JP2010210596A - Autoanalyzer and probe cleaning method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an autoanalyzer for effectively cleaning the outside of a probe at an appropriate amount. <P>SOLUTION: The autoanalyzer 1 has the probe for sucking one liquid from the inside of a specimen vessel 21a storing liquid separated into two layers of an upper layer and lower layer. The autoanalyzer 1 includes a liquid level detecting means for detecting the liquid level of the liquid stored in the specimen vessel 21a, a dispensation control section 38 for making specimen probes 22d and 22e suck a desired liquid based on information on the liquid level detected by the liquid level detecting means, probe cleaning sections 28 and 29 for cleaning the specimen probes 22d and 22e, and a cleaning control section 37 for adjusting the cleaning capacity by the probe cleaning sections 28 and 29 based on the dipping amount for each layer of the probes accompanying the movement of the specimen probes 22d and 22e at a desired liquid suction time and the cleaning difficulty of each layer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that performs a sample analysis process by measuring a reaction product between a sample and a reagent contained in a reaction container.

  Conventionally, automatic analyzers that analyze samples such as blood and urine carry over that affects the analysis results by moving the previously dispensed sample to the next dispensed sample while attached to the dispensing probe. In order to avoid this, a probe cleaning unit for cleaning the dispensing probe is provided. The probe cleaning unit is arranged in the middle of the movement trajectory of the dispensing probe between the position where the sample is aspirated and the position where the sample is discharged, and is configured to supply the cleaning liquid to the dispensing probe. In addition, a cleaning method is disclosed in which either the number of times of cleaning or the time of cleaning is changed depending on the number of times of sampling or the amount of sampling in order to improve the accuracy of analysis (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-225608 A

  However, when the blood cells in the specimen container divided into two layers with plasma or serum in the upper layer and blood cells in the lower layer are aspirated, the probe passes through the plasma or serum in the upper layer and aspirates the blood cells. In the cleaning control by volume, the degree or range of contamination outside the probe, which varies depending on the plasma volume or serum volume, cannot be determined, and there is a possibility that the cleaning liquid is used excessively or the cleaning power is insufficient.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer capable of performing an appropriate amount and effective cleaning of the outside of a probe.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the automatic analyzer according to the present invention sucks one of the liquids from the container containing the liquid separated into two layers of the upper layer and the lower layer. In an automatic analyzer having a dispensing probe to be discharged into a reaction vessel, a liquid level detection means for detecting the liquid level of the upper layer and / or lower layer contained in the container, and a liquid level detected by the liquid level detection means Dispensing control means for causing the dispensing probe to aspirate the desired liquid based on the information, probe cleaning means for washing the dispensing probe, and the dispensing probe at the time of the desired liquid aspiration And a cleaning control means for adjusting the cleaning ability of the probe cleaning means based on the amount of immersion of the dispensing probe in each layer accompanying the movement and the cleaning difficulty level of each layer.

  In the automatic analyzer according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the cleaning control unit adjusts the cleaning capability by changing a flow rate of a cleaning liquid supplied to the probe cleaning unit.

  In the automatic analyzer according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the cleaning control unit adjusts the cleaning capability by changing a cleaning time of the probe cleaning unit.

  In the automatic analyzer according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the cleaning control unit adjusts the cleaning capability by switching and supplying cleaning liquids having different cleaning powers to the probe cleaning unit.

  Further, in the automatic analyzer according to the present invention, in the above invention, the upper layer has a higher degree of cleaning difficulty than the lower layer, and the cleaning control means sucks the lower layer liquid into the upper layer liquid. It is characterized in that the dispensing probe is washed with a higher washing ability than in the case of sucking the water.

  In the automatic analyzer according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the upper layer is plasma or serum, and the lower layer is blood cells.

  In addition, the present invention detects at least one liquid level of the liquid separated into two layers, an upper layer and a lower layer, and sucks and discharges one of the liquids to the reaction container based on the liquid level detection result. In a probe cleaning method of an automatic analyzer having a dispensing probe to perform dispensing, the dispensing probe is moved based on the liquid level detection result to suck a liquid in a desired layer and dispense into the reaction container Dispensing by adjusting the cleaning ability of the probe based on the step, the amount of immersion of the dispensing probe in each layer accompanying the movement of the dispensing probe during liquid suction of the desired layer, and the degree of cleaning difficulty of each layer And a washing step for washing the dispensing probe later.

