JP2010019808A - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic analyzer for easily supplying a rack in response to a priority of a specimen inspection. <P>SOLUTION: The automatic analyzer includes: a RFID tag 11a attached to the rack 11 supplied to a rack supplying section 10a, and including identification information indicating the priority of a specimen accommodated in the rack 11; a reading section 15 for reading the identification information from the RFID tag 11a; and a transportation control section 46 for controlling a specimen supplying section 10 so as to make an interruption space of the rack 11 corresponding to the number of pieces of the identification information in a position of the rack supplying section 10a corresponding to the priority based on the priority of the identification information read by the reading section 15 and the number of pieces of the read identification information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that analyzes a sample by reacting the sample with a reagent.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, automatic analyzers that analyze biological samples such as blood are known in which an emergency sample that is urgently required to obtain a test result is inserted into a general sample for analysis.

  For example, Patent Document 1 describes an automatic analyzer that analyzes an emergency sample supplied to the same rack supply unit as a general sample in preference to the general sample. When this automatic analyzer supplies a rack in which an urgent sample is stored to the rack supply unit, an interrupt that can supply the rack in which the urgent sample is stored in a rack in which a general sample is stored. I try to free up space.

JP 2003-83994 A

  However, the automatic analyzer described in Patent Document 1 counts the number of racks to be interrupted in advance when supplying a plurality of racks containing urgent samples to the rack supply unit, and divides the number of racks. Since there was a need to perform a loading instruction operation, there was a problem that the interrupt supply operation of the rack in which the emergency sample was accommodated was complicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer capable of easily performing rack supply according to the priority of specimen testing.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an automatic analyzer according to the present invention removes a rack from a rack supply unit that holds a rack holding a sample container for storing a sample so that the rack can be supplied to a sample suction position. An automatic analyzer having a sample supply means for transporting to the sample aspirating position, and analyzing the sample by dispensing the sample into a reaction container at the sample aspirating position and reacting with the reagent in the reaction container An information recording medium attached to a rack supplied to the rack supply unit and including identification information indicating the priority of a sample stored in the rack, and reading means for reading the identification information from the information recording medium Based on the priority of the identification information read by the reading means and the number of identification information read, the rack according to the number of the identification information is placed at the position of the rack supply unit according to the priority. Characterized by comprising a control means for controlling the sample supply unit to leave an interrupt space, a.

  In the automatic analyzer according to the present invention, in the above invention, the rack supplied to the rack supply unit is a rack including an emergency sample, and the identification information included in an information recording medium attached to the rack When the priority of the identification information read by the reading means is the highest priority, the control means has a rack interruption space according to the number of the identification information. The sample supply means is controlled so as to be opened at the head position of the rack supply unit.

  In the automatic analyzer according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the information recording medium is attached when the rack accommodates an emergency sample, and the control means includes the identification information read by the reading means. The sample supply means is controlled so that an interrupt space of the rack corresponding to the number is opened at the head position of the rack supply unit.

  In the automatic analyzer according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the sample supply means has a lid that can be opened and closed at the top, and the control means has a priority level of the identification information read by the reading means. Based on the number of pieces of identification information read, the sample supply means is controlled so that a rack interruption space corresponding to the number of identification information is provided at a position of the rack supply unit corresponding to the priority. And controlling to open the lid.

  Moreover, the automatic analyzer according to the present invention includes, in the above invention, an informing unit that informs that the lid is opened, and the control unit performs control to open the lid after performing the informing by the informing unit. It is characterized by that.

  The automatic analyzer according to the present invention further includes an input unit that inputs an instruction to open the lid in the above invention, and the control unit performs control to open the lid after receiving an instruction from the input unit. It is characterized by that.

  The automatic analyzer according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the control means performs control for opening the lid after notification by the notification means and after receiving an instruction by the input means. To do.

  In the automatic analyzer according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the input means is a foot switch.

