CN111373262B - Sample analyzer and reagent supply method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model provides a sample analyzer, including sampling device (10), reagent supply device (30), at least one reaction unit (50) and at least one detection device (70), sampling device (10) gather a sample to be tested and transfer at least one portion of sample to be tested to at least one reaction unit (50), reagent supply device (30) include at least one built-in liquid storage pond (31), each built-in liquid storage pond (31) are through power supply (32) from the interior suction of a built-in reagent bucket (33) in order to carry out the filling operation to built-in liquid storage pond (31), and transfer the reagent in built-in liquid storage pond (31) to the reaction unit (50) that communicates with built-in liquid storage pond (31), sample to be tested and reagent mixed reaction in each reaction unit (50) obtain the test solution, detection device (70) detects the test solution and produces detection information. A reagent supplying method of a sample analyzer. The reagent is sucked from the external reagent barrel (33) through the internal liquid storage tank (31), the residual quantity of the reagent in the old reagent barrel is low when the new reagent barrel is replaced, the time for replacing the new reagent barrel is short, and the reagent consumption is low when the new reagent barrel is replaced.

Description

Sample analyzer and reagent supply method thereof

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of biological sample analysis, and in particular to a sample analyzer and a reagent supply method thereof.

Background Art

With the development of science and technology, people not only hope that products are of good quality and low price, but also hope that the cost of using products during use is as low as possible. For example, when replacing a new reagent barrel with a new one, the amount of reagent remaining in the old reagent barrel, the time to replace the new reagent barrel, and the amount of reagent consumed when replacing the new reagent barrel directly affect the cost of using the sample analyzer. However, when replacing a new reagent barrel with a new one, the existing sample analyzer has a large amount of reagent remaining in the old reagent barrel, a long time to replace the new reagent barrel, and a large amount of reagent consumed when replacing the new reagent barrel, resulting in a high cost of use.

Summary of the invention

The embodiments of the present application disclose a sample analyzer and a reagent supply method thereof to solve the above problems.

A sample analyzer disclosed in an embodiment of the present application includes a sampling device, a reagent supply device, at least one reaction device and at least one detection device. The sampling device is used to collect a sample to be tested and transfer at least one portion of the sample to be tested to the at least one reaction device. The reagent supply device includes at least one in-machine liquid storage tank. Each in-machine liquid storage tank draws reagent from an external reagent barrel through a power source to fill the in-machine liquid storage tank, and transfers the reagent in the in-machine liquid storage tank to the reaction device connected to the in-machine liquid storage tank. The sample to be tested and the reagent in each reaction device are mixed and reacted to obtain a test solution. The detection device detects the test solution and generates detection information.

The present application discloses a reagent supply method for a sample analyzer, comprising the following steps: providing an in-machine liquid reservoir having a reagent, wherein a closed space is formed between the in-machine liquid reservoir and an external reagent barrel connected to the in-machine liquid reservoir; providing a reagent transfer device, wherein the reagent transfer device transfers the reagent from the in-machine liquid reservoir to a reaction device connected to the in-machine liquid reservoir while forming a negative pressure in the closed space; and the negative pressure causes the in-machine liquid reservoir to absorb the reagent from the reagent barrel to replenish the in-machine liquid reservoir.

The sample analyzer and the reagent supply method of the sample analyzer of the present application draw reagents from an external reagent barrel, the time for replacing a new reagent barrel is short, the reagent consumption is small when replacing a new reagent barrel, and the residual amount of reagent in the old reagent barrel is low. Since the internal liquid reservoir and the external reagent barrel can form a closed space, during the measurement process, the internal liquid reservoir supplies liquid to the reaction device while replenishing the internal liquid reservoir. Therefore, during the measurement process, there is no need to additionally inject reagents. The reagents can be injected into the internal liquid reservoir when the external reagent barrel is replaced, which reduces the injection time and improves the test speed of the whole machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the implementation modes of the present application, the drawings required for use in the implementation modes will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some implementation modes of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a module of a sample analyzer in one embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the liquid circuits of the reagent supply device and the reaction device in the first embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the liquid circuits of a reagent supply device and a reaction device in a second embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the liquid circuits of a reagent supply device and a reaction device in a third embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the liquid circuits of a reagent supply device and a reaction device in a fourth embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 6 is a schematic flow chart of a reagent supply method of a sample analyzer in the first embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 7 is a schematic flow chart of a reagent supply method of a sample analyzer in a second embodiment of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

Please refer to FIG. 1, which is a schematic diagram of a module of a sample analyzer 100 in an embodiment of the present application. The sample analyzer 100 is used to perform medical analysis on the sample to be tested and generate corresponding detection information. In this embodiment, the sample to be tested is a blood sample. It is understood that in other embodiments, the sample to be tested can also be a body fluid sample, a serum sample, a plasma sample, a urine sample or other suitable biological sample, which is not limited here. Specifically, the sample analyzer 100 includes a sampling device 10, a reagent supply device 30, at least one reaction device 50 and at least one detection device 70. The sampling device 10 is used to collect a sample to be tested (not shown) and transfer at least one portion of the sample to be tested to the at least one reaction device 50. It is understood that in this embodiment, the sampling device 100 can divide the sample to be tested into multiple portions, and transfer each portion of the sample to be tested to the corresponding reaction device 50. In other embodiments, each portion of the sample to be tested can be transferred to the corresponding reaction device 50 by needle injection.

