WO2022196157A1

WO2022196157A1 - Automated analysis device and flow path confirmation method

Info

Publication number: WO2022196157A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/004287
Authority: WO
Inventors: 隼佑宮本; 創山崎
Original assignee: 株式会社日立ハイテク
Priority date: 2021-03-15
Filing date: 2022-02-03
Publication date: 2022-09-22
Also published as: JPWO2022196157A1

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an automated analysis device with which it is possible to cut running cost by reducing the use amount of reagents and detergents and suppressing the exchange frequency of reagent containers and detergent containers. To achieve this purpose, the automated analysis device according to the present invention comprises: a flow path through which a plurality of types of fluids flow; a pump for supplying the fluids to the flow path; a measurement unit for measuring the physical quantity relating to each of the fluids supplied through the flow path; and a determination unit for determining that, on the basis of the physical quantity measured by the measurement unit, a fluid inside the flow path on the upstream side of the measurement unit has been replaced with a specific fluid.

Description

Autoanalyzer and its flow path confirmation method

The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer and its flow channel confirmation method.

The automatic analyzer is a device that performs quantitative and qualitative analysis of the components of biological samples (hereinafter referred to as samples) such as serum and urine using optical and electrical analysis methods. Among analysis methods, there is a method in which a plurality of types of liquids such as samples and reagents are supplied at different timings into a flow path including an analysis unit, and the components of each liquid are analyzed. Further, in the automatic analyzer, an operation of discharging a cleaning solution obtained by combining detergent and water supplied through a common flow path is performed to clean the reaction vessel after analysis.

Also, a technique using a conductivity sensor is known as a technique for measuring the physical quantity of liquid in a flow path. For example, in Patent Document 1, a reagent after preparation is measured by a conductivity sensor and it is determined whether or not the measured value is within a predetermined range. (Paragraph 0095, etc.).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-54198

As described above, the automatic analyzer may switch the type of liquid flowing through the same flow path at a predetermined timing to supply different types of liquids to desired locations. At this time, in the current automatic analyzer, an excessive amount of liquid had to be supplied so that a specific liquid could be reliably supplied regardless of the individual differences of the apparatuses and the installation environment.

Further, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, a mixed liquid in which a plurality of types of liquids, namely reagents and water, are premixed exists in a channel provided with a conductivity sensor, and the concentration of this mixed liquid is This is what the conductivity sensor measures. Therefore, it cannot be confirmed that a specific liquid is being supplied at a predetermined timing.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer that can reduce running costs by reducing the amount of reagents and detergents used and suppressing the frequency of replacement of reagent containers and detergent containers.

In order to solve the above problems, the automatic analyzer of the present invention relates to the same flow path through which a plurality of types of liquids flow, a pump that supplies the liquid to the flow path, and the liquid supplied to the flow path. A measurement unit that measures a physical quantity, and a determination unit that determines, based on the physical quantity measured by the measurement unit, that a flow channel upstream of the measurement unit has been replaced with a specific liquid.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an automatic analyzer that can reduce running costs by reducing the amount of reagents and detergents used and suppressing the replacement frequency of reagent containers and detergent containers.

Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will be clarified by the following description of the embodiment.

1 is an example of a schematic block diagram of an automatic analyzer for electrolyte analysis to which Embodiment 1 is applied; FIG. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a controller, in particular, a configuration related to an operation sequence for determining replacement of liquid in a channel; An example of a flow chart for electrolyte analysis. 4 is a time chart showing an operation sequence of each part in the automatic analyzer according to Example 1; 4 is a time chart showing another operation sequence of each part in the automatic analyzer according to Example 1; 4 is a flowchart showing processing of a syringe pump; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the conductivity measuring part and the flow path around it in Example 1; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of another conductivity measuring part and its peripheral flow path in Example 1; An example of a schematic configuration diagram of an automatic analyzer that performs detergent dilution to which Embodiment 2 is applied. An example of a schematic configuration diagram of a detergent dilution channel in the automatic analyzer of Example 2. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the process from diluting the detergent with water to discharging it into the reaction container. 6 is a time chart showing the operation sequence of each part in the automatic analyzer according to Example 2;

