JPH076996B2 - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer for performing various blood analyzes such as biochemical analysis and immunological analysis, and in particular, the number of measurement items is substantially increased. The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that can be operated.

[Prior art]

Various types of conventional automatic analyzers have been proposed in which the containers containing the first reagent and the second reagent corresponding to the first reagent are arranged in rows.

In such an automatic analyzer, the number of measurable items is generally the same as the number of containers arranged in the first reagent row and the second reagent row. The current situation is that the number of containers that can be arranged in the container is determined nominally.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, the required test items are different at each laboratory where the automatic analyzer is used, and not only all the items require the 2-reagent system reaction, but also the one-reagent system reaction is often required. . In such cases,
Since it is not necessary to arrange the corresponding second reagent in the second reagent container row, a so-called tooth missing state occurs, but in the conventional automatic analyzer of this type, The current situation is that no measures have been taken to improve such problems, which is also a factor that increases the operating cost of the automatic analyzer.

[Configuration and Action for Solving Problems]

The present invention was devised in view of the present situation, and its object is to set items that require a one-reagent system reaction and items that require a two-reagent system reaction in a mixed manner. The number of measurement items of the automatic analyzer can be substantially increased, and thus the substantial operating efficiency of the automatic analyzer can be significantly increased, and the configuration (hardware part) of the automatic analyzer can be newly added, or It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic analyzer which does not become complicated and does not significantly increase the cost.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, in the present invention, an analysis was performed using only one kind of first reagent or two kinds of reagents, a first reagent and a second reagent, and these first reagents were stored. The first reagent container and the second reagent container containing the second reagent are defined and stored in a row in the reagent liquid storage section, and the reagents stored in these containers are made to correspond to the measurement items. On the technical premise, an automatic analyzer configured to suck and dispense by a first reagent pipette and a second reagent pipette is used, and the first reagent container storage row of the reagent solution storage section has a first The first reagent container corresponding to the measurement item using only the reagent and the first reagent container corresponding to the measurement item using the second type of reagent are arranged, and are arranged in the second reagent container storage row of the reagent liquid storage section. Is the second column corresponding to the measurement items using the above two types of reagents A mix of first reagent containers corresponding to the measurement item using only medicine container and the first reagent is arranged,
The second reagent pipette is provided with the second reagent pipette as needed in addition to the suction and discharge work of the second reagent from the second reagent container.
The drive control is performed so that the first reagent corresponding to the measurement item is sucked and discharged from the first reagent container arranged in the reagent container row.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of the automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the sampler
Reference numeral 10 includes a sample table 11 and a drive unit that rotates the sample table 11. The sample table 11 has a normal sample container row 12 in which a plurality of holes on the outer peripheral side are loaded with samples to be analyzed, and a special sample container in which a plurality of holes on the inner peripheral side are loaded with and arranged for emergency inspection samples and standard samples. Rows 13 are formed, and these sample containers are rotatably transferred to sample suction positions 44 and 44 'as required.

The sampler is a normal sample line transfer path where normal samples are arranged,
A special sample column transfer path in which special samples such as standard samples and emergency samples are arranged is provided separately, and the sample suction / exhaust pipe or sample suction probe connected to the pipette is movably arranged so as to cross these transfer paths. Set up. The transfer timing of the normal sample and the operation of the sample suction probe are related so that one or more samples on the normal sample train transfer path are sequentially and constantly sampled. Also,
The sample on the special sample line transfer path is sampled during the sampling of the ordinary sample as needed. That is, based on a predetermined special operation program or the intention of the operator, a specific special sample placed on the special sample line transfer path is interrupted so that the special sample is sampled while interrupting a series of normal sample sampling operations. To
The sample suction probe is moved to a reference position where it is moved up and down, and this transfer operation is related to the operation of the sample suction probe.

The ordinary sample row transfer path and the special sample row transfer path can be formed on the same transfer means.

However, in this case, when one sample row is in the sampling operation, sampling of the other sample row is stopped. The sample suction probe can move between a normal sample line transfer path, a special sample line transfer path, and a reaction line in which a large number of reaction vessels are arranged. The sample inhaled by the sample inhalation probe is discharged into the reaction container, and after that, it is optically measured after the reaction with the predetermined reagent to obtain the concentration of the specific component.