  In the probe cleaning method according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the cleaning step adjusts the cleaning capability by changing the flow rate of the supplied cleaning liquid.

  The probe cleaning method according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the cleaning step adjusts the cleaning capability by changing a cleaning time.

  In the probe cleaning method according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the cleaning step adjusts the cleaning performance by switching and supplying cleaning liquids having different cleaning powers.

  Further, in the probe cleaning method according to the present invention, in the above invention, the upper layer is more difficult to clean than the lower layer, and the cleaning step draws the upper layer liquid when the lower layer liquid is sucked. The dispensing probe is washed with a higher washing ability than when sucking.

  The probe cleaning method according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the upper layer is plasma or serum, and the lower layer is blood cells.

  According to the present invention, the amount or time of the cleaning liquid supplied to the probe cleaning unit is adjusted according to the degree of difficulty in cleaning the specimen, so that the probe can be washed outside the probe in an appropriate amount and effectively. There is an effect.

  Hereinafter, an analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. In the description of the drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an automatic analyzer according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic analyzer 1 according to the present embodiment dispenses a specimen and a reagent to be analyzed into predetermined wells W (reaction containers) of a microplate 10, respectively. A measurement mechanism 2 that optically measures the reaction that occurs and a control mechanism 3 that controls the entire automatic analyzer 1 including the measurement mechanism 2 and analyzes the measurement results in the measurement mechanism 2 are provided. The automatic analyzer 1 automatically performs immunological analysis of a plurality of specimens through the cooperation of these two mechanisms. The microplate 10 is a plate made of a transparent material such as acrylic, and has a number of holes called wells W opened on the surface thereof. The well W is a hole that accommodates a specimen and is formed with an inclined surface, and is arranged in a matrix on the surface of the microplate 10.

  The measurement mechanism 2 roughly includes a plate transport lane 20, a sample transfer unit 21, a sample dispensing mechanism 22, a reagent transfer unit 23, a reagent dispensing mechanism 24, a reaction promoting unit 25, a photometric unit 26, and a plate recovery unit 27. The control mechanism 3 includes a control unit 31, an input unit 32, an analysis unit 33, a storage unit 34, a transmission / reception unit 35, and an output unit 36. These units included in the measurement mechanism 2 and the control mechanism 3 are electrically connected to the control unit 31.

  The plate transport lane 20 transports the microplate 10 to a predetermined position in order to dispense a specimen or reagent to each well W in the microplate 10, accelerate the reaction of the liquid in the well W, and perform photometry. The plate transport lane 20 transports the microplate 10 leftward as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 1, for example, by driving a drive mechanism (not shown) under the control of the control unit 31.

  The sample transfer section 21 includes a plurality of sample racks 21b that hold a plurality of sample containers 21a containing samples and are sequentially transferred in the direction of the arrows in the figure. The specimen contained in the specimen container 21a is obtained by separating the blood collected from the specimen donor by adding an anticoagulant and centrifuging it into plasma as a supernatant and blood cells (red blood cells) as a deposit. is there. The sample in the sample container 21a transferred to a predetermined position on the sample transfer unit 21 is dispensed by the sample dispensing mechanism 22 into a predetermined well W of the microplate 10 that is arranged and transported on the plate transport lane 20. Is done.

  A recording medium on which sample information related to the sample stored in the sample container 21a is recorded is attached to the side surface of the sample container 21a. The recording medium displays various types of encoded information and is optically read. Sample information includes, for example, the name, sex, age, and analysis item of the patient who provided the sample.