Please refer to Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram of the liquid circuit of the reagent supply device 30 and the reaction device 50 in the first embodiment of the present application. The reagent supply device 30 includes at least one in-machine liquid reservoir 31 and a power source 32. The power source 32 is connected to each of the in-machine liquid reservoirs 31. In this embodiment, the power source 32 is a high-pressure air pump, which can generate negative pressure. Each of the in-machine liquid reservoirs 31 draws reagents from an external reagent barrel 33 through the power source 32 to perform the reagent filling operation of the in-machine liquid reservoir 31. Among them, the reagents include but are not limited to: hemolytic agents for hemoglobin measurement, hemolytic agents for leukocyte analysis, hemolytic agents for nucleated red blood cell analysis, and diluents for reticulocyte analysis. Any reagent can be loaded into the reagent barrel 33 as needed. The "filling" refers to filling the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 with reagents. During the process of filling the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 with reagent, the air in the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 is discharged along the flow path between the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 and the power source 32, so no additional special air bubble exhausting step is required.

Specifically, the capacity of each of the in-machine liquid storage tanks 31 is relatively small, not exceeding 100 ml. The low capacity of the in-machine liquid storage tank 31 allows the in-machine liquid storage tank 31 to be filled quickly. After replacing a new reagent barrel 33 filled with reagent, it only takes a few seconds to replenish the liquid. This allows for a fast reagent replacement speed, reduces the standby time of the sample analyzer 100, improves work efficiency, and provides customers with more efficient services.

Specifically, the sample analyzer 100 includes a machine platform (not shown), the machine platform has a receiving space (not shown), and the internal liquid storage tank 31 is disposed in the receiving space.

Preferably, in order to reduce or discharge bubbles in the reagent supply device pipeline as much as possible, the reagent barrel 33 can be placed on the ground outside the machine, and the level of the position of the internal liquid storage tank 31 is higher than the reagent barrel 33 and lower than the reaction device 50. In other embodiments, in order to facilitate the arrangement of components in the machine, the receiving space can also be set on the top of the machine.

The reagent in each in-machine liquid reservoir 31 is transferred to the reaction device 50 connected to the in-machine liquid reservoir 31. The sample to be tested and the reagent in each reaction device 50 are mixed and reacted to obtain a test solution. The detection device 70 detects the test solution and generates detection information.

Specifically, the at least one in-machine liquid storage tank 31 is connected and arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the at least one reaction device 50. Each in-machine liquid storage tank 31 provides reagents for the corresponding reaction device 50.

Specifically, the at least one reaction device 50 and the at least one detection device 70 are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence. Each reaction device 50 provides a test liquid to the corresponding detection device 70, so that the detection device 70 performs test liquid detection and generates corresponding detection information.

Specifically, each of the in-machine liquid reservoirs 31 is connected to the corresponding reagent barrel 33, and each of the in-machine liquid reservoirs 31 can be directly connected to the corresponding reagent barrel 33 without passing through a valve. In other occasions, valves can also be provided here for other control needs, such as when the machine is overhauled and the in-machine liquid reservoir needs to be emptied.

Specifically, when the reagent in each in-machine liquid reservoir 31 is transferred to the reaction device 50 connected to the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 , a closed space is formed between the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 and the corresponding reagent barrel 33 .

The enclosed space is a closed space at normal pressure. The “normal pressure” means that the pressure in the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 remains basically unchanged, and only a short negative pressure is dynamically generated when the reagent is supplied to the corresponding reaction device 50, and the negative pressure disappears after the reagent in the reagent barrel 33 is replenished into the in-machine liquid reservoir 31.

Specifically, each time the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 supplies reagent to the reaction device 50 connected to the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 , the negative pressure formed between the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 and the reaction device 50 prompts the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 to absorb reagent from the reagent barrel 33 to replenish the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 .

Specifically, the reagent supply device 30 further includes at least one metering pump 312, each metering pump 312 is arranged between the corresponding in-machine liquid reservoir 31 and the reaction device 50 connected to the in-machine liquid reservoir 31, and the metering pump 312 draws a fixed amount of reagent from the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 and transfers it to the reaction device 50 connected to the in-machine liquid reservoir 31. Further specifically, the in-machine liquid reservoir 31, the metering pump 312 and the reaction device 50 are connected through a three-way valve 313. The metering pump 312 is connected to a negative pressure power source 3151 and a positive pressure power source 3152 through a three-way valve 314. The negative pressure power source 3151 prompts the metering pump 312 to draw reagent from the in-machine liquid reservoir 31. The positive pressure power source 3152 prompts the metering pump 312 to transfer the reagent to the reaction device 50. Preferably, the level of the metering pump is higher than the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 and lower than the reaction device 20.

