JPH1068733A - Multi-item automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] An automatic analyzer that further improves analysis performance as compared to an automatic analyzer that stirs a reaction solution in a reaction vessel using a stirring rod. An automatic analyzer having an input unit capable of inputting measurement information relating to each measurement item to a control unit includes, as stirring information, rotation speed of the stirring rod, stirring time, insertion depth of the stirring rod from the reaction liquid surface. The height or the height from the bottom of the reaction vessel or its degree is input. The measurement information set for each measurement item is stored in the operation parameter of the control unit, and when stirring each measurement item, the stirring operation according to the measurement information of the operation parameter is performed for each measurement item.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multi-item automatic analyzer, and more particularly to a multi-item automatic analyzer which is suitable for use in a biochemical test or an immunoserologic test in which a liquid contained in a reaction vessel is stirred using a stirring rod. It relates to an automatic item analyzer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the past, a sufficient amount of a reaction solution was secured for each item, and the reaction solution was almost water-based and uniform. Therefore, even if the rotation speed of the stirring bar, the stirring time, and the height of the stirring bar were fixed uniformly, the difference in the stirring efficiency of each item did not affect the data.

[0003] In recent years, the amount of reagent consumed has been reduced in order to reduce costs from the reason that the composition of the reagent is reasonable, and the amount of reaction solution has been different for each item. In addition, in the case of an item in which microparticles are mixed in a reagent, such as an immunization item, the reaction liquid becomes a solid-liquid mixture, and the stirring efficiency of the reaction liquid has a remarkable influence on data as compared with the conventional item.

[0004] For this reason, there has been a demand for a function of improving the analysis performance so that the optimum stirring can be performed for each measurement item.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a function of improving the analytical performance by making it possible to carry out optimal stirring for each measurement item. It is another object of the present invention to provide a function of inputting a stirring condition for each measurement item through an input unit capable of inputting stirring information regarding each measurement item to a control unit, and performing optimal stirring for each measurement item based on this information. .

[0006]

In order to solve the above problems, the present apparatus has the following configuration. That is, the number of rotations of the stirring rod, the stirring time, the automatic analyzer provided with an input unit capable of inputting measurement information on each measurement item to the control unit.
The depth of the insertion of the stirring rod from the surface of the reaction solution or the height from the bottom of the reaction vessel or the degree thereof can be input.

The number of rotations of the stirring rod set for each measurement item,
The measurement information of the stirring time, the insertion depth of the stirring rod from the surface of the reaction liquid or the height from the bottom of the reaction vessel is stored in the operation parameter of the control unit, and when stirring each measurement item, the measurement information of the operation parameter is followed. The stirring operation is performed for each measurement item.

[0008] By doing so, the rotation speed of the stirring rod, the stirring time, the insertion depth of the stirring rod from the liquid level stored, or the height from the bottom of the reaction vessel can be set from the input device in accordance with each measurement item. Therefore, optimal stirring can be easily performed for each measurement item, and the analysis performance can be improved.

[0009] For example, in the case of an item containing a large amount of components that easily cause bubbles in the reagent, if the number of rotations of the stirring rod is reduced, bubbles are less likely to be generated on the storage liquid surface, and the influence of the bubbles on the photometric system is reduced. The analysis performance can be reduced and the analysis performance can be improved. For items in which microparticles are mixed in the reagent, if the stirring time is increased, the contained liquid can be uniformly stirred, and the analysis performance can be improved. Items with a small amount of reagent
By increasing the depth of the stirrer sticking into the surface of the stored liquid, the stored liquid can be uniformly stirred and the analytical performance can be improved.