  A sample reading unit 21 c that optically reads the recording medium is provided at a corresponding portion of the sample transfer unit 21. The sample reading unit 21c emits infrared light or visible light to the recording medium, and reads the information on the recording medium by processing the reflected light from the recording medium. In addition, the sample reading unit 21c may acquire the information of the recording medium by performing an imaging process on the recording medium and decoding the image information obtained by the imaging process. The sample reading unit 21c reads information on the recording medium attached to the sample container 21a when passing in front of the sample reading unit 21c.

  The sample dispensing mechanism 22 includes an arm 22a in which sample probes 22d and 22e for aspirating and discharging a sample are attached to the tip, and an intake / exhaust mechanism using an unillustrated intake / exhaust syringe or piezoelectric element. The sample dispensing mechanism 22 aspirates the sample by the sample probes 22d and 22e from the sample container 21a transferred to the predetermined position on the sample transfer unit 21, and moves the arm 22a in the vertical direction in the figure. A sample is discharged into each well W and dispensed. The sample probes 22d and 22e suck and discharge the serum or blood cell particles in the sample container 21a.

  The reagent transfer unit 23 transfers the reagent set 23 a in which the reagent dispensed to each well W in the microplate 10 is accommodated to the reagent aspirating position by the reagent dispensing mechanism 24. The reagent set 23a contains a predetermined amount of required reagents according to various analysis items, and each reagent contained in one set of reagent sets 23a can be used once in addition to the case of dispensing a predetermined number of times. It may correspond to dispensing. The reagent transfer unit 23 collects the reagent set 23a that has been dispensed a predetermined number of times, and then transfers the reagent set 23a to be dispensed to the reagent suction position.

  A recording medium on which reagent information relating to each reagent contained in the reagent set 23a is recorded is attached to the side surface of the reagent set 23a. The recording medium displays various types of encoded information and is optically read. A reagent reading unit 23b that optically reads the recording medium is provided at a corresponding portion of the reagent transfer unit 23. The reagent reading unit 23b emits infrared light or visible light to the recording medium, and reads the information on the recording medium by processing the reflected light from the recording medium. In addition, the reagent reading unit 23b may perform image capturing processing on the recording medium, decode image information obtained by the image capturing processing, and acquire information on the recording medium.

  The reagent dispensing mechanism 24 includes an arm 24a to which a probe for aspirating and discharging the reagent is attached to the tip. The arm 24a freely moves up and down in the vertical direction and rotates around a vertical line passing through its base end as a central axis. The reagent dispensing mechanism 24 includes a suction / discharge mechanism using a suction / discharge syringe or a piezoelectric element (not shown). The reagent dispensing mechanism 24 sucks the reagent in the reagent set 23a that has been moved to a predetermined position on the reagent transfer unit 23 with the corresponding probes, and rotates the arm 24a counterclockwise in the figure to thereby move the plate conveyance lane 20. Dispensing is performed by discharging each reagent corresponding to each well W of the microplate 10 transported to a predetermined position above.

  The reaction promoting unit 25 promotes the reaction of the sample and the reagent dispensed on the microplate 10 to cause the antigen-antibody reaction to form an aggregation pattern on the bottom surface of each well W of the microplate 10. For example, the reaction promoting unit 25 vibrates the microplate 10 and stirs the specimen and the reagent in the well W. In addition, the reaction promoting unit 25, for example, allows the microplate 10 to stand for a predetermined time corresponding to the content of the analysis method, and promotes natural sedimentation of blood cell particles. Further, the reaction promoting unit 25 manipulates the fine particles present in the well W by applying a predetermined magnetic field, for example.

  The photometric unit 26 photometrically detects the aggregation pattern formed in the reaction promoting unit 25. The photometry unit 26 is constituted by, for example, a CCD camera, images each well W of the microplate 10 from above, and outputs image information obtained by imaging the aggregation pattern formed in each well W. The photometric unit 26 includes a light emitting unit that irradiates each well W of the microplate 10 with predetermined light and a light receiving unit that receives light generated in the test solution in each well W, and light generated in the test solution. May be output as a photometric result.

  The plate collection unit 27 collects the microplate 10 for which photometry processing by the photometry unit 26 has been completed. The collected microplate 10 is washed by a washing unit (not shown) by sucking and discharging the mixed solution in each well W and injecting and sucking the washing solution. The washed microplate 10 is reused. Depending on the contents of the inspection, the microplate 10 may be discarded after one measurement.

