JP2024127942A - Automated analyzer and analysis method using the automated analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an automatic analysis device that reduces a frequency of adjusting an amount of washing liquid for a reaction container.SOLUTION: The present invention is an automatic analysis device comprising an electromagnetic valve provided in a path for supplying washing liquid to a discharge nozzle, a liquid volume detector that detects a liquid volume of the washing liquid, and a control unit that controls the electromagnetic valve. The control unit has a memory unit that stores control sequences for causing the solenoid valve to operate in different ways, and a determination unit that determines which of the different control sequences should be applied during analysis, where all or some of the control sequences stored in the memory unit are executed, and the liquid volume of the washing liquid corresponding to each control sequence is detected by the liquid volume detector. The determination unit obtains, based on the detection result, the control sequence in which the liquid volume is within a predetermined range, and determines that the control sequence in which the difference between the liquid volume of the obtained control sequence and a reference value is the smallest is the one to be applied during analysis.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer.

An automatic analyzer that automatically adjusts the amount of cleaning liquid used to clean a reaction vessel is known. For example, Patent Document 1 states that "the valve adjustment function 84 adjusts the amount of cleaning liquid discharged from the first nozzle 251, the fourth nozzle 254, the fifth nozzle 255, and the sixth nozzle 256 according to the result of the judgment regarding the state of the cleaning mechanism 230 judged by the judgment function 82. When the valve adjustment function 84 is executed, the control circuit 8A calculates, for example, the increase or decrease in the amount of cleaning liquid discharged from the first nozzle based on the absorbance change rate calculated by the execution of the judgment function 82. The control circuit 8A controls the drive mechanism 4 based on the calculated increase or decrease in the amount of cleaning liquid, and adjusts the opening time of the three-way solenoid valve 271 so that, for example, the amount of cleaning liquid discharged from the first nozzle 251 becomes appropriate" (paragraph 0084).

JP 2018-48820 A

In Patent Document 1, if the adjusted amount of cleaning liquid satisfies a predetermined range condition, the adjustment process is terminated. Therefore, even if the liquid amount is adjusted to near the upper or lower limit of the range condition, the adjustment is completed as long as the liquid amount is within the range condition. This poses the problem that readjustment is required shortly after the adjustment, which requires the operator's effort and costs. Another problem arises in that the analysis must be stopped frequently to adjust the amount of cleaning liquid.

The present invention was made in consideration of these problems, and its purpose is to provide an automatic analyzer that reduces the frequency of adjusting the amount of cleaning liquid in the reaction vessel.

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides an automatic analyzer that includes a discharge nozzle that discharges a cleaning solution into a reaction vessel, a solenoid valve provided in a path that supplies the cleaning solution to the discharge nozzle, a liquid volume detector that detects the volume of the cleaning solution, and a control unit that controls the solenoid valve. The control unit includes a memory unit that stores control sequences that cause the solenoid valve to operate in different ways, and a judgment unit that judges which of the different control sequences should be applied during analysis. All or part of the control sequences stored in the memory unit are executed, and the liquid volume of the cleaning solution corresponding to each control sequence is detected by the liquid volume detector. The judgment unit determines the control sequence in which the liquid volume is within a predetermined range based on the detection result, and determines the control sequence in which the difference between the liquid volume of the determined control sequence and a reference value is the smallest as the control sequence to be applied during analysis.

The present invention provides an automatic analyzer that reduces the frequency of adjusting the amount of washing liquid in the reaction vessel. Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become clear from the description of the following embodiment.

1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration for washing a reaction vessel and a configuration for adjusting the amount of a washing liquid. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for adjusting a liquid level according to the first embodiment. A data table showing that all control sequences have been executed and data has been updated. 6 is a graph showing the solenoid valve opening time and the liquid level as the results of executing all control sequences. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for adjusting the liquid level according to the second embodiment. A data table showing that some control sequences have been executed and data has been updated. 6 is a graph showing the solenoid valve opening time and the liquid level as the result of executing a portion of a control sequence. 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure for predicting a date and time when a selected control sequence will no longer satisfy a tolerance range condition in the third embodiment. A data table that holds data on the slope of the relational equation for each past liquid volume adjustment. An example of the screen that is displayed when an operator sets the start schedule for adjusting the cleaning solution volume. 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure for predicting a date and time when all control sequences will no longer satisfy the allowable range conditions in the fourth embodiment. 13 is an example of a screen displayed when notifying an operator that adjustment of the amount of cleaning liquid has been completed. 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure for a diagnosing unit to diagnose an abnormality in a solenoid valve caused by a factor other than aging in the fifth embodiment. An example of the analysis results details screen.

An automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an automatic biochemical analyzer according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic analyzer includes a mechanism drive unit 103, an operation unit 108 operated by an operator, and a control unit 102 that controls the mechanism drive unit 103.

Here, the mechanism driving unit 103 has a driving circuit 110, a specimen container 111 that holds the measurement target, a specimen dispensing mechanism 113 that dispenses the specimen in the specimen container 111 into a reaction container 112 (reaction cell), a reagent dispensing mechanism 114 that dispenses a reagent into the reaction container 112, a stirring mechanism 115 that stirs the mixture in the reaction container 112, a photometer 116 that measures the absorbance of the mixture in the reaction container 112, a cleaning mechanism 117 that cleans the reaction container 112 after the measurement is completed, a reaction disk 130 that transports the reaction container 112 to the operating position of each mechanism, and a reaction tank 118 that keeps the reaction system at a constant temperature to stabilize the reaction. The operation unit 108 is a terminal equipped with an input unit 119 such as a keyboard or mouse, and an output unit 120 such as a display or printer.

The control unit 102 has a CPU 104, a memory 121 that stores the programs executed by the CPU 104, a storage unit 105 that stores a control sequence 124 that defines the procedure for controlling the mechanism drive unit 103, and the like, an I/O 106 that is an input/output for controlling the mechanism drive unit 103, an ADC 107 that converts analog signals to digital and captures measurement data, and an I/F 109 that is an interface that communicates with the operation unit 108. The programs stored in the memory are conceptually divided into a judgment unit 122 and a prediction unit 123 according to function.

The memory unit 105 stores a plurality of control sequences 124 that cause the solenoid valve 205 for discharging the cleaning liquid to perform different operations, specifically, a plurality of control sequences 124 that have different opening times for the solenoid valve 205. The determination unit 122 determines which of the different control sequences 124 should be applied during analysis. The prediction unit 123 predicts the time when the control sequence 124 being applied (selected) will no longer satisfy a predetermined condition.