  According to the present invention, the reading unit reads identification information indicating the priority of the sample stored in the rack from the information recording medium attached to the rack supplied to the rack supply unit, and the control unit includes the reading unit. Based on the priority of the identification information read by the above and the number of identification information read, a rack interruption space corresponding to the number of identification information is provided at the position of the rack supply unit corresponding to the priority. Since the sample supply means is controlled as described above, the operator can make an interruption space for the rack to be supplied only by allowing the information recording medium to be read by the reading means. Rack supply according to the can be easily performed.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a dispensing device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the automatic analyzer shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic analyzer 1 includes a sample supply unit 10 as a sample supply unit, a measurement unit 20, and a control device 40. The sample supply unit 10 is disposed on the side of the measurement unit 20 and transports a rack 11 that holds a plurality of sample containers 12 that store samples to a sample aspiration position. The measurement unit 20 dispenses a specimen and a reagent into the reaction container 22 and optically measures the reaction occurring in the reaction container 22. The control device 40 controls the entire automatic analyzer 1 including the sample supply unit 10 and the measurement unit 20 and analyzes the measurement result in the measurement unit 20. The automatic analyzer 1 automatically performs biochemical analysis of a plurality of specimens in order by cooperation of these units.

  The sample supply unit 10 conveys the sample container 12 to the sample aspirating position by conveying the rack 11 as described above. The sample in the sample container 12 transported to the sample aspirating position is dispensed by the sample dispensing mechanism 25 into the reaction container 22 transferred to the sample dispensing position. Further, an RFID tag 11a as an information recording medium on which identification information and the like of the sample stored in each sample container 12 is recorded is attached to the side surface of the rack 11. The RFID tag 11a includes identification information indicating the priority of whether the sample stored in the rack 11 is an emergency sample or a general sample.

  The measurement unit 20 includes a reaction tank 21, a sample dispensing mechanism 25, a first reagent dispensing mechanism 26, a second reagent dispensing mechanism 27, a first reagent container 23, a second reagent container 24, a stirring unit 28, and a photometric unit 29. And a cleaning unit 30.

  The reaction tank 21 has a heat retaining member (not shown) and a wheel 21a. The wheel 21a holds a plurality of reaction vessels 22 and is rotated by a drive mechanism (not shown) to transfer the reaction vessels 22 in the circumferential direction. The reaction tank 21 is covered with a disk-shaped lid (not shown), and a heat insulation tank that keeps the temperature inside the body 21 at a temperature about the body temperature together with a heat insulation member (not shown) disposed on the inside and outside in the radial direction of the wheel 21a. It is composed.

  The sample dispensing mechanism 25 has an arm 25a to which a probe 25b for aspirating and discharging a sample is attached at the tip. The arm 25a freely moves up and down in the vertical direction and rotates around a vertical line passing through its base end as a central axis. The specimen dispensing mechanism 25 has an intake / exhaust mechanism using an intake / exhaust syringe or a piezoelectric element. The sample dispensing mechanism 25 sucks the sample from the sample container 12 transferred to a predetermined position in the sample container 12 transferred to the sample supply position of the sample supply unit 10 by the probe 25b, and moves the arm 25a counterclockwise in the drawing. The sample is discharged and dispensed into the reaction vessel 22 that is swung around and transported to the sample discharge position on the reaction tank 21.

  The first reagent dispensing mechanism 26 has an arm 26a to which a probe 26b for aspirating and discharging the first reagent is attached at the tip. The arm 26a freely moves up and down in the vertical direction and rotates around a vertical line passing through its base end as a central axis. The first reagent dispensing mechanism 26 has an intake / exhaust mechanism using an unillustrated intake / exhaust syringe or piezoelectric element. The first reagent dispensing mechanism 26 sucks the first reagent in the first reagent container 23a transferred to a predetermined position on the first reagent storage 23 by the probe 26b, and rotates the arm 26a counterclockwise in the drawing. Then, the first reagent is discharged into the reaction vessel 22 transported to a predetermined position on the reaction tank 21 to perform dispensing.

  Similar to the first reagent dispensing mechanism 26, the second reagent dispensing mechanism 27 includes an arm 27a having a probe 27b attached to the tip thereof for sucking and discharging the second reagent, and an unillustrated intake / exhaust syringe or piezoelectric element. The reaction having the suction / discharge mechanism used, the second reagent in the second reagent container 24a transferred to the predetermined position on the second reagent storage 24 by the probe 27b, and then transported to the predetermined position on the reaction tank 21 Dispensing by discharging the second reagent into the container 22.

