JP2019143989A - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic analyzer which does not reduce the processing capacity by registering a reagent by accurately and promptly detecting the liquid level in the reagent container at the time of registering a reagent during the same operation cycle as the analysis operation. SOLUTION: The reagent container is equipped with a reagent liquid level detection mechanism for detecting the presence or absence of a reagent at a predetermined height in a reagent container from a pressure change at the time of suction of the reagent by a reagent probe, and a control unit, and the reagent container is mounted on the reagent container movement mechanism. The presence or absence of the reagent is detected first within the first operation cycle, and the reagent suction operation for dispensing the reagent from the reagent container to the reaction vessel is performed within the second operation cycle, and the second operation cycle. The timing when the reagent probe starts the reagent suction to dispense the reagent from the reagent container and the timing when the reagent suction operation for detecting the presence or absence of the reagent by the liquid level detection mechanism is started within the first operation cycle. By comparison, an automatic analyzer characterized in that the timing to start the reagent suction operation within the first operation cycle is late. [Selection diagram] FIG. 10

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that performs qualitative and quantitative analysis of biological samples such as blood and urine, and relates to a method for detecting the level of a reagent in a reagent container using a reagent probe.

  In an automatic analyzer that analyzes multiple components of a liquid sample such as blood and urine, a large number of reagents are prepared, and accurate analysis operation and highly reliable measurement results are required. In order to realize these, various elements are required. In particular, the ability to dispense reagents accurately is one of the basic functional requirements. In order to dispense the reagent accurately, it is essential that the probe tip for sucking the reagent is in contact with the reagent liquid surface during the suction.

  When the user inserts a new reagent container into the reagent disk, in order to perform accurate reagent dispensing in the subsequent analysis operation, check the filling amount in the reagent container until the reagent probe contacts the reagent liquid surface. It is necessary to calculate the amount of descent required for. This is called reagent registration.

  As methods for confirming the filling amount in the reagent container, various methods have been proposed so far, such as a method using the pressure at the time of reagent aspiration and a method for monitoring a change in the capacitance of the reagent probe. However, these detection methods are required to be performed without being affected by liquid level fluctuation. In particular, at the time of reagent registration, if the reagent probe is repeatedly in contact with or not in contact with the liquid level due to the influence of the liquid level fluctuation, accurate liquid level confirmation cannot be performed.

  On the other hand, for the purpose of improving the processing capacity of the automatic analyzer, the reagent disk is becoming larger and the rotational operation speed is increasing. As a result, the fluctuation of the liquid level in the reagent container during the analysis operation tends to increase.

  In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-190811 (Patent Document 1), the reagent liquid level is detected by a method using capacitance change at the time of reagent registration. In order to avoid the influence of the liquid level fluctuation, the reagent disk detects the liquid level of the reagent container for registering the reagent using two or more units of time when the predetermined operation cycle time is set as one unit. It is transported to the position.

JP 2010-190811 A

  In the method of Patent Document 1, since it takes time until the liquid level is settled, two units of operation cycle time are required for detecting the liquid level in reagent registration. In this method, when reagent registration is performed during an analysis operation, operation scheduling design becomes very difficult, so a method specialized in reagent disk control for performing reagent registration during standby before the start of analysis and I can say that.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer that does not reduce the processing capacity due to reagent registration by accurately and quickly detecting the liquid level in the reagent container during reagent registration during the same operation cycle as the analysis operation. It is.

  The configuration of the present invention for solving the above-described problems is as follows.

  The present invention includes a plurality of means for solving the above problems. To give one example, a sample dispensing mechanism including a sample probe for dispensing a sample from a sample container to a reaction container, and a reagent from the reagent container. A reagent dispensing mechanism having a reagent probe for dispensing into a reaction container, an analysis mechanism for analyzing a reaction solution contained in the reaction container, and a reagent that is equipped with a plurality of reagent containers and that is dispensed by the reagent probe A reagent container moving mechanism for moving a predetermined reagent container to a dispensing position, and a reagent liquid level detecting mechanism for detecting the presence or absence of a reagent at a predetermined height in the reagent container from a pressure change when the reagent is aspirated by the reagent probe And a control unit that controls operations of the sample dispensing mechanism, the reagent dispensing mechanism, the analysis mechanism, the reagent container moving mechanism, and the liquid level detection mechanism according to a certain operation cycle, The reagent container is mounted on the reagent container moving mechanism, and the reagent aspirating operation for dispensing the reagent from the reagent container to the reaction container is performed within the first operation cycle, and the first detection of the presence or absence of the reagent is performed. Within the operation period, and within the second operation period, the reagent probe starts aspirating the reagent to dispense the reagent from the reagent container, and the liquid level detection within the first operation period. When the timing of starting the reagent aspirating operation for detecting the presence or absence of the reagent by the mechanism is compared, the automatic analyzer controls the timing to start the reagent aspirating operation within the first operation cycle to be late.

  To give another example for solving the above problem, a sample dispensing mechanism having a sample probe for dispensing a sample from a sample container to a reaction container, and a reagent probe for dispensing a reagent from the reagent container to the reaction container A reagent dispensing mechanism comprising: an analysis mechanism for analyzing a reaction solution contained in the reaction container; and a plurality of reagent containers, and a predetermined reagent to a reagent dispensing position where the reagent probe dispenses the reagent A reagent container moving mechanism for moving the container, a reagent liquid level detecting mechanism for detecting a reagent liquid level in the reagent container using a change in capacitance when the reagent probe reaches the reagent liquid level, A control unit configured to control operations of the injection mechanism, the reagent dispensing mechanism, the analysis mechanism, the reagent container moving mechanism, and the liquid level detection mechanism according to a predetermined operation cycle, and the control unit includes: Mounted on the moving mechanism The reagent liquid level detection performed first is performed within the first operation cycle, and the reagent suction operation for dispensing the reagent from the reagent container to the reaction container is performed within the second operation cycle, and the second operation is performed. The timing for determining the liquid level arrival by the capacitance detection by the liquid level detection mechanism within the cycle and the timing for determining the liquid level arrival by the capacitance detection by the liquid level detection mechanism within the first operation cycle. In comparison, the automatic analyzer controls the liquid level detection mechanism so that the timing at which the liquid level detection mechanism determines the arrival of the liquid level by capacitance detection is late within the first operation cycle.