  The probe cleaning units 28 and 29 are arranged on the locus of the sample probes 22d and 22e of the arm 22a, and clean the inside and outside of the probe of the sample probe.

  Next, the control mechanism 3 will be described. The control unit 31 is configured using a CPU or the like, and controls processing and operation of each unit of the automatic analyzer 1. The control unit 31 performs predetermined input / output control on information input / output to / from each of these components, and performs predetermined information processing on this information. The control unit 31 includes a cleaning control unit 37 and a dispensing control unit 38. The cleaning control unit 37 controls the probe cleaning units 28 and 29 that perform probe cleaning of the sample probes 22d and 22e, and the dispensing control unit 38 performs suction and discharge of the sample dispensing mechanism 22 or the reagent dispensing mechanism 24. Such dispensing control is performed.

  The input unit 32 is configured by using a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, and the like, and acquires various information necessary for analyzing the specimen, instruction information for analysis operation, and the like from the outside. The output unit 36 is configured using a display, a printer, a speaker, and the like, and outputs various information including analysis information generated by the analysis unit 33.

  The analysis unit 33 analyzes the antigen-antibody reaction based on the photometric result measured by the photometric unit 26. In addition, when the photometry unit 26 outputs image information, the analysis unit 33 processes the image information output by the photometry unit 26 and acquires a photometric value corresponding to the luminance of the specimen. The analysis unit 33 uses SPC (brightness of the edge of the image of the central portion), P (brightness of the peripheral portion), C (brightness of the central portion), which is used to determine whether the agglutination reaction is negative or positive. Parameters such as LIA (center area image area) are calculated and compared with the stored threshold values of the parameters of SPC, P, C, and LIA. Note that the SPC, P, and C parameters are obtained from 0 to 99, and the LIA parameter is obtained from 0 to 999. Comparing the calculated parameter value with the parameter threshold value, it can be determined for each test item as + (positive),-(negative), or unknown (between positive and negative and neither can be determined) is there.

  The storage unit 34 is configured by using a hard disk that magnetically stores information and a memory that loads various programs related to the process from the hard disk and electrically stores them when the automatic analyzer 1 executes the process. The The storage unit 34 may include an auxiliary storage device that can read information stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a PC card. The transmission / reception unit 35 has a function as an interface for performing transmission / reception of information according to a predetermined format via a communication network (not shown).

  In the automatic analyzer 1 configured as described above, the sample dispensing mechanism 22 dispenses the sample in the sample container 21a to the plurality of microplates 10 that are sequentially conveyed, and the reagent dispensing mechanism 24 uses the reagent. After dispensing each reagent in the set 23a, the photometry unit 26 measures the luminance of the sample in a state in which the sample and the reagent are reacted, and the analysis unit 33 analyzes the measurement result, whereby the antigen antibody of the sample Reaction analysis and the like are automatically performed.

  Here, the mechanism by which the sample dispensing mechanism 22 dispenses the sample from the sample container 21a will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the sample dispensing mechanism 22 and the sample container 21a. The sample dispensing mechanism 22 includes a columnar column 22b that is driven up and down by an elevating motor 41, and an arm 22a that can be expanded and contracted in the direction of the arrow in the drawing by the power of the motor 42. Sample probes 22d and 22e for aspirating and discharging the sample are attached to the tip of the arm 22a. As the arm 22a moves up and down, the sample probes 22d and 22e at the tip of the arm 22a also move up and down. Liquid level detectors 22f and 22g for detecting the liquid level of the sample in the sample container 21a are provided at the tips of the sample probes 22d and 22e. The liquid level detectors 22f and 22g make use of whether the tip of the sample probes 22d and 22e has contacted the liquid level of the sample using the change in capacitance or the pressure value applied to the nozzle by contacting the liquid level. Whether or not is detected and the detection result is output to the control unit 31. The control part 31 transmits a detection result to the dispensing control part 38, and the dispensing control part 38 drives the raising / lowering motor 41 based on a detection result. In addition, a specimen separated into plasma BP and blood cells BC is accommodated in the specimen container 21a, and the liquid level detector 22f detects the liquid level of the plasma BP and the liquid level of the blood cells BC.