  The first reagent storage 23 can detachably store a plurality of first reagent containers 23a in which the first reagent dispensed first among the two types of reagents dispensed in the reaction container 22 is accommodated. The first reagent storage 23 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise around a vertical line passing through the center of the first reagent storage 23 as a driving mechanism (not shown) is driven under the control of the control device 40. The desired first reagent container 23a is transferred to the reagent aspirating position by the first reagent dispensing mechanism 26.

  The second reagent storage 24 includes a plurality of detachable second reagent containers 24a in which the second reagent dispensed next to the first reagent among the two types of reagents dispensed in the reaction container 22 is accommodated. Can be stored. Similar to the first reagent container 23, the second reagent container 24 can be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise under the control of the control device 40, and the desired second reagent container 24a can be divided into the second reagent container 24a. Transfer to the reagent aspirating position by the injection mechanism 27.

  The stirring unit 28 stirs the mixed solution of the first reagent and the sample or the first reagent, the second reagent, and the sample dispensed in the reaction container 22 to promote the reaction.

  The photometric unit 29 irradiates the reaction container 22 transferred to a predetermined measurement position with measurement light from the light source 29a, and splits the light transmitted through the mixture of the sample and the reagent in the reaction container 22, and the light receiving element 29b By measuring the intensity of each wavelength light, the absorbance at a wavelength peculiar to the mixed liquid of the specimen and the reagent to be analyzed is measured.

  The cleaning unit 30 performs cleaning by sucking and discharging the mixed solution in the reaction container 22 that has been measured by the photometric unit 29 by a nozzle (not shown) and injecting and sucking cleaning liquid such as detergent and cleaning water. .

  The sample supply unit 10 includes a rack supply unit 10a, a rack collection unit 10b, and a rack transport unit 10c.

  The rack supply unit 10a is a conveyor provided with a plurality of attachments 10d. The attachment 10d has an L-shaped cross section, and the L-shaped upright portion is provided on the conveyor so as to be orthogonal to the transport direction of the rack 11. The rack supply unit 10a is a standby place for transporting the rack 11 in which the sample is stored to the sample suction position. Each rack 11 supplied to the rack supply unit 10a is sequentially sent out to the rack transfer unit 10c and transferred to the sample aspirating position. The rack supply unit 10a can transport the rack 11 in the direction opposite to the transport direction by driving the conveyor in the direction opposite to the transport direction of the rack 11 indicated by the arrow in the drawing.

  The rack collection unit 10b is a conveyor arranged in parallel with the rack supply unit 10a. The rack collection unit 10b temporarily holds the rack 11 in which the sample to be collected, which is transported from the sample aspirating position, is collected.

  The rack transport unit 10c is a conveyor, and sequentially transports the racks 11 supplied from the rack supply unit 10a to the sample suction position and transports the racks 11 after the sample suction to the rack collection unit 10b.

  A reading unit 15 and an LED 17 are provided on the front surface of the casing 16 of the automatic analyzer 1 near the sample supply unit 10. The reading unit 15 transmits and receives radio waves of a predetermined frequency to and from the RFID tag 11a existing in the reading area as a reading unit that reads information from the RFID tag 11a. The reading unit 15 receives information recorded on the RFID tag 11 a and outputs the received information to the control device 40. The LED 17 notifies that the lid 13 is opened by blinking or turning on as a notification means. In addition, although the alerting | reporting means is implement | achieved by LED17, it is not restricted to this, What is necessary is just to be able to alert | report that the lid | cover 13 opens. For example, you may implement | achieve by sounding an alarm sound with a speaker.

  The rack supply unit 10a is provided with a lid 13 and a sensor 14 as shown in FIG. The lid 13 can be opened and closed via a hinge 13a under the control of the control device 40 by driving a drive mechanism (not shown). The sensor 14 is realized by a contact sensor and detects whether the lid 13 is closed or opened.

