JPS63109372A - Sample portionwise collecting method and apparatus of automatic chemical analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To such a predetermined amount of a sample, by portionwise collecting the sample while the liquid level of the sample is monitored by a sample liquid level detection means. CONSTITUTION:When sample containers 21-23 reach a portionwise collecting position, a rising and falling drive motor 12 is operated by the indication from a control apparatus 14 to allow a sampling nozzle 9 and a metal rod 10 preliminarily retracted at an upper position to fall. At this time, the liquid level detection sensor consisting of the nozzle 9 and the metal rod 10 detects the liquid level of each of the samples in the containers 21-23 and the detection signal thereof is sent to the apparatus 14 through a detection circuit 13. Whereupon, the apparatus 14 stops the operation of the motor 12 at that point of time and sets a change-over valve 16 and a syringe driving motor 17 to a sampling suction mode to operate a syringe 15 and sampling suction is performed by the syringe 15 through the nozzle 9. Since the portionwise collection of the sample can be performed as mentioned above while the liquid level of the sample is monitored by a sample liquid level detection means, even when the sample containers are different is size, a predetermined amount of the sample can be sucked.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention is directed to automatic chemical analyzers used in the field of medical testing, particularly for sample separation of automatic chemical analyzers having an ID recognition function. This invention relates to improvements in methods and apparatus.

(Prior Art) In recent years, various medical tests, such as blood and urine tests, have become indispensable factors in medical diagnosis. In this case, there is always a demand from the testing side for an automatic chemical analyzer that can analyze samples efficiently and without errors. In order to meet this demand, an automatic chemical analyzer equipped with an ID recognition function has been developed and is already in use.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, conventional devices of this type are designed on the premise that the size of the sample container used is constant, and furthermore, when using this device, the work Because the system uses the same container used to collect samples from patients throughout the analysis process, there are no differences in whether the patient is an adult or a child, or the hospital at the time of sample collection. If there is a difference or the collection operator is inexperienced, collection using containers of different sizes may be considered, and as a result, an automatic chemical analyzer may not be able to be used. For this reason, there has been a strong desire for a new automatic chemical analyzer that can perform analysis work even with sample containers of different sizes.

The present invention has been made in view of this situation, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel sample separation method for an automatic chemical analyzer and its apparatus that can satisfy this demand.

[Configuration of the invention] (Means for solving the problem) The first configuration of the present invention to achieve this objective is to
In a sample separation method for an automatic chemical analyzer having a recognition function, the automatic chemical analyzer includes a detection means capable of detecting a sample liquid level in a sample container, and a sampling device configured to be able to be raised and lowered with respect to the liquid level.・A nozzle is provided, and when a sample is aspirated, the sample aspiration operation is interrupted and the sampling nozzle is lowered based on the unseparable part detection signal from the detection means, and then when the sample aspiration operation is performed again. By repeating the preparative collection cycle, a predetermined amount of sample is collected.The second is that in the sample collection device of an automatic chemical analyzer that has an ID recognition function, the inside of the sample container is a detection means capable of detecting a sample liquid level; a sampling nozzle configured to be movable up and down with respect to the liquid level; sample suction is performed based on a separation enable signal from the detection means; a suction drive means for interrupting the sample suction operation based on a sample-unavailable signal from the detection means; a nozzle lift/lower drive means for lowering the sampling nozzle based on a sample-unpossible signal from the detection means; and a sample container side. The apparatus further comprises a control means for operating the suction drive means and the nozzle lifting/lowering drive means until a predetermined sample amount is reached, based on a sample collection amount signal from the apparatus.

(Function) The function of the present invention based on this configuration is that when a sample is aspirated from a sample container, the sample liquid level is monitored by the sample liquid level detection means, and if the liquid level position required for sample separation cannot be obtained, the sample liquid level is monitored by the sample liquid level detection means. Another feature is that the sampling nozzle is lowered from the liquid level position so that a predetermined sample amount can be aspirated.

(Example) Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on an example shown in the drawings. 1st
The figure is a schematic diagram of a sample analysis system including an automatic chemical analyzer equipped with an ID recognition function and its host computer according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a sample transfer/dispensing device having an ID recognition means. , FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of operations during sample transfer and dispensing in the configuration of FIG. 2.

In the figure, 1 is an automatic chemical analyzer equipped with an ID recognition function, 2
is a sample transfer/dispensing device having a configuration known per se, and includes ID recognition means 2a. Reference numeral 3 denotes an analytical measuring device having a configuration known per se, which adds reagents, etc. to a sample dispensed into a reaction cell (not shown) on a reaction line to measure the reactivity using a method known per se. Measure. 4 is an arithmetic control unit for controlling these devices 2 and 3 and processing their data; 5 is a host computer (hereinafter simply referred to as CPU) connected online to the automatic chemical analyzer 1; It is comprised of a reading device 6 for reading analysis items, test numbers, etc. from a computer, an input/output device 7 for inputting analysis request items, searching for analysis results, etc., and an analysis result report output device 8.

Now, in the sample transfer/dispensing device 2 shown in FIG. 2, reference numerals 9 and 10 are a sampling nozzle and a metal rod that constitute a liquid level detection sensor, and both are parallel to each other, and the tip of the nozzle 9 is connected to the metal rod 10. is fixed on the insulating member 11 so as to protrude by a predetermined amount from the tip of the insulating member 11. The insulating member 1
1 is supported by a suitable elevating mechanism (not shown) so as to be able to move up and down in the vertical direction, and is driven by forward and reverse rotation of an elevating drive motor 12. 13 is a detection circuit connected to the metal rod 10; 14 is a control device; 15
1 is a syringe, and 16 and 17 are a switching valve and a syringe drive motor which are controlled by the control device 14. 1
8 and 19 are the switching valve 1 from the sampling nozzle 9.
6 and the diluent tank 20.

