JPH0153414B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a measurement method in a clinical chemistry automatic analyzer and improvements to the device.

Generally, in the case of a so-called single multi-type automatic clinical chemistry analyzer that measures multiple items in one reaction line, a sample is dispensed at a predetermined position into a reaction tube held by a turret-shaped feeding device, and then, A reagent corresponding to the measurement item is injected at a predetermined position and transferred to a predetermined measurement position. At this measurement position, each of the reaction tubes is held in a measurement turret, and the measurement turret is rotated intermittently while being reacted with light from the light source. Currently, the sample in the tube is measured colorimetrically.

By the way, regarding such a clinical chemistry automatic analyzer, the present applicant has previously proposed a measuring method and apparatus as shown in FIG.

That is, the clinical chemistry automatic analyzer shown in FIG. 1 is of the so-called single multi-system described above, and a sample is pipetted into a reaction tube 1 held in a turret-like feeder at a predetermined position. Thereafter, a reagent corresponding to the measurement item is injected from the sampler at a predetermined position and is intermittently transferred to the measuring device S by an appropriate drive device.

The reaction tubes 1 sequentially transferred to the measuring device S are sequentially held in a measuring turret 2, and the measuring turret 2 is rotated intermittently at predetermined intervals by a known intermittent drive device 3. Each of the reaction tubes 1 is moved intermittently.

On the other hand, the light source light A from the measuring light source 4 arranged concentrically on the measuring turret 2 is reflected at right angles through the first reflecting mirror 5 and irradiated onto the reaction tube 1. Transmitted light transmitted through reaction tube 1
A' is guided through the second to fourth reflecting mirrors 6, 7, and 8 to one sensing element 9 disposed in the direction in which the light source 4 hangs, and in this sensing element 9, the received measurement light is measured colorimetrically and the data is input into the memory device 10.

Further, the light source 4 and each of the reflecting mirrors 5 to 8 are housed in a sealed case 11 having a substantially U-shaped cross section.
3 to the reaction tube 1, and the irradiation hole 13
The structure is such that light enters the case 11 again through a hole 14 opened at a position facing the light and is guided to the sensing element 9.

The case 11 further includes a hollow shaft 1.
The measurement turret 2 is rotationally controlled via a drive device 15 so that it rotates at least one rotation during one intermittent movement, and a sensing element 9 is located below the shaft 12. By disposing the case 11 without being involved in the rotation of the case 11, the reaction tube 1 held in the measurement turret 2 can be continuously measured in an extremely short period of time during one rotation of the case 11. Since the case 11 rotates more than once during one intermittent movement of the measurement turret 2, the reaction tube 1 is held in the measurement turret 2 until it is released from the measurement turret 2. 1 is measured several or dozens of times, the measurement accuracy is improved, and temporal reaction changes of the specimen can be measured easily and quickly.
Even with rotational vibrations, the optical axis will not be significantly eccentric and the measurement accuracy will not deteriorate, and the number of components of the sensing element 9 can be significantly reduced.

This invention was created in order to apply the above-mentioned earlier invention previously proposed by the present applicant to various types of special measurements such as enzymatic method measurements.

In order to achieve this object, the present invention involves injecting a sample and a reagent into a plurality of reaction tubes, sequentially transporting them to a predetermined measurement position, and holding the reaction tubes on a measurement turret at the measurement position. The light source light is sequentially and intermittently transferred and colorimetrically measured using the light source light, and the light source light is reflected straight through a reflecting mirror and transmitted through the reaction tube, and this transmitted light is received by one sensing element. On the other hand, the reflecting mirror rotates one or more revolutions along with the case during one intermittent movement of the measuring turret, and continuously performs colorimetric measurements on the reaction tube held by the measuring turret. A filter is inserted between the light source and the reaction tube by sliding upward or downward to convert the light from the light source to a specific wavelength, or to block or attenuate the light from the light source.

In order to carry out the above measurement method, the present invention also includes a plurality of reaction tubes, a means for injecting a sample and a reagent into these reaction tubes and transporting them to a predetermined measurement position, and a means for injecting a sample and a reagent into these reaction tubes and transporting them to a predetermined measurement position, and at this measurement position, the above measurement method is carried out. A measurement turret that holds the reaction tubes, a drive means that rotates the measurement turret intermittently to sequentially transport the reaction tubes, and a colorimetric measurement of the sample, etc. in the reaction tube held by the measurement turret. The light from the light source is reflected and irradiated onto the reaction tube through a reflecting mirror, and the transmitted light transmitted through the reaction tube is reflected into the optical device of the measuring device in the clinical chemistry automatic analyzer having an optical device. One sensitive element fixedly disposed at the bottom receives light and performs colorimetric measurement, and the reflecting mirror is attached to the case during one intermittent movement of the measuring turret.
The reaction tube held in the measurement turret is rotated for more than one rotation to perform colorimetric measurements continuously, and a filter is placed halfway between the light source and the reaction tube by sliding it up or down in response to a command signal from the command device. The filter is inserted according to the purpose of measurement, and the filter is configured to move to the measurement end position in synchronization with the intermittent movement of the reaction tube.

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

The basic configuration and operation of the clinical chemistry automatic analyzer and its measurement device according to this example are exactly the same as those shown in FIG. 1 proposed earlier by the applicant, so the same reference numerals are used. A detailed explanation thereof will be omitted here.

FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the light source light A is transmitted through the reaction tube on the inner peripheral side of the holder portion of the measurement turret 2 that holds the reaction tube 1. A filter holder 16 is installed in the area immediately before the
A filter 17 that converts the light source light A into a specific wavelength, blocks it, or attenuates the light according to a measurement item such as enzyme method measurement is vertically slidably fitted in the filter holder 16. There is. Further, an electromagnet 18 is buried in the upper part of the filter holder 16, and when this electromagnet 18 is excited by a command from the command device 22, the filter 17 is moved to the metal plate 1 provided on the upper part.
The light source A is absorbed through a through hole 20 formed in the side wall of the filter holder 16.
The light from the source light A enters the filter holder 16 and is wavelength-converted, blocked, or attenuated by the filter 17 to correspond to the measurement item, and the light source light A that has been wavelength-converted or attenuated by the filter 17 faces the through hole 20. Light enters the reaction tube 1 through the through hole 21, is reflected through the second to fourth reflecting mirrors, and is guided to the sensing element.

Further, when the light source light A is not subjected to wavelength conversion etc. by the filter 17, the power to the electromagnet 18 is turned off by the command from the command device 22, so the filter 17
descends inside the filter holder 16 and opens the through hole 2.
The filter 17 is not interposed between 0 and 21.

Further, when the reaction tube 1 has rotated to the measurement end position, the piston rod 23 rises in response to a command from the command device 22, enters the hole 24 formed at the bottom of the filter holder 16, and closes the filter 17. Push up the filter 1 to the electromagnet 18, which is turned on according to the command from the command device 22.
7 is adsorbed and then descends.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, in which a filter 17 is mechanically held in place of the electromagnet 18 of the first embodiment. That is, in this embodiment, a concave groove 25 is provided at the corner of the filter 17, and a clip 28 consisting of a spring 26 and a ball 27 is provided at the inner upper part of the filter holder 16, as shown in FIG. is arranged corresponding to the concave groove 25 of the filter 17, and when the filter 17 is used, the filter 17 is held at the wavelength conversion position by the clip 28, and when the filter 17 is not used, the command is device 22
In response to a command signal, the piston rod 30 is lowered into the hole 29 formed in the upper part of the filter holder 16, and the clip 28 and the concave groove 2 of the filter 17 are inserted.
5, and insert the filter 17 into the through hole 2.
It is lowered to a position that does not lie between 0 and 21.
Incidentally, when the filter 17 is to be set in the use position again, the piston rod 23 is raised and held in engagement with the clip 28, as in the first embodiment.

Since this invention includes the above configuration, the light source light can be easily wavelength-converted, blocked or attenuated in accordance with the measurement item, so it is possible to perform various colorimetric measurements quickly and with high precision, and the device The entire structure can also be made extremely compact.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram of a measuring device in a clinical chemistry automatic analyzer previously proposed by the applicant;
FIG. 3 is a sectional explanatory view showing the main parts of a measuring device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG.
The figure is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing the clip of the device. A...Light source light, A'...Transmitted light, S...Measurement device, 1...Reaction tube, 2...Measurement turret, 4
... light source, 5 ... (first) reflecting mirror, 9 ... sensing element, 17 ... filter, 22 ... command device.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. Injecting a sample and a reagent into a plurality of reaction tubes and sequentially transporting them to a predetermined measurement position, holding the reaction tubes in a measurement turret at the measurement position and sequentially and intermittently transporting the reaction tubes. The system is configured to carry out colorimetric measurements using light source light, and the light source light is reflected straight through a reflecting mirror and transmitted through the reaction tube. The reflecting mirror is configured to receive and measure light, and the reflecting mirror is attached to the case during one intermittent movement of the measuring turret.
The reaction tube is rotated for more than one rotation and is held in a measuring turret for continuous colorimetric measurement, and a filter is inserted between the light source and the reaction tube by sliding it up or down. 1. A method for measuring in a clinical chemistry automatic analyzer, characterized in that the light source light is converted to a specific wavelength, or is blocked or attenuated. 2. A plurality of reaction tubes, a means for injecting specimens and reagents into these reaction tubes and transporting them to a predetermined measurement position, a measurement turret that holds the reaction tubes at this measurement position, and a means for intermittently transporting the measurement turret. 1. A measuring device for an automatic clinical chemistry analyzer, comprising: a drive means for sequentially transporting reaction tubes by rotation; and an optical device for colorimetrically measuring a sample, etc. in the reaction tube held in the measurement turret. A reflecting mirror is interposed in the optical device to reflect the source light and irradiate it onto the reaction tube, and the transmitted light transmitted through the reaction tube is received by a single sensing element fixedly disposed at the lower center. The reflector rotates with the case one or more times during one intermittent movement of the measurement turret, and continuously performs colorimetric measurement of the reaction tube held by the measurement turret. At the same time, a filter is inserted between the light source and the reaction tube by pressing down or sliding downward in response to a command signal from a command device in accordance with the purpose of measurement, and the filter is synchronized with the intermittent movement of the reaction tube. A measuring device for a clinical chemistry automatic analyzer configured to move to a measurement end position.