JPH1019902A - Automatic chemical analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Object] To provide an automatic chemical analyzer capable of continuously analyzing a large and a small amount of a required sample liquid without changing parts of the device. Kind Code: A1 A reagent injection mechanism normally provided in an automatic chemical analyzer is provided as a large-volume sample dispensing mechanism, which has satisfactory performance in both the dispensing amount and the dispensing accuracy. In the specific item analysis, the normal sample dispensing mechanism 6 is not operated, and the sample 8 is dispensed using the reagent injecting mechanism 10 which is usually used for injecting a reagent.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic chemical analyzer for measuring the concentration or activity value of a target component in a sample containing multiple components such as serum, urine, and other liquid samples.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The main analysis target of an automatic chemical analyzer is blood.

In general, it is desirable that the amount of blood collected be small in order to avoid the burden on the patient, and therefore the amount of blood used for analysis is also small. In order to accurately dispense a small amount of sample,
The sample dispensing mechanism in the automatic chemical analyzer uses a thin syringe and a thin nozzle.

[0004] On the other hand, there is a lower limit to the amount of liquid from which absorbance can be measured, and the total amount of the reaction solution, which is the sum of the amount of the sample solution and the amount of the reagent, must be greater than the lower limit. The sample / reagent ratio in the chemical analyzer is set within a certain range. For example, sample dispensing volume is 2-30μL
Considering an apparatus in which the reagent dispensing volume is 50 to 400 μL and the required minimum total reaction solution volume is 250 μL, a combination of 30 μL sample volume and 220 μL reagent volume is required to maximize the sample / reagent ratio. The sample / reagent ratio cannot be increased.

[0005] However, among various measurement items, there is an item for which it is desired to further increase the sample / reagent ratio because the sensitivity of the measurement method is lower than the content of the measurement component in the sample.
Also, when the automatic chemical analyzer is used for measurement of a sample other than a biological sample, for example, when it is diverted to water quality analysis measurement, there is a case where it is desired to increase the sample / reagent ratio.

[0006]

As described above, the sample dispensing mechanism is originally designed to meet the use of dispensing a small amount of sample. For this reason, in order to dispense a large amount of sample using the sample dispensing mechanism of the conventional automatic chemical analyzer, the syringe that is responsible for measuring the liquid in the sample dispensing mechanism is replaced with one having a large diameter. The expedient is used. However, this method has a disadvantage that a large amount and a small amount of sample liquid can not be continuously analyzed unless the syringe is replaced during a series of multiple item analysis.

It is also conceivable to dispense a sample a plurality of times into the same reaction vessel using a conventional small-diameter syringe as it is, but in this method, the reaction vessel is dispensed for a plurality of dispense times. Since the sample must be left stationary for a long time at the dispensing site, the measurement of the absorbance may be affected. Therefore, this method is not practically used.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic chemical analyzer that can continuously analyze a large and a small amount of measurement items requiring a sample liquid without replacing parts of the device.

[0009]

According to the present invention, a reagent injection mechanism usually provided in an automatic chemical analyzer has a function of dispensing a large amount of sample and having satisfactory performance in both the dispensing amount and the dispensing accuracy. The normal sample dispensing mechanism does not operate during the analysis of a specific item, and the automatic dispensing of the sample using the reagent injecting mechanism that is normally used to inject reagents is performed. It is a chemical analyzer.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is an explanatory view schematically showing an embodiment of the present invention using an automatic chemical analyzer.

The reference numerals in FIG.
2a, 2b, 2c are reaction vessels, 3 is an absorptiometer, 4 is a sample disk, 5, 5a, 5b, 5c are first sample vessels, 6
Is a sample dispensing nozzle arm, 7 is a second sample / first reagent disk, 8, 8a, 8b, and 8c are second sample containers, 9, 9
a and 9b are first reagent containers, 10 is a second sample / first reagent injection nozzle arm, 11 is a rotation center, 12 is a washing well,
13 is a second reagent disk, 14, 14a, 14b, 14
c is the second reagent container, 15 is the second reagent nozzle arm, 16
Is a first sample dispensing position, 17 is a second sample / first reagent injection position, and 18 is a second reagent injection position.