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. The automatic analyzer according to the present embodiment performs measurement for measuring physical quantities related to liquids in the same flow path to which multiple types of liquids (samples, reagents, detergents, water, etc.) are supplied at different timings during analysis or maintenance. department is provided. Then, the determination unit of the automatic analyzer according to the present embodiment determines that the inside of the flow path on the upstream side of the measurement unit has been replaced with a specific liquid, based on the physical quantity measured by the measurement unit. As a result, the amount of liquid to be fed is optimized, and an automatic analyzer capable of reducing the amount of liquid used can be provided.

In the first embodiment, when the automatic analyzer 10 analyzes, the measurement unit measures the conductivity of the liquid in the flow channel, and when the conductivity reaches a predetermined value, the determination unit determines that the liquid in the analysis unit is the object of analysis. It is determined that the liquid has been replaced. Therefore, according to the automatic analyzer 10 of the present embodiment, the timing at which the liquid is completely replaced can be accurately determined, and the amount of excessively supplied liquid can be reduced.

Here, electrolyte analysis will be described as an example of analysis. In the electrolyte analysis, a sample is supplied into a flow channel including an electrolyte analysis section, and the potential difference from a reference solution is measured as the ion concentration (electrolyte concentration) in the sample. In order to accurately measure the electrolyte concentration, after the analysis, it is necessary to supply a standard solution (reagent) into the channel including the electrolyte analysis section and remove the sample from the previous analysis from the channel. In addition, in order to prevent data abnormalities due to contamination in the channel, a cleaning liquid is supplied into the channel at regular intervals to clean the channel and the analysis unit.

Therefore, in order to carry out the analysis normally, it is necessary to completely replace the sample, the reagent and the cleaning solution without leaving the liquid supplied in the flow channel before the analysis, and the liquid to be analyzed in the electrolyte analysis section. must be completely filled with

FIG. 1 is an example of a schematic configuration diagram of an automatic analyzer 10 that performs electrolyte analysis to which Embodiment 1 is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic analyzer 10 of this embodiment includes an analysis unit 11 and an operation unit 12. As shown in FIG.

The analysis unit 11 is a unit that analyzes requested items on the sample and outputs analysis results. This analysis unit 11 includes a sample disk 102, a dilution tank 103, a diluent container 104, a cleaning solution container 105, a reagent container 106, a sample pipetting probe 107, an electrolyte analysis section 108, a syringe pump 109, A dilution pump 110 , a washing solenoid valve 115 , a reagent solenoid valve 116 , a dilution solenoid valve 117 , a suction side solenoid valve 118 , a drain side solenoid valve 119 , and a conductivity measuring section 111 are provided. Note that the reagent electromagnetic valve 116 and the dilution electromagnetic valve 117 are located upstream of the electrolyte analysis unit 108 and are electromagnetic valves that switch the liquid supplied to the flow path between the reagent and the diluted sample. On the other hand, the suction side solenoid valve 118 is positioned downstream of the conductivity measuring section 111 and is a solenoid valve that opens and closes the flow path.

A sample container 101 (collection tube) is mounted on the circumference of the sample disk 102 . Between the sample disk 102 and the dilution tank 103, a sample pipetting probe 107 is installed which can rotate and move up and down. The sample dispensing probe 107 rotates and moves vertically to dispense the sample from the sample container 101 to the dilution tank 103 . The dilution tank 103 has an open cup-shaped upper surface and a channel connected to a syringe pump 109 on its bottom surface. The dilution pump 110 transfers the diluent from the diluent container 104 to the dilution tank 103 . In the dilution tank 103 , the sample and the diluent are agitated by the water pressure of the dilution pump 110 when the liquid is fed, and the sample is diluted.