  The control device 40 includes a control unit 41, an input unit 42, an analysis unit 43, an output unit 44, a storage unit 45, and a transport control unit 46. Each unit described above in the measurement unit 20, the sample supply unit 10, and the control device 40 is connected to the control unit 41. The control unit 41 is realized by a CPU or the like, and controls processing and operation of each unit of the automatic analyzer 1. The control unit 41 performs predetermined input / output control on information input / output to / from each of these components, and performs predetermined information processing on this information.

  The input unit 42 is realized by a keyboard, a mouse, or the like, and can input various information such as inspection items. The analysis unit 43 obtains the concentration of the detection target in the sample based on the measurement result measured by the photometry unit 29, and performs component analysis of the sample. The output unit 44 is realized by a display panel, a speaker, and the like, and outputs various types of information such as analysis contents and alarms including analysis results. The storage unit 45 includes a hard disk that magnetically stores information, and a memory that electrically reads various programs related to this process from the hard disk when the automatic analyzer 1 executes the process. The storage unit 45 stores information on the sample including the absorbance and the like that have been processed.

  The transport control unit 46 has identification information indicating the priority of whether the sample stored in the rack 11 read by the reading unit 15 is an emergency sample or a general sample, and the number of identification information reading the priority. At the same time, the sample supply unit 10 is controlled so that an interrupt space of the rack 11 corresponding to the number of identification information is provided at the position of the rack supply unit 10a corresponding to the priority.

  In the automatic analyzer 1 configured as described above, the first reagent dispensing mechanism 26 dispenses the first reagent from the first reagent container 23a to the reaction container 22 for the plurality of reaction containers 22 that are sequentially transported. The sample dispensing mechanism 25 dispenses a predetermined amount of sample from the sample container 12 to the reaction container 22. Subsequently, after the stirring unit 28 stirs and reacts the first reagent in the reaction container 22 and the sample, the photometric unit 29 measures the absorbance of the mixed solution of the first reagent and the sample. Further, the second reagent dispensing mechanism 27 dispenses the second reagent from the second reagent container 24a to the reaction container 22 as necessary. Subsequently, after the agitation unit 28 agitates and reacts the mixed solution of the first reagent, the sample, and the second reagent in the reaction container 22, the photometry unit 29 determines whether the first reagent, the sample, and the second reagent are mixed. Measure the absorbance of the mixture. Then, the analysis unit 43 analyzes the measurement result and automatically performs component analysis of the sample. In addition, the cleaning unit 30 cleans and dries the reaction container 22 that has been measured by the photometric unit 29, and a series of analysis operations are continuously repeated.

  Here, the reading unit 15 reads the identification information of the RFID tag 11a, and the transport control unit 46 indicates the priority of whether the sample accommodated in the rack 11 is an emergency sample or a general sample, and the emergency sample. Based on the number of pieces of identification information, control is performed to make an interrupt space at the head position of the rack supply unit 10a by the number of racks that accommodate emergency specimens.

  Next, a rack supply processing procedure by the control device 40 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, first, the transport control unit 46 determines whether or not the reading unit 15 has read the identification information of the RFID tag 11a (step S101). When the identification information of the RFID tag 11a has not been read (step S101; No), the transport control unit 46 continues to wait for the reading unit 15 to read the identification information of the RFID tag 11a.

  On the other hand, when the reading unit 15 reads the identification information of the RFID tag 11a (step S101; Yes), the transport control unit 46 stops the rack supply operation by the sample supply unit 10 (step S102). Thereafter, the transport control unit 46 calculates the number of racks 11 to be supplied to the rack supply unit 10a based on the content and number of the read identification information (step S103). The calculation of the number of racks 11 is the number of identification information read when the number of identification information read is equal to or less than the number of racks that can be mounted on the rack supply unit 10a. If the number of racks that can be exceeded is exceeded, the number of racks that can be mounted is assumed.

  Thereafter, the conveyance control unit 46 informs the output unit 44 of the state information on the rack supply unit 10a side (step S104). As this status information, it is notified that all the racks 11 can be mounted or that all the racks 11 cannot be mounted. When all the racks 11 cannot be mounted, it is preferable to notify the number of racks that cannot be mounted. As a result, the operator can recognize the number of racks that can be mounted before rack supply work.