In the automatic analyzer, the drive circuit 110 of the mechanism drive unit 103 is controlled by a signal from the I/O 106 of the control unit 102 to drive each mechanism such as the sample dispensing mechanism 113, the reagent dispensing mechanism 114, and the stirring mechanism 115, and mixes the sample and the reagent in the reaction vessel 112. Furthermore, in the automatic analyzer, the photometer 116 of the mechanism drive unit 103 measures the absorbance of this mixed liquid at a wavelength corresponding to each analysis item, and the measurement data is captured by the ADC 107 to analyze the sample. For example, the control unit 102 calculates the concentration of a specific component contained in the sample based on the measured absorbance, and outputs the calculation result to the output unit 120. Note that instead of measuring the absorbance, the sample may be analyzed by detecting scattered light or using other measurement principles. After the reaction vessel 112 has been used for analysis, the mixed liquid is sucked up by the cleaning mechanism 117 arranged near the reaction disk 130, and the inside is cleaned, allowing it to be used repeatedly.

Figure 2 shows both the configuration for cleaning the reaction vessel and the configuration for adjusting the amount of cleaning liquid. As shown in Figure 2, the cleaning mechanism 117 includes a discharge nozzle 207 for discharging the cleaning liquid and a suction nozzle 208 for disposing of the cleaning liquid. A flow path 203 is connected to the discharge nozzle 207 as a supply path for the cleaning liquid, and an electromagnetic valve 205 and a pump 204 are provided upstream of the flow path 203. The electromagnetic valve 205 and the pump 204 are controlled by a control circuit 206, and the cleaning liquid is sent to the discharge nozzle 207 through the flow path 203. The control circuit 206 is controlled by the CPU 104 of the control unit 102.

The cleaning mechanism 117 supplies cleaning liquid from the discharge nozzle 207 to the reaction vessel 112 arranged on the reaction disk 130 to clean the inside of the reaction vessel 112. After cleaning, the cleaning liquid in the reaction vessel 112 is sucked by the suction nozzle 208 and discharged from the reaction vessel 112.

The height detector 202 detects the height of the cleaning liquid supplied to the reaction vessel 112 by the discharge nozzle 207. In this embodiment, a liquid level detector that is provided on the probe 201 of the reagent dispensing mechanism 114 and detects the contact of the liquid level with the probe 201 is used as the height detector 202, so there is no need to prepare a new height detector. In addition, the drive circuit 110 is connected to the probe 201, and the drive circuit 110 moves the probe 201 horizontally and up and down in response to a signal from the CPU via the I/O 106. Therefore, the control unit 102 can calculate the liquid level of the cleaning liquid by positioning the probe 201 in the reaction vessel 112 and detecting the amount of movement of the probe 201 when the height detector 202 detects the liquid level of the cleaning liquid in the reaction vessel 112.

In this embodiment, an example is given in which the height detector 202 of the reagent dispensing mechanism 114 is used, but this is not limited as long as a mechanism capable of detecting the liquid level is provided. For example, the height detector 202 of the specimen dispensing mechanism 113 may be used. In addition, in this embodiment, an example is given in which a liquid level detector is used as the height detector 202, but it is also possible to detect the liquid level by other methods, for example, image processing.

The reaction vessel 112 needs to be washed thoroughly because it is used repeatedly. For example, if the amount of washing liquid discharged is enough to reach a predetermined height of the reaction vessel 112, the reaction vessel 112 can be washed sufficiently, but if the height of the washing liquid is too low, the washing will be insufficient and the measurement results will be adversely affected. In addition, since the amount of washing liquid discharged changes due to changes in various mechanisms over time, it is necessary to periodically adjust various mechanisms so that the liquid level of the washing liquid is at a predetermined height. Therefore, in this embodiment, the automatic analyzer is in a standby state in which it is not performing an analysis, and an adjustment process (maintenance process) of the amount of washing liquid is performed. For example, the maintenance process is started when an operator issues an instruction to perform the maintenance process using the input unit 119 of the automatic analyzer. Below, an example of a method of adjusting the amount of washing liquid by changing the opening time of the solenoid valve 205 will be described.

In this embodiment, upon receiving an instruction from the input unit 119, the control unit 102 executes all of the multiple control sequences 124 for the cleaning operation stored in the memory unit 105. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure for adjusting the liquid level according to the first embodiment.

First, the control unit 102 selects an arbitrary (unexecuted) control sequence 124 stored in the memory unit 105 (step S301), and the selected control sequence 124 is executed up to the following step S307. The CPU 104 commands the I/O 106 to move the discharge nozzle 207 of the cleaning mechanism 117 from the normal standby position to the cleaning liquid discharge position. The drive circuit 110 receives an input from the I/O 106 and moves the discharge nozzle 207 from the normal standby position to the cleaning liquid discharge position. After the discharge nozzle 207 moves to the cleaning liquid discharge position, the CPU 104 controls the pump 204 and the solenoid valve 205 via the control circuit 206 to start discharging the cleaning liquid into the empty reaction vessel 112 (step S302). After the discharge of the cleaning liquid stops, the CPU 104 commands the I/O 106 to move the discharge nozzle 207 from the cleaning liquid discharge position to the normal standby position. Upon receiving input from the I/O 106, the drive circuit 110 raises the discharge nozzle 207 to the normal standby position.

Next, the CPU 104 commands the I/O 106 to rotate the reaction disk 130 until the reaction vessel 112 into which the cleaning solution has been discharged moves to the dispensing position of the probe 201 of the reagent dispensing mechanism 114. The drive circuit 110 receives the input from the I/O 106 and rotates the reaction disk 130 until the reaction vessel 112 moves to the dispensing position of the probe 201 (step S303).

Next, the CPU 104 commands the I/O 106 to lower the probe 201 until the height detector 202 detects the liquid level. The drive circuit 110 receives the input from the I/O 106 and lowers the probe 201. The control unit 102 derives the liquid level of the cleaning liquid based on the amount of movement of the probe 201 until the height detector 202 detects the liquid level (step S304).

Next, the control unit 102 stores the derived liquid level in a data table shown in FIG. 4 in the storage unit 105 (step S305). This data table holds, for each control sequence 124, the opening time of the solenoid valve 205 defined in the control sequence 124, the liquid level obtained as a result of executing the control sequence 124, the date and time when the control sequence 124 was executed, and a selection flag indicating that the control sequence 124 is to be applied to the cleaning operation during analysis. The control unit 102 updates the data of the liquid level and the measurement date and time corresponding to the executed control sequence 124 in the data table to the liquid level height and the date and time of the measurement derived above. Note that in this embodiment, an example is given in which the data of the control sequence 124 is arranged in ascending order of the opening time of the solenoid valve 205 in the data table shown in FIG. 4 held by the storage unit 105, but the arrangement of the data of the control sequence 124 is not limited to this. For example, the arrangement of the data of the control sequence 124 may be arranged in descending order of the opening time of the solenoid valve 205.

Next, the CPU 104 commands the I/O 106 to rotate the reaction disk 130 until the reaction vessel 112 moves to the suction position of the suction nozzle 208 of the cleaning mechanism 117. The drive circuit 110 receives the input from the I/O 106 and rotates the reaction disk 130 until the reaction vessel 112 moves to the suction position of the suction nozzle 208 (step S306).