[0010] From the above, in order to carry out the optimal stirring for each measurement item, the rotation speed of the stirring rod, the stirring time, the insertion depth of the stirring rod from the containing liquid level are set in accordance with each measurement item. Alternatively, it is preferable that the height from the bottom of the reaction vessel can be set from an input device.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<Embodiment 1> FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of operation of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a sample disk mechanism, in which a number of sample containers 25 are arranged. The sample in the sample container 25 is extracted by the sampling probe 27 of the serum sampling mechanism 2 and injected into a predetermined reaction container. Reference numeral 5 denotes a reagent disk mechanism.
Has a number of reagent containers 6. Further, a reagent pipetting mechanism 7 is arranged in the mechanism 5, and the reagent is aspirated by the reagent probe 28 of the mechanism 7 and injected into a predetermined reaction container. The mixture of the sample and the reagent in the reaction vessel is stirred by the stirring rod 29 of the stirring mechanism 8.

10 is a multi-wavelength photometer, 26 is a light source,
The reaction disk 3 that houses the measurement object is arranged between the multi-wavelength photometer 10 and the light source 26. On the outer periphery of the reaction disk 3, for example, a large number of 48 reaction vessels 4 are provided. The entire reaction disk 3 is maintained at a predetermined temperature by a thermostat 9. Reference numeral 11 denotes a cleaning mechanism.

19 is a microcomputer, 23 is an interface, 18 is a Log converter and an A / D converter, 17 is a reagent pipettor, 16 is a washing water pump, 15
Is a pipettor for serum. 20 is a printer, 21
Is an LCD with a touch panel for input / output and display, and 22 is a floppy disk as a storage device.

In this configuration, the operator inputs analysis request information for each measurement item using the LCD 21 with a touch panel for input / output and display.

FIG. 2 shows an example of inputting analysis request information for each measurement item shown in this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the measurement conditions include the conditions for calculating the absorbance of the reagent reaction solution (analytical method in the figure), the amount of sample collected (sample amount in the figure), the first reagent, the second reagent, and the second reagent. The dispensing conditions for the three reagents (reagent amount in the figure, the position on the reagent table where each reagent is set), and the measurement wavelength (the sub-wavelength in the figure,
LCD21 with touch panel for input / output and display, including the main wavelength), the number of rotations of the stirring rod 30, the stirring time 31, the height 32 of the stirring rod from the bottom of the reaction vessel, the standard solution concentration, and the K factor.
Is entered and displayed.

Information on the set measurement conditions is stored in a memory in the microcomputer 19, and based on the information, the stir bar is controlled for each measurement item. The set measurement conditions can be recorded in a storage unit such as a floppy disk.

The input analysis request information is stored in a memory in the microcomputer 19. The measurement target sample placed in the sample container 25 and set at a predetermined position of the sample disk mechanism 1 is dispensed into the reaction container in a predetermined amount according to the analysis request information stored in the memory of the microcomputer 19. The sample probe 27 is washed with water. A predetermined amount of reagent is dispensed into the reaction container by the reagent probe 28 of the reagent pipetting mechanism 7. After being washed with water, the reagent probe 28 dispenses a reagent for the next reaction container. The mixture of the sample and the reagent is stirred by the stirring rod 29 of the stirring mechanism 8. The stirring bar 29 is controlled according to the stirring conditions input in the analysis request information for each measurement item. After the stirring, the stirring rod 29 is washed with water and then stirs the mixed solution in the next reaction vessel. The reaction vessel 4 is maintained at a constant temperature by a thermostat 9, and the reaction is performed. The process of the reaction is measured by the multi-wavelength photometer 10 at regular time intervals, and the absorbance of the mixture is measured using two set wavelengths. The measured absorbance is a log converter and an A / D converter 18,
The microcomputer 1 via the interface 23
9

The absorbed absorbance is converted into a concentration value,
The data is stored in the floppy disk 22 or the printer 20.
Is output to Also, the inspection data can be displayed on the LCD 21 with a touch panel for input / output and display.

After completion of the measurement, the reaction vessel 4 is placed in the washing mechanism 11.
Is washed with water. The reaction vessel after washing is used for the next analysis. The measurement conditions for each measurement item are supplied on a floppy disk.