  According to the automatic analyzer configured as described above, accurate reagent liquid level detection can be performed within the same unit operation cycle time as in the analysis operation. As a result, it is not necessary to incorporate a special operation cycle in the operation scheduling of each component unit, reagent registration can be performed quickly, test time can be shortened, and deterioration of the sample to be measured can be avoided. In addition, since the reagent registration operation is completed within the unit operation cycle, operation scheduling design is facilitated.

It is the schematic of the automatic analyzer concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the reagent probe which performs a liquid level detection using the conventional pressure detection system. It is a flowchart in the case of performing reagent registration by the conventional pressure detection system. It is a block diagram of the reagent probe which performs a liquid level detection using the conventional electrostatic capacitance detection system. It is a flowchart in the case of performing reagent registration by the conventional electrostatic capacitance detection system. It is a block diagram of the reagent probe which performs a liquid level detection using the pressure detection system of this invention. It is a flowchart in the case of performing reagent registration by the pressure detection system of this invention. It is a block diagram of the reagent probe which performs a liquid level detection using the electrostatic capacitance detection system of this invention. It is a flowchart in the case of performing reagent registration by the electrostatic capacity detection method of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram comparing operation timings in the conventional pressure detection method shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and the pressure detection method of the present invention shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 10 is a diagram comparing operation timings of the conventional electrostatic detection method shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and the electrostatic detection method of the present invention shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. It is a schematic diagram of the operation timing within one operation cycle of the present invention. It is a section schematic diagram of a reagent container concerning an automatic analyzer of an embodiment of the present invention.

  An embodiment of the automatic analyzer of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, an automatic analyzer is an apparatus that dispenses and reacts a sample and a reagent in a plurality of reaction vessels 2 arranged circumferentially on a reaction disk 1 and measures the reaction solution.

  Near the reaction disk 1 is disposed a sample transport mechanism 5 that transports a sample rack 4 on which one or more sample containers 3 containing samples to be analyzed are mounted.

  A sample dispensing mechanism 6 that can rotate and move up and down is disposed between the reaction disk 1 and the sample transport mechanism 5.

  The sample dispensing mechanism 6 has a sample probe 7 and is connected to a sample syringe 8 which is a mechanism for manipulating the dispensing amount. The sample probe 7 is inserted into the sample accommodated in the sample container 3, and the sample syringe 8 is operated to suck the sample. The sample probe 7 that has sucked the sample rotates and moves to discharge the sample into the reaction vessel 2 to dispense the sample. A cleaning tank 9 for cleaning the sample probe 7 is disposed in the operating range of the sample probe 7.

  A plurality of reagent containers 11 can be circumferentially installed in the reagent disk 10. A drive mechanism such as a motor for rotating the reagent disk 10 and a reagent disk (not shown) is a reagent container moving mechanism.

  The reagent disk 10 is covered with a cover provided with a reagent suction port (not shown), and the reagent container 11 is stored while being kept cold. Between the reaction disk 1 and the reagent disk 10, reagent dispensing mechanisms 12 and 13 that can rotate and move up and down are installed. The reagent dispensing mechanisms 12 and 13 have reagent probes 14 and 15 and are connected to a reagent syringe 16 for manipulating the dispensing amount.

  The reagent probes 14 and 15 are accessed from the reagent suction port to the reagent disk 10, inserted into the reagent contained in the reagent container 11 installed on the reagent disk 10, and the reagent syringe 16 is operated to suck the reagent. To do. The reagent probes 14 and 15 that have aspirated the reagent rotate and move to discharge the reagent into the reaction container 2, thereby dispensing the reagent. In the operating range of the reagent probes 14 and 15, cleaning tanks 17 and 18 for cleaning the reagent probes 14 and 15 are arranged.

  The stirring mechanisms 19 and 20 for stirring the reaction solution in the reaction vessel 2 can be rotated and moved up and down, and cleaning tanks 21 and 22 for cleaning the stirring mechanisms 19 and 20 are arranged in the operating range. Has been.

  Also, around the reaction disk 1, a spectrophotometer 24 for measuring the absorbance of the reaction solution by measuring the transmitted light from the light source 23 obtained through the reaction solution in the reaction vessel 2 and used for analysis. A cleaning mechanism 25 and the like for cleaning the reaction vessel are arranged, and a cleaning pump 26 is connected to the cleaning mechanism 25.

  The computer 27 controls the operation of each mechanism described above in the automatic analyzer and performs a calculation process for obtaining the concentration of a predetermined component in the sample to be analyzed from the obtained absorbance. The computer 27 includes a storage unit 27A and a control unit 27B. The storage unit 27A is a storage medium such as a semiconductor memory or a hard disk. The control unit 27B is a controller.

  The above is the general configuration of the automatic analyzer.

  The analysis processing of the sample to be analyzed by the automatic analyzer as described above is generally executed in the following order.

  First, the sample in the sample container 3 mounted on the sample rack 4 transported near the reaction disk 1 by the sample transport mechanism 5 is transferred to the reaction container 2 on the reaction disk 1 by the sample probe 7 of the sample dispensing mechanism 6. Dispense into Next, the reagent used for the analysis is dispensed from the reagent container 11 on the reagent disk 10 to the reaction container 2 into which the sample has been dispensed previously by the reagent dispensing mechanisms 12 and 13. Subsequently, the reaction solution of the sample and the reagent in the reaction vessel 2 is stirred by the stirring mechanisms 19 and 20.

Thereafter, the light emitted from the light source 23 is transmitted through the reaction vessel 2 containing the reaction solution, and the luminous intensity of the transmitted light is measured by the spectrophotometer 24. Absorbance measured by the spectrophotometer 24 is transmitted to the computer 27 via the A / D converter and the interface. Then, the computer 27 performs calculation processing of a predetermined component concentration of the sample to be analyzed, and displays the obtained measurement result on a display unit (not shown) or the like. The light source 23, spectrophotometer 24, and A / D converter (not shown) are analysis mechanisms.

  Next, liquid level detection, that is, reagent registration for confirming whether there is an expected liquid amount when the reagent container 11 newly mounted on the reagent disk 10 is registered in the system for the first time will be described.

