is aspirated by the dispensing probe 50 (step S116), and the aspirated plasma sample is discharged into the reaction container 32 (step S117). The sample dispensing control unit 108 repeats steps S115 to S117 until dispensing of all plasma samples is completed for the sample (step S118, No), and dispensing of all plasma samples is completed for the sample. If yes (step S118, Yes), the process proceeds to step S114.
　ステップＳ１０３で、判定部１０８ａが血漿を試料とする分析項目がないと判定した場合は（ステップＳ１０３、Ｎｏ）、ステップＳ１０９に移行して、攪拌制御部１０８ｃの制御の元、検体を攪拌した後、全血検体の分注を行う。なお、全血を試料とする分析項目はオーダーされているが、血漿を試料とする分析項目がオーダーされていない検体は、遠心分離処理は行われずに全血状態で検体テーブル２にセットされるが、分注が開始されるまでに血球層が沈降する場合があるため、該検体についても、上述したステップＳ１０９～Ｓ１１１の攪拌方法により攪拌した後、全血検体の分注を行うものとする。 If the determination unit 108a determines in step S103 that there is no analysis item using plasma as a sample (No in step S103), the process proceeds to step S109 and the sample is stirred under the control of the stirring control unit 108c. Dispense whole blood samples. An analysis item using whole blood as a sample is ordered, but a sample for which an analysis item using plasma as a sample is not ordered is set in the sample table 2 in a whole blood state without being subjected to centrifugation. However, since the blood cell layer may settle before dispensing is started, the sample is also agitated by the agitation method in steps S109 to S111 described above, and then the whole blood sample is dispensed. .
　本発明の実施の形態に係る自動分析装置１によれば、ユーザーによる検体容器の転倒混和という作業を行うことなく全血検体の採取が可能となり、これにより、検体容器の転倒混和の際のキャップの付け間違い等による検体コンタミを防止できるだけでなく、転倒混和により生じるおそれのある泡による分注不良の防止も可能となる。さらに、本実施の形態の自動分析装置によれば、層分離した血球層内の新しい血球と古い血球との混和も可能となるため、より正しい測定値を得ることが可能となる。 According to the automatic analyzer 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to collect a whole blood sample without performing the work of inversion mixing of the sample container by the user, and thereby, the cap at the time of inversion mixing of the sample container In addition to preventing sample contamination due to misplacement, etc., it is also possible to prevent dispensing failures due to bubbles that may be caused by overturning mixing. Furthermore, according to the automatic analyzer of the present embodiment, it is possible to mix new blood cells and old blood cells in the separated blood cell layer, so that more accurate measurement values can be obtained.
　図１に示される制御機構１０の記憶部１０４には、自動分析装置１によって実行される処理を制御する制御プログラムがインストールされている。一般に、このような制御プログラムをコンピュータのメモリにインストールすることによって、そのコンピュータを制御機構１０（図１）の一部または全部として機能させることが可能である。このような制御プログラムは、コンピュータの出荷前にメモリにインストールされてもよいし、コンピュータの出荷後にメモリにインストールされてもよい。記録媒体に記録されたプログラムを読み出すことによってプログラムをコンピュータのメモリにインストールしてもよいし、インターネット等のネットワーク経由でダウンロードされたプログラムをコンピュータのメモリにインストールしてもよい。コンピュータとしては任意のタイプのコンピュータを使用することが可能である。 A control program for controlling processing executed by the automatic analyzer 1 is installed in the storage unit 104 of the control mechanism 10 shown in FIG. In general, by installing such a control program in the memory of a computer, the computer can function as part or all of the control mechanism 10 (FIG. 1). 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.
　いったん制御プログラムがコンピュータにインストールされると、そのコンピュータが制御機構３（図１）の一部または全部として機能する。この場合、制御機構１０（図１）が動作することは、インストールされた制御プログラムに対応する制御方法が実行されることを意味する。制御方法は、制御機構の動作方法に対応しているからである。 Once the control program is installed in the computer, the computer functions as part or all of the control mechanism 3 (FIG. 1). In this case, the operation of the control mechanism 10 (FIG. 1) means that a control method corresponding to the installed control program is executed. This is because the control method corresponds to the operation method of the control mechanism.