Next, the control unit 102 moves the suction nozzle 208 of the cleaning mechanism 117 from the normal standby position to the cleaning liquid discharge position. After the discharge nozzle 207 has moved to the cleaning liquid discharge position, the control unit 102 controls the pump 204 via the control circuit 206 to start suctioning the cleaning liquid (step S307). After suction of the cleaning liquid has stopped, the CPU 104 commands the I/O 106 to move the suction nozzle 208 from the cleaning liquid suction position to the normal standby position. The drive circuit 110 receives an input from the I/O 106 and raises the suction nozzle 208 to the normal standby position.

In this way, when the execution of the initially selected control sequence 124 is completed, the process returns to step S301, and the SPU 104 selects another (unexecuted) control sequence 124. Thereafter, the same processes as steps S302 to S307 described above are executed for the newly selected control sequence 124. Note that each control sequence 124 may be executed sequentially by pipeline processing. In this pipeline processing, for example, while the nth control sequence 124 is executing step S303, the n+1th control sequence 124 simultaneously executes step S302.

Then, when all the control sequences 124 stored in the data table are executed, the judgment unit 122 of the control unit 102 judges whether the derived liquid level of the cleaning liquid satisfies a predetermined tolerance range condition. The memory unit 105 in this embodiment holds an upper limit value and a lower limit value as a tolerance range condition of the liquid level, and further holds a reference value of the liquid level for judging whether the likelihood is relatively high among the tolerance range conditions. The upper limit value and the lower limit value of the tolerance range condition may be set by the operator from the input unit 119. In addition, the reference value in this embodiment is the median value between the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the liquid level height, but is not limited to this. For example, if the diameter of the solenoid valve 205 is likely to loosen due to aging, the reference value may be set to a value closer to the lower limit value of the tolerance range condition than the median value. In addition, instead of the reference value, a reference range narrower than the above-mentioned tolerance range condition may be set.

The determination unit 122 determines whether or not there is data of a liquid level height that satisfies the tolerance range condition among the updated liquid level heights in the data table (step S308). If there is no data of a liquid level height that satisfies the tolerance range condition, the control unit 102 notifies the operator via the output unit 120 that the amount of cleaning liquid cannot be adjusted. In this case, since the solenoid valve 205 needs to be replaced, the notification to the operator includes a message to encourage the replacement of the solenoid valve 205. On the other hand, if there is data of a liquid level height that satisfies the tolerance range condition in step S308, the determination unit 122 extracts from the data table a control sequence 124 that has achieved a liquid level height that is relatively close to the reference value of the liquid level height held by the memory unit 105. In this way, the determination unit 122 determines that the control sequence 124 with a relatively high likelihood among the multiple control sequences 124 that satisfy the tolerance range condition should be applied during analysis, and sets the selection flag of the determined control sequence 124 to on (step S309). If there is only one liquid level data that satisfies the allowable range condition, the selection flag of the control sequence 124 corresponding to that data is set to ON. The control unit 102 then notifies the operator via the output unit 120 that the adjustment of the amount of cleaning liquid has been completed.

The control unit 102 applies the control sequence 124 with the selection flag set to ON as the control sequence 124 during the cleaning operation of the reaction vessel 112 during operation (analysis) to discharge the cleaning liquid. Therefore, the automated analyzer of this embodiment can guarantee the discharge of a specified amount of liquid when cleaning the reaction vessel 112 and reduce the frequency of adjusting the amount of cleaning liquid.

Next, a method for adjusting the amount of cleaning liquid in this embodiment will be described with a specific example using Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 is a data table showing that all control sequences 124 have been executed and the data has been updated, and Figure 5 is a graph showing the opening time of the solenoid valve 205 and the liquid level as a result of executing all control sequences 124.

First, the control unit 102 of the automatic analyzer starts a maintenance process based on a trigger set by the operator using the input unit 119 to reselect the control sequence 124 to be used when cleaning the empty reaction vessel 112 after the measurement. Here, triggers set for adjusting the amount of cleaning liquid include a manual execution mode, an automatic execution mode based on an adjustment interval or timing previously selected by the operator, and an automatic execution mode based on a timing predicted in Example 3 described later. The memory unit 105 holds six control sequences 124 as shown in FIG. 4. The control unit 102 executes all of these control sequences 124 in the order of steps S302 to S307 shown in FIG. 3. The graph in FIG. 5 shows the resulting liquid level height for each control sequence 124.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, in control sequence No. 1, the solenoid valve 205 is opened for 0.5 seconds, and the cleaning liquid is discharged, resulting in a liquid level of 8.9 mm. Similarly, in control sequence No. 2, the solenoid valve 205 is opened for 0.6 seconds, resulting in a liquid level of 9.3 mm. In control sequence No. 3, the solenoid valve 205 is opened for 0.7 seconds, resulting in a liquid level of 9.7 mm. In control sequence No. 4, the solenoid valve 205 is opened for 0.8 seconds, resulting in a liquid level of 10.1 mm. In control sequence No. 5, the solenoid valve 205 is opened for 0.9 seconds, resulting in a liquid level of 10.4 mm. In control sequence No. 6, the solenoid valve 205 is opened for 1.0 seconds, resulting in a liquid level of 10.7 mm.

The determination unit 122 then determines whether there is liquid level height data that satisfies the tolerance range condition, as in step S308 in FIG. 3 described above. As shown in FIG. 5, the tolerance range condition is 9.5 to 10.5 mm, and there are three execution results of the control sequence 124 that satisfy this tolerance range condition (control sequences No. 3 to 5), so the process proceeds to step S309 in FIG. 3.

In step S309, the determination unit 122 extracts the control sequence 124 that has achieved a liquid level relatively close to the aforementioned reference value from the three control sequences 124 that satisfy the tolerance range conditions. The reference value is 10.0, which is the median value between the lower limit value 9.5 mm and the upper limit value 10.5 mm. In addition, the execution result of control sequence No. 3 is a liquid level height of 9.7 mm, the execution result of control sequence No. 4 is a liquid level height of 10.1 mm, and the execution result of control sequence No. 3 is a liquid level height of 10.4 mm, so the control sequence that achieves a liquid level height relatively close to the reference value of 10.0 mm is control sequence No. 4 that has achieved a liquid level height of 10.1 mm. Therefore, the determination unit 122 determines that control sequence No. 4 is the control sequence 124 to be applied during analysis, and in the data table of FIG. 4, the selection flag corresponding to control sequence No. 4 is set to on (1 in this embodiment) and the selection flags corresponding to the other control sequences are set to off (0 in this embodiment).

In this embodiment, since the capacity of the reaction vessel 112 is known, the liquid level height is used as an adjustment index to adjust the liquid volume. However, the liquid volume may be derived from the liquid level height, and the liquid volume itself may be used as an adjustment index. In this case, if the bottom area and shape of the reaction vessel 112 are known, the liquid volume can be calculated from the measured liquid level height.