Next, the stirring operation will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the stirring operation in the automatic analyzer of the present invention. In step S1, the power of the apparatus is turned on to prepare for the stirring operation. Next, in step S2, the inspection item name and the stirring conditions (the number of rotations of stirring, the stirring time, and the stirring height) of the item are set.
That is, in step S2, the inspection item, the stirring speed, the stirring time, and the stirring height, which are the stirring conditions for stirring the item, are stored in the memory of the control device in a one-to-one relationship. After that, the start of sample / reagent dispensing is determined.
(Step S3). If the preparation for starting dispensing of the sample / reagent is ready, first, the test item to be analyzed is set to C in step S4.
The PU is queried and specified. If the preparation for starting dispensing of the sample / reagent is not completed, the process returns to step S2. When the test item is specified in step S4, the CPU is inquired about the rotation speed of the stirring, the stirring time, and the stirring height, which are the stirring conditions when stirring the mixture of the sample and the reagent of the test item. Is specified (step S5). Subsequently, based on the information obtained in the previous steps S4 and S5, the position of the reaction container of the target item is determined in step S6, and in step S7, the stirring mechanism is moved to the predetermined position on the reaction container of the target item. Be moved. In step S8, the mixed solution of the sample and the reagent in the reaction container is stirred according to the stirring condition of the target item, and the stirring operation of the target item ends (step S9).

Embodiment 2 FIG. 4 shows an example of a stirring condition setting range in the automatic analyzer according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, the setting range 33 of the rotation speed of the stirring rod of the automatic analyzer of the present invention can be set from 0 to 6000 rpm. Preferably, it is 0 to 10000 rpm.
The setting range is determined by the performance of the motor used for stirring, and can be made faster than that of the present apparatus. The setting range 34 of the stirring time can be set from 0.0 to 1.0 second. Desirably, it is 0.0 to 1.5 seconds. In addition, since this apparatus can take only a stirring time of up to 1.0 second because of one machine cycle of 4.5 seconds, if the processing speed of one machine cycle is reduced, the time taken for the stirring time can be longer, so that the time taken for the stirring time is longer than that of this embodiment. Can be longer. Further, the setting range 35 of the height of the stirring rod from the bottom of the reaction vessel is 0.5 to 1.
Can be set up to 6.7mm. Desirably 0.1-16.7mm
It is. If the diameter is 0.0 mm, the bottom of the reaction vessel may come into contact with the stirring rod and damage the equipment. Therefore, the minimum height of this equipment was set from 0.5 mm and the 16.7 mm was set to 16.7 mm. In the case of the apparatus, the size of the reaction vessel is 5 × 6 mm, and the liquid volume height when the maximum volume of the reaction solution is 500 μl in the reaction vessel is 16.
This is because 7 mm is the highest height of the reaction liquid surface.

FIG. 5 shows an example of analysis request information for each measurement item and an analysis result of the simultaneous reproducibility at that time when stirring conditions are uniform according to the prior art.

In FIG. 5, TP36, CRP37 and I
An example of measurement results when the rotation speed of the stirring bar, the stirring time, and the height of the stirring bar from the bottom of the reaction vessel are measured under uniform conditions for three items of P38 are shown. The stirring conditions at this time are as follows: the rotation speed 42 of the stirring rod is 4000 rpm, and the stirring time 43 is 1.
At 0 seconds, the height 44 of the stirring bar from the bottom of the reaction vessel is 1.0 mm.

Referring to the measurement results of FIG. 5, the IP38 shows that the measurement results (CV
Value) 46 was 0.8%, satisfying the specification.
Target CV value of 4 for TP36 and CRP37
5 (TP 0.5%, CRP 2.0%), the measurement result (CV value) 46 was 0.8% for TP and 2.5% for CRP.
And could not meet the specifications.

First, the analysis conditions of TP36 are as follows.
Is an item of one reagent system. The sample amount 39 is 3 μl, the first reagent amount 40 is 180 μl, and the amount of reagent is small, and the final reaction liquid amount is also small at 183 μl. The reagent contains a component which easily foams. Since the amount of the reagent is small and the item is liable to foam, it is considered that the data became unstable due to the influence of the bubble on the photometric system. Therefore, the stirring conditions were set as shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 shows an example of an analysis request information input screen when the function of setting the optimum agitation for each measurement item for each measurement item in the automatic analyzer of the present invention and an analysis result of the simultaneous reproducibility at that time. ing.