The conductivity measurement unit 111 is a measurement unit that measures the electrical conductivity as a physical quantity related to the liquid supplied to the channel. In addition, the electrolyte analysis unit 108 measures a physical quantity different from the physical quantity measured by the conductivity measurement unit in order to analyze the components of the liquid. is an analysis part that analyzes the electrolyte concentration in the sample by measuring the potential of The syringe pump 109 supplies the liquid to the channel by sucking and discharging the liquid. A flow path upstream of the syringe pump 109 is provided with a suction-side solenoid valve 118, a conductivity measuring section 111, an electrolyte analysis section 108, and a branch section branching in three directions in order toward the upstream. . Further, a cleaning electromagnetic valve 115 is positioned in the first direction in which the branching portion branches, and a cleaning liquid container 105 is connected to the flow path on the upstream side thereof. A reagent electromagnetic valve 116 is positioned in the second direction in which the branching portion branches, and the reagent container 106 is connected to the flow path on the upstream side thereof. A dilution electromagnetic valve 117 is positioned in the third direction in which the branching section branches, and the dilution pump 110 and the dilution tank 103 are connected to the upstream side thereof.

The operation unit 12 is a part that plays a role of controlling the information of the entire system of the automatic analyzer 10, and has a computer 112 and a controller 113.

The computer 112 includes a display section and an input section. The display unit displays various screens such as analysis request items and analysis results. The input unit is used by an operator or the like to input various parameter settings, start or stop of analysis, etc., based on the operation screen displayed on the display unit.

The controller 113 is connected to each mechanism within the analysis unit 11, and includes a control section, a data acquisition section, a calculation section, a determination section, and a storage section. The control unit controls operations of the syringe pump 109, each solenoid valve, the electrolyte analysis unit 108, the conductivity measurement unit 111, and the like. The data acquisition unit acquires data measured by the electrolyte analysis unit 108 and the conductivity measurement unit 111 . The computation unit computes the electrolyte concentration in the sample to be analyzed based on the potential and the like measured by the electrolyte analysis unit 108 . Based on the conductivity measured by the conductivity measurement unit 111, the determination unit determines whether or not the flow path on the upstream side of the conductivity measurement unit 111 has been replaced with a specific liquid. The storage unit stores time charts and operation parameters necessary for the operation of each mechanism, various information on samples, diluents, reagents, and cleaning solutions, analysis results, as well as calculations using the electrolyte analysis unit 108 and the conductivity measurement unit 111. Stores reference data and the like used for determination.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the controller 113, particularly related to the operation sequence for determining replacement of the liquid in the channel. As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 113 pre-stores a conductivity data acquisition unit 131 that acquires conductivity measurement data from the conductivity measurement unit 111, and a conductivity reference data of the liquid supplied into the channel. The conductivity data acquired by the conductivity data acquisition unit 131 is within a predetermined range by referring to the reference conductivity storage unit 133 and the reference data stored in the reference conductivity storage unit 133. and a syringe pump control unit 134 for controlling the syringe pump.

In this embodiment, the automatic analyzer 10 that performs electrolyte analysis is described, but the analysis items are not limited to electrolyte analysis. It can be applied as long as it has a channel through which a plurality of types of liquids pass.

Next, an outline of electrolyte analysis will be explained. FIG. 3 is an example of a flow chart of electrolyte analysis. Note that the electrolyte analysis process shown in FIG. 3 is mainly controlled by the controller 113 .

As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 113 first operates the syringe pump 109 to aspirate the reagent (step S101). As a result, the channel in the electrolyte analysis section 108 is filled with the reagent.

Next, the controller 113 measures the potential of the liquid (reagent) in the electrolyte analysis unit 108 by controlling the electrolyte analysis unit 108 (step S102). The measured data is stored in the storage section of the controller 113 via the data acquisition section.

Next, the controller 113 operates the sample dispensing probe 107 to dispense the sample from the sample container 101 to the dilution tank 103 (step S103).

Next, the controller 113 operates the dilution pump 110 to discharge the diluent into the dilution tank 103 (step S104). As a result, the sample is diluted so that the sample amount and the diluent amount become the set ratio.

Next, the controller 113 operates the syringe pump 109 to aspirate the diluted sample in the dilution tank 103 (step S105). As a result, the channel in the electrolyte analysis section 108 is filled with the diluted sample.