  FIG. 2 is an example of a configuration diagram of a conventional liquid level detection mechanism using pressure detection. The reagent syringe 16 has a drive mechanism 28 and a plunger 29, and is connected to a pump 31 through a valve 30. The reagent syringe 16 is controlled by the control unit 27B and sucks and discharges the reagent. The reagent syringe 16 and the reagent probe 14 are connected via a dispensing channel 33. The pressure sensor 34 is disposed between the plunger 29 and the reagent probe 14. Although the reagent probe 14 has been described, the reagent probe 15 has the same configuration.

  The pressure sensor 34 is connected to the AD converter 36. The AD converter 36 digitally converts the analog voltage data output from the pressure sensor 34 using the signal indicating that the reagent probe 14 has been lowered from the control unit 27B as a trigger.

  The data extraction unit 37 receives the digital data of the pressure waveform from the AD converter 36 and passes it to the abnormality determination unit 38. The abnormality determination unit 38 analyzes the pressure data and determines whether or not the reagent probe 14 can suck the reagent. The pressure sensor 34, the AD converter 36, the data extraction unit 37, and the abnormality determination unit 38 are reagent liquid level detection mechanisms.

  The control unit 27B can control the motor 42 to operate the reagent probe vertical drive mechanism 43 to move the reagent probe 14 up and down.

  Before aspirating the reagent, the control unit 27B opens the valve 30 to fill the dispensing flow path 33 and the reagent probe 14 with the system liquid 39 supplied from the pump 31. Next, in a state where the tip of the reagent probe 14 is in the air, the control unit 27B lowers the plunger 29 by the drive mechanism 28 and sucks the segmental air 40.

  Next, the control unit 27B lowers the reagent probe 14 into the reagent container 11 by the reagent probe vertical drive mechanism 43, and lowers the plunger 29 by a predetermined amount with its tip immersed in the reagent, and sucks the reagent into the probe. To do. Thereby, the reagent is sucked into the reagent probe 14 as the suction liquid 41.

  FIG. 3 shows whether the dispensing mechanism shown in FIG. 2 has a predetermined liquid amount when the reagent container 11 newly mounted on the reagent disk 10 is first inserted into the reagent disk, that is, when reagent registration is performed. It is the conventional flowchart of the liquid level detection operation | movement for confirming.

  In FIG. 3, the operation flow of the reagent probe 14 will be described as an example, but the operation flow of the reagent probe 15 is the same.

  In step S31, the reagent disk 10 in which the reagent container is set rotates the reagent container to the reagent suction position. At the same time, the reagent probe 14 is moved to the reagent aspirating position by the reagent dispensing mechanism 12.

  The reagent container 11 is affixed with an RFID tag or a barcode on which reagent filling amount information is recorded. The automatic analyzer includes an RFID tag and barcode reading mechanism (not shown), and can read reagent filling amount information from these storage media at the time of reagent registration.

  In step S32, the reagent probe 14 is lowered from the predetermined height into the reagent container 11 at the reagent suction position by the reagent probe vertical drive mechanism 43. At this time, the reagent probe 14 descends to wait for a certain time (one operation cycle time) after stopping the reagent disk or to analyze the descending speed of the reagent probe in order to wait for the shaking of the reagent liquid surface to settle. It is performed slower than the descending speed of the hour. In the following description, a method of slowing the reagent probe lowering speed will be described as a conventional method. Since the descending speed is delayed in the conventional method, if the reagent aspiration timing is the same as in the analysis operation, the reagent registration cannot be completed within one operation cycle, and only when the automatic analyzer is in the standby state. Reagent registration cannot be executed.

  In step S33, the reagent probe 14 is stopped after being lowered to the specified position, and the reagent syringe 16 is operated to aspirate a specified amount of reagent. The specified position at which the reagent probe descends, that is, the reagent probe descending amount, takes into account the liquid level calculated from the reagent filling amount read from the RFID tag or barcode of the reagent container, the filling amount error, and the difference between devices. Calculated from the surplus thrust amount. Also, in order to avoid the risk of reagent emptying during the analysis operation, the specified position where the reagent probe descends during reagent registration is higher than the specified position during the analysis operation, that is, the amount of reagent probe descending is the reagent during the analysis operation. It is set so as to be smaller than the descending amount of the probe.

In step S34, the pressure fluctuation data during the suction of the reagent probe 14 is analyzed, and the presence or absence of the reagent is determined based on whether or not the lowered reagent probe has sucked the reagent. The determination as to whether or not the suction is possible is performed by a statistical method such as Mahalanobis distance or linear discrimination. If the reagent is aspirated in step S34, that is, if it is determined that there is a reagent in the reagent container 11, the process proceeds to step S35.

  In step S35, the reagent probe 14 is raised to the upper limit by the reagent probe vertical drive mechanism 43.

  In step S36, the number of testable reagents and the remaining amount of reagent according to the filling amount of the reagent are registered in the storage unit 27A.

  If the reagent is not aspirated in step S34, that is, if it is determined that the reagent container 11 is not filled with the specified amount of reagent, the process proceeds to step S37, and an abnormal process such as generating an alarm as an insufficient amount of filling is performed. Is called.

  FIG. 4 is an example of a configuration diagram of a conventional liquid level detection mechanism using capacitance detection. Basic configurations such as a probe and a syringe are the same as those in FIG. Also, the control unit 27B can control the reagent probe vertical drive mechanism 43 to move the reagent probe 14 up and down, as in FIG.

  A capacitance detection unit 44 is connected to the reagent probe 14. The capacitance detector 44 can output the capacitance of the reagent probe 14. For example, the capacitance detection unit 44 outputs a capacitance value triggered by a signal that causes the control unit 27B to start the reagent probe 14 to descend to the liquid level.

  The capacitance detection unit 44 and the abnormality determination unit 45 are reagent liquid level detection mechanisms.

  FIG. 5 is a conventional flowchart of a liquid level detection operation for confirming whether or not the dispensing mechanism shown in FIG. 4 has a predetermined liquid amount in the reagent container when performing reagent registration.

  Step S51 is the same as S31 of FIG.

  In step S52, the reagent probe 14 is lowered in a state where the capacitance detection unit outputs the capacitance value, and the reagent probe is driven up and down until the tip of the reagent probe touches the liquid surface and the capacitance exceeds the threshold value. The mechanism 43 continues to descend.