Specifically, when the metering pump 312 draws a fixed amount of the reagent from the in-machine liquid reservoir 31, the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 is connected to the reagent barrel 33 to form a closed space. Each time the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 supplies the fixed amount of reagent to the reaction device 50 connected to the in-machine liquid reservoir 31, the negative pressure formed between the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 and the reagent barrel 33 prompts the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 to draw the fixed amount of reagent from the reagent barrel 33 to replenish the in-machine liquid reservoir 31.

Thus, when the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 adds reagents to the reaction device 50 connected to the in-machine liquid reservoir 31, a certain negative pressure is formed in the in-machine liquid reservoir 31, and the negative pressure prompts the consumed reagents to be automatically replenished from the inside of the reagent barrel 33. During the sample analysis by the sample analyzer 100, there is no need to refill the in-machine liquid reservoir 31, which can save system gas consumption during the measurement process.

Specifically, the reagent supply device 30 further includes a controller 310 and at least one first control valve 34 , and each of the in-machine liquid storage tanks 31 is connected to the power source 32 via the corresponding first control valve 34 .

The controller 310 controls the at least one first control valve 34 to open so as to fill the reagent into the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 corresponding to the first control valve 34. Specifically, when the first control valve 34 is opened, the power source 32 is connected to the in-machine liquid reservoir 31. Therefore, the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 connected to the first control valve 34 can be filled with reagent through the power source 32.

The controller 310 controls the at least one first control valve 34 to close to stop filling the reagent into the in-machine liquid reservoir 31. Specifically, when the first control valve 34 is closed, the power source 32 is not connected to the in-machine liquid reservoir 31. Therefore, the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 connected to the first control valve 34 cannot be filled with reagent through the power source 32.

It can be understood that in this embodiment, the number of the at least one first control valve 34 is the same as the number of the at least one in-machine liquid reservoir 31, the at least one first control valve 34 is connected to the at least one in-machine liquid reservoir 31 in a one-to-one correspondence, and the at least one first control valve 34 is respectively connected to the power source 32. Therefore, the at least one in-machine liquid reservoir 31 can respectively use different filling pressures to perform the reagent filling operation, and each of the in-machine liquid reservoirs 31 can independently complete the filling operation without being affected by other in-machine liquid reservoirs 31.

Specifically, the reagent supply device 30 also includes at least one liquid level sensor 35. In this embodiment, the liquid level sensor 35 is a float. The float moves with the liquid surface and can detect the liquid level in real time to obtain liquid level information. It is understandable that in other embodiments, the liquid level sensor 35 includes at least two liquid level plates, each of which corresponds to a liquid level that needs to be monitored. The liquid level plate is connected to the sensor through a connecting rod, and whether the liquid level reaches the target liquid level, two electrical signals will be generated to generate liquid level information.

The at least one liquid level sensor 35 is arranged corresponding to the at least one in-machine liquid storage tank 31. In particular, at least one liquid level sensor 35 is arranged in each in-machine liquid storage tank 31. When the liquid level sensor 35 senses a first liquid level, the controller 310 controls the first control valve 34 corresponding to the liquid level sensor 35 to close to stop filling the in-machine liquid storage tank 31 corresponding to the liquid level sensor 35 with reagents. When the liquid level sensor 35 senses a second liquid level, the controller 310 controls the reagent supply device 30 to stop supplying reagents to the reaction device 50. In this embodiment, the first liquid level is a high liquid level, and the second liquid level is a low liquid level.

Specifically, the controller 310 controls the reagent supply device 30 to stop providing reagents to the reaction device 50, and generates a reagent-free fault message. When the user replaces a new reagent barrel 33 filled with reagents and clicks to cancel the fault on the user interface of the sample analyzer 100, the controller 310 controls the first control valve 34 corresponding to the liquid level sensor 35 to open, so as to transfer the reagent from the new reagent barrel 33 to the in-machine liquid storage tank 31 under the drive of the power source 32. When the liquid level sensor 35 senses the first liquid level, the controller 310 controls the first control valve 34 corresponding to the liquid level sensor 35 to close to stop filling.

Specifically, the height difference between the first liquid level and the second liquid level of the in-machine liquid storage tank 31 is small. Therefore, in the process from when the liquid level sensor 35 detects that the in-machine liquid storage tank 31 is full to when the liquid level sensor 35 detects that the in-machine liquid storage tank 31 is empty, the liquid level of the in-machine liquid storage tank 31 drops less. After replacing a new reagent barrel 33 full of reagent, it only takes a few seconds to replenish the liquid, which can achieve a fast reagent replacement speed, further reduce the standby time of the sample analyzer 100, improve work efficiency, and provide customers with more efficient services.