Next, the controller 113 measures the potential of the liquid (diluted sample) in the electrolyte analysis unit 108 by controlling the electrolyte analysis unit 108 (step S106). The measured data is stored in the storage section of the controller 113 via the data acquisition section.

Next, the controller 113 uses the potential of the reagent and the potential of the diluted sample to calculate the electrolyte concentration of the analyte contained in the sample (step S107), stores it in the storage unit, and displays it on the computer 112. section (step S108).

Here, when a plurality of samples are continuously subjected to electrolyte analysis, after step S107 is completed, the process returns to step S101, and steps S102 to S108 are repeated thereafter.

Next, the specific processing when the automatic analyzer 10 according to the present embodiment performs electrolyte analysis while performing liquid replacement determination will be described. FIG. 4 is a time chart showing the operation sequence of each part in the automatic analyzer 10 according to the first embodiment.

First, the operation sequence (T1) when analyzing the electrolyte concentration of the reagent will be described.

The reagent electromagnetic valve 116 and the suction-side electromagnetic valve 118 open the flow path including the electrolyte analysis unit 108 and the conductivity measurement unit 111 (S11), and the syringe pump 109 starts the suction operation. After a certain amount of the reagent is supplied to the channel, the syringe pump 109 stops the suction operation, and the conductivity measuring section 111 measures the conductivity of the liquid in the conductivity measuring section 111 (S12). The measured conductivity is stored in the storage section of the controller 113 and output to the display section of the computer 112 . When the conductivity measuring unit 111 measures a predetermined conductivity, the flow path is replaced with the reagent, so the flow path is blocked by the reagent electromagnetic valve 116 and the suction side electromagnetic valve 118 (S13).

In this way, it is desirable that each electromagnetic valve shuts off the flow path after the conductivity is measured in S12 and the determination unit 132 determines that the replacement of the liquid (replacement with the reagent) is completed. If the conductivity is to be measured after each solenoid valve has blocked the flow path, each solenoid valve must be opened again if the conductivity has not reached a predetermined level. The opening/closing operation of the solenoid valve causes the liquid in the flow path to sway, and as a result, the measurement and analysis in the conductivity measurement unit 111 and the electrolyte analysis unit 108 are affected.

After that, the flow path on the downstream side of the syringe pump 109 is opened by the drain-side electromagnetic valve 119 (S14), and the syringe pump 109 performs the return-to-origin operation (S15), whereby the residual liquid is discharged to the drain section 114. be done. When the discharge of the residual liquid is completed, the flow path is blocked by the discharge side electromagnetic valve 119 (S16). At this time, the electrolyte analysis unit 108 measures the potential of the liquid (reagent) (S17).

Next, the operation sequence (T2) when analyzing the electrolyte concentration of the sample will be described.

For each sample in the sample container 101 arranged on the sample disk 102, the sample is dispensed from the predetermined sample container 101 to the dilution tank 103 by the sample dispensing probe 107 according to the analysis item requested by the computer 112. be done. Further, the dilution pump 110 sends a predetermined amount of diluent to the dilution tank 103 to dilute the sample (S18). Thereafter, the dilution solenoid valve 117 and the suction side solenoid valve 118 open the flow path including the electrolyte analysis section 108 and the conductivity measurement section 111 (S19), and the syringe pump 109 starts suction operation. After a certain amount of the sample is supplied to the channel, the syringe pump 109 stops the suction operation, and the conductivity measuring section 111 measures the conductivity of the liquid in the conductivity measuring section 111 (S20). The measured conductivity is stored in the storage section of the controller 113 and output to the display section of the computer 112 . When the conductivity measuring unit 111 measures a predetermined conductivity, the channel is replaced with the diluted sample, so the channel is blocked by the dilution solenoid valve 117 and the suction side solenoid valve 118 ( S21).