  In addition, the support | pillar 22b has the tooth | gear part 22c in a lower side surface. The tooth portion 22c engages with the gear 41a connected to the lifting motor 41 to drive the support column 22b up and down. Moreover, the motive power by the drive of the motor 42 is converted into the horizontal direction in the support column 22b, and the arm 22a is driven to extend and contract. The elevating motor 41 and the motor 42 are preferably pulse motors, and the dispensing control unit 38 obtains the number of pulses from the elevating motor 41 and the motor 42 to grasp the movement amount of the sample probe 22d. The dispensing control unit 38 transmits the number of pulses obtained from each motor to the analysis unit 33, and the analysis unit 33 performs each immersion in which the sample probe 22d is immersed in the plasma BP and the blood cell BC based on the obtained number of pulses. Calculate the quantity. The obtained immersion amount is transmitted from the analysis unit 33 to the storage unit 34 and stored therein.

  Next, the cleaning of the sample probe 22d will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a cleaning mechanism for the sample probe 22d. As shown in FIG. 3, the probe cleaning unit 29 has a substantially cylindrical liquid receiving container 29a having an opening in the upper part, and a substantially cylindrical shape having an opening in the upper part provided inside the liquid receiving container 29a. And a probe cleaning container 29b for receiving the sample probe 22d and cleaning the probe. Further, the liquid receiving container 29a is provided with a waste liquid pipe 29c connected to the waste liquid tank 29g at the bottom, and the cleaning liquid and the like entering the liquid receiving container 29a are discharged. The probe cleaning container 29b is provided with a waste liquid pipe 29d connected to a waste liquid pipe 29c at the bottom, and the waste liquid is controlled by opening and closing the electromagnetic valve 29e by the cleaning control unit 37. On the side surface of the probe cleaning container 29b, there is provided a cleaning liquid supply pipe 29f that penetrates the liquid receiving container 29a and is connected to the probe cleaning container 29b, and the cleaning liquid or water is fed into the probe cleaning container 29b through the cleaning liquid supply pipe. It is.

  The other end of the cleaning liquid supply pipe 29f is connected to the three-way valve 51, and the three-way valve 51 connects the pipe 52a and the pipe 52b. The other ends of the pipes 52a and 52b are connected to the inside of the cleaning liquid tank 54 and the water tank 55, and the liquids in the cleaning liquid tank 54 and the water tank 55 are sent out by pumps 53a and 53b provided in the pipes 52a and 52b. The cleaning control unit 37 appropriately switches the three-way valve 51 and changes the liquid supplied into the probe cleaning container 29b. The cleaning liquid tank 54 stores a cleaning liquid for probe cleaning, and the water tank 55 stores water for cleaning or rinsing.

  Here, the probe cleaning process performed by the cleaning control unit 37 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the probe cleaning process. First, when receiving a cleaning instruction from the control unit 31, the cleaning control unit 37 checks whether or not the electromagnetic valve 29e is closed. When the electromagnetic valve 29e is closed (step S102: Yes), the cleaning control unit 37 proceeds to step S106 and determines the degree of difficulty in cleaning the sample used from the storage unit 34 and the amount of immersion in which the probe is immersed in the sample. Get information. Moreover, when the electromagnetic valve 29e is not closed in step S102 (step S102: No), the washing | cleaning control part 37 transfers to step S104, closes the electromagnetic valve 29e, and transfers to step S106. When the cleaning control unit 37 acquires the cleaning difficulty level and the immersion amount information from the storage unit 34, the cleaning control unit 37 determines the cleaning capability based on the cleaning difficulty level and the immersion amount information (step S108). Thereafter, the cleaning control unit 37 performs the switching process of the three-way valve 51 and supplies the liquid from the cleaning liquid tank 54 (step S110). The cleaning control unit 37 controls the amount of cleaning liquid supplied into the probe cleaning container 29b in accordance with the cleaning capability, and cleans the probe (step S112). When the probe cleaning process is completed, the cleaning control unit 37 opens the electromagnetic valve 29e and performs a disposal process of the cleaning liquid stored in the probe cleaning container 29b (step S114). When the cleaning control unit 37 receives information indicating that the cleaning liquid is completely discarded (step S116: Yes), the cleaning control unit 37 closes the electromagnetic valve 29e (step S118) and switches the three-way valve 51 to the water tank 55 side (step S120). Thereafter, the cleaning control unit 37 supplies the water in the water tank 55 into the probe cleaning container 29b, performs the probe rinsing process (step S122), and after supplying water for a predetermined time, opens the electromagnetic valve 29e. Then, water is discarded (step S124). The cleaning is performed by the cleaning control unit 37 performing the above-described processing.