The rotation number 47 of the stirring rod is an item that easily foams but does not affect the data even if the stirring efficiency is slightly reduced. Therefore, the rotation number is reduced to 3000 rpm, and the stirring time 48 is shortened to 0.5 seconds for the same reason. The height 49 of the stirring rod from the bottom of the reaction vessel is set to 1.0 mm as it is because the amount of the reaction liquid is small because it is desired to increase the height to prevent foaming. Then target specification 5
The measurement result was 0.4% of the CV value of 51 with respect to 0.5% of 0. From this, according to the present invention, the influence of the bubbles on the photometric system was reduced, the data was improved, and the analysis could be improved.

Next, an analysis of the analysis conditions of CRP37 reveals that CRP37 is a two-reagent system item,
Is 12 μl, the first reagent amount 40 is 200 μl, and the third reagent amount 41 is 200 μl.
Many μl. The reagent is a component that is unlikely to foam, but contains fine particles in the reagent, and if the stirring efficiency is poor, the reaction solution is likely to be non-uniform, and the adverse effect on the data is likely to be noticeable. From this, it is conceivable that the reaction liquid became non-uniform due to poor stirring efficiency and data became unstable. Therefore, the stirring conditions were set as shown in FIG. 6 so as to improve the stirring efficiency by using the present invention.

The number of revolutions 47 of the stirring rod is such that the amount of the reagent is large and the foam hardly foams, so that the number of revolutions is 6000 rpm, the highest, and the stirring time 48 is 1.0 seconds, the longest for the same reason. Also for 49, the minimum height was set to 0.5 mm so as to be able to mix well. Then, the measurement result was 1.5% of the CV value 51 with respect to 2.0% of the target specification 50. From this, the stirring efficiency was improved and the reaction liquid became uniform according to the present invention, so that the data was improved and the analysis could be improved.

As described above, in the prior art, the stirring conditions were uniform, and the optimum stirring could not be performed for each item, so that there were items that could not satisfy the target specification due to the influence of the stirring.
Therefore, by using the function of the present invention, optimal stirring can be performed for each measurement item, so that the analysis performance can be improved for all the measurement items.

<Embodiment 3> FIG. 7 shows a screen on which an optimum stirring condition can be selected for each measurement item in the automatic analyzer of the present invention.

The automatic analyzer of the present invention is set in advance so that the stirring operation can be performed at three levels with respect to the stirring rotation speed, the stirring time, and the stirring height. In FIG. 7 displayed on the screen of the LCD 21, an optimum stirring operation can be performed for each item only by selecting a level key of each stirring operation (number of stirring rotations, stirring time, stirring height).

Next, a screen for selecting an optimum stirring condition for each measurement item will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the "item name" 52 key is selected, the item names are displayed one by one according to the analysis information set in advance on the LCD 21 with input / output and display touch panel. Therefore, the operator selects and displays the "item name" key until the item for which the stirring condition is to be set is displayed. Here, TP is set. First, only one key of the condition to be set is selected from three level keys of speed, medium, and slow of the stirring rotation number 53. Here, the fast key is selected. Next, only one key of the condition to be set is selected from the three level keys of long, medium and short of the stirring time 54. Here, the key inside is selected. Further, only one key of the condition to be set is selected from three level keys of high, medium and low of the stirring height 55. Here, the low key is selected. Finally, "Execute" is selected with the "Execute" 56 key. Then, when measuring the TP item, the rotation speed of the stirring is:
The stirring is carried out under the stirring conditions of fast, stirring time: medium, and stirring time: short. Hereinafter, similarly, stirring conditions are set for each measurement item. When "not execute" is selected with the "execute" 56 key, stirring is performed according to preset default stirring conditions. That is, only the items for which the stirring conditions are desired to be set are set, and for the items for which the stirring conditions are not set, stirring is performed under uniform stirring conditions.