In the first embodiment, all control sequences 124 held by the control unit 102 are executed, and then the control sequence 124 closest to the reference value (having a relatively high likelihood) is extracted. In the second embodiment, a more efficient adjustment method is illustrated, in which the number of control sequences 124 to be executed is smaller than in the first embodiment. In the following, explanations of parts common to the first embodiment are omitted as appropriate.

Figure 6 is a flow chart showing the procedure for adjusting the liquid level according to the second embodiment. In addition to the data of the first embodiment, the data table held by the memory unit 105 in this embodiment holds execution flag data for each control sequence, as shown in Figure 7. The execution flag is used to distinguish between executed control sequences 124 and unexecuted control sequences 124 when adjusting the amount of cleaning liquid. This allows the determination unit 122 to more efficiently select the next control sequence 124 to be executed from among the unexecuted control sequences 124 whose execution flags are off. Note that the execution flag is set to off (0 in this embodiment) each time an adjustment is started, and then the adjustment is started.

First, the control unit 102 sets all execution flags and selection flags in the data table to off. Next, the two control sequences 124 with the smallest control sequence numbers are executed (step S501). Note that, since the control flow of steps S302 to S307 shown in FIG. 3 is defined for each control sequence 124, the two control sequences 124 are executed according to this definition.

Next, the determination unit 122 calculates a relational expression between the opening time of the solenoid valve 205 and the detected liquid level height based on the execution results of the two control sequences 124 (step S502). Furthermore, the determination unit 122 uses the relational expression calculated in step S502 to extract, from the control sequences 124 whose execution flags are off, a control sequence 124 having an opening time of the solenoid valve 205 that is considered to achieve a liquid level height relatively close to the reference value of the liquid level height held by the memory unit 105 (step S503). The control unit 102 executes the control sequence 124 extracted in step S503 (step S504), and not only stores the execution result in the data table, but also sets the execution flag of the control sequence 124 to on.

Next, the determination unit 122 determines whether the liquid level obtained as a result of executing step S504 satisfies the tolerance range condition stored in the memory unit 105 (step S505). If it is determined in step S505 that the tolerance range condition is not satisfied, the determination unit 122 determines whether the data table contains a control sequence 124 whose execution flag is set to off (step S506). If there is no control sequence 124 whose execution flag is set to off in step S506, the control unit 102 notifies the operator via the output unit 120 that the amount of cleaning liquid cannot be adjusted.

On the other hand, if the data table contains a control sequence 124 whose execution flag is set to off, the control unit 102 executes one of the unexecuted control sequences 124 (step S507). Note that in this embodiment, an example is given in which a control sequence with a relatively small control sequence number is executed among the unexecuted control sequences, but the control sequence 124 to be executed is not limited to this. The control unit 102 not only saves the execution result of step S507 in the data table, but also sets the execution flag of the control sequence 124 to on.

Furthermore, if it is determined in step S505 that the liquid level height obtained as a result of executing step S504 satisfies the tolerance range condition stored in the memory unit 105, the determination unit 122 determines whether the liquid level height obtained as a result of the execution is the same as the reference value stored in the memory unit 105 (step S508). The determination here may be made as to whether the liquid level height is the same within a certain range. For example, if the liquid level height obtained as a result of executing step S504 is a value that is within ±1% of the reference value, the liquid level height may be determined to be the same as the reference value.

If it is determined that the liquid level height obtained as a result of execution of step S504 is the same as the reference value of the liquid level height stored in the memory unit 105, the control unit 102 sets the selection flag of the data corresponding to the control sequence 124 executed in step S504 to ON in the data table (step S509). Thereafter, the control unit 102 notifies the operator via the output unit 120 that the adjustment of the amount of cleaning liquid has been completed.

On the other hand, if the liquid level height obtained as a result of executing step S504 is not the same as the reference value of the liquid level height stored in the memory unit 105, the judgment unit 122 checks whether there is a control sequence that is closer to the reference value than the control sequence 124 executed in step S504. To this end, the judgment unit 122 uses the relational expression calculated in step S502 to judge whether the opening time of the solenoid valve 205 should be made longer or shorter than the opening time of the solenoid valve 205 defined in the control sequence 124 executed in step S504 (step S510). The specific judgment method of the judgment unit 122 in step S510 is to lengthen the opening time of the solenoid valve 205 if the liquid level height obtained as a result of executing step S504 is lower than the reference value, and to shorten the opening time of the solenoid valve 205 if it is higher than the reference value.

Next, the determination unit 122 narrows down the control sequence 124 to be executed next based on the determination result in step S510 and that is relatively close to the release time of the control sequence 124 executed immediately before. Then, the control unit 102 executes the control sequence 124 narrowed down by the determination unit 122 (step S511). The control unit 102 not only saves the execution result of step S511 in the data table, but also sets the execution flag of the control sequence 124 to on.

The determination unit 122 determines whether the liquid level obtained as a result of the execution of step S511 satisfies the tolerance range condition stored in the memory unit 105 (step S512). If it is determined in step S512 that the tolerance range condition is not satisfied, the determination unit 122 sets the selection flag of the data corresponding to the second-to-last executed control sequence 124 in the data table to ON (step S513).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S512 that the tolerance condition is satisfied, the determination unit 122 determines whether the liquid level height obtained from the last executed control sequence 124 is relatively closer to the reference value than the liquid level height obtained from the second-to-last executed control sequence 124 (step S514).

If the liquid level height obtained from the second-to-last executed control sequence 124 is relatively closer to the reference value than the liquid level height obtained from the last executed control sequence 124, the judgment unit 122 sets the selection flag corresponding to the second-to-last executed control sequence 124 to on (1 in this embodiment) and sets the selection flags corresponding to the other control sequences to off (0 in this embodiment) (step S513).

On the other hand, if the liquid level height obtained from the last executed control sequence 124 is relatively closer to the reference value than the liquid level height obtained from the second-to-last executed control sequence 124, the determination unit 122 sets the selection flag corresponding to the last executed control sequence 124 to on (1 in this embodiment) and sets the selection flags corresponding to the other control sequences to off (0 in this embodiment) (step S515).

Next, a method for adjusting the amount of cleaning liquid in this embodiment will be described with a specific example using Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 is a data table showing that some (resulting in No. 1, 2, 4, and 5) of the control sequences 124 have been executed and data has been updated, and Figure 8 is a graph showing the opening time of the solenoid valve 205 and the liquid level as a result of executing some of the control sequences 124.

The control unit 102 of the automated analyzer starts a maintenance process based on a trigger set by the operator via the input unit 119 to reselect the control sequence 124 to be used when cleaning the empty reaction vessel 112 after the measurement has been completed.

First, in step S501 of FIG. 6 described above, the control unit 102 executes control sequence No. 1 and control sequence No. 2. As shown in FIG. 8, the result of executing control sequence No. 1 is 10 mm, and the result of executing control sequence No. 2 is 13 mm.