  In step S116, when the cleaning liquid is not discarded (step S116: No), the cleaning control unit 37 repeats the determination of whether or not the cleaning liquid is completed. Here, whether or not the cleaning liquid has been discarded may be determined from the liquid level information by the liquid level detector 22f. A liquid level sensor is provided at the bottom of the probe cleaning container 29b, and the liquid level information by the liquid level sensor is provided. It may be determined whether or not the cleaning liquid has been discarded.

  In step S108 shown in FIG. 4, the cleaning control unit 37 determines the cleaning capability based on the range in which the sample probe 22d is immersed in the sample when the sample is aspirated and the cleaning difficulty level of the sample. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the sample probe 22d and the sample container 21a. As described above, when the sample probe 22d sucks the sample, the dispensing control unit 38 moves the arm based on the information of the liquid level detector 22f to suck the sample. Here, when the plasma BP and the blood cell BC are separated into the upper layer and the lower layer in the sample container 21a and the sample probe 22d sucks the plasma BP, the dispensing control unit 38 places the sample probe 22d in the immersion area EA. The plasma BP is aspirated. The immersion amount of the specimen probe 22d at this time is in the range indicated by the immersion area EA, and the cleaning control unit 37 determines the cleaning capability based on the cleaning difficulty level of the immersion area EA and the plasma BP. Here, the flow rate of the cleaning liquid corresponding to the cleaning capability is adjusted by controlling the flow rate of the cleaning liquid supplied into the probe cleaning container 29b by the cleaning control unit 37 controlling the three-way valve 51 shown in FIG. The probe 22d is cleaned. The degree of cleaning difficulty indicates the degree of difficulty of cleaning set for each liquid, and the larger the value, the higher the difficulty of cleaning. The flow rate may be controlled using the pump 53a.

  On the other hand, when the blood cell BC is sucked, the dispensing control unit 38 lowers the specimen probe 22d to the immersion area EC and sucks the blood cell BC. In this case, the immersion amount of the specimen probe 22d is the sum of the immersion area EC and the immersion areas EA and EB. The sum of the immersion area EA and the immersion area EB indicates an immersion area corresponding to the plasma BP, and the cleaning control unit 37 includes an immersion area (EA + EB) and an immersion area EC indicating the immersion area of the blood cell BC. And determine the cleaning capacity. Here, when the plasma BP is more difficult to clean than the blood cell BC, the cleaning control unit 37 determines the cleaning ability in consideration of the immersion area (EA + EB) indicating the immersion amount of the plasma BP.

  The relationship between the amount of immersion and the cleaning ability will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the immersion amount and the cleaning ability. FIG. 6 is a graph when the upper layer liquid is more difficult to clean than the lower layer liquid, and shows that the immersion of the specimen probe has shifted from the upper layer to the lower layer at point X. FIG. The slope of the straight line WLa indicates the degree of difficulty in cleaning the upper layer liquid, and the slope of the straight line WLb indicates the degree of difficulty in cleaning the lower layer liquid. The cleaning control unit 37 determines the cleaning capability by reading the value on the corresponding cleaning capability straight line WL0 based on the above-described immersion amount. Here, the cleaning control unit 37 confirms whether or not the obtained cleaning difficulty level and the slopes of the straight lines WLa and WLb match. By confirming the degree of cleaning difficulty and the inclination, it is possible to perform cleaning with higher accuracy.