  In step S53, when the capacitance change output from the capacitance detection unit 44 exceeds the threshold during the lowering operation of the reagent probe 14, that is, when a liquid level signal is detected, the control unit 27B outputs a stop signal. The descent operation stops.

  In the conventional method, the capacitance is continuously monitored while the reagent probe is descending, and in order to prevent false detection, the reagent probe begins to descend after the liquid level has settled, or the reagent probe descending speed is adjusted. It was delayed. Therefore, reagent registration cannot be completed within one operation cycle, and reagent registration can be executed only when the automatic analyzer is in a standby state.

  In step S54, after a lapse of a predetermined time from the stop of the lowering operation of the reagent probe 14, the control unit 27B reconfirms the capacitance value, that is, determines whether the reagent probe has reached the liquid level. Along with the stop height of the reagent probe 14, it is output to the abnormality determination unit 45. In this description, in order to avoid erroneous detection due to bubbles on the reagent liquid surface, etc., it is reconfirmed after a predetermined time, that is, determination of the liquid surface arrival is made. You may determine surface arrival.

  The abnormality determination unit 45 determines that the reagent probe 14 is in contact with the liquid surface and the height at which the reagent probe 14 is stopped, that is, the height of the reagent liquid surface is determined from the RFID tag or barcode of the reagent container. If it is determined that the liquid level is within the specified range calculated from the read reagent filling amount, it is determined that the liquid is present and there is no abnormal drop, and the process proceeds to step S55.

  In step S55, the reagent probe 14 is raised to the upper limit by the reagent probe vertical drive mechanism 43.

  In step S56, the reagent liquid surface height is obtained from the downward movement amount of the reagent probe 14 in step S53, and the number of testable times of the reagent is registered in the storage unit 27A.

  In step S54, when the abnormality determination unit 45 determines that the reagent probe 14 is not touching the liquid surface, or the height at which the reagent probe 14 is stopped, that is, the height of the reagent liquid surface is the RFID of the reagent container. If it is determined that it is not within the specified range of the liquid level calculated from the reagent filling amount read from the tag or barcode, the process proceeds to step S57 as there is no liquid or there is an abnormal drop, and an abnormality such as generating an alarm. Process.

(Example 1)
Next, the liquid level detection of the reagent in the present invention will be described. The liquid level detection at the time of reagent registration in the present invention can be performed during one operation cycle of the analysis operation of the automatic analyzer. In reagent registration, when a user puts a new reagent container into the reagent disk, in order to perform accurate reagent dispensing in the subsequent analysis operation, the filling amount in the reagent container is confirmed, and the reagent probe is This is an operation for calculating the amount of descent required until it touches and registering the remaining amount of reagent in the storage unit.

  FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a liquid level detection mechanism using pressure detection in the present invention.

  The difference from FIG. 2 is that a timing detection unit 35 is connected between the control unit 27B and the AD converter. The timing detection unit 35 has a function of monitoring the control unit 27B and acquiring the operation end timing of the reagent syringe 16 and the elapsed time from the operation start. The timing detection unit 35 instructs the AD converter 36 to perform digital conversion after the reagent syringe 16 stops. The AD converter 36 digitally converts the analog voltage data output from the pressure sensor 34 in accordance with the instruction. The pressure sensor 34, the AD converter 36, the data extraction unit 37, and the abnormality determination unit 38 are reagent liquid level detection mechanisms. Further, the control unit 27B can control the reagent probe vertical drive mechanism 43 to move the reagent probe 14 up and down at a predetermined timing.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart when the dispensing mechanism shown in FIG. 6 performs liquid level detection during reagent registration. In the liquid level detection method of the present invention, the time required for liquid level detection at the time of reagent registration is shortened by controlling the reagent aspiration timing, and can be carried out within the same unit operation cycle as in the analysis operation.

  Step S71 is the same as step S31 of FIG. 3 in the conventional method.

  Step S72 is different from step S32 of FIG. 3 in the conventional method, and the reagent probe 14 is lowered by the reagent probe vertical drive mechanism 43 at the same speed as during the analysis operation. The descending speed of the reagent probe 14 can be arbitrarily set as long as it is a condition that allows reagent registration to be completed within one operation cycle time, that is, a condition that allows reagent aspiration to be completed in step S73 described below.

  In step S73, the reagent syringe 16 is operated to suck the reagent in the same manner as in step S33 of the conventional method FIG.

  The specified position where the reagent probe 14 descends, that is, the descending amount of the reagent probe 14 is the same as in FIG. That is, it is calculated from the liquid level calculated from the reagent filling amount read from the RFID tag or barcode of the reagent container, and the surplus amount of protrusion considering the filling amount error and the difference between apparatuses.

  In addition, in order to avoid the risk that the reagent probe is sucked during the analysis operation, the specified position where the reagent probe descends during reagent registration is higher than the specified position where the reagent probe descends in the analysis operation start cycle. That is, the reagent probe lowering amount is set smaller than the lowering amount during the analysis operation. In other words, the surplus amount of protrusion when the reagent probe descends relative to the liquid level calculated at the time of reagent registration is greater than the surplus amount of protrusion when the reagent probe descends relative to the liquid level calculated during the analysis operation. Is set too few.

  The difference from the conventional method is that the timing at which the reagent syringe 16 can operate is the same as the timing at which the reagent syringe 16 can operate during the analysis operation. Since the reagent to be aspirated during the liquid level detection operation does not need to be analyzed, it can be set to a reagent aspiration amount smaller than the minimum reagent aspiration amount for reagent dispensing during the analysis operation. The amount of reagent to be aspirated during the liquid level detection operation varies depending on the reagent liquid property, the reagent probe channel length, the channel diameter, and the acceleration / deceleration pattern of the syringe operation. On the other hand, as the amount of reagent suction increases, the misclassification rate for the presence or absence of reagent suction tends to decrease. In this discrimination method, the determination as to whether or not the suction is successful can be made by analyzing the pressure data at the time of suction by a statistical method. The discrimination parameter used at this time is calculated from pressure data covering the conditions such as the reagent solution property, the reagent probe channel length, the channel diameter, and the acceleration / deceleration pattern of the syringe operation, and is stored in the storage unit 27A of the computer 27 of the automatic analyzer. Stored in advance.