　以上のように、本発明の好ましい実施形態を用いて本発明を例示してきたが、本発明は、この実施形態に限定して解釈されるべきものではない。本発明は、特許請求の範囲によってのみその範囲が解釈されるべきであることが理解される。当業者は、本発明の具体的な好ましい実施形態の記載から、本発明の記載および技術常識に基づいて等価な範囲を実施することができることが理解される。本明細書において引用した特許、特許出願および文献は、その内容自体が具体的に本明細書に記載されているのと同様にその内容が本明細書に対する参考として援用されるべきであることが理解される。 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.
　本出願は、日本国出願特願２００９－２８８２７７に対して優先権を主張するものであり、その全体の内容は、具体的に本明細書に記載されているのと同様に本明細書の一部を構成するものとして援用されるべきであることが理解される。 This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-288277, and the entire contents thereof are the same as those specifically described in this specification. It should be understood that it should be incorporated as a component.
　以上のように、本発明の自動分注装置、および検体攪拌方法および検体分注方法は、血漿検体と全血検体とを両方分析する分析装置に有用であり、特に分析精度が要求される分析装置の分野に適している。 As described above, the automatic dispensing device, the sample agitation method, and the sample dispensing method of the present invention are useful for an analyzer that analyzes both a plasma sample and a whole blood sample, and particularly an analysis that requires analysis accuracy. Suitable for the field of equipment.
　１　　　　　自動分析装置
　２　　　　　検体テーブル
　３　　　　　反応テーブル
　６、８　　　分注プローブ洗浄装置
　２１　　　　検体容器収納部
　２２　　　　検体容器
　２３、４３　読取部
　３２　　　　反応容器
　３３　　　　測光装置
　３３ａ　　　光源
　３３ｂ　　　受光部
　３４　　　　反応容器洗浄装置
　４　　　　　試薬テーブル
　４１　　　　試薬容器収納部
　４２　　　　試薬容器
　５　　　　　検体分注装置
　５０　　　　分注プローブ
　５３　　　　分注プローブ駆動部
　５１、５２　配管
　５５　　　　分注ポンプ
　５５ａ　　　シリンジ
　５５ｂ　　　ピストン
　５６　　　　ポンプ駆動部
　５７　　　　タンク
　５８　　　　電磁弁
　５９　　　　送液ポンプ
　７　　　　　試薬分注装置
　９　　　　　測定機構
　１０　　　　制御機構
　１０１　　　制御部
　１０２　　　入力部
　１０３　　　分析部
　１０４　　　記憶部
　１０５　　　出力部
　１０６　　　表示部
　１０７　　　送受信部
　１０８　　　検体分注制御部
　１０８ａ　　判定部
　１０８ｂ　　変更部
　１０８ｃ　　攪拌制御部
　１０８ｄ　　算出部
　Ｌ１　　　　押し出し水 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic analyzer 2 Sample table 3 Reaction table 6, 8 Dispensing probe washing apparatus 21 Sample container storage part 22 Sample container 23, 43 Reading part 32 Reaction container 33 Photometry apparatus 33a Light source 33b Light receiving part 34 Reaction container washing apparatus 4 Reagent table 41 Reagent container storage unit 42 Reagent container 5 Sample dispensing device 50 Dispensing probe 53 Dispensing probe driving unit 51, 52 Piping 55 Dispensing pump 55a Syringe 55b Piston 56 Pump driving unit 57 Tank 58 Solenoid valve 59 Liquid feeding pump 7 Reagent Dispensing device 9 Measuring mechanism 10 Control mechanism 101 Control unit 102 Input unit 103 Analysis unit 104 Storage unit 105 Output unit 106 Display unit 107 Transmission / reception unit 108 Sample dispensing control unit 108a Determination unit 108b Further part 108c Stirring control part 108d Calculation part L1 Push water

Claims (24)

  1. 　検体を収容するための検体容器を収納する検体容器収納部と、
    　前記検体を分析するために使用される試薬のための試薬容器を収納する試薬容器収納部と、
    　前記試薬を反応させるための反応容器を収納する反応容器収納部と、
    　前記検体容器に収容された検体を分注する分注プローブを有する検体分注手段であって、前記検体分注手段によって前記反応容器に前記検体が分注される、検体分注手段と、
    　前記検体容器内に収容される検体液面を検出する液面検知手段と、
    　前記分注プローブを前記検体容器内に降下させ、前記液面検知手段で検出した検体液面に到達後、前記分注プローブにより前記検体の吸引と吐出とを複数回繰り返すことにより前記検体を攪拌するよう制御する攪拌制御手段と、
    　を備える、
    前記反応容器内で試薬と反応させて前記検体を分析する自動分析装置。     A sample container storage unit for storing a sample container for storing a sample;
    A reagent container storage section for storing a reagent container for a reagent used for analyzing the specimen;
    A reaction container storage for storing a reaction container for reacting the reagent;
    A sample dispensing means having a dispensing probe for dispensing a sample contained in the sample container, wherein the sample is dispensed into the reaction container by the sample dispensing means;
    A liquid level detecting means for detecting a sample liquid level contained in the sample container;
    The dispensing probe is lowered into the sample container, and after reaching the sample liquid level detected by the liquid level detection means, the sample is agitated by repeating aspiration and discharge of the sample a plurality of times by the dispensing probe. Stirring control means for controlling so as to
    Comprising
    An automatic analyzer for analyzing the specimen by reacting with a reagent in the reaction container.