  Next, the flow rate of the cleaning liquid supplied into the probe cleaning container 29b corresponding to the cleaning performance obtained from the graph shown in FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the cleaning ability and the flow rate of the cleaning liquid. The cleaning control unit 37 can determine the flow rate of the cleaning liquid to be used by reading the value on the flow rate line WL1 corresponding to the cleaning capability determined from the graph shown in FIG. Even if the cleaning ability is almost zero, as shown in the probe cleaning mechanism of FIG. 3, there is a slight space between the bottom of the probe cleaning container 29b and the tip of the sample probe 22d. It is preferable to add a certain amount of flow to the intercept on the graph.

  Here, the inner cleaning of the probe of the specimen probe 22d in the probe cleaning unit 29 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the arm 22 a and the probe cleaning unit 29. In FIG. 8, the sample probe on which the arm 22a is installed moves on a locus L indicated by a broken line. The probe cleaning unit 29 is arranged on a trajectory through which the trajectory L passes, and the outer cleaning of the sample probe is performed at, for example, the cleaning point C1 in the probe cleaning container 29b. Further, the inner cleaning of the sample probe is performed by cleaning water or a cleaning solution from the inside of the arm 22a via a pipe (not shown) to the sample probe and discharging the water or the cleaning solution by the sample probe discharging water or a cleaning solution. Is done. The water or cleaning liquid discharge liquid in the internal cleaning contains the residual specimen inside the cleaned probe, and when the discharge liquid is discharged into the probe cleaning container 29b, the cleaning precision of the external cleaning of the probe by the residual specimen. Therefore, it is preferable to discharge the discharged liquid to, for example, the cleaning point W1 or W2 in the liquid receiving container 29a. By separating the cleaning point between external cleaning and internal cleaning of the probe, the accuracy of probe cleaning can be improved.

  Further, the probe may be washed with only water depending on the degree of contamination. FIG. 9 is a graph showing the relationship between the cleaning ability and the flow rate of water or cleaning liquid. In FIG. 9, a flow straight line WL2 indicates the flow rate of water corresponding to the cleaning capability, and a flow straight line WL3 indicates the flow rate of the cleaning liquid corresponding to the cleaning capability. The cleaning control unit 37 checks the flow rate of water or cleaning liquid based on the cleaning capability obtained from the graph shown in FIG. In addition, in the range of the cleaning ability A1 to A2 where the water flow straight line WL2 and the cleaning liquid flow straight line WL3 intersect, it is possible to perform cleaning with the corresponding water flow rate. It is preferable to use water as a practical measure.

  Here, Modification 1 of the specimen probe cleaning mechanism shown in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a first modification of the specimen probe cleaning mechanism shown in FIG. The cleaning controller 67 shown in FIG. 10 controls the opening and closing of the three-way valve 51 according to time to clean the sample probe 22d. In the probe cleaning process in step S112 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, the cleaning control unit 67 controls the opening of the three-way valve 51 according to time. The higher the degree of cleaning difficulty and the greater the amount of immersion, the longer the opening time for cleaning.

  Further, the supply time of the cleaning liquid supplied into the probe cleaning container 29b can be obtained from the graph shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a graph showing the relationship between the cleaning ability and the supply time of the cleaning liquid. Similar to the graph shown in FIG. 7, the cleaning control unit 67 confirms the supply time by reading the value on the corresponding supply time straight line WL4 based on the cleaning ability obtained from the graph shown in FIG. . In probe cleaning that controls the supply time, the flow rate of the cleaning liquid is set to a constant flow rate. Further, as shown in the graph of FIG. 9, a water supply time straight line may be created, and water and a cleaning liquid may be used for cleaning. Further, the cleaning time may be set in advance, and the remaining time obtained from the difference between the cleaning liquid supply time and the cleaning time determined in FIG. For example, when the cleaning time is 500 ms and the supply time of the cleaning liquid is 200 ms, the remaining 300 ms may be the water cleaning time.