The reaction section 20 includes a doughnut-shaped constant temperature passage 23 and a reaction table 21 arranged thereon, and the height position of the reaction table 21 is almost the same as that of the sample table 11. Constant temperature passage
23 is a constant temperature bath, and a constant temperature liquid is circulated from a constant temperature water supply unit 29. The reaction table 21 has a large number of holes, and the holes are filled with a reaction container 22 composed of a rectangular transparent cell to form a reaction container row. The lower part of the reaction vessel is immersed in a constant temperature liquid.

A light source 25 is provided inside the reaction table 21 that is continuously and intermittently rotated by a drive mechanism (not shown).
The light flux 26 from the light passes through the reaction vessel 22 in the constant temperature passage 23 and is guided to the photometer 27, and after being dispersed by the diffraction grating in the photometer 27, the specific wavelength light is extracted through the photodetector. Be done. The contents in the reaction container 22 are stirred by the stirrer 28.

There is a washing machine 24 provided with a plurality of pure discharge pipes and a plurality of liquid discharge pipes on the reaction vessel array, and when the reaction table 21 is stopped, these pipes are inserted into the reaction vessel to perform a washing operation.

The sampling mechanism 40 includes a rotary arm that holds a sample suction / discharge tube 41, a vertical mechanism for the rotary arm, and a sample pipette 42. The sample suction / discharge tube 41 is connected to the sample suction positions 44 and 44 ′.
, And the sample suction / exhaust pipe 41 can be moved up and down at each position.

The reagent liquid storage section 30 is disposed in the vicinity of the reaction section 20, and
The height positions of the reagent container 31 and the second reagent container 31 'are substantially the same as those of the reaction table 21. The storage unit 30 is composed of a refrigerator and has a rectangular parallelepiped first and second reagent containers 31 and 31 '.
Are arranged in two columns in series. Each reagent container 31, 31 'is prepared according to the analysis item. Each container 31, 31 'has an opening 32,
There are 32 ', but these openings are arranged in series toward a specific position in relation to the row of reaction vessels 22.

In this case, in the first reagent container 31 row, 5 containers (a container 31a in which a reagent of one reagent system is stored) are arranged as shown by * mark in FIG. If so, the number of the second reagent containers arranged in the second reagent container 31 'row is reduced by 5 containers, resulting in a tooth missing state. This is packed in one side to form a void portion (not shown) for 5 containers, and this void portion contains a reagent container containing one reagent system reagent.
31b (the container shown in the drawing as slightly floating) is arranged in series.

The reagent pipette device 35 is equipped with reagent pipetting portions 36, 37 which are transferred on a rail (not shown), and reagent suction pipes 38, 39 are attached to these pipetting portions 36, 37. These reagent suction / discharge pipes 38 and 39 are independently reciprocated. The reagent suction / discharge pipe 38 is moved along the row of the openings 32 to the reagent discharge position 46. The reagent inlet / outlet pipe 39 is moved along the row of the openings 32 ',
Moved to 47. The rows of reagent containers 31 and 31 'are arranged in parallel, and the rows of openings 32 and 32' are also arranged in parallel.
Since the reagent containers 31 and 31 'are rectangular parallelepipeds, they can be arranged very closely adjacent to each other. The reagent suction / discharge pipes 38, 39 are stopped on the openings of the reagent containers 31, 31 'suitable for the analysis item, and descend to suck and hold the reagent liquid, and after rising, hold the held reagent liquid in the reaction pipe 22. It can be discharged. This operation control is performed by the microcomputer 51. Further, the microcomputer 51 drives and controls so that the pipetting portion 37 sucks the reagent in the first reagent container 31b arranged in the second reagent container 31 'row. Of course, in this case, the operation of the other pipetting portion 36 is set to the stopped state. Pipette device
35 is equipped with a well-known syringe mechanism.

The sample table 11 holding the sample to be analyzed is sampled.
When installed in 10, and pressing the start button on the operation panel 52, the operation of the analyzer is started. Sampling mechanism 40
When the sample suction / exhaust pipe 41 of sucks and holds the sample from the sample suction position 44 or 44 ′ and discharges the held sample to the sample discharge position 45,
The row of reaction vessels 22 is transported across the light beam 26, and the reaction table 21 is rotated one step and the reaction vessel next to the reaction vessel receiving the sample is positioned at the sample discharge position 45. This sampling operation is repeated continuously. While the reaction table 21 is stopped, the stirring rod of the stirrer 28, each tube of the washer 24, and the like are inserted into the reaction container at a predetermined position, and necessary operations are performed.

