JPH11201975A - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic analyzer capable of keeping a reaction temperature inside a container fixed even in the case that the conditions of the number of the containers to be used and a pipetting quantity, etc., are different without largely changing the constitution of a device itself and obtaining highly reliable analysis data. SOLUTION: This automatic analyzer is provided with a reaction disk 2 for holding and intermittently moving plural reaction containers 4 for housing reaction liquid (sample or reagent), a thermostatic chamber 5 for warming the reaction containers 4 of the reaction disk 2, a first reagent pipetting mechanism 25 for pipetting the reagent (sample) or extrusion liquid into the reaction container 4 and a controller for performing the control of pipetting the extrusion liquid by the first reagent pipetting mechanism 25 to an empty reaction container 4 in the case that the empty reaction container 4 not housing the reaction liquid (sample or reagent) is generated in the reaction disk 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer used for performing various tests in various fields such as clinical medicine and biology.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional automatic analyzer, a reaction vessel for reacting an analysis liquid such as a sample with a reagent is held in a vessel holding section, here a reaction disk, and furthermore, in a reaction vessel. In order to carry out the reaction while keeping the reaction liquid at a temperature suitable for the reaction, for example, a thermostat using a liquid or a gas is provided, and the container holding unit is thermostated. However, it has been difficult to control the temperature accurately, for example, the temperature of each reaction vessel is different due to the influence of heat entering the reaction disk from the outside or the temperature of the external environment, or the desired reaction temperature is not reached. In this case, the heat that penetrates from the outside is mainly due to the cleaning liquid that cleans the inside of the reaction vessel, or the sample or reagent that is injected into the reaction vessel, which changes to the temperature of the reaction solution contained in the reaction vessel. The effect of the change was significant.

Therefore, conventionally, the reagent to be dispensed is preliminarily heated to near the reaction temperature in order to avoid the influence of heat of the reagent dispensed by the reagent dispensing mechanism, or the reagent dispensing probe is heated. For example, measures may be taken such as setting a unit, providing a heating wire or a heater, heating the reagent at the time of ejection to increase the temperature, and stabilizing the reaction temperature by heating the washing water for washing the reaction vessel. Had been.

[0004] In addition, in order to keep the reaction temperature constant while keeping the discharge temperature of the sample and the reagent low, the temperature of the reaction vessel and the reaction disk is controlled in advance so as to be higher than the reaction temperature. It is also conceivable to take measures to stabilize the reaction temperature at a predetermined temperature while balancing the heat capacity by dispensing the reagents and reagents. Usually, the temperature inside the reaction tank is set and controlled at a temperature slightly higher than the temperature suitable for the reaction in consideration of the transfer of heat to the reaction solution contained in the reaction vessel. I have.

[0005] However, it is practically difficult to control the temperature at the time of discharge to the reaction temperature and dispense in a short time by any of the measures. A warming device is required.

In some cases, an empty reaction vessel may be generated in the reaction vessel row held on the reaction disk. For example, in the case of a measurement device for an analysis item different from that performed by the reaction disk 2, for example, an automatic analyzer equipped with an electrolyte measurement device, an empty container (reaction container) is generated as follows.

That is, the reaction disk rotates intermittently while holding the reaction vessel. Here, when performing measurement by the electrolyte measurement device, the sample-side dispensing device dispenses the sample to the electrolyte measurement device side without dispensing to the reaction vessel. The reaction container where the sample was not dispensed is constantly rotating intermittently, so the reaction container is moved to the dispensing position on the reagent side while empty, but the reagent container is empty because no sample is contained. Perform control without dispensing. On the other hand, on the electrolyte measurement device side, after the sample for measurement is dispensed, water is further dispensed to measure the electrolyte. As described above, an empty container is generated in the reaction container intermittently conveyed by the reaction disk.