  Thereafter, the transport control unit 46 determines the priority of whether the sample accommodated in the rack 11 that has read the identification information is an emergency sample or a general sample (step S105). When the sample accommodated in the rack 11 that has read the identification information is an emergency sample (step S105; Yes), the transport control unit 46 sends the rack supply unit 10a the number of racks 11 calculated in step S103. The interruption space P2 is made free (step S106). Here, when the rack 11 in which the general specimen is accommodated has already been mounted on the rack supply unit 10a, the rack 11 of the rack supply unit 10a is stopped in an aligned state in the transport direction (see FIG. 4 ( a)). Therefore, the conveyor is driven in the direction opposite to the transport direction so as to leave the calculated number of racks of the interrupt space P2 at the head position of the aligned rack 11 rows, and the entire aligned rack 11 rows are defined as the transport direction. It is moved in the reverse direction (FIG. 4B).

  On the other hand, when the sample accommodated in the rack 11 that has read the identification information is not an emergency sample (step S105; No), the process proceeds to step S107. That is, when the sample accommodated in the rack 11 from which the identification information has been read is not an emergency sample (step S105; No), the rear part of the 11 rows of racks already arranged on the rack supply unit 10a without leaving the interrupt space P2. A space P1 is formed in the space P1, and the rack 11 can be supplied to the space P1 (FIG. 4A).

  Then, the conveyance control part 46 alert | reports opening the lid | cover 13 by blinking LED17 (step S107). Thereafter, the transport control unit 46 opens the lid 13 (step S108). As a result, the operator can easily supply the rack 11 even when the operator has a plurality of racks 11 in which the emergency specimen is accommodated in both hands.

  Thereafter, the control unit 41 starts a timer (step S109), and determines whether or not a signal indicating that the lid 13 is closed is received from the sensor 14 until the timer expires (step S109). S110). When this signal is not received (step S110; No), the control unit 41 determines whether or not the timer has expired (step S111). When the timer expires (step S111; Yes), the control unit 41 outputs a display indicating an abnormality in which the lid 13 is not closed to the output unit 44 (step S112), and proceeds to step S110. On the other hand, when this signal is received (step S110; Yes), the control unit 41 resumes the rack supply operation by the sample supply unit 10 (step S113), and then ends this process.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the reading unit 15 determines whether the sample accommodated in the rack 11 from the RFID tag 11a attached to the rack 11 supplied to the rack supply unit 10a is an emergency sample or a general sample. The transport control unit 46 stores the emergency sample based on the priority of the identification information read by the reading unit 15 and the number of identification information indicating the read emergency sample. Since the sample supply unit 10 is controlled so as to leave an interrupt space at the head position of the rack supply unit 10a by the number of racks, the operator only needs to read the RFID tag 11a by the reading unit 15. The space for the rack to be supplied is freed up, and the rack supply according to the priority of the specimen test can be easily performed.

  Here, the above-described information recording medium is realized by the RFID tag 11a. In this case, the reading unit 15 is provided with a collision prevention function when reading the RFID tag 11a, so that a plurality of information recording media in the reading area are mounted. It is preferable to enable simultaneous access to the RFID tag 11a. The information recording medium is not limited to the RFID tag 11a, and any information recording medium may be used as long as identification information indicating the priority of the sample accommodated in the rack 11 is recorded and the reading information can be read by the reading unit 15. For example, a barcode may be used, and in this case, the reading unit 15 only needs to be able to optically read the barcode. Moreover, you may show identification information with a specific image. In this case, an image pickup unit such as a normal CCD camera may be used for the reading unit 15 to perform image processing for identifying identification information.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment described above, the conveyance control unit 46 controls the sample supply unit 10 to automatically open the lid 13 after notifying that the lid 13 is opened. However, in the second embodiment, FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, instead of the conveyance control unit 46, the conveyance control unit 46 a is configured to open the lid 13 after notifying that the lid 13 is opened and receiving an instruction from the foot switch 48. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to the same components.

  Here, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the rack supply processing procedure by the control device 47 will be described. FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a rack supply processing procedure by the control device 47. In FIG. 6, first, the transport control unit 46a determines whether or not the reading unit 15 has read the identification information of the RFID tag 11a (step S201). When the identification information of the RFID tag 11a has not been read (step S201; No), the transport control unit 46a continues to wait for the reading unit 15 to read the identification information of the RFID tag 11a.

