JPH03183955A - automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce a waste of a sample and a reagent by dispersing the reagent and a sample in a reaction container, and continuing to measure a sample which is already stirred even if a dispensation part or stirring part becomes abnormal and obtaining measurement data. CONSTITUTION:A sample cup 1 is installed on an inspected body rack 2, mounted on a rack conveyance device 3, and conveyed to the sample dispensa tion, and the sample is dispensed in the reaction container 6 from a sample dispensing probe 4 by a specific amount. Then the reagent is added from the reagent dispensation part and stirred by a stirring device 14 and when the they passes in the luminous flux emitted by a light source 15 at a light measure ment part, a multiwavelength photometer 16 detects the absorbance; and its luminous intensity signal is processed by a computer 19 and the concentration is measured. At this time, if the dispensation part or stirring part becomes abnormal, a reaction table 7 is so controlled that devices parts regarding rotat ing operation, measuring operation, and measurement data processing continue to operate. Thus, a sample having advanced to a light measurement point is measured without being discarded, and thus utilized effectively.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer used for analyzing blood, etc., and in particular, the present invention relates to an automatic analyzer used for analyzing blood, etc., and in particular, it is possible to set a level of a failure state in advance, and to detect a malfunction in the dispensing section or the stirring section. The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that continues to operate the reaction table and measurement section and performs measurements on a large number of prepared samples.

[Conventional technology]

In recent years, automation of clinical biochemical tests has progressed, and automatic biochemical analyzers have also made great progress. Currently, automatic analyzers tend to be divided into small automatic analyzers for small hospitals and large automatic analyzers for large hospitals. Such automatic analyzers, whether small or large, are required to have high-speed processing as well as functionality and flexibility. Despite this, conventional devices are configured to immediately stop other components such as the reaction table if any mechanism in the dispensing section or stirring section breaks down, and the normal parts are also stopped. It was very inflexible.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

As mentioned above, in conventional devices, while analyzing a large number of samples in which samples and reagents are mixed, there is When a failure occurs in the stirring section that stirs the sample, the reaction table is stopped even if the failure does not affect the operation of the reaction table. This does not give sufficient consideration to the fact that a large number of samples that are left to be measured after injection and stirring of samples and reagents are completed are wasted. In addition, large-sized automatic analyzers configured to be able to measure a large number of samples pose the problem of large waste of samples and reagents due to reaction table stoppages.

An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer that reduces wastage of samples and reagents that occurs in conventional devices when a failure occurs in the mechanism of the dispensing section or the stirring section.

[Means to solve the problem]

The automatic analyzer according to the present invention includes a reaction table that is equipped with a large number of reaction containers in which samples and reagents are stored, and is rotated with predetermined rotational characteristics by a rotation drive unit, a sample supply unit that transports the sample, and this sample supply unit. a sample dispensing section that dispenses the sample supplied to the reaction container into the reaction container, a reagent dispensing section that dispenses the reagent into the reaction container into which the sample has been dispensed, and a stirring section that stirs the sample and reagent in the reaction container. , a photometry unit that measures the concentration of the sample in the reaction vessel, an operation unit display that displays and saves the measurement results, and inputs and displays the analysis conditions, and an automatic control unit that controls the operation of each part. In the analyzer, the control means includes:
an abnormality detection means for detecting an abnormality occurring in each part; an identification means for identifying the content of the abnormality; It includes a determination means for determining whether or not they are related, and when the determination means determines that the abnormality is related to any one of the sample dispensing section, the reagent dispensing section, and the stirring section, It is configured to control at least the reaction table and the photometry unit to continue operating.

[Effect]

According to the configuration of the present invention, when an abnormality occurs in either the sample/reagent dispensing section or the stirring section, the determination section determines the nature of the abnormality and ensures the operation of the reaction table and photometry section. The operation is controlled to perform photometry and obtain data for samples that have already been stirred.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 schematically shows the overall configuration of an automatic analyzer, and the basic configuration and operation of the automatic analyzer will be explained based on this figure. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a sample cup in which a sample is placed, and a plurality of sample cups (for example, five) are placed in a sample rack 2 on this sample cup. The sample rack 2 is placed on a rack transport device 3, and is transported to the sample dispensing section by the rack transport device 3. When the sample rack 2 is transported to the sample dispensing section and the first sample cup 1 reaches a predetermined position below the sample dispensing probe 4, the sample in the first sample cup 1 is transferred to the sample dispensing probe 4. A predetermined amount is dispensed into a predetermined reaction container 6 by the action of the sample pump 5 connected thereto.