  2. 　前記検体は血液検体であって、
    　前記検体の分析項目を取得する検体情報取得手段と、
    　前記検体情報取得手段が取得した前記検体の分析項目に全血検体を試料とする分析項目があるか否かを判定する判定手段と、
    　を備え、前記判定手段が全血検体を試料とする分析項目があると判定した場合に、前記攪拌制御手段は、前記分析項目用に全血検体を分注する前に前記分注プローブにより前記検体の吸引と吐出とを複数回繰り返すことにより前記検体を攪拌するよう制御する、請求項１に記載の自動分析装置。     The sample is a blood sample,
    Sample information acquisition means for acquiring analysis items of the sample;
    A determination unit for determining whether or not there is an analysis item using a whole blood sample as a sample in the analysis item of the sample acquired by the sample information acquisition unit;
    And when the determination means determines that there is an analysis item using the whole blood sample as a sample, the stirring control means uses the dispensing probe to dispense the whole blood sample for the analysis item. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the sample is controlled to be agitated by repeating aspiration and discharge of the sample a plurality of times.
  3. 　前記攪拌制御手段は、前記分注プローブによる前記検体の吸引と吐出とによる攪拌を、吸引から開始させるよう制御する、請求項１に記載の自動分析装置。 The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the agitation control means controls the agitation by the aspiration and discharge of the specimen by the dispensing probe to start from aspiration.
  4. 　前記検体情報取得手段は前記検体容器の種類を含む検体容器情報を取得し、
    　前記検体情報取得手段が取得した検体容器情報と、前記液面検知手段が検出した検体液面位置に基づき検体高さを算出する算出手段を備え、
    　前記攪拌制御手段は、前記分注プローブによる前記検体の吸引と吐出とを、前記算出手段が算出した検体高さに基づき、異なる高さ位置で行うよう制御する、請求項１に記載の自動分析装置。     The sample information acquisition means acquires sample container information including the type of the sample container,
    A calculation means for calculating the sample height based on the sample container information acquired by the sample information acquisition means and the sample liquid level position detected by the liquid level detection means;
    The automatic analysis according to claim 1, wherein the agitation control unit controls the aspiration and discharge of the sample by the dispensing probe to be performed at different height positions based on the sample height calculated by the calculation unit. apparatus.
  5. 　前記攪拌制御手段は、前記分注プローブによる前記検体の初回吸引量を吐出量より大きく設定する、請求項１に記載の自動分析装置。 2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the stirring control means sets an initial suction amount of the specimen by the dispensing probe to be larger than a discharge amount.
  6. 　前記攪拌制御手段は、前記分注プローブにより前記検体の吸引と吐出とを繰り返しながら、前記分注プローブを前記検体容器底面方向に向かって降下するよう制御する、請求項１に記載の自動分析装置。 2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the agitation control unit controls the dispensing probe to descend toward the bottom surface of the sample container while repeating suction and discharge of the sample by the dispensing probe. .
  7. 　前記攪拌制御手段は、前記分注プローブによる前記検体の吸引および吐出の後、前記分注プローブを下降し、前記吸引・吐出と前記下降とを繰り返し行うよう制御する、請求項１に記載の自動分析装置。 2. The automatic control according to claim 1, wherein the agitation control means controls to lower the dispensing probe after the suction and discharge of the specimen by the dispensing probe and to repeatedly perform the suction / discharge and the lowering. Analysis equipment.
  8. 　前記検体は、血漿と血球に層分離した血液検体である、請求項１に記載の自動分析装置。 The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the sample is a blood sample separated into plasma and blood cells.