As described above, when an empty reaction vessel is generated in the reaction area of the reaction vessel array being analyzed, the reaction temperature of the reaction solution in the reaction vessel adjacent thereto changes regardless of the above-mentioned countermeasures. That is, the temperature of the liquid or gas in the thermostatic chamber tends to fluctuate suddenly and irregularly, and the reaction temperature of the reaction solution when the reaction vessel is continuously used also fluctuates. A situation occurs in which the accuracy is low. Further, in the analysis by a normal automatic analyzer, empty containers are generated due to, for example, a setting timing when an operator sets a rack in the apparatus main body. In addition, the reaction temperature tends to be different between the case where only one analysis of one sample is performed, such as an emergency test, and the case where a large number of samples are continuously analyzed.
A situation arises in which the accuracy of the analysis data is poor. In addition, the reaction vessel at the head of the analysis that was performed continuously,
The temperature of the reaction vessel in the middle of the analysis and the temperature of the reaction vessel at the final position of the analysis during the reaction period tended to be different, and the accuracy of the analysis data was poor.

As described above, during the analysis, when there are many or few empty reaction vessels in the reaction vessel row, the reaction time of each reaction vessel in the reaction disk depends on the influence of heat entering from the outside and the temperature of the external environment. Since the temperature inside changes easily and affects the reaction temperature, it has been difficult to always keep the reaction temperature uniform.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and does not greatly change the configuration of the apparatus itself, even if the conditions such as the number of containers to be used and the dispensed amount are different. An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer capable of maintaining a constant temperature and obtaining highly reliable analysis data.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a container holding section for holding a plurality of containers for accommodating a liquid for analysis and intermittently moving the containers, and a container for the container holding section. Constant temperature means for warming, dispensing means for dispensing an analysis liquid or a temperature control liquid in the container, and an empty container in which the analysis liquid is not contained in the container holding portion, A controller for controlling the dispensing of the temperature control liquid into the empty container by the dispensing means. In the present invention, the dispensing means is provided separately from each other depending on the liquid to be dispensed. In the present invention, the control unit variably controls the number of times the temperature control liquid is dispensed into an empty container. In the present invention, the control unit variably controls a dispensing amount of the temperature control liquid into an empty container. One in which one or more liquids are dispensed into the reaction vessel in front of the reaction vessel actually used for the analysis, one in which liquid is dispensed into a plurality of empty reaction vessels even after the analysis is completed, and a reaction vessel in the middle of the analysis becomes empty. It also includes any of those that dispenses a liquid into the reaction vessel when it occurs.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) An automatic analyzer according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of the automatic analyzer, and FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view of a configuration of a dispensing device of the automatic analyzer.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an apparatus main body, and the following various mechanisms are incorporated in the apparatus main body 1. A reaction section 3 having a reaction disk (table) 2 as a container holding section for holding a plurality of reaction vessels 4 is arranged at a central portion of the apparatus main body 1, and the reaction disk 2 is periodically moved by a driving device (not shown). It is driven to rotate intermittently in the counterclockwise direction. The reaction disk 2 holds a plurality of reaction vessels 4 located on the same circumference. The reaction disk 2 is surrounded by a thermostat 5, and the reaction disk 2 and the reaction vessel 4 are maintained at a constant temperature by the thermostat 5. As a constant temperature bath 5 used here, a water bath system using hot water was adopted as means for keeping the temperature of the reaction disk 2 and the reaction container 4 constant. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A dry bath method using warm air can also be used.

Further, the automatic analyzer has a reaction disk 2
A cleaning mechanism 6 for the reaction container, an electrolyte measuring device 53, and an analysis / measurement unit (not shown) are provided adjacent to one peripheral portion of the apparatus. The cleaning mechanism unit 6 has a nozzle 7, and the cleaning liquid is injected into the reaction container 4 after the reaction liquid in the reaction container 4 after the reaction is sucked and removed by the nozzle 7, and the cleaning liquid is injected into the reaction container 4. The cleaning is performed. The cleaning mechanism 6
Is also adapted to remove an extruding liquid described later injected into the reaction vessel 4. The suction of the reaction liquid and the like is performed by a suction pump (not shown), and the injection of the cleaning liquid is performed by a cleaning liquid pump (not shown). The position of each reaction vessel 4 on the reaction disk 2 is stored in the storage unit of the control device.

A sample storage unit (storage sampler) 10 is arranged on one side of the reaction disk 2. The sample storage unit 10 includes a rack 12 in which a plurality of sample containers 11 are loaded.
Is provided. Each sample container 11 contains a sample as a liquid for analysis. Samples to be analyzed include collected blood (including components such as serum separated as appropriate), urine, cell solubilizing solution, fecal lysate, and cultured cell solution. The rack 12 is intermittently moved in a direction indicated by an arrow a by a moving device (not shown) at regular intervals, as in the case of the reaction disk 2 described above. In this apparatus, the sample container 1 in the sample storage unit 10 is used.
The position information of the sample No. 1, that is, the position information of the sample so that the reagent corresponding to each sample can be dispensed, is stored in advance in the storage unit of the control device.