  The reagent aspiration amount for minimizing the reagent aspiration time for detecting the liquid level, i.e., the presence or absence of the reagent, is the amount of the reagent aspiration that does not cause misidentification under all conditions when the collected data is discriminated using the discrimination parameter. Obtained by finding the minimum value. Note that the reagent suction amount may be set to a different amount depending on the type of reagent, that is, the reagent suction amount may be variable depending on the type of reagent.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 6, the timing detection unit 35 monitors the time from the end of the reagent probe lowering operation to the start of the reagent aspirating operation, and at any timing within the operation time assigned to the reagent syringe 16 16 can start the suction operation.

  Therefore, the first half of the operation time of the reagent syringe 16 is allowed to stand by in order to ensure the liquid level stabilization time, and the second half performs the operation of aspirating the reagent for detecting the liquid level. That is, it is possible to control to delay the timing of starting the reagent aspirating operation until the reagent liquid level is stabilized. This makes it possible to accurately detect the reagent liquid level within one unit operation cycle time.

  In order to ensure the longest liquid level stabilization time, the end time of the operation time allocated to the reagent syringe 16 within the unit operation cycle, that is, the timing for detecting the liquid level in accordance with the timing when the reagent probe starts to rise to the upper limit point. It is desirable to control so that reagent aspiration is completed.

    As described in step S72, the lowering operation of the reagent probe is controlled so that the reagent probe reaches a predetermined height for detecting the presence or absence of the reagent before starting the reagent aspiration for detecting the liquid level. do it.

  Steps S74, S75, and S76 are the same as steps S34, S35, and S36 in the conventional method FIG.

  In step S74, when it is determined that there is no reagent at a predetermined height in the reagent container 11, the process proceeds to step S77, and an abnormal process such as generating an alarm as an insufficient filling amount is performed.

  Since this method is performed within the same operation cycle as in the analysis operation as described above, even when abnormality processing is performed, the reagent probe is raised to the upper limit at the same timing as step S75 in step S78, and the reagent disk in step S71. It is possible to return to the probe rotation operation.

  In this method, since the liquid level can be detected within the same operation cycle as that during the analysis operation, it is possible to easily design the retry operation scheduling after the abnormality processing. During the retry operation, the lowering amount of the reagent probe 14 in step S72 may be larger than the lowering amount in the first step S32. That is, the specified position in S74 may be set lower than in the first step. However, it should not be lower than the specified position where the reagent probe 14 descends at the start of the analysis operation. Alternatively, the probe lowering amount may be set by adding the surplus amount by which the reagent probe descends at the start of analysis with reference to the reagent liquid level detected by the retry operation.

  Further, this retry operation may be executed in the next operation cycle in which the abnormality process is performed, or may be executed in the subsequent operation cycle after another operation is executed in the next cycle.

  If it is confirmed that a specified amount of reagent is filled in this retry operation, the remaining reagent amount and the number of measurable times are calculated from the increment of the reagent probe lowering amount, that is, from the lowered height of the specified position of the reagent probe. Is registered in the storage unit 27A.

  If the reagent cannot be confirmed in the reagent bottle 11 even in the retry operation, although not shown, an alarm is given as insufficient filling in S77, and registration of the reagent container is stopped. The number of times that the retry operation is allowed can be specified by the user.

  An advantage over Example 2 described later is that since a pressure fluctuation at the time of suction is determined as data, even if the reagent probe is in contact with a cap of the reagent container or the like, it is not erroneously detected.

  During the analysis operation, the sample in the sample container 3 mounted on the rack 4 is transported to the sample dispensing position near the reaction disk 1 by the sample transport mechanism 5. After transport, the sample is dispensed by the sample probe 7 into the reaction vessel 2 on the reaction disk 1.

  When the reagent registration is interrupted in the analysis operation, the dispensing operation of the sample is stopped at this time, and the sample container 3 stands by on the sample transport mechanism 5. In the conventional method, the reagent registration operation is started after all necessary reagents are dispensed to the dispensed sample. The sample container 3 keeps waiting by the sample transport mechanism 5 until the reagent registration operation is completed, so that moisture in the sample evaporates with time and the sample is concentrated. Various changes such as protein aggregation may occur in the concentrated sample solution, and normal analysis results may not be obtained. Therefore, the reagent registration operation needs to be completed quickly, and the present invention that can perform reagent registration quickly within the same operation cycle as the analysis operation is very effective.

(Example 2)
FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a liquid level detection method using capacitance detection in the present invention.

  The difference from FIG. 4 is that a timing detection unit 35 is connected between the control unit 27A and the motor. The timing detection unit 35 monitors the control unit 27B, and acquires the timing to start monitoring the output from the capacitance detection unit 44, the timing to cause the abnormality determination unit to perform abnormality determination, and the elapsed time from the start of operation. It has a function. The capacitance detection unit 44 and the abnormality determination unit 45 are reagent liquid level detection mechanisms.

  The control unit 27B controls the reagent probe vertical drive mechanism 43 and can move the reagent probe 14 up and down at a predetermined timing.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart when the dispensing mechanism shown in FIG. 10 performs liquid level detection at the time of reagent registration.

  The description of steps S81, S83, S84, S85, S86, and S87 is the same as the corresponding steps S51, S52, S53, S54, S55, and S56 in FIG. The difference from FIG. 5 is that the lowering operation of the reagent probe 14 by the reagent probe vertical drive mechanism 43 is divided into two stages.

  In step S82, the reagent probe is lowered to, for example, a height of 5 mm above the reagent liquid level, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the reagent probe 14 is lowered to the liquid level while monitoring the capacitance value in step S83. The optimum height of the height from above the liquid level in step S82 varies depending on the reagent disk radius, the rotation speed, the rotation amount, and the reagent liquid property.

  In this embodiment, monitoring of the capacitance value is started in accordance with the descending operation 2 of the reagent probe. However, the monitoring may be started at the start of the descending operation 1 or the reagent probe is lowered to a predetermined height. The monitor may be started after having stopped.

  In this embodiment, the step of the lowering operation has two steps. However, it is sufficient to control the reagent probe so that it reaches the assumed reagent liquid level after the liquid level is settled. Controls such as delaying, slowing down the reagent probe lowering speed, or dividing the reagent probe lowering operation three or more times are also possible.