Specifically, when the liquid level sensor 35 senses the third liquid level, the controller 310 issues a reagent-free fault message, and the reagent in the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 is continuously transferred to the reaction device 50 connected to the in-machine liquid reservoir 31. When the user replaces a new reagent barrel 33 filled with reagents and clicks to cancel the fault on the user interface of the sample analyzer 100, the controller 310 controls the first control valve 34 to connect the power source 32 and the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 so that the reagent is transferred from the new reagent barrel 33 to the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 under the drive of the power source 32, and during the filling process, the reagent in the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 is continuously transferred to the reaction device 50 connected to the in-machine liquid reservoir 31. The third liquid level is a warning liquid level, which is located between the first liquid level and the second liquid level. Thus, when the liquid level sensor 35 senses the third liquid level, the sample analyzer 100 generates a reagent-free fault message to provide the user with an opportunity to replace the new reagent barrel 33 and perform a refilling operation. In addition, during the process from the generation of the reagent-free fault message to the refilling operation, the reagent in the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 is continuously supplied to the reaction device 50 connected to the in-machine liquid reservoir 31, thereby realizing the replacement of reagents without stopping the machine, saving time for the user, and providing a better user experience.

Specifically, the absolute value of the negative pressure provided by the power source 32 for refilling is less than the absolute value of the pressure of the metering pump 312 to transfer the reagent from the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 to the reaction device 50. It is understood that in one embodiment, a low negative pressure air pump provided separately can be used to provide negative pressure for refilling. In another embodiment, the reagent in the reagent barrel 33 can be repeatedly transferred to the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 by a metering pump or a syringe provided separately.

Specifically, after the controller 310 controls the first control valve 34 to connect the power source 32 and the in-machine liquid storage tank 31 to perform filling for a preset time period, if the liquid level sensor 35 still does not sense the first liquid level, the reagent supply device 30 is controlled to stop providing reagents to the reaction device 50.

Thus, the liquid level sensor 35 in the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 is used to detect the presence of reagents. When the liquid level drops to the liquid level sensor 35 and generates a trigger signal, a reagent-free fault message is generated. At this time, the reagent in the reagent barrel 33 has been sucked into the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 to the greatest extent, and the residual amount of reagent in the reagent barrel 33 is low. After replacing the new reagent barrel 33 filled with reagents, the power source 32 is used to fill the reagent in the reagent barrel 33 into the in-machine liquid reservoir 31. When the liquid level sensor 35 floats and generates a trigger signal, the reagent replacement is successful. In this process, the sample analyzer 100 does not consume reagents, and there is no reagent waste during the reagent replacement process.

Please refer to Figure 3, which is a schematic diagram of the liquid circuit of the reagent supply device 30a and the reaction device 50 in the second embodiment of the present application. The reagent supply device 30a is similar to the reagent supply device 30, except that the power source 32a of the reagent supply device 30a is a small air pump, which is different from the high-pressure air pump in the first embodiment in that the small air pump has low cost and can also be used to generate the negative pressure required for filling the reagent, but the high-pressure air pump can not only generate the negative pressure required for filling the reagent, but also generate positive pressure for other purposes.

Please refer to Figure 4, which is a schematic diagram of the liquid path of the reagent supply device 30b and the reaction device 50 in the third embodiment of the present application. The reagent supply device 30b is similar to the reagent supply device 30, except that the reagent supply device 30b also includes a waste liquid pool 36, a third control valve 38 and a waste liquid bucket 39. The waste liquid pool 36 collects the test liquid of the reaction device 50 and the detection device 70, and the waste liquid bucket 39 is connected to the waste liquid pool 36. The waste liquid pool 36 is arranged between the at least one in-machine liquid storage tank 31 and the power source 32, and the third control valve 38 is arranged between the waste liquid pool 36 and the power source 32. The power source 32 is a high-pressure air pump, which can provide positive pressure and negative pressure. When the third control valve 38 is opened, the power source 32 provides positive pressure to the waste liquid pool 36 to drain the waste liquid in the waste liquid pool 36 into the waste liquid barrel 39, and the power source 32 provides negative pressure to the waste liquid pool 36 to collect the waste liquid in the waste liquid pool 36. The waste liquid pool 36 is also connected to the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 through the first control valve 34. When the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 needs to be filled, the first control valve 34 is opened, and the waste liquid pool 36 provides negative pressure to the in-machine liquid reservoir 31, so that the reagent in the reagent barrel 33 enters the in-machine liquid reservoir 31.

It is understandable that in other embodiments, the third control valve 38 may be omitted, and the power source 32 may be directly connected to the waste liquid tank 36 .

It is understandable that when the user replaces the reagent barrel 33 with a new one filled with reagent and clicks to clear the fault on the user interface of the sample analyzer 100, the absolute value of the negative pressure of the waste liquid pool 36 is adjusted to be smaller than the pressure of the metering pump 312 drawing the reagent from the in-machine liquid storage pool 31, which does not affect the operation of the metering pump 312, allowing the reagent in the reagent barrel 33 to enter the in-machine liquid storage pool 31. When the liquid level sensor 35 senses the first liquid level, the filling is completed.