21 to 23 show examples of the state of samples placed in various sample containers, 21 is an example of the state when using the sample cup 21a, 22 is an example of the state when using a general container, The samples themselves were blood clots 22a and 22a, respectively.
It is separated into a separating agent 22b and serum 22c. 23 is an example of a state in which a pediatric micro-container held by an auxiliary member 23a is used. And these sample containers 21~
23, there are ID labels 24a to 24 readable by the ID recognition means 2a, as shown in FIG.
c is pasted. In addition, these 21-23 may be expressed as a sample container.

Next, the operation of the automatic chemical analyzer l consisting of this configuration is as follows.
This will be explained using the flow diagram shown in FIG.

Samples 21 to 2 placed in the various sample containers mentioned above
When a sample container containing a sample in one of the states 3 is set in the sample transfer/dispensing device 2 and the analysis start switch (not shown) is operated, the ID of the sample container transferred by the sample transfer device is displayed. Labels 24a-24
c is read by the ID recognition means 2a when passing through the ID recognition means 2a, and the identification signals of the labels 24a to 24c are transmitted to the CPU 5 via the arithmetic and control unit 4.

The CPU 5 that receives the signal searches and collates ■D based on this signal, and transfers this as a worksheet to the automatic chemical analyzer 1, so that the apparatus 1 analyzes the analysis items etc. from this worksheet. Obtain work information and perform predetermined analysis preparations.

When the sample containers 21 to 23 reach the sampling position shown in FIG. The metal rod 10 is lowered. At this time, the liquid level detection sensor consisting of the nozzle 9 and the metal rod IO detects the sample liquid level in the sample container and sends the detection signal to the control device 14 via the detection circuit 13. At that point, the operation of the lifting drive motor 12 is stopped, the switching valve 16 and the syringe drive motor 17 are set to the sample suction mode, the syringe 15 is operated, and the sample is suctioned through the sampling nozzle 9.

At this time, in the case of a sample container in which the liquid level effectively immerses the metal rod 10 until a predetermined amount of sample has been separated, the separation process is ended with a separation end signal from the control device 14. , proceed to a process of dispensing the diluent and reagent, which is known per se. However, in the case of a sample container in which the sample liquid level drops below the tip of the metal rod IO before the predetermined amount of sample is dispensed, The detection circuit 13 detects this state and notifies the control device 14 of the signal.

Therefore, the control device 14 stops the operation of the syringe drive motor 17 at this point, and instructs to drive the lifting drive motor 12 again, so that the sampling nozzle 9
and lower the metal rod 10. Then, as described above, when the liquid level detection sensor detects the sample liquid level, the lowering is stopped and the sample suction operation is performed again.

By repeating such a suction cycle, after a predetermined amount of sample has been collected, the process proceeds to the dispensing process of the diluent and reagent in the same way as in the case described above.

As described above, with the sample collection method and apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to perform sample collection while monitoring the sample liquid level using the sample liquid level detection means. A predetermined amount of sample can be aspirated.

Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and can be modified in various ways without changing the gist thereof.

For example, it is also possible to use other appropriate methods and devices in place of the sample liquid level detection means.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, when the present invention is used, it is possible to realize a novel sample separation method and device for an automatic chemical analyzer that can perform analysis work even with sample containers of different sizes. becomes possible.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a sample analysis system including an automatic chemical analyzer equipped with an ID recognition function and its host computer according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of a sample separation device according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the operation during sample transfer and dispensing in the configuration of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a schematic external view of the sample container, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the analysis process according to the present invention. 1-Automatic chemical analyzer 2-Sample transfer/dispensing 2 a
-ID recognition means Device 3-Analysis measurement device
4-Arithmetic control unit 5-CPU6-Reading device

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) In a sample separation method for an automatic chemical analyzer having an ID recognition function, the automatic chemical analyzer includes a detection means capable of detecting a sample liquid level in a sample container, and is capable of rising and lowering with respect to the liquid level. and a sampling nozzle having the same configuration as above, and when aspirating the sample, the sample aspiration operation is interrupted and the sampling nozzle is lowered based on the non-separation detection signal from the detection means, and then the sample aspiration operation is resumed. 1. A sample collection method for an automatic chemical analyzer, characterized in that a predetermined sample amount is collected by repeating a preparative collection cycle. (2) The sample collection method for an automatic chemical analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the sample container is equipped with a collection amount signal generating means. (3) In a sample separation device of an automatic chemical analyzer having an ID recognition function, a detection means capable of detecting a sample liquid level in a sample container, and a sampling nozzle configured to be able to rise and fall with respect to the liquid level; a suction drive means for performing sample aspiration based on a fractionation possible signal from the detection means and interrupting the sample suction operation based on a fractionation impossible signal from the detection means; a nozzle lifting/lowering driving means for lowering the sampling nozzle based on the sampling nozzle impossible signal; and a nozzle lifting/lowering driving means for moving the suction driving means and the nozzle lifting/lowering driving means until a predetermined sampling amount is reached based on the sampling amount signal from the sample container side. 1. A sample separation device for an automatic chemical analyzer, comprising: a control means for activating; (4) The sample liquid level detecting means of the automatic chemical analyzer according to claim 3, wherein the sample liquid level detection means is composed of a sampling nozzle and a metal rod that are arranged parallel to each other and can be raised and lowered. removal device.