A sample dispensing mechanism 15 as dispensing means is provided between the reaction disk 2 and the sample storage unit 10. The sample dispensing mechanism 15 includes a rotating arm 16 and the rotating arm 16.
A sample dispensing probe (dispensing pipette nozzle) 17 suspended so as to hang down from the rotating tip of the rotating arm 16. The rotating arm 16 is bidirectionally rotated and vertically moved by a driving device (not shown). It is designed to be operated so as to be lifted and lowered. The sample dispensing probe 17 can rotate bidirectionally with the sample dispensing position on the reaction disk 2 and the sampling position on the sample storage unit 10 as end positions at both ends. 10 and can be positioned at the position of the electrolyte measuring device 53 located between the two, and can be moved up and down. A dispensing probe cleaning unit or a nozzle tip exchanging unit (not shown) is provided on the rotation locus of the sample dispensing probe 17.

On the other side of the reaction disk 2, a reagent container 20 is arranged. In the reagent storage section 20, two reagent tables (reagent trays) 21 and 22 are provided side by side. Each of the reagent tables 21 and 22 has a disk shape here.
A plurality of reagent containers 23 and 24, each of which individually stores reagents necessary for an analysis item required as an analysis liquid, are loaded into the first and second analysis liquids. The second reagent table 22
The first reagent table 2 is placed in the reagent container 24
A reagent to be used in combination with the reagent on the first side is stored, and a reagent to be reacted with the sample only by the second reagent is not stored, and a reagent container loaded on the first reagent table 21 is stored. 23 contains a reagent that can be used alone to react with the sample and a reagent that is used in combination with the second reagent.
These reagent containers 23 and 24 are kept cool at a constant temperature by a cooler (not shown). The reagent tables 21 and 22 are also moved by a driving device (not shown) as in the case of the reaction disk 2 described above. Information on the positions of the reagent containers 23 and 24 in the reagent storage unit 20 and information on the type of reagent are also stored in the storage unit of the control device.

First reagent table 21 and reaction disk 2
A first reagent dispensing mechanism 25 as dispensing means is provided at a position between the two. Also, the second reagent table 22
A second reagent dispensing mechanism 26 as dispensing means is also provided at a position between the first reagent and the reaction disk 2. Since both the sample dispensing mechanism 15 and each of the reagent dispensing mechanisms 25 and 26 have a mechanically similar configuration, the configuration will be described in a unified manner with reference to FIG. Reagent dispensing mechanism 25, 26
Has a turning arm 31 and a dispensing probe 32 suspended from the turning tip of the turning arm 31,
The rotating arm 31 is rotated and moved up and down by a driving device 33.

The first reagent dispensing mechanism 25 rotates the dispensing probe 32 bidirectionally so as to include the dispensing position on the reaction disk 2 and the reagent suction position on the first reagent table 21. At the same time, the dispensing probe 32 is moved up and down at each position. Also, the second reagent dispensing mechanism 2
Numeral 6 rotates the dispensing probe 32 bidirectionally so as to include the dispensing position on the reaction disk 2 and the reagent suction position on the second reagent table 22, and moves the dispensing probe 32 up and down at each position. It is supposed to do.

A dispensing probe washing section (not shown) for washing the used dispensing probe 32 is provided on the rotation locus of the dispensing probe 32 in each of the reagent dispensing mechanisms 25 and 26.

Further, the apparatus main body 1 is provided with a plurality of dispensers which are individually connected to the dispensing probes in each dispensing mechanism described above. That is, the first dispenser 41 connected to the dispensing probe 32 of the first reagent dispensing mechanism 25 and the second dispensing connected to the dispensing probe 32 of the second reagent dispensing mechanism 26. A dispenser 42 and a third dispenser 43 connected to the sample dispensing probe 17 of the sample dispensing mechanism 15 are provided.