Next, in step S502 of FIG. 6, the determination unit 122 calculates a relational expression between the opening time of the solenoid valve 205 and the liquid level height obtained by executing the control sequence 124 from the execution result of step S501. In control sequence No. 1, the opening time of the solenoid valve 205 is 0.5 seconds and the liquid level height is 10 mm, and in control sequence No. 2, the opening time of the solenoid valve 205 is 0.6 seconds and the liquid level height is 13 mm, so the relational expression is "liquid level height = 30 x solenoid valve opening time - 5".

Next, the determination unit 122 executes step S503 in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 8, the reference value is 20 mm, and when the determination unit 122 calculates the solenoid valve opening time corresponding to this reference value using the above-mentioned relational expression, it becomes approximately 0.83 seconds. The control sequence 124 defined as having a solenoid valve opening time relatively close to this 0.83 seconds is control sequence No. 4, in which the solenoid valve opening time is defined as 0.8 seconds. Therefore, in step S504 in FIG. 6, control sequence No. 4 is executed, and the liquid level height obtained as a result of the execution is 19 mm.

Next, in step S504 in FIG. 6, the determination unit 122 determines whether the liquid level height of 19 mm obtained as a result of executing step S504 in FIG. 6 satisfies the allowable range condition. As shown in FIG. 8, the allowable range condition is 15 mm to 25 mm, and since the liquid level height of 19 mm satisfies the allowable range condition, the process proceeds to step S508 in FIG. 6.

In step S508 in FIG. 6, the determination unit 122 determines whether the liquid level height of 19 mm obtained as a result of executing step S504 in FIG. 6 is the same as the reference value. As shown in FIG. 8, the reference value is 20 mm, and the liquid level height of 19 mm is not the same as the reference value, so the determination unit 122 proceeds to step S510 in FIG. 6.

6, the determination unit 122 determines whether the control sequence 124 to be executed next is a control sequence 124 having a longer or shorter solenoid valve opening time than the control sequence 124 executed in step S504 in FIG. 6. Here, if the liquid level height obtained as a result of executing step S504 is higher than the reference value, the determination unit 122 extracts a control sequence 124 having a shorter solenoid valve opening time than the control sequence 124 executed in step S504. On the other hand, if the liquid level height obtained as a result of executing step S504 is lower than the reference value, the determination unit 122 extracts a control sequence 124 having a longer solenoid valve opening time than the control sequence 124 executed in step S504. Now, the liquid level height of 19 mm obtained as a result of executing step S504 is lower than the reference value of 20 mm. Therefore, the determination unit 122 extracts the control sequence 124 to be executed next, which has a longer solenoid valve open time than the control sequence 124 executed in step S504, and proceeds to step S511 in FIG. 6.

In step S511 of FIG. 6, the determination unit 122 narrows down the control sequences 124 to those that are relatively close to the solenoid valve opening time of the control sequence 124 executed in step S504 and that satisfy the determination result in step S510, i.e., those that have a longer solenoid valve opening time than the control sequence 124 executed in step S504. Here, the determination unit 122 narrows down the control sequence 124 to be executed next to control sequence No. 5. Thereafter, the control unit 102 executes control sequence No. 5 and proceeds to step S512 of FIG. 6.

In step S512 in FIG. 6, the determination unit 122 determines whether the liquid level height obtained as a result of executing step S511 satisfies the allowable range condition. As shown in FIG. 8, the allowable range condition is 15 mm to 25 mm. The liquid level height of 22 mm obtained by executing control sequence No. 5 in step S511 satisfies the allowable range condition, so the process proceeds to step S514 in FIG. 6.

In step S514 in FIG. 6, the judgment unit 122 judges whether the liquid level height obtained from the last executed control sequence 124 is relatively closer to the reference value than the liquid level height obtained from the second last executed control sequence 124. Here, the liquid level height obtained from the second last executed control sequence 124 (control sequence No. 4) is 19 mm, and the liquid level height obtained from the last executed control sequence 124 (control sequence No. 5) is 22 mm. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, since the reference value is 20 mm, the second last executed control sequence 124 (control sequence No. 4) is relatively closer to the reference value. Therefore, proceed to step S515 in FIG. 6.

In step S515 of FIG. 6, the determination unit 122 determines that the second-to-last control sequence 124 (control sequence No. 4) is the control sequence 124 to be applied during analysis, and in the data table of FIG. 7, the selection flag corresponding to control sequence No. 4 is set to ON (1 in this embodiment) and the selection flags corresponding to the other control sequences are set to OFF (0 in this embodiment).

In this embodiment, the two control sequences 124 with relatively small control sequence numbers in the data table are used as the two control sequences 124 to be executed first, but this is not limited to the above. For example, by referring to past data stored in the data table and executing the control sequences 124 corresponding to the liquid level heights close to the upper limit and the lower limit, a highly accurate relational equation can be obtained. In addition, the control sequence 124 with the shortest opening time of the solenoid valve 205 and the control sequence 124 with the longest opening time of the solenoid valve 205 may be executed first. Alternatively, the execution results of three or more control sequences 124 may be used to calculate the relational equation. Furthermore, the operator may be able to use the input unit 119 to select the two control sequences 124 to be executed first.

In the third embodiment, a method is illustrated in which the prediction unit 123 of the control unit 102 predicts the date and time when the control sequence 124 being applied (selected) will no longer satisfy the allowable range condition of the liquid level held by the memory unit 105. This allows the operator to know more accurately the date and time when the liquid level of the cleaning liquid should be readjusted depending on the usage environment of the automatic analyzer.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure in Example 3 in which the prediction unit 123 predicts the date and time when the selected control sequence 124 will no longer satisfy the tolerance range conditions. In this Example, an example is described in which the prediction unit 123 makes a prediction just before the maintenance process in the above-described Example 1 or Example 2 is completed and a notification to the operator that the cleaning liquid volume adjustment process has been completed is output to the output unit 120. However, the timing of the prediction is not limited to this, and may be performed independently of the cleaning liquid volume adjustment process.

The prediction unit 123 calculates a relational expression between the opening time of the solenoid valve 205 and the detected liquid level height based on the results of all or at least two of the control sequences 124 executed during the cleaning liquid volume adjustment process, and stores information such as the slope of the relational expression in a data table in the storage unit 105 (step S601). FIG. 10 is a data table that holds data on the slope of the relational expression for each past liquid volume adjustment. As shown in FIG. 10, this data table holds, for example, the calculated slope of the relational expression for each cleaning liquid volume adjustment, the difference between the slope and the slope at the time of the previous adjustment (the change in slope from the time of the previous adjustment), the adjustment date and time when the cleaning liquid volume adjustment was performed, the number of days elapsed from the date and time of the previous adjustment to the date and time of the adjustment, the amount of change in slope per day, and the predicted date and time. In addition, for the first cleaning liquid volume adjustment, the data for the difference between the slope and the slope at the time of the previous adjustment, the number of days elapsed from the date and time of the previous adjustment to the date and time of the adjustment, the amount of change in slope per day, and the predicted date and time are left blank.