After that, the flow path on the downstream side of the syringe pump 109 is opened by the drain-side solenoid valve 119 (S22), and the syringe pump 109 performs the return-to-origin operation (S23), whereby the residual liquid is discharged to the drain section 114. be done. When the discharge of the residual liquid is completed, the flow path is blocked by the discharge side electromagnetic valve 119 (S24). At this time, the electrolyte analysis unit 108 measures the potential of the liquid (diluted sample) (S25).

FIG. 5 is a time chart showing another operation sequence of each part in the automatic analyzer 10 according to the first embodiment. In the operation sequence shown in FIG. 5, unlike the operation sequence shown in FIG. 4, the conductivity measurement unit 111 continuously measures the conductivity in parallel with the suction operation of the syringe pump 109 . The operation sequence other than the reagent conductivity measurement operation (S26) and the diluted sample conductivity measurement operation (S27) by the conductivity measurement unit 111 is the same as in FIG.

In the case of the operation sequence shown in FIG. 5, as compared with the case of the operation sequence shown in FIG. It is possible to make a good judgment and reduce the amount of excessively supplied liquid as much as possible. However, since the conductivity measuring unit 111 measures the current flowing between the electrodes, if the current continuously flows through the liquid, the liquid may deteriorate. , the sequence of operations of FIG. In addition, since the operation sequence of FIG. 4 does not require continuous measurement of the conductivity, there are advantages of reducing power consumption and reducing the amount of data to be accumulated.

Here, the control performed by the controller 113 on the syringe pump 109 in the operation sequence of FIG. 5 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the processing of the syringe pump.

First, the determination unit 132 acquires the reference data of the liquid being sucked from the reference conductivity storage unit 133 (step S1). Next, in parallel with the suction operation of the syringe pump 109, the conductivity measurement operation of the reagent (S26 in FIG. 5) and the conductivity measurement operation of the diluted sample (S27 in FIG. 5) are performed by the conductivity measurement unit 111. Executed (step S2) Further, the determination unit 132 refers to the reference data in the reference conductivity storage unit 133, and determines whether the data acquired by the conductivity data acquisition unit 131 has reached a predetermined conductivity. is determined (step S3).

When the data acquired by the conductivity data acquisition unit 131 reaches a predetermined conductivity, it can be assumed that the liquid in the channel has been replaced. Therefore, the determination unit 132 sends a signal to the syringe pump control unit 134 to stop the syringe pump 109, and proceeds to the next operation, that is, blockage of the flow path (S13 or S21 in FIG. 5) (step S4).

On the other hand, in step S3, when the data acquired by the conductivity data acquisition unit 131 has not reached the predetermined conductivity, the determination unit 132 determines whether the syringe pump 109 has operated to the upper limit value. (Step S5). Here, the upper limit is an amount set with a certain margin with respect to the operating amount of the syringe pump 109 at which the liquid in the flow path is expected to be completely replaced and the predetermined conductivity is reached. Further, as a specific amount of the upper limit, there are the number of pulses of the motor constituting the syringe pump 109, the drive time, and the like.

In step S5, when the operation of the syringe pump 109 reaches the upper limit, the syringe pump control unit 134 stops the operation of the syringe pump 109 and stops the liquid supply (step S6). The determination unit 132 outputs an alarm to the display unit of the computer 112 to notify that the liquid replacement operation is abnormal (step S7).

It should be noted that, as examples of a replacement operation abnormality, it is conceivable that the syringe pump 109 is broken, that there is a leak at the connecting portion of the flow path, that there is a problem with the liquid to be sucked, and the like. Here, as a problem of the sucked liquid itself, in the case of electrolyte analysis, the protein contained in the solution adheres to the wall surface and solidifies, and a part of the protein is mixed in the solution after replacement. A case where normal conductivity cannot be obtained is assumed.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the conductivity measuring part 111 and its surrounding flow path in Example 1. FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the conductivity measuring section 111 of this embodiment is composed of a conductivity detecting section 120 . The conductivity detection unit 120 includes a channel connected to the electrolyte analysis unit 108 and an electrode 121 for detecting conductivity, and is capable of measuring the conductivity of the liquid flowing through the channel.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of another conductivity measuring part and its peripheral flow path in Example 1. FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the conductivity measuring section of this embodiment is composed of a solenoid valve 122 with an electrode. In the case of the configuration of FIG. 8, unlike the configuration of FIG. 7, there is no need to separately provide the conductivity detection unit 120 in the flow path, so the number of parts can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.