Each dispenser 41, 42, 43 is connected to a corresponding dispensing probe 17, 32 via a tube 44 which individually communicates with each other. Each dispenser 41, 42, 43 here is configured as shown in FIG. That is, it is constituted by the cylinder 46 and the piston 47. The dispensed amount and the like of the piston 47 are operated by a drive unit and a control unit (not shown). A liquid container 50 is connected to the cylinder 46 via an injection valve 48 composed of an electromagnetic valve and a discharge pump 49. The liquid container 50 stores an extruding liquid. As the extruding liquid, ion-exchanged water, degassed water, detergent liquid, oil or the like is used.

The apparatus main body 1 is provided with a keyboard 51. The keyboard 51 is used for a sample dispensing amount, a reagent dispensing amount, a dispensing frequency and a dispensing amount of an extruding liquid as a temperature control liquid described later, a measurement wavelength, a concentration conversion coefficient, and the like according to each required analysis item. This is an input device for preliminarily storing the analysis conditions described above in a CPU (not shown) incorporated in the apparatus main body 1. Further, the apparatus main body 1 is provided with an analysis condition corresponding to each required analysis item and a control device (not shown) for controlling an analysis operation according to the analysis condition. The analysis operation is controlled by reading the items and analysis conditions. Further, the apparatus body 1 is provided with a CRT 52 and a printer (not shown) for displaying input information, analysis data, and the like from the keyboard 51.

Next, an analysis processing procedure of the automatic analyzer will be described. First, the operator inputs desired dispensing items and conditions using the keyboard 51, sets the sample container 11 containing the sample to be dispensed on the rack 12, and sets a predetermined sample supply position on the apparatus main body 1. , The rack 12 is set, and the start button is turned on to start the analysis. Then, the control device causes the dispensing probes 17, 32 to
With the injection valve 48 opened and the discharge pump 49 operated with the dispensing probe 4 positioned at the cleaning position of the dispensing probe cleaning section,
The extruding liquid is sent to each dispensing probe 17, 32 through the tube 44 through the space of the cylinder 46 of 1, 42, 43, and after filling the dispensing probe 17, 32 with the extruding liquid, the injection valve 48 is closed. Is performed.
In this state, if the piston 47 of the dispenser 41, 42, 43 is operated by a driving means (not shown), each dispensing probe 1
A sample or a reagent as an analysis liquid can be sucked into the tip nozzle portions of the nozzles 7 and 32, and a predetermined amount of the sample or the reagent can be discharged to the reaction container 4. That is, if the drive control for pulling the piston 47 is performed, the sample or the reagent is sucked, and if the drive control for pushing the piston 47 is performed, the sucked sample or the reagent can be discharged.
In this way, the apparatus stands by in a state in which the suction pressure or the discharge pressure by the extruded liquid is applied and the sample or the reagent can be suctioned or discharged from the tip of the dispensing probe 17 or 32. It should be noted that the control device controls the amount of retraction and the amount of push of the piston 47 in accordance with the dispensed amount.

Further, in the case where all or a part of the dispensers 41, 42 and 43 used for dispensing the extruded liquid as the temperature control liquid, for example, the first dispenser 41 is used. Operate the discharge pump 49 and simultaneously operate the piston 4
7 is drawn in, and the extruded liquid is taken into the cylinder 46.
When the apparatus main body 1 is started, in order to reduce the fluctuation of the temperature in the thermostat 5, the reaction disk 2 is put on standby in a state in which the extruding solution is stored in advance for some of the reaction containers 4 before analysis. Keep it.

On the other hand, in the reaction section 3, the reaction disk 2
A specific reaction container 4 which is intermittently driven to rotate by a driving device (not shown) and used for analysis is provided with a first reagent dispensing position Pr1 by a first dispensing mechanism 25 and a second reagent dispensing mechanism 26. It rotates intermittently so as to stop sequentially at the second reagent dispensing position Pr2 and the sample dispensing position Ps by the sample dispensing mechanism 15.

In this embodiment, the reaction disk 2
Only when the upper reaction container 4 reaches the first reagent dispensing position Pr1 by the first reagent dispensing mechanism 25, the extruded liquid is supplied to the reaction container 4 by a predetermined amount. Dispense. Thereby, the setting of the number of times of dispensing of the extruded liquid is fixed at one time. This operation is performed for two cycles.