The power source 32 for filling the internal liquid storage tank 31 uses the waste liquid tank 36 of the sample analyzer 100 for collecting waste liquid from other channels. This has the advantage that when the liquid level sensor 35 has an abnormality and cannot accurately detect the liquid level, the reagent inside the internal liquid storage tank 31 may flow back into the air path. After using the waste liquid tank 36, the reagent can be buffered in the waste liquid tank 36 without entering the air source of the instrument to damage the sample analyzer.

After replacing the reagent barrel 33 with a new one filled with reagent, the power source 32 in the waste liquid pool 36 is used to fill the reagent in the reagent barrel 33 into the internal liquid storage pool 31. When the liquid level sensor 35 floats up and generates a trigger signal, the reagent is replaced successfully. During this process, the sample analyzer 100 does not consume reagents, and there is no waste of reagents during the reagent replacement process.

Please refer to Figure 5, which is a schematic diagram of the liquid path of the reagent supply device 30c and the reaction device 50 in the fourth embodiment of the present application. The reagent supply device 30c is similar to the reagent supply device 30b, and the difference is that the reagent supply device also includes at least one first control valve 34 and at least one second control valve 37, and the at least one first control valve 34 is the same as the first embodiment, and no further description is given here, and the at least one second control valve 37 is arranged on the flow path connected between the at least one machine internal liquid reservoir 31 and the at least one reagent barrel 33, and the at least one second control valve 37 makes the machine internal liquid reservoir 31 and the reagent barrel 33 communicate during the process of filling the reagent in the machine internal liquid reservoir 31 and supplying the reagent to the reaction device 50, and the at least one second control valve 37 is connected to the atmosphere when the machine internal liquid reservoir 31 is emptied of the reagent for maintenance. When the machine internal liquid reservoir needs to be emptied for maintenance, the second control valve 37 disconnects the connection between the machine internal liquid reservoir and the external reagent barrel, and if a positive pressure is applied to the machine internal liquid reservoir, the liquid reservoir can be quickly emptied.

Specifically, the at least one second control valve 37 and the at least one in-machine liquid storage tank 31 are connected in a one-to-one correspondence, and the at least one second control valve 37 and the at least one in-machine liquid storage tank 31 are connected in a one-to-one correspondence.

The advantage of adding the second control valve 37 between the reagent barrel 33 and the in-machine liquid storage tank 31 is that when the reagent in the in-machine liquid storage tank 31 needs to be emptied for maintenance or the like, there is no need to lift the bottle cap assembly (not shown) of the reagent barrel 33 out of the reagent barrel 33 to connect to the atmosphere. Instead, the second control valve 37 can be switched to connect to the atmosphere, which facilitates maintenance operations.

FIG6 is a flow chart of a reagent supply method of the sample analyzer 100 in the first embodiment of the present application. The reagent supply method is applied to the aforementioned sample analyzer 100, and the execution order is not limited to the order shown in FIG6. The method comprises the steps of:

Step 610: Provide an in-machine liquid reservoir 31 with a reagent, and form a closed space between the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 and an external reagent barrel 33 connected to the in-machine liquid reservoir 31. Specifically, the closed space is a closed space at normal pressure.

Step 620: Provide a reagent transfer device, which transfers the reagent from the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 to the reaction device 50 connected to the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 and forms a negative pressure in the enclosed space. The reagent transfer device may be a quantitative pump 312, a syringe, etc.

Step 630 : The negative pressure causes the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 to absorb reagent from the reagent barrel 33 to replenish the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 .

Specifically, the amount of the reagent transferred to the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 by the reagent transfer device each time is equal to the amount of the reagent replenished to the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 each time.

Optionally, the reagent supply method further comprises the steps of:

Step 640 : obtaining the liquid level information of the reagent in the in-machine liquid storage tank 31 . Specifically, the controller 310 obtains the liquid level information of the reagent in the in-machine liquid storage tank 31 through the liquid level sensor 35 .

Step 650: When it is determined that the liquid level is at the second liquid level, the reagent transfer device is controlled to stop the operation. Specifically, when the controller 310 determines that the liquid level is at the second liquid level, the reagent transfer device is controlled to stop the operation. The second liquid level is a low liquid level.

Optionally, the reagent supply method further comprises the steps of:

Step 660: The reagent transfer device stops operating and generates a reagent-free fault message. Specifically, the controller 310 controls the reagent transfer device to stop operating, generates a reagent-free fault message, and controls the user interface of the sample analyzer 100 to display the reagent-free fault message.

Step 670 : After obtaining the fault elimination information, the in-machine liquid storage tank 31 is driven by the power source 32 to transfer the reagent from an external reagent barrel 33 to the in-machine liquid storage tank 31 .

Specifically, the controller 310 obtains fault elimination information in response to the user's fault elimination operation on the user interface, and controls the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 to transfer reagents from the reagent barrel 33 to the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 under the drive of the power source 32 .