Next, the operation of the automatic chemical analyzer according to the present invention will be described.

First, the operation in the case of performing a trace analysis of a normal serum sample or the like will be described. The serum sample is placed in the first sample containers 5a, 5b, 5c on the sample disk 4 and set in the apparatus. At the tip of the sample dispensing nozzle arm 6, a nozzle extending from the tip of a micro syringe (not shown) having a maximum capacity of 30 μl is provided. A certain amount of the sample liquid is sucked from the nozzle and dispensed to the reaction vessel 2 located at the first sample dispensing position 16 on the reaction disk.

Thereafter, the reaction disk 1 is rotated by 180 degrees, and the reaction container into which the serum sample has been dispensed by the above dispensing operation is positioned at the second sample / first reagent injection position 17. At the tip of the second sample / first reagent injection nozzle arm 10, a nozzle extending from the tip of a micro syringe (not shown) having a maximum volume of 400 μl is attached. A certain amount of the reagent in the first reagent container 9 on the second sample / first reagent disk is aspirated from the nozzle, and then the second sample / first reagent injection nozzle arm 10 rotates about the rotation center 11. Then, the reagent is positioned on the reaction container 2 located at the second sample / first reagent injection position 17 on the reaction disk 1 and the reagent is injected. Thereafter, while the absorptiometer 3 makes one rotation, the absorbance of the pre-programmed liquid in the reaction vessel 2 is measured. Subsequently, the reaction disk 1 is rotated by 180 ° plus an angle corresponding to one reaction tube, and sample dispensing, reagent injection, and absorbance measurement are performed in the next reaction tube.

If necessary, when the reaction tube into which the first reagent has been injected into the sample reaches the second reagent injection position 18,
The second reagent nozzle arm 15 operates, and a certain amount of the second reagent is injected into the reaction tube from the second reagent container 14 on the second reagent disk 13. Thereafter, the reaction disk 1 rotates sequentially, during which the absorbance of the liquid in the reaction vessel is measured by the absorptiometer 3.

Then, the content of the target component is calculated from the measured absorbance value.

Next, the operation when a large number of samples are used will be described.

The sample requiring a large amount to be dispensed is placed in the second sample container 8 on the second sample / first reagent disk 7 and placed instead of the first reagent or in a state adjacent to the first reagent. I will

When the analysis is started, the reaction vessel is first positioned at the first sample dispensing position 16, but at this position, the sample injection mechanism such as the sample dispensing nozzle arm 6 does not operate.

Subsequently, the second sample / first reagent injection position 17
The second sample / first reagent injection nozzle arm 10 and a micro syringe extended from the nozzle are operated to dispense the sample into the reaction container 2. Since this microsyringe is usually used for dispensing reagents and has a maximum volume of 400 μl, a large amount of sample can be dispensed by one dispensing operation.

Next, the reaction vessels into which a large number of samples have been dispensed are sequentially transferred and positioned at the second reagent injection position 18. Here, the reagent is added for the first time, and the photometry is performed as in the normal case. That is, the second reagent nozzle arm 15 operates and the second reagent container 14 on the second reagent disk 13 is moved.
, A certain amount of reagent is injected into the reaction tube. Thereafter, the reaction disk 1 is sequentially rotated and moved, during which the absorbance of the liquid in the reaction vessel is measured by the absorptiometer 3, and the content of the target component is calculated from the last measured absorbance value.

In the above embodiment, the analysis of a large amount of sample can be applied only to the analysis items of one reagent system. However, for example, if a series of analysis is completed by making two rounds of the reaction disk, the analysis items of two or more reagent systems can be applied. Can also be applied.

When analyzing the analysis items of a small amount sample and a large amount sample at the same time using the automatic chemical analyzer according to the present invention, the sample and the reagent are placed on the second sample / first reagent disk 7. Are mixed, and the second sample / first reagent injection mechanism is literally used for sample dispensing and reagent injection. For this reason, in order to wash the injection mechanism before and after dispensing or injection, it is desirable to arrange a conduit through which the detergent solution is sent, and to control the sending of the washing solution by a program. It is desirable to provide a washing well indicated by 12.