Thereafter, control for dispensing reagents and samples according to the analysis items and analysis conditions from the third cycle to the reaction vessel 4 used for analysis is performed. More specifically, a reagent corresponding to the analysis performed on the sample is selected from the first reagent table 21 based on the information on the sample stored in the storage unit (not shown), and the reaction container 4 on the reaction disk 2 is selected. Is controlled. At this time, the first reagent dispensing mechanism 25 selectively aspirates the first reagent from the reagent container 23 held on the first reagent table 21 by the dispensing probe 32 and reacts the sucked first reagent. A predetermined amount is dispensed into the reaction container 4 held on the disk 2. Note that the second reagent dispensing mechanism 26 is not used except when used in combination with the first reagent.
The dispensing operation is set so as not to be performed when the reaction with only the first reagent is performed or when the extrusion liquid described later is dispensed.

Next, the reaction vessel 4 containing the first reagent
Is located at the sample dispensing position Ps, the sample dispensing mechanism 15
Is used to aspirate a sample from the sample container 11 of the sample storage unit 10 by using the dispensing probe 17 and place the sucked sample in the sample dispensing position P.
Control for dispensing a predetermined amount into the reaction vessel 4 located at s is performed.

It is assumed that the sample stored in the storage unit is the first
When the analysis is performed by combining the first reagent and the sample, the reaction solution obtained by reacting the first reagent with the sample is
In order to further dispense the second reagent, the second reagent dispensing mechanism 26 uses the dispensing probe 32 to
The corresponding second reagent is selectively suctioned from the reagent container 24 held in the reaction disk 2 and the sucked second reagent is transferred to the reaction disk 2.
Is controlled to dispense a predetermined amount into the reaction vessel 4 held in the reaction vessel 4.

When analyzing the electrolyte measuring device 53 without using the reaction vessel 4 of the reaction disk 2 arranged on the rotation locus of the dispensing probe 17, a sample corresponding to the item is used for the electrolyte measurement. Can be At this time, an unused reaction container 4 is generated on the reaction disk 2. Therefore, the sample dispensing position Ps is switched by selectively switching the liquid to be dispensed by the first reagent dispensing mechanism 25 from another reagent to the extruded liquid for the reaction container 4 to be emptied. Before the reaction container 4 moves, control is performed to dispense a predetermined amount of the extrusion liquid as a temperature control liquid. Such control is performed for the period in which the analysis of the electrolyte measurement is received. Dispensing of the extruded liquid into the empty reaction vessel 4 is performed by the second reagent dispensing mechanism 2 other than the first reagent dispensing mechanism 25.
6 can be performed.

By controlling according to the above procedure, an analysis liquid such as a reagent and a sample or an extruded liquid which is a temperature control liquid is dispensed into the reaction vessels 4 in all the predetermined regions on the reaction disk 2. become. When the reaction vessel 4 in which the reaction solution has been prepared is transported by the reaction disk 2, a predetermined time elapses while being heated to a reaction temperature suitable for the reaction in the constant temperature bath 5, and is transported to a measurement position (not shown). The reaction solution in the reaction vessel 4 is subjected to measurement such as a change in absorbance at a predetermined wavelength corresponding to the requested analysis item. The analysis data is calculated based on the measured value and the concentration conversion coefficient corresponding to the analysis item, and the printer outputs the analysis data. Further, the result is displayed on the CRT 52 to monitor the analysis result.

As described above, the sample is not dispensed by the electrolyte measurement during the analysis operation, and the first reagent dispensing mechanism 25 (first dispenser 4)
According to 1), the extrusion liquid can be dispensed in a predetermined amount as a temperature control liquid. Note that the relationship between the dispensed amount and the temperature of the extruded liquid needs to be set so that a change similar to a temperature change in the thermostat at the time of dispensing the sample and / or the reagent occurs. Therefore, it is desirable that the temperature of the extruded liquid can be controlled together with the control of the dispensed amount. As a means for controlling the temperature of the extruded liquid, for example, there is a means provided with a heater, a heating wire or the like (not shown) in the vicinity of the flow path of the extruded liquid of the dispensing mechanism or in the liquid container. The dispensing mechanism for dispensing the temperature control liquid is a first dispensing mechanism.
The present invention is not limited to the reagent dispensing mechanism described above, but may be a second reagent dispensing mechanism or a sample dispensing mechanism.