Step 680: Obtain the liquid level information of the reagent in the in-machine liquid reservoir 31, and when it is determined that the liquid level is at a first liquid level, stop transferring the reagent. Specifically, when the controller 310 obtains the liquid level information of the reagent in the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 through the liquid level sensor 35, and when it is determined that the liquid level is at a first liquid level, that is, a high liquid level, it controls the first control valve 34 to close to stop filling the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 with the reagent.

In this embodiment, after the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 provides reagents to the reaction device 50 connected thereto, a certain negative pressure is formed in the in-machine liquid reservoir 31, and the negative pressure prompts the consumed reagents to be automatically replenished from the inside of the reagent barrel 33. During the sample analysis by the sample analyzer 100, there is no need to refill the in-machine liquid reservoir 31, which can save the system gas consumption during the measurement process. In addition, the reagent supply device can stop filling the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 with reagents at the first liquid level, and control the reagent transfer device to stop the action at the second liquid level, which can prevent the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 from backflowing into the air inlet due to excessive liquid volume on the one hand, and prevent bubbles from entering the liquid path between the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 and the reaction device 50 due to insufficient liquid volume on the other hand. The sample analyzer 100 of this embodiment has a small-volume internal liquid reservoir 31 arranged inside the instrument. The reagent in the external reagent barrel 33, such as the hemolytic agent, is first filled into the internal liquid reservoir 31, and then the internal liquid reservoir 31 and the external reagent barrel 33 form a closed space with pressure balance. The temporary negative pressure generated by transferring the reagent from the internal liquid reservoir 31 to the reaction device 50 allows the reagent in the external reagent barrel 33 to be replenished to the internal liquid reservoir 31 in time, so that the reagent can be fully utilized, the instrument downtime caused by reagent replacement can be shortened, and the test speed can be improved.

FIG7 is a flow chart of a reagent supply method of the sample analyzer 100 in the second embodiment of the present application. The reagent supply method is applied to the aforementioned sample analyzer 100, and the execution order is not limited to the order shown in FIG7. The method comprises the steps of:

Step 710: Provide an in-machine liquid reservoir 31 with a reagent, and form a closed space between the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 and an external reagent barrel 33 connected to the in-machine liquid reservoir 31. Specifically, the closed space is a closed space at normal pressure.

Step 720: Provide a reagent transfer device, which transfers the reagent from the in-machine liquid storage tank 31 to the reaction device 50 connected to the in-machine liquid storage tank 31 and forms a negative pressure in the enclosed space.

Step 730 : The negative pressure causes the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 to absorb reagent from the reagent barrel 33 to replenish the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 .

Specifically, the amount of the reagent transferred to the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 by the reagent transfer device each time is equal to the amount of the reagent replenished to the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 each time.

Optionally, the reagent supply method further comprises the steps of:

Step 740 : obtaining the liquid level information of the reagent in the in-machine liquid storage tank 31 . Specifically, the controller 310 obtains the liquid level information of the reagent in the in-machine liquid storage tank 31 through the liquid level sensor 35 .

Step 750: When it is determined that the liquid level is at the third liquid level, a reagent-free fault message is generated, and at the same time, the reagent transfer device still transfers the reagent from the in-machine liquid reservoir to the reaction device 50 connected to the in-machine liquid reservoir according to the detection requirements. Specifically, the controller 310 obtains the liquid level information of the reagent in the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 through the liquid level sensor 35, and when it is determined that the liquid level is at the third liquid level, that is, the warning liquid level, a reagent-free fault message is generated, and at the same time, the reagent transfer device still transfers the reagent to the reaction device 50 connected to the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 according to the detection requirements.

Step 760: After obtaining the fault elimination information, the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 is driven by the power source 32 to transfer the reagent from an external reagent barrel 33 to the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 for filling, and during the filling process, the reagent in the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 is still transferred to the reaction device 50 connected to the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 according to the detection requirements. Specifically, after the controller 310 responds to the user's point-to-point fault elimination operation on the user interface, it obtains the fault elimination information, and controls the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 to transfer the reagent from the reagent barrel 33 to the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 under the drive of the power source 32 for filling, and during the filling process, the reagent in the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 is still transferred to the reaction device 50 connected to the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 according to the detection requirements.

Step 770: When the liquid level sensor 35 senses that the liquid level in the internal liquid storage tank 31 is at a first liquid level, stop the reagent transfer. Specifically, when the liquid level sensor 35 senses that the liquid level in the internal liquid storage tank 31 is at a first liquid level, i.e., a high liquid level, the controller 310 stops the reagent transfer.

In this embodiment, when the liquid level sensor 35 senses the third liquid level, the sample analyzer 100 generates a reagent-free fault message to provide the user with the opportunity to replace the new reagent barrel 33 and perform a refilling operation. In addition, during the process from the generation of the reagent-free fault message to the refilling operation, the reagent in the in-machine liquid reservoir 31 is continuously supplied to the reaction device 50 connected to the in-machine liquid reservoir 31, thereby realizing the replacement of reagents without stopping the machine, saving time for the user, and providing a better user experience.