  On the other hand, when the reading unit 15 reads the identification information of the RFID tag 11a (step S201; Yes), the transport control unit 46a stops the rack supply operation by the sample supply unit 10 (step S202). Thereafter, the transport control unit 46a calculates the number of racks 11 to be supplied to the rack supply unit 10a (step S203). Thereafter, the output unit 44 is notified of the state information on the rack supply unit 10a side (step S204).

  Thereafter, the transport control unit 46a determines the priority of whether the sample stored in the rack 11 that has read the identification information from the RFID tag 11a is an emergency sample or a general sample (step S205). When the sample stored in the rack 11 from which the identification information has been read is an emergency sample (step S205; Yes), the transport control unit 46a interrupts the rack supply unit 10a by the number of calculated racks 11. P2 is released (step S206). On the other hand, when the sample accommodated in the rack 11 from which the identification information has been read is not an emergency sample (step S205; No), the process proceeds to step 207.

  Thereafter, the conveyance control unit 46a notifies that the lid 13 is opened by blinking the LED 17 (step S207). Thereafter, the conveyance control unit 46a starts a timer (step S208), and determines whether or not an instruction to open the lid 13 by the foot switch 48 is received before the timer expires (step S209). When the instruction to open the lid 13 by the foot switch 48 has not been received (step S209; No), the transport control unit 46a determines whether or not the timer has expired (step S210). When the timer expires (step S210; Yes), the transport control unit 46a restarts the rack supply operation by the sample supply unit 10 (step S211), and proceeds to step S201. Here, for example, when it is notified in step S204 that all the racks 11 cannot be mounted, the supply of the racks 11 can be canceled by increasing the time.

  On the other hand, when the instruction to open the lid 13 by the foot switch 48 is received (step S209; Yes), the transport control unit 46a opens the lid 13 (step S212). As a result, the operator can easily supply the rack 11 even when the operator has a plurality of racks 11 in which the emergency specimen is accommodated in both hands. Moreover, since the lid 13 is opened by further pressing the foot switch 48 after notifying that the lid 13 is opened, the lid 13 can be opened safely.

  Thereafter, the control unit 41 starts a timer (step S213), and determines whether or not a signal indicating that the lid 13 is closed is received from the sensor 14 until the timer expires (step S213). S214). When this signal has not been received (step S214; No), the control unit 41 determines whether or not the timer has expired (step S215). When the timer expires (step S215; Yes), the control unit 41 outputs a display indicating an abnormality in which the lid 13 is not closed to the output unit 44 (step S216), and proceeds to step S214. On the other hand, when this signal is received (step S214; Yes), the control unit 41 restarts the operation of the sample supply unit 10 (step S217), and then ends this process.

  In the second embodiment of the present invention, the same effect as in the first embodiment is obtained, and the lid 13 is opened by further pressing the foot switch 48 after notifying that the lid 13 is opened. The lid 13 can be opened more safely.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the sample supply unit 10 is exemplified as having the lid 13 that can be opened and closed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and only the RFID tag 11 a is read by the reading unit 15. Thus, an interrupt space of the rack 11 corresponding to the number of identification information read by the reading unit 15 may be made free at the position of the rack supply unit 10a corresponding to the priority of the sample. For example, the sample supply unit 10 may not have the lid 13.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the emergency sample and the general sample are exemplified as the identification information indicating the sample priority. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the rack supply unit 10a corresponding to the sample priority is used. The interrupt space of the rack 11 corresponding to the number of pieces of identification information read by the reading unit 15 may be vacated at the position. For example, when a sample having a priority such as a quasi-urgent sample between an emergency sample and a general sample is supplied to the rack supply unit 10a, the position of the rack supply unit 10a on the rear side of the emergency sample and on the front side of the general sample In addition, an interruption space of the rack 11 corresponding to the number of identification information read by the reading unit 15 may be made free.