  9. 　前記判定手段は、前記検体の分析項目に血漿検体を試料とする分析項目があるか否かを判定し、
    　前記判定手段が、前記検体の分析項目に全血検体を試料とする分析項目と血漿検体を試料とする分析項目とがあると判定した場合、前記検体の分析項目の順番を、全血検体を試料とする分析項目が最後となるように変更する変更手段を備え、
    　前記攪拌制御手段は、前記血漿を試料とする分析項目の分注が終了した後、前記検体の攪拌を行うよう制御する、請求項８に記載の自動分析装置。     The determination means determines whether or not there is an analysis item using a plasma sample as a sample in the analysis item of the sample,
    When the determination unit determines that the analysis item of the sample includes an analysis item having a whole blood sample as a sample and an analysis item having a plasma sample as a sample, the order of the analysis items of the sample is determined as a whole blood sample. It is equipped with changing means to change the analysis item to be the sample to the last,
    The automatic analyzer according to claim 8, wherein the agitation control means controls to agitate the specimen after dispensing of analysis items using the plasma as a sample is completed.
  10. 　全血検体を試料とする分析項目はＨｂＡ１ｃである、請求項１に記載の自動分析装置。 2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the analysis item using the whole blood sample as a sample is HbA1c.
  11. 　前記算出手段は、算出した検体高さに基づき検体吸引位置を算出し、
    　前記攪拌制御手段は、前記検体の攪拌後、前記算出手段が算出した検体吸引位置において、前記分注プローブにより全血検体を吸引採取するよう制御する、請求項１に記載の自動分析装置。     The calculation means calculates a sample aspiration position based on the calculated sample height,
    2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the agitation control unit controls to aspirate and collect a whole blood sample with the dispensing probe at the sample aspiration position calculated by the calculation unit after the sample is agitated.
  12. 　検体容器に収容された検体を分注する分注プローブを有する検体分注手段によって前記検体を反応容器に分注し、前記反応容器内で試薬と反応させて前記検体を分析する自動分析装置における検体攪拌方法であって、
    　前記検体容器内に収容される検体液面を検出する液面検知ステップと、
    　前記分注プローブを前記検体容器内に降下させ、前記液面検知ステップで検出した検体液面に到達後、前記分注プローブにより前記検体の吸引と吐出とを繰り返すことにより前記検体を攪拌する攪拌ステップと、
    　を含む、自動分析装置の検体攪拌方法。     In an automatic analyzer that dispenses the sample into a reaction container by a sample dispensing means having a dispensing probe that dispenses the sample contained in the sample container, and reacts with the reagent in the reaction container to analyze the sample A sample stirring method,
    A liquid level detection step for detecting a sample liquid level stored in the sample container;
    Stirring that agitates the sample by lowering the dispensing probe into the sample container and repeatedly aspirating and discharging the sample by the dispensing probe after reaching the sample liquid level detected in the liquid level detection step Steps,
    A sample stirring method for an automatic analyzer, comprising:
  13. 　前記検体は血液検体であって、
    　前記検体の分析項目を取得する検体情報取得ステップと、
    　前記検体情報取得ステップが取得した前記検体の分析項目に全血検体を試料とする分析項目があるか否かを判定する判定ステップと、
    　を含み、前記判定ステップが全血検体を試料とする分析項目があると判定した場合に、前記攪拌ステップは、前記分析項目用に全血検体を分注する前に前記分注プローブにより前記検体の吸引と吐出とを複数回繰り返すことにより前記検体を攪拌するよう制御する、請求項１２に記載の自動分析装置の検体攪拌方法。     The sample is a blood sample,
    A sample information obtaining step for obtaining an analysis item of the sample;
    A determination step of determining whether or not there is an analysis item using a whole blood sample as a sample in the analysis item of the sample acquired by the sample information acquisition step;
    And when the determination step determines that there is an analysis item using the whole blood sample as a sample, the agitation step includes the sample by the dispensing probe before dispensing the whole blood sample for the analysis item. The specimen agitation method for an automatic analyzer according to claim 12, wherein the specimen is agitated by repeating aspiration and discharge a plurality of times.
  14. 　前記攪拌ステップは、前記分注プローブによる前記検体の吸引と吐出とによる攪拌を、吸引から開始させるよう制御する、請求項１２に記載の自動分析装置の検体攪拌方法。 The sample agitation method of the automatic analyzer according to claim 12, wherein the agitation step controls the agitation by the aspiration and discharge of the sample by the dispensing probe to start from aspiration.