Further, in the case of the configuration of FIG. 8, by shutting off the solenoid valve 122 with the electrode when the predetermined conductivity is reached, the upstream side of the solenoid valve 122 with the electrode is completely filled with the liquid after replacement. The liquid before replacement can be prevented from returning to the electrolyte analysis section 108 . On the other hand, in the case of the configuration of FIG. 7, when the solution before replacement remains in the flow path between the electrode 121 and the suction side solenoid valve 118 downstream thereof, it flows back to the electrode 121. It may get lost. In the configuration of FIG. 8, the electrode-equipped solenoid valve has the electrode 121 capable of measuring the conductivity inside the solenoid valve, so that the conductivity can be measured more accurately.

According to the present embodiment, the inside of the flow path up to the conductivity measurement unit 111, including the electrolyte analysis unit 108, can be completely replaced with the liquid to be fed using the minimum amount of liquid used. . In this example, the quantitative evaluation method of liquid replacement in electrolyte analysis was described, but the quantitative evaluation of liquid replacement by this method is not limited to electrolyte analysis, and multiple types of liquids with different physical quantities pass through the same flow path. If it is a flow path that does, it can be expected to reduce the amount of liquid used. That is, according to this embodiment, by measuring the physical quantity in the flow channel during the replacement operation and stopping the replacement operation when the physical quantity of the liquid after replacement reaches the range, the completion of replacement can be confirmed and the reagent consumption amount can be determined. can be reduced.

In the second embodiment, during maintenance of the automatic analyzer 20, the measurement unit measures the conductivity of the liquid in the flow channel, and when the conductivity reaches a predetermined value, the determination unit determines whether the flow channel contains detergent or water. It is determined that it has been replaced. As a result, a constant amount of detergent or water that fills the flow path on the upstream side of the measuring section is sequentially supplied to the downstream side, making it possible to obtain cleaning liquid with a constant dilution rate. In this embodiment, the dilution of the detergent will be described, but the quantitative dilution according to this method can be applied not only to the dilution of the detergent but also to other dilutions as long as two or more liquids having different physical quantities are used.

FIG. 9 is an example of a schematic configuration diagram of an automatic analyzer 20 that performs detergent dilution to which Embodiment 2 is applied. As shown in FIG. 9, the automatic analyzer 20 of the present embodiment includes a sample disk 202 capable of mounting a plurality of sample containers 201 (collection tubes) holding samples, and a sample disk 202 capable of mounting a plurality of reagent containers 203 holding reagents. It includes a first reagent disk 204, a second reagent disk 205, and a reaction disk 207 having a plurality of reaction containers 206 arranged on its circumference.

In addition, the automatic analyzer 20 of this embodiment includes a sample dispensing probe 208 that dispenses a sample aspirated from a sample container 201 into a reaction container 206, and a reagent aspirated from the reagent container 203 in the first reagent disk 204 for reaction. A first reagent probe 209 that dispenses into the container 206, a second reagent probe 210 that dispenses the reagent aspirated from the reagent container 203 in the second reagent disk 205 into the reaction container 206, and a detergent dilution that dilutes the detergent with water. A channel 21 and a detergent probe 211 for sucking detergent from the detergent dilution channel 21 and discharging it into the reaction container 206 are provided.

Further, the automatic analyzer 20 of this embodiment includes a stirring device 212 for stirring the liquid in the reaction container 206, a container cleaning mechanism 213 for cleaning the reaction container 206, and a light source installed near the inner periphery of the reaction disk 207. 214, a spectroscopic detector 215, a computer 216 connected to the spectroscopic detector 215, and a controller 217 that controls the overall operation of the automatic analyzer 20 and exchanges data with the outside.