Next, the prediction unit 123 determines whether data for two or more cleaning liquid volume adjustments is present in the data table shown in FIG. 10 (step S602). If data for two or more cleaning liquid volume adjustments is not present, the prediction unit 123 ends the process of predicting the date and time when the selected control sequence 124 will no longer satisfy the allowable range condition for the liquid level height. On the other hand, if data for two or more cleaning liquid volume adjustments is present, the prediction unit 123 acquires all data for "slope change from previous adjustment" stored in the data table shown in FIG. 10, calculates the average value, and calculates whether the sign of the average value is positive or negative (step S603). Note that the data used to calculate the average value does not have to be all data, and may be the most recent three data, etc.

Next, the prediction unit 123 uses the calculation result of step S603 to predict whether the liquid level height achieved by the currently selected control sequence 124 will approach the upper limit or the lower limit of the allowable range condition over time (step S604). Specifically, if the calculation result of step S603 is positive, this indicates that the slope of the equation relating the solenoid valve opening time to the liquid level height increases over time, so the prediction unit 123 predicts that the liquid level height achieved by the currently selected control sequence 124 will approach the upper limit. On the other hand, if the calculation result of step S603 is negative, this indicates that the slope of the equation relating the solenoid valve opening time to the liquid level height decreases over time, so the prediction unit 123 predicts that the liquid level height achieved by the currently selected control sequence 124 will approach the lower limit.

Next, the prediction unit 123 calculates the slope of the relational expression (limit relational expression) when the liquid level height achieved by the currently selected control sequence 124 is the same as the boundary value (upper limit value or lower limit value) predicted in step S604 (step S605). In this embodiment, the relational expression between the solenoid valve opening time and the liquid level height approximates a proportional relational expression, so the prediction unit 123 can calculate the slope of the limit relational expression by subtracting the solenoid valve opening time corresponding to the currently selected control sequence 124 from the boundary value predicted in step S604.

Next, the prediction unit 123 calculates the period required for the slope of the relational equation stored in the data table in step S601 to reach the slope of the limit relational equation calculated in step S605 (S606). Specifically, the prediction unit 123 first acquires all data of the "amount of change in slope per day" stored in the data table shown in FIG. 10, and calculates the average value. Note that the data used to calculate the average value may not be all data, but may be the most recent three data, etc. Next, the prediction unit 123 subtracts the slope of the relational equation stored in step S601 from the slope of the limit relational equation calculated in step S605. Finally, the prediction unit 123 divides the difference obtained as a result of the subtraction by the average value, thereby calculating the period required for the slope of the relational equation stored in the data table in step S601 to reach the slope of the limit relational equation calculated in step S605.

Next, the prediction unit 123 adds the period obtained in step S606 to the current date and time, and stores the calculation result in the data table as the predicted date and time when the selected control sequence 124 will no longer satisfy the allowable range condition for the liquid level height (step S607).

Next, when the control unit 102 notifies the operator via the output unit 120 that the adjustment of the amount of cleaning liquid has been completed, the control unit 102 displays the predicted date and time of step S607 on the output unit 120 as a candidate for the next adjustment date and time, as shown in (1) of FIG. 13.

The control unit 102 also displays the predicted date and time of step S607 on the input unit 119, which is displayed when the operator sets the start schedule for adjusting the amount of cleaning liquid, as shown in (1) of FIG. 11, so that the operator can select it. For example, if the operator selects "Manual" in FIG. 11 and operates the Set button, the adjustment of the amount of cleaning liquid is immediately performed. On the other hand, if the operator selects "Auto" in FIG. 11 and selects "Recommendation" and operates the Set button, the adjustment of the amount of cleaning liquid is automatically performed at the predicted date and time of step S607. Also, if the operator selects "Auto" in FIG. 11 and selects "Regular interval" and operates the Set button, the adjustment of the amount of cleaning liquid is automatically performed at the period specified by the operator. Note that if the predicted date and time of step S607 is reached before the period specified by the operator is reached, the control unit 102 may notify the operator via the output unit 120.

In this embodiment, the predicted date and time of step S607 is displayed directly on the input unit 119, but the predicted date and time displayed on the input unit 119 is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 102 may display on the input unit 119 a date and time 30 days before the predicted date and time of step S607. Furthermore, for example, the control unit 102 may display on the input unit 119 a message urging the operator to readjust the amount of cleaning liquid from 30 days before the predicted date and time of step S607.

The amount of cleaning liquid may be adjusted according to a schedule set by the operator via the input unit 119, but this does not necessarily require setting by the operator. For example, the automatic analyzer may perform the adjustment at a predetermined timing, such as before each analysis.

In Example 4, a method is illustrated in which the prediction unit 123 of the control unit 102 predicts the date and time when all of the control sequences 124 stored in the memory unit 105 of the automatic analysis control device will no longer satisfy the allowable range conditions for the liquid level height. This allows the operator to know more accurately the date and time when the solenoid valve 205 should be replaced depending on the usage environment of the automatic analysis device.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure in Example 4 in which the prediction unit 123 predicts the date and time when all control sequences 124 held by the automatic analysis control device will no longer satisfy the tolerance range conditions. In this Example, as in Example 3, an example is described in which the prediction unit 123 makes a prediction immediately before a notification to the operator that the cleaning liquid volume adjustment process has been completed is output to the output unit 120. However, the timing of the prediction is not limited to this, and the prediction may be performed independently of the cleaning liquid volume adjustment process or in conjunction with Example 3.

The prediction unit 123 calculates a relational equation between the opening time of the solenoid valve 205 and the detected liquid level height based on the results of all or at least two of the control sequences 124 executed during the cleaning liquid volume adjustment process, and stores information such as the slope of the relational equation in a data table in the memory unit 105 (step S901).

As with Example 3, the data table of this embodiment stores, for each cleaning liquid volume adjustment, the calculated slope of the relational equation, the difference between the slope and the slope at the time of the previous adjustment (the change in slope from the previous adjustment), the adjustment date and time when the cleaning liquid volume adjustment was performed, the number of days elapsed from the previous adjustment date and time to the current adjustment date and time, the amount of change in slope per day, and the predicted date and time. However, the predicted date and time in this embodiment is the date and time when it is predicted that all of the control sequences 124 stored in the memory unit 105 will no longer satisfy the tolerance range conditions.

Next, the prediction unit 123 determines whether data for two or more cleaning liquid volume adjustments exists in the data table (step S902). If data for two or more cleaning liquid volume adjustments does not exist, the prediction unit 123 ends the process of predicting the date and time when all control sequences 124 will no longer satisfy the allowable range conditions for the liquid level height. On the other hand, if data for two or more cleaning liquid volume adjustments exists, the prediction unit 123 acquires all data for "slope change from the previous adjustment" stored in the data table, calculates the average value, and calculates whether the sign of the average value is positive or negative (step S903).