While the reaction table 21 is stopped, the reagent is added to the reaction container at the reagent discharge positions 46 and 47, and the color reaction is started. Samples for various analysis items can be arranged on the reaction table 21. One method is to distribute one sample to a reaction container by the number of analysis items, and then similarly distribute the next sample to a plurality of reaction containers, for example, 20 reaction containers, and prepare reagents corresponding to each analysis item. It is added to a necessary reaction container by the reagent pipetting sections 36 and 37.

The reagent pipetting portions 36 and 37 are respectively hung on the rails and move along the rails, but these can move up and down together with the rails. Reagent suction / drain pipe 38,39
Can be stopped at the position of the opening 32, 32 'of each reagent container as required. The operation of the drive unit of the pipetting units 36, 37 is controlled by the microcomputer 51. Discharge position 46,4
The reagent corresponding to the analysis item of the sample that has come to 7 is selected by the reagent pipetting section 36, 37, and the corresponding reagent container 31,
The intake and exhaust pipes 38, 39 stop once on 31 '. Subsequently, the pipetting portions 36, 37 are lowered to operate the reagent pipette device 35, and after sucking and holding a predetermined amount of the reagent liquid in the suction and discharge pipes 38, 39, the pipetting portions 36, 37 are raised and the suction and discharge pipes 38, 39 are raised. 39 is horizontally moved to the reagent discharge positions 46 and 47, and the reagent liquid held in the suction / discharge pipe is discharged into the corresponding reaction container.

Since the reaction table 21 is rotated each time the sampling operation is performed, the sample in the reaction container can observe the colored state by crossing the light beam 26 with the sampling operation. That is, the optical characteristics of the same sample are observed multiple times until the reaction container reaches the position of the washing machine 24.

The light received by the photoelectric detector of the photometer 27 is selected by a wavelength selection circuit (not shown) to have a necessary wavelength according to the analysis item, and a signal having a magnitude corresponding to the transmitted light intensity is guided to the logarithmic converter 53. . The analog signal is then converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 54, guided to the microcomputer 51 through the interface 50, necessary calculation is performed, and the result is stored in the memory. When all of a plurality of photometric operations for the specific analysis item are completed, the photometric data are compared a plurality of times, necessary calculations are performed, and the density value of the analysis item is printed on the printer 55. The CRT56 can display analysis results and statistical data.

In this embodiment, colorimetric analysis and reaction rate analysis can be performed. Although not shown, the sample table 11
In addition, an intake / exhaust pipe cleaning unit is arranged near the reagent liquid storage unit 30. The constant temperature layer 23, which is the transfer path of the reaction vessel, is 25 to 37.
Maintained at a constant temperature of ° C. In this embodiment, the analysis operation conditions of the apparatus are stored in a cassette tape, and the analysis item can be changed by reading this cassette tape and exchanging the reagent liquid layer. There is no need to wash the flow path system when replacing the reagent. Analysis items and item-specific analysis conditions can be entered using the CRT and item keys, profile keys, and numeric keypad.

FIG. 2 schematically shows the configuration of the automatic analyzer according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the first
The reagent containers 131 and 131 'are arranged in a loop.

That is, the automatic analyzer according to the present embodiment, a plurality of containers each containing a sample for measurement in a predetermined amount (in the example, 10 containers containing a sample for general use and a sample for comparison are 11 containers are arranged with one container to be housed.)
Sample cassettes 60 for general samples held
And an emergency sampler 70 that holds emergency samples
And a pipette device for sucking a predetermined amount of a general-purpose sample or an emergency sample of the emergency sampler 74 held in the container for the general-purpose sample cassette 60 at a predetermined position and dispensing it into the reaction container 22 '. P, a feeding device 80 which holds a plurality of the reaction vessels 22 'in a loop, and the feeding device 80
A plurality of reagent containers 131, 131 ′, which are arranged concentrically with the feeding device 80 on the inner peripheral side of the container and contain reagents corresponding to measurement items.
A reagent device 130, 130 'arranged in a loop, and a reaction container 22' in which a predetermined amount of general or emergency sample and a predetermined species / predetermined amount of reagent are injected from the feeding device 80 to the measurement turret 100. And a change device 110 for transferring, an optical device 125 for colorimetrically measuring a sample or the like in the reaction container 22 ′ held in the measurement turret 100, and a signal for displaying and storing data measured by the optical device 125. The processing device 150 and the cleaning device 16 for cleaning the reaction container 22 'for which the above measurement work has been completed
It consists of 0 and.