As described above, according to the present invention, the trouble of inputting numerical values and the like can be omitted, and the optimum stirring conditions can be set for each item only by selecting from the screen. Once the settings are made, the items that are not set will be agitated under the uniform stirring conditions that have been set in advance. Therefore, it is not necessary to input the stirring conditions for all the measurement items. Since it is possible to change the screen, the operator can easily set the optimum stirring conditions for each item.

[0039]

According to the present invention, it becomes possible to carry out optimal stirring for each measurement item, to prevent data failure due to stirring, and to provide an apparatus which can reduce the consumption of samples and reagents. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the operation of an automatic analyzer according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an analysis request information input screen for each measurement item in the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a stirring operation in the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a stirring condition setting range in the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of analysis request information for each measurement item and analysis results of simultaneous reproducibility at that time when stirring conditions are uniform, which is a conventional technique.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an analysis request information input screen when a function of setting an optimal agitation for each measurement item for each measurement item in the present invention and an analysis result of simultaneous reproducibility at that time.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing an example of a screen on which an optimum stirring condition can be selected for each measurement item in the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... sampling mechanism, 2 ... serum sampling mechanism, 3
... reaction disk, 4 ... reaction container, 5 ... reagent disk mechanism, 6 ... reagent container, 7 ... reagent pipetting mechanism, 8 ...
Stirring mechanism, 9: constant temperature bath, 10: multi-wavelength photometer, 11: washing mechanism, 15: pipette for serum, 16: washing water pump,
17: Pipettor for reagent, 18: Log converter and A /
D converter, 19 microcomputer, 20 printer, 21 LCD, 22 floppy disk, 23
Interface, 25: Sample container, 26: Light source, 27
... sample probe, 28 ... reagent probe, 29 ... stir bar.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An automatic analyzer for analyzing a sample such as blood or urine, wherein the number of rotations of the reaction solution in the reaction vessel, the stirring time, the insertion depth of the stirring rod from the surface of the reaction solution, or the bottom of the reaction vessel. A multi-item automatic analyzer having a function of controlling at least one condition of a height from a measurement item. 2. An automatic analyzer for analyzing a sample of blood, urine, etc., in which the number of rotations of the reaction solution in the reaction vessel, the stirring time, the insertion depth of the stirring rod from the surface of the reaction solution, or the bottom of the reaction vessel. A multi-item automatic analyzer having a function of inputting and setting at least one condition of a height from a numerical value for each measurement item. 3. An automatic analyzer for analyzing a sample such as blood or urine, wherein the number of rotations and the stirring time of the reaction solution in the reaction vessel, the insertion depth of the stirring rod from the surface of the reaction solution, or the bottom of the reaction vessel. A multi-item automatic analyzer having a function of setting at least one condition of a height from a measurement item by selecting and specifying a degree for each measurement item. 4. An automatic analyzer for analyzing a sample such as blood, urine, etc., comprising an input unit for inputting analysis information relating to each measurement item to a control unit, wherein the rotation speed of the stirring of the reaction solution in the reaction vessel is increased. A multi-item automatic analyzer having means for inputting information for setting medium and low to a control unit for each measurement item. 5. An automatic analyzer for analyzing a sample such as blood, urine, etc., comprising an input unit for inputting analysis information on each measurement item to a control unit. A multi-item automatic analyzer having means for inputting information for setting a short value to a control unit for each measurement item. 6. An automatic analyzer for analyzing a sample such as blood or urine, comprising an input unit for inputting analysis information on each measurement item to a control unit, wherein a reaction liquid level of a stirring rod of the reaction liquid in the reaction vessel is provided. A multi-item automatic analysis system comprising means for inputting information for setting the insertion depth from the container or the height from the bottom of the reaction vessel to the height, medium and low to the control unit for each measurement item. apparatus. 7. An automatic analyzer for analyzing a sample such as blood or urine, wherein the number of rotations of the stirring of the reaction solution in the reaction vessel is high, medium, or low.
A multi-item automatic analyzer having a function of selecting low, long, medium, short stirring time and high, medium, low stirring height of a stirring rod for each measurement item.