By the above operation, at least the reaction area of the reaction disk 2 is filled with either the reaction solution of the reagent and the sample or the extruding solution without generating an empty reaction container. Since the reaction solution can always be reacted at a temperature suitable for the reaction without being affected by heat between the reaction containers 4 before and after the reaction container 4, reliable analysis data can be obtained. The number of the reaction vessels 4 into which the extruded solution has been dispensed after the analysis operation is preferably dispensed to such an extent that the temperature in the thermostat does not fluctuate. It is desirable that the extruded liquid by the first reagent dispensing mechanism 25 be dispensed into about 1/3 of all the reaction vessels 4.

When the analysis is completed, the reaction vessel 4 is transferred to a reaction vessel cleaning mechanism 6 for cleaning the reaction vessel 4, is washed, and is used repeatedly for analysis. In this example, the dispensing amount and the dispensing frequency of the extruded liquid as the temperature control liquid are fixed. For example, when the amount of the reaction liquid changes depending on the analysis conditions, the heat exchange amount of the reaction liquid in the reaction vessel 4 is changed. Will fluctuate. Therefore, as an embodiment for improving such a case, by storing the information of the analysis condition in advance in the CPU, the amount of the extruded liquid can be changed by controlling the piston 47 by using this data, If the second reagent dispensing mechanism 26 as a dispensing mechanism for dispensing the extruded liquid is also selectively additionally controlled to change the number of times of dispensing, fluctuation due to analysis conditions can be suppressed.

As an embodiment for improving the case where the control temperature of the thermostatic bath 5 changes due to the environmental temperature change and the temperature data fluctuates due to the difference between the dispensing temperature of the sample and the reagent, the influence of the environmental fluctuation is prevented. To this end, a sensor (not shown) for monitoring the temperature inside the apparatus main body 1 is added, and the data of the temperature change due to the temperature fluctuation of the apparatus is stored in the CPU in advance. By changing the amount of the extruding liquid and the number of times of dispensing as described above, the amount of change due to environmental fluctuation can be suppressed.

As described above, when an empty reaction vessel 4 is formed in the four rows of reaction vessels during the analysis, the temperature difference between the reaction vessels can be reduced, and the reaction temperature is always kept uniform. This makes it possible to obtain highly reliable analytical data. In addition, a method of preheating and dispensing the reagents and the like is not always necessary, and the configuration of the temperature detection device and the heating device required at that time can be unnecessary or simplified, and the cost can be reduced. A simple automatic analyzer can be provided. Furthermore, the reaction temperature can be stabilized by carrying out the above-mentioned measures in combination.

In the reaction vessel into which the extruded liquid has been dispensed, the subsequent processing procedure is performed as usual, and control is performed so that only the measured analysis data is not used, or a dispensing apparatus and / or a measuring apparatus is used. Can be controlled not to operate. In addition, since an extruded liquid is used as a temperature control liquid in a reaction container in which a sample is not dispensed, without using an expensive liquid such as a reagent, good analysis can be maintained without adding cost. .

(Second Embodiment) An automatic analyzer according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition,
The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description is omitted by using the sample, the reagent, and the extruded liquid of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing an automatic analyzer according to the second embodiment.

In the second embodiment, the sample is dispensed on the trajectory of the dispensing probe 32 in the first reagent dispensing mechanism 25 in the probe washing tank 60 and a part of the constant temperature bath 5 of the reaction section 3. A space 62 is provided for disposing a first liquid container 61 containing, for example, ion-exchanged water as a first temperature control liquid for dispensing into the reaction container 4 that will be an empty reaction container 4 without being poured. The temperature of the ion-exchanged water in the first liquid container 61 is set substantially equal to the control temperature of the thermostat 5. In addition, the second reagent containing, for example, ion-exchanged water as a second temperature control liquid for dispensing into the reaction vessel 4 which becomes an empty reaction vessel 4 without dispensing the sample into the first reagent table 21. Is arranged. The temperature of the ion-exchanged water in the second liquid container 63 is set substantially equal to the control temperature of a cooler (not shown). Others are the same as those of the first embodiment.