It should be noted that, for the above-mentioned various method embodiments, for the sake of simplicity of description, they are all expressed as a series of action combinations, but those skilled in the art should be aware that this application is not limited by the order of the actions described, because according to this application, some steps can be performed in other orders or simultaneously. Secondly, those skilled in the art should also be aware that the embodiments described in the specification are all preferred embodiments, and the actions and modules involved are not necessarily required by this application.

In the above embodiments, the description of each embodiment has its own emphasis. For parts that are not described in detail in a certain embodiment, reference can be made to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

The steps in the method of the embodiment of the present application can be adjusted in order, combined and deleted according to actual needs.

The above is a preferred embodiment of the present application. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this technical field, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the present application. These improvements and modifications are also considered to be within the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims (20)

1. A sample analyzer, comprising a sampling device, a reagent supply device, at least one reaction device and at least one detection device, wherein the sampling device is used to collect a sample to be tested and transfer at least one portion of the sample to be tested to the at least one reaction device, the reagent supply device comprises at least one in-machine liquid storage tank and a reagent transfer device, each in-machine liquid storage tank draws reagent from an external reagent barrel through a power source to perform a filling operation on the in-machine liquid storage tank, the reagent transfer device transfers the reagent in the in-machine liquid storage tank to the reaction device connected to the in-machine liquid storage tank, the sample to be tested and the reagent in each reaction device are mixed and reacted to obtain a test solution, the detection device detects the test solution and generates detection information, the in-machine liquid storage tank is located at a higher level than the external reagent barrel; in the process of the reagent in each in-machine liquid storage tank being transferred to the reaction device connected to the in-machine liquid storage tank, the in-machine liquid storage tank and the external test solution are connected to each other. The reagent barrels are connected and form a closed space, so that after the in-machine liquid reservoir supplies reagent to the reaction device connected to the in-machine liquid reservoir each time, the negative pressure formed between the in-machine liquid reservoir and the reaction device prompts the in-machine liquid reservoir to absorb reagent from the external reagent barrel to replenish the in-machine liquid reservoir, and the negative pressure disappears after the reagent in the external reagent barrel is replenished into the in-machine liquid reservoir; wherein the in-machine liquid reservoir is directly connected to the external reagent barrel without passing through a valve, or the reagent supply device further includes at least one second control valve, which is arranged on the flow path connecting the at least one in-machine liquid reservoir and the at least one external reagent barrel, and in the process of the reagent in each in-machine liquid reservoir being transferred to the reaction device connected to the in-machine liquid reservoir and in the process of the in-machine liquid reservoir being filled with reagent, the at least one second control valve enables the in-machine liquid reservoir to communicate with the external reagent barrel. 2. The sample analyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one in-machine liquid storage tank is connected and arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the at least one reaction device, and each of the in-machine liquid storage tanks provides reagents for the corresponding reaction device. 3. The sample analyzer as described in claim 1 is characterized in that the reagent transfer device includes at least one quantitative pump, each quantitative pump is arranged between the corresponding in-machine liquid reservoir and the reaction device connected to the in-machine liquid reservoir, and the quantitative pump draws a quantitative amount of reagent from the in-machine liquid reservoir and transfers it to the reaction device connected to the in-machine liquid reservoir. 4. The sample analyzer as described in claim 3 is characterized in that when the metering pump draws a fixed amount of the reagent from the internal liquid reservoir, the internal liquid reservoir is connected to the external reagent barrel, and each time the internal liquid reservoir supplies a fixed amount of the reagent to the reaction device connected to the internal liquid reservoir, the negative pressure formed between the internal liquid reservoir and the external reagent barrel prompts the internal liquid reservoir to draw a fixed amount of the reagent from the external reagent barrel to replenish the internal liquid reservoir. 5. The sample analyzer as described in claim 1 is characterized in that the reagent supply device also includes a controller and at least one first control valve, each of the in-machine liquid reservoirs is connected to the power source through the corresponding first control valve, the power source provides negative pressure, the controller controls the at least one first control valve to open to fill the reagent into the in-machine liquid reservoir corresponding to the first control valve, and the controller controls the at least one first control valve to close to stop filling the reagent into the in-machine liquid reservoir. 6. The sample analyzer as described in claim 5 is characterized in that the number of the at least one first control valve is the same as the number of the at least one in-machine liquid storage tank, the at least one first control valve is connected to the at least one in-machine liquid storage tank in a one-to-one correspondence, and the at least one first control valve is connected to the power source respectively. 7. The sample analyzer according to claim 5, characterized in that, when the reagent supply device includes the at least one second control valve, the at least one second control valve is connected to the atmosphere when the in-machine liquid storage tank is emptied. 8. The sample analyzer according to claim 7, wherein the at least one second control valve and the at least one in-machine liquid storage tank are connected in a one-to-one correspondence. 