Thereafter, the sample rack 2 is moved by the rack transport device 3 at a predetermined time timing, and when the second sample cup 1 reaches a predetermined location under the sample dispensing probe 4, the same dispensing operation as above is performed. is performed for the next reaction vessel 6. The above dispensing operation is repeated for the third and subsequent sample cups 6.

A large number of reaction vessels 6 are provided at predetermined intervals (pitch) on a reaction table 7 having an annular shape. The reaction table 7 is rotated by a predetermined angle by a table rotation drive device (not shown). The reaction container 6 of the reaction table 7 is configured to move in a reaction tank 9 that communicates with a constant temperature bath 8, and the reaction container 6 into which the sample has been dispensed is used for reagent dispensing to add the next reagent. Move to the part position. A predetermined reagent sucked from a reagent bottle 13 through a reagent switching valve 12 by a reagent dispensing nozzle 10 and a reagent pump 11 connected thereto is added to the reaction container 6 that has been moved to the reagent dispensing section. The reaction container 6 to which the reagent has been added in the reagent dispensing section is moved to the position of the stirring device 14, and stirring is performed at this position. A sample to be analyzed is prepared in the reaction container 6 by dispensing the sample and reagent and stirring the mixture as described above.

The reaction container 6 whose contents have been stirred passes through the light beam emitted from the light source 15 at the next stage photometry section.

The absorbance during passage is detected by a multi-wavelength photometer 16. The detected absorbance signal is input to the computer 19 via the A/D converter 17 and the input/output interface 18, and is converted into the concentration of the measurement target in the sample irradiated with the light beam through calculation processing in the computer 19. Ru. The density data obtained by the conversion is transferred via the input/output interface 18, displayed on the CRT 20 or printed by the printer 21 as necessary, and further stored and preserved in the hard disk 22.

The reaction vessel 6 that has undergone photometry in the photometry section is then transferred to the cleaning mechanism 2.
Move to the position where container cleaning pump 2 is installed.
After draining the sample remaining inside in step 4, it is washed with water,
Used for the following analysis tasks.

In the above explanation, the reaction container 6 into which the sample was dispensed was explained so that all the steps were performed in one rotation of the reaction table 7, and one analysis work was completed. However, normally, each reaction container 6 is It is configured to move one rotation and one pitch in one movement, and each work process is executed by repeating this movement. Therefore, when multiple reagents are used depending on the type of analysis work, the first reagent, second reagent, etc. are added in a predetermined dispensing order, and the stirring operation in the stirring section is performed multiple times. It turns out.

Further, 25 is a keyboard, which allows the operator to input required commands or data into the automatic analyzer. 26 is a rack number reading device for reading the rack number attached to the sample rack 2, and the read data is supplied to the computer 19 via the input/output interface 18 and used for work management and the like.

Further, the computer 19 is connected to various devices constituting the above-mentioned automatic analyzer via the input/output interface 18, and has the function of exchanging data with these component devices and controlling their operations.

Next, the analysis sequence of the automatic analyzer having the above configuration will be explained based on FIG. In FIG. 2, the vertical axis shows the absorbance, the horizontal axis shows the photometry points, and FIG. 2 shows the time course of the measurement results.

As photometric points, 50 points are measured according to the analysis sequence, and the measurement results are obtained.

The first four photometry points A are water blank measurements;
Deionized water is poured into the reaction container 6, and its absorbance is measured. Next, after removing the deionized water by suction, sample dispensing (corresponding to photometric point B), first reagent dispensing (corresponding to photometric point C), and first reagent stirring (corresponding to photometric point D) are performed in sequence. The photometry is carried out at each step. Then, after about 5 minutes, dispense the second reagent (photometering point)
(corresponds to E) and stirring of the second reagent (corresponds to photometric point F)
, and the processing of the sample in the reaction vessel 6 is completed. The only operation to be performed thereafter is photometry work at all remaining photometry points. In an automatic analyzer where only photometry work is left, for example, if a failure occurs in the sample dispensing section, conventional operation control methods stop all mechanisms of the automatic analyzer. All samples that progressed through the analysis sequence up to reagent agitation were all wasted. On the other hand, in the operation control method according to the present invention realized by the computer 19, if a failure occurs in the dispensing section or the stirring section, at least the rotational operation of the reaction table 7 and photometry as long as the reaction table 7 can perform the rotational operation. Controls the device parts related to operation and processing of photometric data so that they continue to operate, and thereby performs photometry on samples that have progressed to measurement point F without discarding them, making effective use of the samples. It is.