  15. 　前記検体情報取得ステップは前記検体容器の種類を含む検体容器情報を取得し、
    　前記検体情報取得ステップが取得した検体容器情報と、前記液面検知ステップが検出した検体液面位置に基づき検体高さを算出する算出ステップを含み、
    　前記攪拌ステップは、前記分注プローブによる前記検体の吸引と吐出とを、前記算出ステップが算出した検体高さに基づき、異なる高さ位置で行うよう制御する、請求項１２に記載の自動分析装置の検体攪拌方法。     The sample information acquisition step acquires sample container information including the type of the sample container,
    A calculation step of calculating a sample height based on the sample container information acquired by the sample information acquisition step and the sample liquid level position detected by the liquid level detection step;
    The automatic analyzer according to claim 12, wherein the agitation step controls the aspiration and discharge of the sample by the dispensing probe to be performed at different height positions based on the sample height calculated by the calculation step. Sample stirring method.
  16. 　前記攪拌ステップは、前記分注プローブによる前記検体の初回吸引量を吐出量より大きく設定する、請求項１２に記載の自動分析装置の検体攪拌方法。 The sample agitating method of the automatic analyzer according to claim 12, wherein the agitating step sets an initial aspiration amount of the sample by the dispensing probe to be larger than a discharge amount.
  17. 　前記攪拌ステップは、前記分注プローブによる前記検体の吸引と吐出とを行いながら、前記分注プローブを前記検体容器底面方向に向かって降下して攪拌する、請求項１２に記載の自動分析装置の検体攪拌方法。 13. The automatic analyzer according to claim 12, wherein in the stirring step, the dispensing probe is lowered toward the bottom surface of the sample container and stirred while the sample is aspirated and discharged by the dispensing probe. Sample stirring method.
  18. 　前記攪拌ステップは、前記分注プローブによる前記検体の吸引および吐出の後、前記分注プローブを下降し、前記吸引・吐出と前記下降とを繰り返し行うことにより攪拌する、請求項１２に記載の自動分析装置の検体攪拌方法。 The automatic stirring according to claim 12, wherein the agitation step lowers the dispensing probe after the sample is aspirated and discharged by the dispensing probe, and agitates by repeatedly performing the aspiration / discharge and the descent. Analyte sample agitation method.
  19. 　前記判定ステップは、前記検体の分析項目に血漿検体を試料とする分析項目があるか否かを判定し、
    　前記判定ステップが、前記検体の分析項目に全血検体を試料とする分析項目と血漿検体を試料とする分析項目とがあると判定した場合、前記検体の分析項目の順番を、全血検体を試料とする分析項目が最後となるように変更する変更ステップを含み、
    　前記攪拌ステップは、前記血漿を試料とする分析項目の分注が終了した後、前記検体の攪拌を行うよう制御する、請求項１２に記載の自動分析装置の検体攪拌方法。     In the determination step, it is determined whether there is an analysis item using a plasma sample as a sample in the analysis item of the sample,
    When the determination step determines that the analysis item of the sample includes an analysis item using a whole blood sample as an analysis item and an analysis item using a plasma sample as a sample, the order of the analysis items of the sample is determined as a whole blood sample. Including a change step for changing the analysis item to be a sample to the last,
    The sample agitation method of the automatic analyzer according to claim 12, wherein the agitation step is controlled to agitate the sample after dispensing of analysis items using the plasma as a sample is completed.
  20. 　全血検体を試料とする分析項目はＨｂＡ１ｃである、請求項１２に記載の自動分析装置の検体攪拌方法。 The sample agitating method of the automatic analyzer according to claim 12, wherein the analysis item using the whole blood sample as a sample is HbA1c.
  21. 　検体容器に収容された検体を分注する分注プローブを有する検体分注手段によって検体を反応容器に分注し、前記反応容器内で試薬と反応させて前記検体を分析する自動分析装置における検体分注方法であって、
    　請求項１２に記載の検体攪拌方法により前記検体を攪拌した後、算出ステップが算出した検体高さに基づき検体吸引位置を算出し、
    　算出した検体吸引位置において、前記分注プローブにより全血検体を吸引し、吸引した全血検体を前記反応容器に吐出する、自動分析装置の検体分注方法。     A sample in an automatic analyzer that dispenses a sample into a reaction container by a sample dispensing means having a dispensing probe for dispensing a sample contained in the sample container, and reacts with the reagent in the reaction container to analyze the sample A dispensing method,
    The sample aspiration position is calculated based on the sample height calculated by the calculation step after the sample is stirred by the sample stirring method according to claim 12.