  In this embodiment, compared with the case where the reagent probe is lowered in the operation cycle for dispensing the reagent from the reagent container to the reaction container, since the reagent aspirating operation is unnecessary, the reagent probe is performed at a later timing. Can be controlled to detect the liquid level and stop, and then determine the arrival of the liquid level. This makes it possible to accurately detect the reagent liquid level within one unit operation cycle time.

  In order to ensure the longest liquid level stabilization time, the determination of arrival of the liquid level is made in accordance with the end time of the operation time allocated to the reagent syringe 16 within the unit operation cycle, that is, the timing when the reagent probe starts to rise to the upper limit point. It is desirable to control to do. The timing for determining the arrival of the liquid level by the reagent liquid level detection mechanism can be changed and set depending on the type (liquidity) of the reagent, that is, the timing for determining the arrival of the liquid level can be made variable.

  After determining that there is no reagent at the predetermined height in S85 and performing an abnormal process, the reagent probe is raised in step S89, and the retry operation can be performed in the subsequent operation cycle, as in the first embodiment. . In this embodiment, a retry operation is also possible, and the lowering operation in the case of the retry operation may be the same as the first lowering operation, so as to reach the assumed liquid level later than the first lowering operation. Also good. Since the liquid level can be detected within the same operation cycle as in the analysis operation, the retry operation scheduling can be easily designed as in the first embodiment.

  The advantage over the first embodiment is that the determination is performed based on the change in capacitance before and after the reagent probe is lowered, and therefore the determination result can be output in a shorter time than the analysis by the statistical method as in the first embodiment. It is.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram comparing the liquid level detection operation timing in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the conventional method and FIGS. 6 and 7 of the first embodiment.

  One analysis operation cycle of the automatic analyzer includes the reagent disk in step S71 in FIG. 7, the probe rotation operation time, and the reagent probe upper limit point increase operation time in step S75. In FIG. 10, comparison is made with the conventional method. Therefore, attention is paid to the time during which the reagent probe can be lowered and the reagent can be aspirated until the reagent probe starts to move to the upper limit after the reagent disk rotation stops. The time during which the reagent can be sucked is a time to which the operation of the reagent syringe is assigned.

  The reagent probe falling time in FIG. 10 corresponds to steps S32 and S72 in FIGS. 3 and 7, and the liquid level detection time in steps S33 and S73.

  As described above, in the liquid level detection operation using the pressure detection method, the lowering amount of the reagent probe at the time of reagent registration is smaller than the lowering amount of the reagent probe during the analysis operation, that is, the reagent probe at the time of reagent registration is lowered. The amount of excessive plunging at the time is smaller than the amount of excessive plunging of the reagent probe during the analysis operation. Therefore, the influence of the fluctuation of the reagent liquid level on the liquid level detection result is greater than that during the analysis operation.

  Therefore, in the conventional method, in order to reduce the influence of the fluctuation of the liquid level in the reagent container after stopping the reagent disk rotation, the descending speed of the reagent probe is set slower than the descending speed of the reagent probe during the analysis operation. For this reason, if the same syringe operation allocation time for reagent aspiration as in the analysis operation is provided, the reagent registration cannot be completed within the unit operation cycle.

  The shortest liquid level stabilization time in FIG. 10 is the shortest time until the liquid level can be detected, and is defined by parameters such as the fluctuation level of the liquid level.

  In the liquid level detection method for reagent registration during the analysis operation in the present embodiment, the descending operation of the probe is the same as during the analysis operation, and the time until the liquid level is settled is delayed by the timing of the reagent aspirating operation. This is ensured. That is, within the operation cycle in which the presence or absence of the reagent liquid surface is first detected after the reagent container is mounted on the reagent disk, the timing for starting the reagent aspirating operation for detecting the presence or absence of the reagent, and from the reagent container to the reaction container Reagent aspirating operation for detecting the presence or absence of a reagent by comparing the timing when reagent aspiration starts to dispense a reagent from a reagent container within the operation cycle for performing a reagent dispensing operation for dispensing a reagent The control unit 27B performs control so that the timing of starting is delayed.

  Since the reagent aspirating operation during the analysis operation corresponds to various reagents and analysis items, it is necessary to secure a time during which the maximum possible dispensing amount can be performed. On the other hand, the reagent aspirated at the time of reagent registration is not used for analysis. Therefore, the reagent that is aspirated during the liquid level detection operation can be set to a reagent aspiration amount that is smaller than the minimum reagent aspiration amount for reagent dispensing during the analysis operation. For example, it is possible to set the minimum suction amount that does not cause erroneous determination with various reagents. The aspiration amount for detecting the presence or absence of the reagent may be set to a different value for each reagent type, that is, the reagent aspiration amount for detecting the presence or absence of the reagent may be variable depending on the type of reagent. .

  FIG. 10 shows an example in which the end time of reagent aspiration for liquid level detection is combined with the end time of the time during which reagent aspiration is possible, that is, the time when the reagent probe 14 starts to increase the upper limit point.

  It should be noted that the reagent probe descending operation only needs to be completed before starting the reagent aspiration for detecting the presence or absence of the liquid level at the time of reagent registration, and the reagent probe descending speed is set to delay the reagent probe descending start time. It is also possible to perform control so as to slow down or make the reagent probe lowering operation more than two stages.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram comparing the liquid level detection operation timing in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the conventional method and FIGS. 8 and 9 of the second embodiment.

  Since FIG. 11 is a method for detecting a change in capacitance, reagent aspiration is not performed for the determination of the presence or absence of the liquid level, but in order to compare the timing, the reagent disk rotation is stopped as in FIG. The timing at which the reagent aspirating operation by the lowering of the reagent probe and the driving of the syringe is possible until the reagent probe starts to move the upper limit point is described.

  In the conventional capacitance change detection method, the capacitance value is continuously monitored during the descending operation. In the conventional method, in order to accurately detect the liquid amount, the reagent probe is started to descend after the shortest liquid surface stabilization time, that is, after a predetermined time has elapsed. Therefore, the reagent registration cannot be completed within the unit operation cycle time. In the prior art, it is possible to keep the liquid level detection operation within the unit operation cycle by increasing the descending speed of the reagent probe. In this case, however, it is necessary to provide a separate motor operation pattern. When there was a limit on the number of registered operation patterns, it was necessary to cut other operations, which hindered the operation design.