FIG. 10 is an example of a schematic diagram of the detergent dilution channel 21 in the automatic analyzer 20 of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the detergent dilution flow path 21 includes a detergent pump 219 that feeds detergent, a water pump 220 that feeds water, and a diluted detergent pump 221 that feeds diluted detergent. , a three-way electromagnetic valve 222 that switches the flow path to prevent backflow of the liquid, a conductivity measurement unit 223 that measures the conductivity of the liquid, a detergent dilution tank 224 that dilutes the detergent with water, a detergent probe 211, A detergent container 225 and a water container 226 are provided.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the process from diluting the detergent with water to discharging it into the reaction container. Note that the processing shown in FIG. 11 is mainly controlled by the controller 113 .

As shown in FIG. 11, first, the controller 113 switches the three-way electromagnetic valve 222 and uses the detergent pump 219 to feed a certain amount of detergent from the detergent container 225 (step S201).

Next, the controller 113 switches the three-way solenoid valve 222 and uses the water pump 220 to feed a certain amount of water from the water container 226 (step S202). As a result, a certain amount of water is added to the detergent dilution tank 224 containing a certain amount of detergent, and the detergent is diluted with water in the detergent dilution tank 224 .

Next, the controller 113 sends the diluted detergent in the detergent dilution tank 224 to the detergent probe 211 using the diluted detergent pump 221, and discharges it into the reaction container 206 as a cleaning liquid (step S203).

When cleaning a plurality of reaction vessels 206 continuously, steps S201 to S203 are repeated.

FIG. 12 is a time chart showing the operation sequence of each part in the automatic analyzer 20 according to the second embodiment.

First, the three-way electromagnetic valve 222 located upstream of the conductivity measuring section 223 is actuated to connect the detergent container 225 and the detergent dilution tank 224 (S31).

Next, the conductivity measuring unit 223 starts measuring the conductivity of the liquid in the detergent dilution channel 21, and the detergent pump 219 operates until the conductivity reaches a predetermined value (detergent determination value). The detergent liquid is sent (S32). While the detergent pump 219 is pumping the detergent, the conductivity measuring section 223 continuously measures the conductivity.

Next, the three-way solenoid valve 222 is switched to connect the water container 226 and the detergent dilution tank 224 (S33).

Next, the conductivity measurement unit 223 starts measuring the conductivity of the liquid in the detergent dilution channel 21, and the water pump 220 operates until the conductivity reaches a predetermined value (water judgment value). Water is sent (S34). While the detergent pump 219 is pumping the detergent, the conductivity measuring section 223 continuously measures the conductivity.

Finally, by operating the diluted detergent pump 221, the diluted detergent is sent from the detergent dilution tank 224 to the detergent probe 211 and discharged from the detergent probe 211 to the reaction container 206 (S35).

It should be noted that when the conductivity reaches the detergent determination value and the three-way electromagnetic valve 222 is activated, the flow path between the conductivity measuring part 223 and the three-way electromagnetic valve 222 is filled with detergent. Therefore, when the water pump 220 operates, a fixed amount of detergent for the passage between the conductivity measuring section 223 and the three-way electromagnetic valve 222 is supplied to the detergent dilution tank 224 . Thereafter, the flow path between the conductivity measuring unit 223 and the three-way solenoid valve 222 is filled with water, and when the detergent pump 219 operates in this state, a certain amount of water is supplied to the detergent dilution tank 224. supplied to By repeating such operations, the dilution rate of the detergent can be kept constant, and as a result, there is an advantage that the excessive supply of detergent can be avoided. Furthermore, by providing a plurality of conductivity measuring units 223 in the flow path, the amount of liquid to be fed can be changed, and thus the dilution ratio can be adjusted.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the conductivity of the detergent itself or the water itself before being diluted (mixed) is measured, so if there is an abnormality (such as deterioration in quality) inherent in either liquid itself, can also be discriminated.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes various modifications. For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the conductivity sensor was used as an example of the measurement unit, but a sensor that can quantitatively measure physical quantities other than conductivity, such as heat transfer coefficient and density, is used as the measurement unit. can be When a liquid such as a highly viscous organic solvent is used as a reagent, it is preferable to measure the density.