An operation control device realized by the computer 19 and an operation control method using the same will be explained based on FIGS. 3 and 4. The operation control device includes an abnormality detection means 31 that receives abnormal signals generated in each part of the automatic analyzer, an abnormality content identification means 32 that identifies the abnormal state detected by the abnormality detection means 31, and an abnormality content identification means 32 that identifies the abnormal state detected by the abnormal state. It is comprised of a determining means 33 that determines what response to take and outputs a stop command. With this configuration, control operations as shown in FIG. 4 are executed. First, in step 34, when an abnormality occurs, an abnormality occurrence content identification code (hereinafter referred to as an alarm code) is registered. Execution of this step 34 corresponds to the function of the abnormality detection means 31. Alarm codes correspond to all failures of the autoanalyzer, and all alarm codes are provided with information on the level that determines the operating state of the autoanalyzer device. Next step 3
In step 5, the degree of the abnormality is determined based on the registered alarm code. That is, it identifies the content of the abnormality, and corresponds to the function of the abnormality content identification means 32. In the next judgment step 36, it is determined whether or not the entire apparatus should be stopped, taking into account the details of the abnormality. Specifically, when it is determined that the abnormality is related to any of the sample dispensing section, reagent dispensing section, or stirring section, the process moves to step 37, and the parts other than those related to the reaction table and photometry are Other mechanical parts are stopped to bring them into a partially stopped state. On the other hand, if the abnormality is not related to a location other than the sample dispensing section, reagent dispensing section, and stirring section, steps 38 and 37
By stopping the reaction table, related parts, and other mechanical parts, control is performed to stop the entire automatic analyzer. This operation part is performed by the determining means 33
corresponds to the functions of

FIG. 5 shows an example of the display displayed on the device monitor. 40 is a display screen of the device monitor, and this display screen is one of the display screens of the CRT 20.

A table is formed at a predetermined location on the display surface 40, and when an abnormality occurs in the automatic analyzer, the alarm code is displayed on the table. The alarm code is alarm name 41
, alarm level 42, device name 43, code number 44,
It consists of each piece of information regarding the occurrence time 45. The alarm name 41 indicates the location or cause of the alarm occurrence, and in this example indicates the reagent nozzle. The alarm level 42 specifies the stop level of the automatic analyzer, and in the present invention, a level called analysis stop is particularly added. According to this alarm level of analysis stop, all mechanical parts other than those related to the reaction table and photometry are stopped, and a mode is set in which the measurement results are output. By using such an alarm code called analysis stop, it is possible to realize the stop operation control when an abnormality occurs according to the present invention.

It should be noted that once the photometry work for all the samples is completed for the plurality of samples for which only the photometry work remains, the automatic analyzer is controlled so that all parts are stopped.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, in an automatic analyzer, when a reagent and a sample are dispensed into a reaction container on a reaction table and a sample is completely stirred, an abnormality occurs in the dispensing section and the stirring section. Even if this occurs, the measurement operation can be continued and measurement data can be obtained.
% can be used effectively.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an automatic analyzer according to the present invention, and FIG.
The figure shows the analysis sequence, Figure 3 is a functional block diagram of the control means that executes the operation control according to the present invention, Figure 4 is a flowchart for controlling the stop operation when an abnormality occurs, and Figure 5 is the equipment monitor. It is a figure showing a screen. [Explanation of symbols] 1... Sample cup 2... Sample rack 3... Rack transport device 4... Sample dispensing probe 6... - Reaction container 7... Reaction table 10... Reagent dispensing nozzle 13... Reagent bottle 14... Stirring device 15... Light source 16...・Multi-wavelength photometer

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A reaction table that is equipped with a large number of reaction containers that contain samples and reagents, and is rotated with predetermined rotational characteristics by a rotation drive unit, a sample supply unit that transports the sample, and a sample supply unit that transports the sample. a sample dispensing unit dispensing into the reaction container;
a reagent dispensing section that dispenses a reagent into the reaction container into which the sample has been dispensed; a stirring section that stirs the sample and reagent in the reaction container; and a photometry section that measures the concentration of the sample in the reaction container. ,
In an automatic analyzer equipped with an operation display section for displaying and saving measurement results and inputting and displaying analysis conditions, and a control means for controlling the operation of each of the above-mentioned parts, the control means is configured to detect an abnormality that occurs in each of the above-mentioned parts. an abnormality detection means for detecting the abnormality, an identification means for identifying the content of the abnormality, and an identification means for detecting the content of the abnormality identified by the identification means in any one of the sample dispensing section, the reagent dispensing section, and the stirring section. It includes a determining means for determining whether or not they are related, and the determining means determines that the content of the abnormality is related to any one of the sample dispensing section, the reagent dispensing section, and the stirring section. 1. An automatic analyzer characterized in that when the reaction table and the photometry section are activated, at least the reaction table and the photometry section are controlled to continue operating.