    A sample dispensing method for an automatic analyzer, wherein a whole blood sample is aspirated by the dispensing probe at a calculated sample aspirating position, and the aspirated whole blood sample is discharged into the reaction container.
  22. 検体容器に収容された検体を分注する分注プローブを有する検体分注手段によって前記検体を反応容器に分注し、前記反応容器内で試薬と反応させて前記検体を分析する自動分析装置における検体の攪拌を制御する制御機構であって、前記検体容器内に収容される検体液面を検出する液面検知手段と、前記分注プローブを前記検体容器内に降下させ、前記液面検知手段で検出した検体液面に到達後、前記分注プローブにより前記検体の吸引と吐出とを複数回繰り返すことにより前記検体を攪拌するよう制御する攪拌制御手段と、を備える、制御機構。 In an automatic analyzer that dispenses the specimen into a reaction container by a specimen dispensing means having a dispensing probe that dispenses the specimen contained in the specimen container, and reacts with the reagent in the reaction container to analyze the specimen A control mechanism for controlling agitation of the sample, the liquid level detecting means for detecting the sample liquid level accommodated in the sample container, and the dispensing probe being lowered into the sample container, and the liquid level detecting means And a stirring control means for controlling the sample to be stirred by repeating aspiration and discharge of the sample a plurality of times by the dispensing probe after reaching the sample liquid level detected in step (b).
  23. 　検体容器に収容された検体を分注する分注プローブを有する検体分注手段によって前記検体を反応容器に分注し、前記反応容器内で試薬と反応させて前記検体を分析する自動分析装置における検体の攪拌を制御する制御プログラムであって、前記制御プログラムは、操作者からの指示に従って前記自動分析装置によって実行される処理を実装するためのものであり、前記処理は、
    　前記検体容器内に収容される検体液面を検出する液面検知手順と、
    　前記分注プローブを前記検体容器内に降下させ、前記液面検知手順で検出した検体液面に到達後、前記分注プローブにより前記検体の吸引と吐出とを繰り返すことにより前記検体を攪拌する攪拌手順と、
    　を含む、プログラム。     In an automatic analyzer that dispenses the specimen into a reaction container by a specimen dispensing means having a dispensing probe that dispenses the specimen contained in the specimen container, and reacts with the reagent in the reaction container to analyze the specimen A control program for controlling agitation of a sample, wherein the control program is for implementing a process executed by the automatic analyzer according to an instruction from an operator,
    A liquid level detection procedure for detecting a sample liquid level contained in the sample container;
    Stirring that agitates the sample by lowering the dispensing probe into the sample container and, after reaching the sample liquid level detected by the liquid level detection procedure, aspirating and discharging the sample by the dispensing probe. Procedure and
    Including the program.
  24. 　検体容器に収容された検体を分注する分注プローブを有する検体分注手段によって前記検体を反応容器に分注し、前記反応容器内で試薬と反応させて前記検体を分析する自動分析装置における検体の攪拌を制御する制御プログラムを記録したコンピュータ読み取り可能な記録媒体であって、前記制御プログラムは、操作者からの指示に従って前記自動分析装置によって実行される処理を実装するためのものであり、前記処理は、
    　前記検体容器内に収容される検体液面を検出する液面検知手順と、
    　前記分注プローブを前記検体容器内に降下させ、前記液面検知手順で検出した検体液面に到達後、前記分注プローブにより前記検体の吸引と吐出とを繰り返すことにより前記検体を攪拌する攪拌手順と、
    　を含む、記録媒体。     In an automatic analyzer that dispenses the specimen into a reaction container by a specimen dispensing means having a dispensing probe that dispenses the specimen contained in the specimen container, and reacts with the reagent in the reaction container to analyze the specimen A computer-readable recording medium that records a control program for controlling agitation of a sample, the control program for implementing a process executed by the automatic analyzer according to an instruction from an operator, The process is
    A liquid level detection procedure for detecting a sample liquid level contained in the sample container;
    Stirring that agitates the sample by lowering the dispensing probe into the sample container and, after reaching the sample liquid level detected by the liquid level detection procedure, aspirating and discharging the sample by the dispensing probe. Procedure and
    Including a recording medium.
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