In addition, each of the above-described embodiments has been described in detail in order to explain the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner, and is not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described. A part of the configuration of one embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. It is possible to add, delete, or replace a part of the configuration of each embodiment with another configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Automatic analyzer, 11... Analysis unit, 12... Operation unit, 101... Sample container, 102... Sample disk, 103... Dilution tank, 104... Diluent container, 105... Washing liquid container, 106... Reagent container, 107... Sample Dispensing probe 108 Electrolyte analysis unit 109 Syringe pump 110 Dilution pump 111 Conductivity measurement unit 112 Computer 113 Controller 114 Drainage unit 115 Cleaning electromagnetic valve 116 Reagent Solenoid valve 117 Dilution solenoid valve 118 Suction side solenoid valve 119 Drainage side solenoid valve 120 Conductivity detector 121 Electrode 122 Solenoid valve with electrode 131 Conductivity data acquisition unit DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 132... Determination part 133... Reference conductivity storage part 134... Syringe pump control part 20... Automatic analyzer 21... Detergent dilution flow path 201... Sample container 202... Sample disk 203... Reagent container 204... First reagent disk 205 Second reagent disk 206 Reaction vessel 207 Reaction disk 208 Sample dispensing probe 209 First reagent probe 210 Second reagent probe 211 Detergent probe 212 Stirrer 213 Container washing mechanism 214 Light source 215 Spectral detector 216 Computer 217 Controller 219 Detergent pump 220 Water pump 221 Diluted detergent pump 222 Three-way electromagnetic valve 223 ...Conductivity measurement part, 224...Detergent dilution tank, 225...Detergent container, 226...Water container

Claims

the same flow path through which multiple types of liquids flow;
a pump that supplies the liquid to the channel;
a measurement unit that measures a physical quantity related to the liquid supplied to the flow channel;
an automatic analyzer, comprising: a determination unit that determines, based on the physical quantity measured by the measurement unit, that the interior of the flow channel on the upstream side of the measurement unit has been replaced with a specific liquid.
In the automatic analyzer according to claim 1,
further comprising an analysis unit that measures a physical quantity different from the physical quantity measured by the measurement unit in order to analyze the components of the liquid;
An automatic analyzer, wherein the analysis unit is positioned upstream of the measurement unit.
In the automatic analyzer according to claim 2,
The measuring unit is a conductivity measuring unit that measures the electrical conductivity of the liquid,
The automatic analyzer, wherein the analysis unit is an electrolyte analysis unit that analyzes the concentration of ions by measuring the potential of the liquid.
In the automatic analyzer according to claim 2,
a first electromagnetic valve located upstream of the analysis unit and switching the liquid supplied to the channel;
a second solenoid valve located downstream of the measurement unit and configured to open and close the flow path;
An automatic analyzer, further comprising:
In the automatic analyzer according to claim 2,
An automatic analyzer, wherein the measuring unit is provided in an electromagnetic valve that opens and closes the flow path.
In the automatic analyzer according to claim 2,
further comprising a solenoid valve for opening and closing the flow path,
An automatic analyzer, wherein when the measurement unit measures a predetermined physical quantity, the analysis unit performs the measurement after the solenoid valve shuts off the flow path.
In the automatic analyzer according to claim 6,
When the operation amount of the pump reaches an upper limit value before the measurement unit measures a predetermined physical quantity, the pump stops supplying the liquid, and the determination unit outputs an alarm. Analysis equipment.
In the automatic analyzer according to claim 1,
An automatic analyzer, wherein one liquid is added to the other liquid to dilute the one liquid on the downstream side of the measuring section.
In the automatic analyzer according to claim 8,
further comprising a solenoid valve located upstream of the measurement unit,
The automatic analyzer, wherein the solenoid valve switches the liquid to be supplied to the flow channel when the measurement unit measures a predetermined physical quantity.
a step of measuring a physical quantity related to the liquid supplied to the channel of the automatic analyzer;
and determining that the inside of the channel has been replaced with a specific liquid based on the measured physical quantity.