On the other hand, in the present Example 2, by providing the timing detector 35, the reagent probe descending 1 is started before the shortest liquid level settling time, once the probe is moved up and down, and after the shortest liquid level settling time, That is, the reagent probe descent 2 is started after a predetermined time has elapsed, and the capacitance change is monitored and judged only during the reagent probe descent 2.
By making the descent operation into two stages, it becomes easy to keep the liquid level detection operation during the analysis operation within the unit operation cycle of the analysis operation.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the step of the lowering operation is performed in two stages. However, the reagent probe may be controlled to reach the assumed reagent liquid level after the shortest liquid level stabilization time. Control may be performed so that the probe descent start time is delayed, the reagent probe descent speed is slowed, or the reagent probe descent operation is performed in three or more stages.

  Further, as in the first embodiment, the reagent probe may be lowered to a predetermined position in advance, and monitoring of the capacitance may be started after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  In FIG. 11, the time when the height of the reagent probe reaches the liquid level calculated from the reagent filling amount read from the RFID tag or barcode of the reagent container and the time when the reagent can be sucked by the operation of the syringe are ended. The timing is controlled so as to match the timing when the reagent probe 14 raises the upper limit point, but after reaching the shortest liquid level stabilization time, that is, after a predetermined time has passed, it reaches a predetermined liquid level. It may be controlled to. In addition, the capacitance may be confirmed in accordance with the timing at which the operation of the reagent probe is stopped by detecting the liquid level, that is, the determination of the arrival of the liquid level may be performed. The determination of reaching the liquid level may be performed at the timing when the time elapses.

  Here, the timing at which the liquid level detection mechanism determines whether the liquid level has been reached by the liquid level detection mechanism within the operation cycle in which the reagent suction operation for dispensing the reagent from the reagent container to the reaction container is performed, Comparing the timing to determine the arrival of the liquid level by the capacitance detection by the liquid level detection mechanism within the operation cycle of performing the reagent liquid level detection that is performed for the first time after being mounted, the reagent that is performed first after the reagent container is mounted on the reagent disk The control unit 27B controls so that the timing for determining the arrival of the liquid level by the liquid level detection is late.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram comparing time charts for the reagent liquid level detection operation of the first and second embodiments of the present invention and the unit operation cycle for performing reagent aspiration for reagent dispensing.

  One operation cycle in the present invention includes (a) reagent probe, reagent disk rotation timing, (b) reagent probe lowering timing, reagent probe suction timing (c) reagent probe upper limit point rising timing.

  Among these, (a) reagent probe, reagent disk rotation timing, and (c) reagent probe upper limit point rising timing are common within the unit operation cycle for reagent liquid level detection and within the unit operation cycle for reagent dispensing. It is. The control within the reagent probe lowering and reagent probe aspiration timing shown in (b) is described in detail in FIGS.

  (D) shows the reagent probe lowering timing and (e) shows the reagent probe suction timing in the operation period for reagent suction for reagent dispensing. The descent operation of the reagent probe is possible up to the rise timing of the upper limit point of the reagent probe, as indicated by a broken line in the reagent probe descent timing of (d).

  In the conventional reagent aspirating operation cycle for dispensing a reagent, the reagent aspirating operation by the reagent probe is started at the timing when the lowering of the reagent probe ends. In this case, as shown in (f), the timing at which the aspirating operation by the reagent probe is actually completed varies depending on the type of reagent, the amount dispensed, and the like. The solid line in (f) illustrates the timing at which a predetermined amount of reagent aspiration is completed, and the broken line indicates the timing at which the reagent aspirating operation by the reagent probe is possible. The timing at which the reagent aspirating operation is possible is a timing at which the operation of the reagent syringe is assigned.

  On the other hand, when detecting the presence / absence of a reagent for reagent registration according to Example 1 of the present invention, as shown in (g), the reagent for detecting the liquid level in accordance with the start of the rising timing of the upper limit of the reagent probe The suction is controlled to end. Here, if the reagent aspiration for detecting the presence or absence of the reagent can be started after the liquid level is settled, the timing at which the reagent aspiration is completed can be freely changed. The solid line in (g) is an example of the timing at which the reagent probe is operating to detect the presence or absence of the liquid level, and the broken line is an example of the timing at which the reagent probe can be operated.

  Here, when the timing at which the reagent probe starts reagent aspiration in the operation cycle for reagent dispensing is compared with the timing at which the reagent probe starts reagent aspiration in the operation cycle for reagent registration, the reagent for reagent registration The timing at which the reagent probe starts aspirating the reagent in the operation cycle for detecting the presence or absence is delayed.

  Although not shown in this figure, in the operation cycle for detecting the presence or absence of the liquid level for reagent registration, the timing for starting and / or ending the lowering of the reagent probe is within the range where the reagent suction operation is possible. You may delay.

  Further, also in the operation cycle in which the reagent suction for reagent dispensing is performed, the reagent suction may be controlled to end in accordance with the start timing of the upper limit point rising time of the reagent probe. Although not shown, in this case, the timing of starting reagent aspiration for reagent dispensing differs depending on the type of reagent and the amount dispensed.

  In the conventional liquid level detection based on the capacitance change in the operation cycle for reagent dispensing, as shown in (h), the monitor for liquid level detection is started at the timing when the reagent probe descends. After the descent of the reagent probe is stopped by the liquid level detection and the arrival of the liquid level is determined, the reagent probe is further lowered to a predetermined height for the reagent aspirating operation, and the reagent aspirating operation is performed.

  In Example 2 of the present invention, as shown in (i), the output of the liquid level detection due to the change in capacitance for reagent registration and the start of monitoring are delayed until a predetermined time, and the reagent probe upper limit point rising time starts. The arrival of the liquid level is determined according to the timing.

  That is, the determination timing of the liquid level arrival detection in the operation cycle for reagent liquid level detection at the time of reagent registration is delayed from the determination timing of the liquid level arrival detection in the operation cycle for reagent dispensing.

  FIG. 11 shows an example in which the liquid level monitoring starts when the reagent probe descends for the second time, but the reagent probe reaches the liquid level after the liquid level stabilizes, or the liquid level detection monitoring starts. The probe may be lowered to a predetermined height, and a liquid level detection monitor may be started after a predetermined time has elapsed, or the reagent probe may be slowed down to lower the liquid level. The arrival timing may be delayed. In any case, after the shortest liquid level stabilization time has elapsed, control may be performed so that determination of liquid level arrival detection is performed.

  FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the reagent container 11 according to the automatic analyzer of the embodiment of the present invention. A reagent container lid 46 is attached to the reagent container 11, and a configuration in which a cylindrical chimney 47 for suppressing liquid shaking is placed in the lower part is the mainstream. In the present invention, the liquid level is detected after the liquid shaking has settled, and the liquid level can be accurately detected even for a reagent container used without the reagent container lid 46 or a reagent container without the chimney 47. It becomes possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Reagent disc 11 ... Reagent container 12 ... Reagent dispensing mechanism 13 ... Reagent dispensing mechanism 14 ... Reagent probe 15 ... Reagent probe 16 ... Reagent syringe 17 ... Washing tank (for reagent dispensing mechanism)
18 ... Washing tank (for reagent dispensing mechanism)
19 ... stirring mechanism 20 ... stirring mechanism 21 ... washing tank (for stirring mechanism)
22 ... Cleaning tank (for stirring mechanism)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 23 ... Light source 24 ... Spectrophotometer 25 ... Cleaning mechanism 26 ... Cleaning pump 27 ... Computer 27A ... Memory | storage part 27B ... Control part 28 ... Drive mechanism 29 ... Plunger 30 ... Pump 31 ... Dispensing flow path 34 ... Pressure Sensor 35 ... Timing detection unit 36 ... AD converter 37 ... Data extraction unit 38 ... Abnormality determination unit 39 ... System liquid 40 ... Segmental air 41 ... Aspirate liquid 42 ... Motor 43 ... Reagent probe vertical drive mechanism 44 ... Capacitance detection unit 45 ... Abnormality determination unit 46 ... Reagent container lid 47 ... Chimney

Claims (10)

A sample dispensing mechanism having a sample probe for dispensing a sample from a sample container to a reaction container;
A reagent dispensing mechanism having a reagent probe for dispensing a reagent from a reagent container to a reaction container;
An analysis mechanism for analyzing the reaction solution contained in the reaction vessel;
A reagent container moving mechanism that mounts a plurality of reagent containers and moves the predetermined reagent container to a reagent dispensing position where the reagent probe dispenses a reagent;
A reagent liquid level detection mechanism for detecting the presence or absence of a reagent at a predetermined height in the reagent container from a pressure change at the time of reagent aspiration by the reagent probe;
A control unit for controlling the operation of the sample dispensing mechanism, the reagent dispensing mechanism, the analysis mechanism, the reagent container moving mechanism, and the liquid level detection mechanism according to a certain operation cycle;
The control unit performs a reagent aspirating operation for dispensing the reagent from the reagent container to the reaction container within the first operation cycle, which is performed first when the reagent container is mounted on the reagent container moving mechanism. Within the second operation cycle, and within the second operation cycle, the timing when the reagent probe starts aspirating the reagent in order to dispense the reagent from the reagent container, and within the first operation cycle Comparing the timing of starting the reagent aspirating operation for detecting the presence / absence of the reagent by the liquid level detecting mechanism, the timing for starting the reagent aspirating operation within the first operation cycle is controlled to be late. Automatic analyzer. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein
The control unit finishes the reagent aspirating operation for detecting the presence or absence of the reagent by the liquid level detection mechanism at the timing when the reagent probe starts to rise to the upper limit point within the first operation cycle. An automatic analyzer characterized by controlling. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1,
The reagent suction amount for detecting the presence or absence of the reagent by the liquid level detection mechanism in the first operation cycle is the minimum reagent that sucks the reagent in order to dispense the reagent in the second operation cycle. An automatic analyzer characterized by being smaller than the suction amount. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1,
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein a reagent suction amount for detecting the presence or absence of the reagent by the liquid level detection mechanism in the first operation cycle is variable depending on the type of the reagent. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1,
The automatic analyzer is characterized in that the start time of reagent aspiration for dispensing the reagent by the reagent dispensing mechanism in the second operation cycle into the reaction container is variable. The automatic analyzer according to claim 5, wherein
In the second operation cycle, the controller finishes the reagent aspirating operation for dispensing the reagent into the reaction container by the reagent dispensing mechanism at the timing when the reagent probe starts to rise to the upper limit point. An automatic analyzer characterized by controlling as follows. A sample dispensing mechanism having a sample probe for dispensing a sample from a sample container to a reaction container;
A reagent dispensing mechanism having a reagent probe for dispensing a reagent from a reagent container to a reaction container;
An analysis mechanism for analyzing the reaction solution contained in the reaction vessel;
A reagent container moving mechanism that mounts a plurality of reagent containers and moves the predetermined reagent container to a reagent dispensing position where the reagent probe dispenses a reagent;
A reagent liquid level detection mechanism for detecting a reagent liquid level in the reagent container using a change in capacitance when the reagent probe reaches the reagent liquid level;
A control unit for controlling the operation of the sample dispensing mechanism, the reagent dispensing mechanism, the analysis mechanism, the reagent container moving mechanism, and the liquid level detection mechanism according to a certain operation cycle;
The control unit performs a reagent aspirating operation for dispensing the reagent from the reagent container to the reaction container within the first operation cycle for the reagent liquid level detection that is performed first when the reagent container is mounted on the reagent container moving mechanism. Within the second operation cycle, the liquid level detection mechanism within the second operation cycle to determine the arrival of the liquid level by capacitance detection, and the liquid level detection within the first operation cycle Comparing the timing for determining the liquid level arrival by the capacitance detection by the mechanism, the liquid level detection mechanism is controlled so that the timing for determining the liquid level arrival by the capacitance detection is late within the first operation cycle. An automatic analyzer characterized by that. The automatic analyzer according to claim 7,
The control unit lowers the reagent probe in a plurality of times within the first operation cycle, and the capacitance of the capacitance by the liquid level detection mechanism in accordance with the start of the second and subsequent lowering of the reagent probe. Automatic analyzer characterized by controlling to start monitoring. The automatic analyzer according to claim 7,
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the timing for determining the liquid level arrival by the liquid level detection mechanism within the first operation cycle is variable depending on the type of reagent. The automatic analyzer according to claim 7,
In the first operation cycle, the control unit performs control so as to determine whether or not the liquid level has been reached by the liquid level detection mechanism in accordance with a timing at which the reagent probe starts to rise to the upper limit point. Analysis equipment.

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