When the conventional automatic chemical analyzer is modified to the apparatus according to the present invention, the conventional first reagent disk has only the rotation stop position of the disk corresponding to the position of the opening of the reagent bottle. For use as the second sample / first reagent disk 7, it is preferable to provide a rotation stop position corresponding to the opening of the second sample container as necessary.

Further, if the sample disk 4 and the first reagent disk are arranged within the operating range of the second sample / first reagent injection nozzle arm 10, it is possible to dispense a small amount of sample while keeping the sample on the sample disk 4. The first sample dispensing nozzle can be used for dispensing a large amount of sample, and the first reagent injection nozzle can be used for dispensing a large amount of sample. That is, the first reagent dispensing nozzle can be positioned on the sample placed on the sample disk 4, aspirate the sample, and dispense to the reaction container 2 by moving the nozzle arm.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show an example of a method of arranging the second sample container.

FIG. 2 shows a case where a part of the reagent setting position is used as a sample position, and a sample setting plate having a fan-shaped cross section is provided. (A) is a perspective view of a sample setting plate, (b) is a plan view of a second sample / first reagent disk on which a sample setting table is arranged,
(C) is a perspective view of the disk. Of course, this sample setting plate, FIG.
A plurality of such disks may be arranged on the disk to cover the disk.

FIG. 3 shows that the sample container is arranged on the trajectory of the reagent nozzle and inside the opening of the reagent bottle separately from the reagent installation position. (A) is a perspective view of a sample setting plate,
(B) is a plan view of a second sample / first reagent disk on which a sample setting plate is arranged, and (c) is a cross-sectional view of a second sample / first reagent disk on which a sample setting plate is arranged.

Further, as a modification of FIG. 3, it is also possible to arrange a sample container on the outside and a reagent container on the inside along the outer periphery of the second sample / first reagent disk 7.

[0030]

The automatic chemical analyzer according to the present invention can continuously analyze a large and a small amount of a sample liquid required for measurement without replacing parts of the apparatus, so that it can be used for water quality analysis, for example. , Expands the range of device applications.

Further, since the reagent cooling equipment normally attached to the conventional automatic chemical analyzer can be used for cooling the sample as it is, evaporation and deterioration of the sample can be prevented.

Further, since the reagent injection mechanism used in the conventional automatic chemical analyzer is used as it is for sample dispensing, and the conventional reagent disk rotation mechanism is used as it is, it is not necessary to add a new mechanism.

Further, in a modified embodiment in which the sample disk 4 and the first reagent disk are arranged within the operating range of the second sample / first reagent injection nozzle arm, a new second sample / first reagent disk is not provided. The first reagent injection nozzle can be used for dispensing a large amount of sample.

Further, the sample setting table shown in FIG. 2 has an advantage that the blood collection tube can be used as a sample container because the depth of the reagent bottle becomes the allowable height of the sample container.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view schematically showing an automatic chemical analyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of arranging a second sample container.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another example of a method of arranging a second sample container.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reaction disk 2, 2a, 2b, 2c Reaction container 3 Spectrophotometer 4 Sample disk 5, 5a, 5b, 5c First sample container 6 Sample dispensing nozzle arm 7 Second sample / first reagent disk 8, 8a, 8b , 8c Second sample container 9, 9a, 9b First reagent container 10 Second sample / first reagent injection nozzle arm 11 Rotation center 12 Wash well 13 Second reagent disk 14, 14a, 14b, 14c Second reagent container 15 Dual reagent nozzle arm 16 First sample dispensing position 17 Second sample / first reagent injection position 18 Second reagent injection position

Claims (1)

[Claims] A sample dispensing mechanism for dispensing a sample into a reaction container for reacting the sample with the reagent; a reagent container holding mechanism for holding a reagent container; In an automatic chemical analyzer comprising a reagent injection mechanism for injecting a reagent into a container, an absorptiometer for measuring the absorbance in the reaction container, and a reaction container holding mechanism for holding the reaction container, the movable range of the reagent injection mechanism An automatic chemical analyzer in which a sample container is disposed in the reaction container and a sample is dispensed into the reaction container by the reagent injection mechanism.