With such a structure, data of temperature change due to temperature fluctuation of the apparatus is stored in the CPU in advance by a sensor (not shown) inside the apparatus, and the liquid extruded by the dispensing probe 32 is used as a liquid for temperature control. Whether to use the ion exchange liquid in the first liquid container 61 whose temperature has been kept constant as the liquid for temperature control, or to use the ion exchange liquid in the second liquid container 63 of the first reagent table 21 as the liquid for temperature control Is selected by the CPU of the control device, and the reaction container 4 becomes an empty reaction container 4 without dispensing the sample as described above.
Is performed. Furthermore, the selection of the extruded liquid by the dispensing probe 32, the ion exchange liquid in which the temperature of the first liquid container 61 is kept constant, and the ion exchange liquid of the second liquid container 63, and the control of the number and the amount of the dispensing. Alternatively, the temperature may be controlled by dispensing the reaction container 4 to be emptied.

As another embodiment, a dedicated discharge nozzle and a dedicated dispenser (not shown) are provided in place of the dispensing probe, and the dispensing amount, the temperature control, and the number of dispensing are controlled, and the emptying is performed. You may make it dispense to the reaction container which will become.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes a combination of the above-described embodiments. Further, in the above-described embodiment, only the measurement of the electrolyte is described as another analysis item different from the analysis performed on the reaction disk 2.
Other items may be used.

In the above-described embodiment, the position of the sample container 11 in the sample storage unit 10 is stored in advance in the storage unit of the control device. What has been done, for example, a sticker is attached to each sample container 11,
Before the sample container 11 is moved to the sample collection position, for example, several minutes before, preferably about 7 to 8 sample containers, information about the sample is read by a barcode reader, and a control device is used based on the read information. May be determined whether the analysis is performed on the reaction disk 2 or not.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the analyzer has been described in which the reagent is first dispensed into the reaction container, and the sample is dispensed into the reaction container containing the reagent and reacted. The reagent is not limited to a reagent after dispensing the sample into the reaction container, for example, by changing the information on the sample container to be read by the above-described barcode reader at least one before the sample container comes to the collection position. Can also be applied to an analyzer for dispensing and reacting.

In order to determine the presence or absence of the sample container 11 that has moved to the sampling position on the sample storage unit 10, before the sample container 11 moves to the sample collection position, as described above, for example, By providing a device for determining the presence or absence of the sample container 11 using ultrasound or the like several times before, preferably about 7 to 8 sample containers, the reagent dispensing position is determined in advance for the reaction container 4 where the sample is not dispensed. Since it is possible to control the dispensing of the extruded liquid with Pr1 (Pr2), it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an empty reaction container 4 which has been generated when the operator sets the sample container 11 on the rack 12 or the like. .

[0047]

As described above, according to the present invention, the reaction temperature in the container can be reduced without changing the configuration of the apparatus itself, even when the conditions such as the number of containers used and the dispensed amount are different. It can be kept constant and highly reliable analysis data can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an automatic analyzer according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a configuration of a dispensing device section of the automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing an automatic analyzer according to a second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Device main body, 2 ... Reaction disk, 4 ... Reaction container, 5 ...
Constant temperature bath, 6: reaction mechanism washing mechanism, 10: sample storage, 11: sample container, 12: rack, 15: sample dispensing mechanism, 16: rotating arm, 17: sample dispensing probe, 20: reagent Storage section, 21: first reagent dispensing mechanism, 22: second reagent dispensing mechanism, 23: first reagent container, 24: second reagent container, 25: first reagent dispensing mechanism, 26 ... second reagent dispensing mechanism, 41, 42, 43 ... dispenser, 44 ... tube,
46: cylinder, 47: piston, 48: injection valve, 49
... Discharge pump, 50 ... Liquid container, 51 ... Keyboard, 5
2 ... CRT.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A container holding section for holding a plurality of containers for accommodating a liquid for analysis and intermittently moving the containers, a constant temperature means for warming the containers of the container holding section, and an inside of the container. Dispensing means for dispensing an analysis liquid or a temperature control liquid, and when an empty container in which the analysis liquid is not stored in the container holding portion occurs, the dispensing means for the empty container. And a control unit for performing control for dispensing a temperature control liquid by using the automatic analyzer. 2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein said dispensing means is provided separately for each liquid to be dispensed. 3. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the control unit variably controls the number of times the temperature control liquid is dispensed into an empty container. 4. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the control unit variably controls a dispensing amount of the temperature control liquid into an empty container.