Next, the prediction unit 123 uses the calculation result of step S903 to predict whether the liquid level height achieved by the control sequence 124 will approach the upper limit or lower limit of the allowable range condition over time (step S904).

If it is predicted in step S904 that the liquid level height achieved by the control sequence 124 will approach the lower limit value over time, the prediction unit 123 calculates the slope of the relationship equation (lower limit relationship equation) between the solenoid valve opening time and the liquid level height when a control sequence 124 in which the opening time of the solenoid valve 205 is defined as being relatively long among the control sequences 124 held by the automatic analyzer achieves the lower limit liquid level height (step S905).

On the other hand, if it is predicted in step S904 that the liquid level height achieved by the control sequence 124 will approach the upper limit value over time, the prediction unit 123 calculates the slope of the relationship equation (upper limit relationship equation) between the solenoid valve opening time and the liquid level height when a control sequence 124 in which the opening time of the solenoid valve 205 is defined as being relatively short among the control sequences 124 held by the automatic analyzer achieves the upper limit liquid level height (step S906).

Next, the prediction unit 123 calculates the period required for the slope of the relational equation stored in the data table in step S901 to reach the slope of the lower limit relational equation or the upper limit relational equation calculated in step S905 or step S906 (step S907). Specifically, the prediction unit 123 first obtains all data of the "amount of slope change per day" stored in the data table and calculates the average value. Next, the prediction unit 123 subtracts the slope of the relational equation stored in step S901 from the slope of the lower limit relational equation or the upper limit relational equation calculated in step S905 or step S906. Finally, the prediction unit 123 divides the difference obtained as a result of the subtraction by the average value, thereby being able to calculate the period required for the slope of the relational equation stored in the data table in step S901 to reach the slope of the lower limit relational equation or the upper limit relational equation calculated in step S905 or step S906.

Next, the prediction unit 123 adds the period obtained in step S907 to the current date and time, and stores the calculation result in the data table as the predicted date and time when all control sequences 124 held by the automatic analysis control device will no longer satisfy the allowable range conditions for the liquid level height (step S908).

Next, when the control unit 102 notifies the operator via the output unit 120 that the adjustment of the amount of cleaning liquid has been completed, the control unit 102 displays the predicted date and time of step S908 on the output unit 120 as the date and time when the solenoid valve 205 should be replaced, as shown in (2) of FIG. 13.

In Example 5, a method is illustrated in which the diagnostic unit of the control unit 102 diagnoses whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the solenoid valve 205 due to factors other than aging. Factors other than aging can be, for example, clogging with debris. This allows the operator to detect an abnormality in the solenoid valve 205 before the solenoid valve 205 breaks down and becomes unusable.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the procedure in Example 5 in which the diagnosis unit diagnoses an abnormality in the solenoid valve 205 caused by factors other than aging. In this example, an example is described in which the diagnosis unit performs diagnosis immediately before a notification to the operator that the cleaning liquid volume adjustment process has been completed is output to the output unit 120. However, the timing of diagnosis is not limited to this, and it may be performed independently of the cleaning liquid volume adjustment process, or may be performed in conjunction with Example 3 or Example 4.

The diagnostic unit calculates a relational equation between the opening time of the solenoid valve 205 and the detected liquid level height based on the results of all or at least two of the control sequences 124 executed during the cleaning liquid volume adjustment process, and stores information such as the slope of the relational equation and the amount of change in the slope in a data table in the memory unit 105 (step S1101).

The data table in this embodiment holds, for each cleaning fluid volume adjustment, the calculated slope of the relational equation, the difference between that slope and the slope at the time of the previous adjustment (the change in slope from the previous adjustment), the adjustment date and time when the cleaning fluid volume adjustment was performed, the number of days elapsed from the date and time of the previous adjustment to the date and time of the current adjustment, the amount of change in slope per day, and the abnormality diagnosis result.

Next, the diagnostic unit determines whether data for two or more cleaning fluid volume adjustments exists in the data table (step S1102). If data for two or more cleaning fluid volume adjustments does not exist, the diagnostic unit ends the abnormality diagnosis process. On the other hand, if data for two or more cleaning fluid volume adjustments exists, the diagnostic unit acquires all data for "slope change per day" stored in the data table and calculates the average value (step S1103). Note that the data used to calculate the average value does not have to be all data, and may be the most recent three pieces of data, for example.

Next, the diagnosis unit calculates the degree of deviation as a ratio between the "amount of change in slope per day" stored in the data table in step S1101 and the average value of the "amount of change in slope per day" calculated in step S1103 (step S1104). Note that the method of calculating the degree of deviation is not limited to this, and for example, the degree of deviation may be calculated as an absolute value by subtracting the average value calculated in step S1103 from the "amount of change in slope per day" stored in step S1101.

Next, the diagnosis unit diagnoses whether the degree of deviation calculated in step S1104 is within the tolerance range conditions stored in the memory unit 105 (step S1105). In this embodiment, the memory unit 105 stores the tolerance range conditions in the form of a percentage in order to perform the diagnosis in step S1105, and the diagnosis unit performs the diagnosis using this. However, the tolerance range conditions stored in the memory unit 105 may also be stored in the form of real numbers.

If the degree of deviation falls within the allowable range conditions in step S1105, the diagnosis unit sets the data of the abnormality diagnosis result corresponding to the cleaning liquid volume adjustment in the data table held by the storage unit 105 to "no abnormality" and stores it (step S1106). On the other hand, if the degree of deviation does not fall within the allowable range conditions in step S1105, the diagnosis unit sets the data of the abnormality diagnosis result corresponding to the cleaning liquid volume adjustment in the data table held by the storage unit 105 to "abnormality present" and stores it (step S1107).

Next, when the control unit 102 notifies the operator via the output unit 120 that the adjustment of the amount of cleaning liquid has been completed, the control unit 102 also displays the abnormality diagnosis result of step S1106 or step S1107 on the output unit 120 as shown in (3) of FIG. 13.

In Example 6, when the control unit 102 uses a different control sequence 124 for analysis depending on the usage status of the automatic analyzer, the control sequence 124 used and the analysis results are linked and stored in the memory unit 105. After the analysis is completed, the automatic analyzer of this example displays on the output unit 120 the type of control sequence 124 applied during the analysis together with the analysis results. This allows the automatic analyzer of this example to ensure traceability even when different control sequences 124 are used depending on the situation.