Four pipette devices P are held by a loop-shaped pipette holder at predetermined intervals, and are rotationally controlled by a motor (not shown), a known cam mechanism, and the like so that the pipette device P intermittently moves by 90 °. That is, each pipette sucks a predetermined amount of a general-purpose sample at a predetermined position and rotates, or sucks a predetermined amount of an emergency sample at a predetermined position and then dispenses a general-purpose or emergency sample into a reaction container 22 '. Then, after this, the pipette holder is intermittently rotated again for cleaning, and again intermittently rotated to the original position.

The reaction container 22 'thus dispensed with the general or emergency sample is held by the loop-shaped feeding device 80 which is intermittently rotated via a driving device (not shown) such as a Geneva mechanism. At the same time, it is transferred to the reagent dispensing position, and the first reagent corresponding to the measurement item is injected into the reaction container 22 ′ via the first reagent device 130 at the reagent dispensing position.

The first reagent device 130 includes a first reagent container 131 arranged on a turret plate formed of a translucent material, and a first reagent container 131.
A driving device (not shown) for transferring the reagent container 131 to the first reagent dispensing position at high speed, and a first reagent pipette for weighing and injecting the first reagent from the first reagent container 131 into the reaction container 22 '( (Not shown). That is, the turret plate is arranged concentrically inside the feeding device 80, on the turret plate, a plurality of first reagent containers 131 are mounted radially and detachably. Various reagents corresponding to the analysis items are stored in these first reagent containers 131.

In this way, when the reagent container 131 containing the first reagent corresponding to the measurement item is transferred to the predetermined first reagent dispensing position at a high speed, the expandable and retractable first container attached to each reagent container 131 is expanded. The one-reagent pipette is pulled out through the gripping device 132, the reagent pipette is guided to the position of the reaction container 22 ', and the first reagent is dispensed into the reaction container 22' in a predetermined amount.

That is, behind each of the reagent containers 131, a pump (not shown), a pipette tube connected to the pump and held so as to expand and contract, and a reagent pipette connected to the tip of the pipette tube are provided. Reagent weighing
A dispenser is attached, and the pump engages with a protrusion of a cam that rotates in the forward and reverse directions and descends to perform a suction operation, whereby a predetermined amount of the first reagent is sucked into the reagent pipette, and Thereafter, the cam releases the engagement with the pump and returns to the neutral position, and the arm of the gripping device 132 extends to grip the reagent pipette, whereby the first reagent container 13
The reagent pipette to be immersed in 1 is pulled out to the outside of the reagent container C and guided into the reaction vessel 22 ', and the first reagent is placed in the reaction vessel.
It is configured to dispense a predetermined amount into the 22 '.

In this way, the reaction container 22 'in which the sample and the first reagent are dispensed is intermittently transferred to a predetermined position, and the change device 11
Replacement work by 0 is performed.

That is, the change device 110 includes the reaction container 22 'set in the above position and the reaction container 22' held in the measuring turret E at a position facing the reaction container 22 '.
22 ′ and 22 at the same time, rotate 180 ° and each reaction vessel 2
2'is configured to be transferred.

The reaction container 22 ′ thus transferred to the measuring turret 100 is sent to the second reagent dispensing position by the measuring turret 100 which intermittently rotates in synchronization with the feeding device 80.

The configuration and operation of the second reagent device 130 'is the same as the first reagent device 1
Since it is the same as that of 30, the detailed description thereof will be omitted by using the same reference numeral, but as shown by * mark in FIG. 2, in the first reagent container 131 arranged in the first reagent device 130. Assuming that five containers 131a containing one-reagent system reagents are randomly arranged in the second reagent device 13
At 0 ', a space for 5 containers is formed as shown in the range of FIG. Therefore, in this space, as in the case of the first embodiment, the containers 131b containing the reagents of one reagent system for the items not set in the first reagent device 130 are arranged for five items, and the first reagent device is used. When the inspection item of the first reagent system which is not set in 130 and is set in the second reagent device 130 'is designated, the operation of the first reagent device 130 is stopped and the reaction When the container 22 'is transferred to the second reagent dispensing position, the pipette gripping device 132' is driven, and the reagent in the reagent container 131b is controlled to be dispensed into the reaction container 22 '. ing.