9. The sample analyzer as described in claim 5 is characterized in that the reagent supply device also includes a waste liquid pool, which collects the test liquid of the reaction device and the detection device, and the waste liquid pool is arranged between the at least one first control valve and the power source, and the power source provides positive pressure to the waste liquid pool to empty the waste liquid in the waste liquid pool, and the power source provides negative pressure to the waste liquid pool to collect waste liquid into the waste liquid pool; the waste liquid pool is connected to the in-machine liquid storage tank, and provides negative pressure to the in-machine liquid storage tank, so that the reagent in the external reagent barrel enters the in-machine liquid storage tank. 10. The sample analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the capacity of the liquid storage tank inside the machine is not greater than 100 ml. 11. The sample analyzer as described in any one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the at least one internal liquid storage tank also includes a liquid level sensor, and when the liquid level sensor senses a first liquid level, the controller controls the first control valve corresponding to the liquid level sensor to close to stop filling reagent into the internal liquid storage tank corresponding to the liquid level sensor, and when the liquid level sensor senses a second liquid level, the controller controls the reagent supply device to stop providing reagent to the reaction device. 12. The sample analyzer as described in claim 11 is characterized in that after the controller controls the reagent supply device to stop providing reagents to the reaction device, the controller controls the first control valve corresponding to the liquid level sensor to open to perform the filling action again, and when the liquid level sensor senses the first liquid level, the controller controls the first control valve corresponding to the liquid level sensor to close to stop filling. 13. The sample analyzer as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that when the liquid level sensor senses the third liquid level, the controller issues a reagent failure message, and at the same time, the reagent in the in-machine liquid storage tank is continuously transferred to the reaction device connected to the in-machine liquid storage tank. 14. The sample analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the liquid storage tank, the reagent transfer device and the reaction device are connected via a three-way valve. 15. A reagent supply method for a sample analyzer, comprising the steps of: An in-machine liquid storage tank with a reagent is provided, wherein the in-machine liquid storage tank is communicated with an out-machine reagent barrel connected to the in-machine liquid storage tank to form a closed space; A reagent transfer device is provided, and the reagent transfer device forms a negative pressure in the enclosed space while transferring the reagent from the in-machine liquid reservoir to the reaction device connected to the in-machine liquid reservoir, so that after the in-machine liquid reservoir supplies the reagent to the reaction device connected to the in-machine liquid reservoir each time, the negative pressure formed between the in-machine liquid reservoir and the reaction device prompts the in-machine liquid reservoir to absorb the reagent from the external reagent barrel to replenish the in-machine liquid reservoir, and the negative pressure in the enclosed space and the negative pressure between the in-machine liquid reservoir and the reaction device disappear after the reagent in the external reagent barrel is replenished to the in-machine liquid reservoir; In which, the in-machine liquid storage tank is directly connected to the external reagent barrel without passing through a valve, or the reagent supply device also includes at least one second control valve, and the at least one second control valve is arranged on the flow path connecting at least one in-machine liquid storage tank and at least one external reagent barrel. In the process of the reagent in each in-machine liquid storage tank being moved to the reaction device connected to the in-machine liquid storage tank, the at least one second control valve enables the in-machine liquid storage tank to be connected with the external reagent barrel. 16. The reagent supply method according to claim 15, characterized in that the amount of reagent transferred from the in-machine liquid reservoir to the reaction device by the reagent transfer device each time is equal to the amount of reagent replenished from the external reagent barrel to the in-machine liquid reservoir each time. 17. The reagent supply method according to claim 16, characterized in that the reagent supply method further comprises the steps of: Obtaining liquid level information of the reagent in the liquid storage tank within the machine; When it is determined that the liquid level is at the second liquid level, the reagent transfer device is controlled to stop operation. 18. The reagent supply method according to claim 17, characterized in that the reagent supply method further comprises the steps of: The reagent transfer device stops operating and generates a reagent failure message; After obtaining the fault elimination information, the external reagent barrel transfers the reagent to the internal liquid storage tank under the drive of the power source; The liquid level information of the reagent in the in-machine liquid storage tank is obtained, and when it is determined that the liquid level is at a first liquid level, the reagent is stopped from being transferred to the in-machine liquid storage tank. 19. The reagent supply method according to claim 16, characterized in that the reagent supply method further comprises the steps of: The liquid level information of the reagent in the in-machine liquid storage tank is obtained, and when it is determined that the liquid level is at the third liquid level, a reagent failure information is generated. At the same time, the reagent transfer device still transfers the reagent from the in-machine liquid storage tank to the reaction device connected to the in-machine liquid storage tank according to the detection needs. 20. The reagent supply method according to claim 19, characterized in that the reagent supply method further comprises the steps of: After obtaining the fault elimination information, the in-machine liquid reservoir is driven by a power source to transfer reagents from an external reagent barrel to the in-machine liquid reservoir for filling, and during the filling process, the reagent transfer device still transfers reagents from the in-machine liquid reservoir to the reaction device connected to the in-machine liquid reservoir according to the detection needs; When the liquid level sensor senses that the liquid level in the in-machine liquid storage tank is at a first liquid level, the reagent is stopped from being transferred to the in-machine liquid storage tank.