Figure 15 is a detailed screen of the analysis result output by the control unit 102 to the output unit 120. The memory unit 105 holds the control sequence 124 used during the analysis for each analysis operation, and the control unit 102 outputs the correspondence to the output unit 120 as shown in (1) of Figure 15. Below, a case where the memory unit 105 holds the data table shown in Figure 7 will be described. First, when the control sequence No. 4 of Figure 7 is used as the control sequence for the washing operation when washing the reaction vessel 112 used in the analysis, the control sequence No. 4 corresponds to the item "Washing" (washing operation) in (1) "Sequence Details" of Figure 15. Here, the control sequences held in the data table of Figure 7 have different opening times of the solenoid valve 205. Therefore, this correspondence makes it clear how long the solenoid valve was open during the discharge of the washing liquid into the reaction vessel 112 during the analysis. Similarly, for example, in "Sample Dispense" (sample dispensing operation) and "Reagent Dispense" (reagent dispensing operation), a control sequence in which the movement amount of the probe 201 is defined may be linked to the analysis result, or a control sequence in which the discharge amount or suction amount is defined may be linked to the analysis result. Also, in "Reaction" (reaction operation), for example, a control sequence in which the movement amount of the reaction vessel 112 is defined may be linked to the analysis result.

In the above-mentioned embodiments, an example of an automatic biochemical analyzer has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this and can also be applied to an automatic immunological analyzer or an automatic coagulation analyzer. In the above-mentioned embodiments, a height detector that detects the height of the liquid surface is used as the liquid volume detection unit, but the liquid volume of the cleaning liquid may be detected by other methods. Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the liquid volume is adjusted by changing the opening time of the solenoid valve, but the liquid volume may be adjusted by other methods, such as changing the opening degree of the solenoid valve.

102...control unit, 103...mechanism drive unit, 104...CPU, 105...storage unit, 106...I/O, 107...ADC, 108...operation unit, 109...I/F, 110...drive circuit, 111...sample container, 112...reaction container, 113...sample dispensing mechanism, 114...reagent dispensing mechanism, 115...mixing mechanism, 116...photometer, 117...cleaning mechanism, 118...reaction tank, 119...input unit, 120...output unit, 121...memory, 122...determination unit, 123...prediction unit, 124...control sequence, 130...reaction disk, 201...probe, 202...height detector, 203...flow path, 204...pump, 205...solenoid valve, 206...control circuit, 207...discharge nozzle, 208...suction nozzle

Claims (11)

a discharge nozzle for discharging a cleaning liquid into the reaction vessel;
an electromagnetic valve provided in a path for supplying the cleaning liquid to the discharge nozzle;
a liquid level detector that detects the amount of the cleaning liquid;
A control unit for controlling the solenoid valve,
The control unit is
A storage unit that stores a control sequence for causing the solenoid valve to perform different operations;
A determination unit that determines which of the different control sequences should be applied during analysis,
all or a part of the control sequences stored in the memory unit are executed, and the amount of the cleaning liquid corresponding to each control sequence is detected by the liquid amount detector;
The determination unit is
Based on the detection result, a control sequence in which the liquid amount is within a predetermined range is determined from among the control sequences;
The automatic analyzer determines the control sequence that minimizes the difference between the liquid volume and the reference value as the control sequence to be applied during analysis. 2. The automated analyzer according to claim 1,
The determination unit determines the control sequence that minimizes the difference between the liquid volume of the obtained control sequence and the liquid volume obtained during the previous liquid volume adjustment of the cleaning liquid, as the control sequence to be applied during analysis. 2. The automated analyzer according to claim 1,
The control unit further includes a prediction unit that predicts a time when the liquid amount of the control sequence being applied will not be within the predetermined range,
The automatic analyzer further includes an output unit that outputs the time predicted by the prediction unit as a candidate for the next adjustment time. 2. The automated analyzer according to claim 1,
The control unit further includes a prediction unit that predicts a time when the liquid amount of the control sequence being applied will not be within the predetermined range,
The automatic analyzer further includes an output unit that outputs a notification urging adjustment of an amount of cleaning liquid from a certain period before the time predicted by the prediction unit. 2. The automated analyzer according to claim 1,
The control unit further includes a prediction unit that predicts a time when the liquid amount of the control sequence being applied will not be within the predetermined range,
The automatic analysis device further includes an output unit that outputs a display prompting the user to select one of multiple options, including immediate execution, automatic execution at a time predicted by the prediction unit, and automatic execution at specified intervals, as an adjustment schedule. 2. The automated analyzer according to claim 1,
The control unit further includes a prediction unit that predicts a time when the liquid amount of all the control sequences stored in the memory unit will not be within the predetermined range,
The automatic analyzer further includes an output unit that outputs the time predicted by the prediction unit as the time to replace the solenoid valve. 7. The automatic analyzer according to claim 3,
At least two of the control sequences stored in the storage unit are executed, and a slope of a relational expression between an opening time of the solenoid valve and the liquid amount is calculated;
The storage unit stores the past tilt together with date and time information,
The prediction unit calculates a change in slope based on the past slopes stored in the memory unit, and predicts the time when the change in slope will fall out of the specified range from the calculated change in slope. 2. The automated analyzer according to claim 1,
The control unit further includes a diagnosis unit that diagnoses an abnormality in the solenoid valve,
The automatic analyzer further includes an output unit that outputs an abnormality diagnosis result obtained by the diagnosis unit. 9. The automated analyzer according to claim 8,
At least two of the control sequences stored in the storage unit are executed, and a slope of a relational expression between an opening time of the solenoid valve and the liquid amount is calculated;
The storage unit stores the past tilt together with date and time information,
The diagnosis unit calculates a change in tilt based on the past tilt stored in the storage unit,
The automatic analyzer diagnoses that an abnormality has occurred in the solenoid valve when the average value of the change in slope within a specified period of time exceeds a certain value. a discharge nozzle for discharging a cleaning liquid into the reaction vessel;
an electromagnetic valve provided in a path for supplying the cleaning liquid to the discharge nozzle;
a liquid level detector that detects the amount of the cleaning liquid;
A control unit that controls the solenoid valve,
The control unit executes all or part of a control sequence for causing the solenoid valve to perform different operations, and the liquid level detector detects the amount of the cleaning liquid corresponding to each control sequence;
an analysis method using an automatic analyzer, the method comprising: a step in which the control unit determines, based on the detection result, a control sequence among the control sequences in which the liquid volume is within a predetermined range, and determines that the control sequence in which the difference between the liquid volume of the determined control sequence and a reference value is the smallest is the one to be applied during analysis. a discharge nozzle for discharging a cleaning liquid into the reaction vessel;
an electromagnetic valve provided in a path for supplying the cleaning liquid to the discharge nozzle;
a liquid level detector that detects the amount of the cleaning liquid;
A control unit that controls the solenoid valve,
The control unit executes all or part of a control sequence for causing the solenoid valve to perform different operations, and the liquid level detector detects the amount of the cleaning liquid corresponding to each control sequence;
An analysis method using an automatic analyzer, comprising a step in which the control unit determines, among a plurality of control sequences whose detection results satisfy a predetermined liquid volume range condition, a control sequence that has a relatively high likelihood of being selected as the control sequence to be applied during analysis.

Images