As described above, the reaction container 22 'in which only the second reagent or the first reagent is dispensed is transferred to the stirring position.

At this stirring position, the reaction container 22 'is lifted in synchronization with the changing operation of the changing device 100 so as not to hinder the intermittent rotation of the measuring turret 100, and the known ultrasonic vibration mechanism is used.
Stirred by 140.

On the other hand, the optical device 1 arranged in the measuring turret 100.
Although not shown in the figure, the light flux from the light source lamp 25 is focused by the lens group and travels in the tubular portion, and is transmitted through the reaction container 22 ′ through the hole formed in the measurement turret 100, and the measurement light is sensitive. It is configured to be incident on the element.

The data colorimetrically measured in this manner is used as the signal processing device 15
Sent to 0. This signal processing device 150 is similar to a known device, and is a logarithmic converter, an A / D converter that converts data input to the logarithmic converter into a digital signal, an interface, and these data signals. It is composed of a memory microcomputer. When all the photometric operations for a specific analysis item have been completed a plurality of times, the photometric data of the plurality of times are compared, necessary calculation is performed, and the density value of the analysis item is recorded and displayed on the printer.

The reaction container 22 ′ whose measurement has been completed in this way is transferred to the feeding device 80 by the changing device 110 as described above, and is sent to the cleaning device 160 provided in the feeding device 80.

This cleaning device 160 is, similar to a known device, a vacuum pump that sucks up and discharges cleaning treatment water, a vacuum tank connected to this vacuum pump, and a reaction tank 22 'connected to this vacuum tank during cleaning. A cleaning nozzle that descends, a water supply pump that pressurizes cleaning water to the cleaning nozzle, a solenoid valve that is interposed in a liquid supply pipe that connects the drain side of the cleaning nozzle and a vacuum tank, the vacuum pump and the vacuum. It is configured with a check valve interposed in each liquid feed pipe connecting to the pump.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, the present invention is an automatic analysis in which the first reagent and the second reagent are held in separate rows, and the first reagent and the second reagent are dispensed by each pipette device. Since it is possible to eliminate the tooth missing state of the reagent container in the device, it is possible to substantially increase the number of measurement items in the automatic analysis device, and thus to substantially increase the operating efficiency of the automatic analysis device. Since the drive control is easy and no new mechanism is required, it can be provided at a low price.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a structural explanatory view of an automatic analyzer according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a structural explanatory view of an automatic analyzer according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Explanation of reference symbols] A ... space (void) 22,22 '... reaction container 30 ... reagent reservoir 130 ... first reagent device 130' ... second reagent device 31,131 ... first reagent container 31 ′, 131 ′ …… Second reagent container 31b, 131b …… Container for other first reagent 35 …… Reagent pipette device 38,39 …… Pipette (reagent suction / drain pipe)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Only one kind of first reagent or a first reagent and a second reagent
The analysis was performed using two types of reagents,
A first reagent container containing a reagent and a second reagent container containing a second reagent are defined in a reagent liquid storage part in a line and accommodated therein, and the reagent contained in each of these containers is measured. In an automatic analyzer configured to aspirate and dispense with a first reagent pipette and a second reagent pipette corresponding to an item, in the first reagent container storage row of the reagent liquid storage section,
The first reagent container corresponding to the measurement item using only the first reagent and the first reagent container corresponding to the measurement item using the two types of reagents are provided, and the second reagent container of the reagent liquid storage section is provided.
In the reagent container storage row, a second reagent container corresponding to a measurement item using the above two types of reagents and a first reagent container corresponding to a measurement item using only the first reagent are provided in a mixed manner,
The second reagent pipette is provided with the second reagent pipette as needed in addition to the suction and discharge work of the second reagent from the second reagent container.
An automatic analyzer which is drive-controlled so as to suck and discharge a first reagent corresponding to a measurement item from a first reagent container arranged in a reagent container storage row.