  Furthermore, in Embodiment 2 described above, an example in which an instruction input for opening the lid 13 using the foot switch 48 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the lid 13 can be automatically opened without performing a complicated instruction operation. If you can. For example, it is preferable that it is possible to easily input an instruction to open the lid 13 even with a plurality of racks 11 in both hands. Specifically, the lid 13 may be automatically opened by an instruction input for opening the lid 13 by voice performed via a microphone.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the rack 11 in which the general sample is accommodated is moved within the space of the rack supply unit 10a so that the interrupt space of the rack 11 in which the emergency sample is accommodated is made free. However, the present invention is not limited to this, as long as an interrupt space can be provided in the rack supply unit 10a. For example, by providing a conveyor as a buffer arranged in parallel with the rack supply unit 10a and temporarily moving the rack 11 containing the general sample to the buffer, an interrupt space is made available in the rack supply unit 10a. You may do it.

It is a model diagram which shows the structure of the automatic analyzer concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the automatic analyzer shown in FIG. It is the flowchart which showed the rack supply process procedure which the control part shown in FIG. 1 implements. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining that an emergency sample interrupt space is made available in the rack supply unit shown in FIG. 1. It is a model diagram which shows the structure of the automatic analyzer concerning Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the rack supply process procedure which the control part shown in FIG. 5 implements.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2 Automatic analyzer 10 Sample supply part 10a Rack supply part 10b Rack collection | recovery part 10c Rack conveyance part 10d Attachment 11 Rack 11a RFID tag 12 Sample container 13 Cover 13a Hinge 14 Sensor 15 Reading part 16 Housing 17 LED
20 Measurement unit 21 Reaction tank 21a Wheel 22 Reaction container 23 First reagent container 23a First reagent container 24 Second reagent container 24a Second reagent container 25 Sample dispensing mechanism 25a, 26a, 27a Arm 25b, 26b, 27b Probe 26 First 1 reagent dispensing mechanism 27 second reagent dispensing mechanism 28 stirring unit 29 photometric unit 29a light source 29b light receiving element 30 washing unit 40, 47 control device 41 control unit 42 input unit 43 analysis unit 44 output unit 45 storage unit 46, 46a transport Control unit 48 Foot switch P1, P2 Space

Claims (8)

Sample supply means for transporting the rack to the sample aspiration position from a rack supply unit that holds the rack holding the sample container that holds the sample to the sample aspiration position, and reacts the sample at the sample aspiration position In an automatic analyzer that analyzes the sample by dispensing into a container and reacting with a reagent in the reaction container,
An information recording medium attached to a rack to be supplied to the rack supply unit and including identification information indicating the priority of a sample stored in the rack;
Reading means for reading the identification information from the information recording medium;
Based on the priority of the identification information read by the reading means and the number of pieces of identification information read, the interruption space of the rack corresponding to the number of the identification information at the position of the rack supply unit corresponding to the priority Control means for controlling the sample supply means to free up
An automatic analyzer characterized by comprising: The rack supplied to the rack supply unit is a rack containing an emergency sample, and the priority of the identification information included in the information recording medium attached to the rack is the highest priority,
When the priority of the identification information read by the reading means is the highest priority, the control means opens a rack interruption space corresponding to the number of the identification information at the head position of the rack supply unit. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the sample supply unit is controlled. The information recording medium is attached when the rack accommodates an emergency sample,
The said control means controls the said sample supply means so that the interruption space of the rack according to the number of the said identification information read by the said reading means may be vacated in the head position of the said rack supply part. The automatic analyzer according to 1. The specimen supply means has a lid that can be opened and closed at the top,
Based on the priority of the identification information read by the reading means and the number of identification information read, the control means responds to the number of the identification information at the position of the rack supply unit according to the priority. The automatic control according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the specimen supply means is controlled so as to open an interrupt space in the rack and the lid is opened. Analysis equipment. Informing means for informing that the lid is opened,
The automatic analysis apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit performs control for opening the lid after performing the notification by the notification unit. Comprising input means for inputting an instruction to open the lid;
6. The automatic analyzer according to claim 4, wherein the control unit performs control to open the lid after receiving an instruction from the input unit.   The automatic analyzer according to claim 6, wherein the control unit performs control to open the lid after notification by the notification unit and after receiving an instruction from the input unit.   The automatic analyzer according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the input means is a foot switch.

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