  Further, a second modification of the specimen probe cleaning mechanism shown in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a second modification of the specimen probe cleaning mechanism shown in FIG. The sample probe cleaning mechanism shown in FIG. 12 includes a first cleaning liquid tank 54a and a second cleaning liquid tank 54b, and the first cleaning liquid tank 54a and the second cleaning liquid tank 54b are pumped from pipes 52c and 52d installed therein. The cleaning liquid is supplied to the probe cleaning container 29b by 52a and 52c. The cleaning control unit 77 controls the three-way valve 51a to switch between cleaning liquid and water, and controls the three-way valve 51b to control the supply of the cleaning liquid stored in the first cleaning liquid tank 54a and the second cleaning liquid tank 54b. The first cleaning liquid tank 54a contains the cleaning liquid normally used, and the second cleaning liquid tank 54b contains the same kind of cleaning liquid stored in the first cleaning liquid tank 54a and the cleaning liquid prepared at a high concentration. The probe may be cleaned by switching the three-way valve 51b depending on the level of difficulty in cleaning the specimen, and different types of cleaning liquids may be stored in the second cleaning liquid tank 54b. Alternatively, the first cleaning liquid tank 54a and the second cleaning liquid tank 54b may contain the same type and the same concentration of cleaning liquid, and the second cleaning liquid tank 54b may be used as a spare cleaning liquid tank.

  Further, the flow rate of the cleaning liquid supplied into the probe cleaning container 29b according to Modification 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a graph showing the relationship between the cleaning ability and the flow rate of the cleaning liquid according to the second modification. FIG. 13 shows that the cleaning liquid stored in the second cleaning liquid tank 54b shown in FIG. 12 is the same type as the cleaning liquid stored in the first cleaning liquid tank 54a and has a higher concentration than the cleaning liquid in the first cleaning liquid tank 54a. The flow straight line WL5 shows the flow straight line of the cleaning liquid stored in the first cleaning liquid tank 54a, and the flow straight line WL6 shows the flow straight line of the cleaning liquid stored in the second cleaning liquid tank 54b. Yes. The cleaning control unit 77 checks the cleaning liquid tank to be used and the flow rate of the cleaning liquid with reference to the graph shown in FIG. 13 based on the cleaning ability obtained from the graph shown in FIG. In the range of the cleaning capacities A3 to A4 where the flow straight line WL5 and the flow straight line WL6 intersect, cleaning is possible even with the flow rate of the cleaning liquid stored in the corresponding first cleaning liquid tank 54a. It is preferable to perform cleaning using the cleaning liquid stored in 54b and use the cleaning liquid stored in the first cleaning liquid tank 54a as a preliminary measure.

  Here, the cleaning control unit 77 may control the cleaning liquid supply time as shown in the graph of FIG. Further, a graph showing the relationship between the cleaning ability and the cleaning liquid supply time having a plurality of concentration cleaning liquids as shown in FIG. 13 is created for each flow rate per unit time, and the cleaning control unit 77 selects and supplies the flow rate. The probe may be washed in combination with time confirmation.

  In a normal analysis, as a normal cleaning, the sample probe 22d may be cleaned using cleaning water in the water tank 55, and cleaning using a cleaning liquid may be performed as a special cleaning when a predetermined number of dispensings have elapsed. At this time, the cleaning control unit performs cleaning liquid cleaning based on the amount of immersion of the specimen probe 22d when dispensing immediately after the previous special cleaning is performed. By using the amount of immersion at the time of dispensing immediately after the last special cleaning, it is possible to more reliably remove the probe contamination of the sample probe 22d.

  Further, a probe cleaning unit may be provided in the reagent dispensing mechanism 24 shown in FIG. 1 to clean the probe that sucks the reagent. Even when there are a plurality of types of reagents to be used, probe cleaning can be handled by switching the three-way valve by the cleaning control unit.

  In the above-described embodiment, the probe cleaning unit 28 also cleans the sample probe 22e with the same configuration in the sample probe 22e. Further, a plurality of specimen probes may be provided, or only one specimen probe may be provided. At this time, it is preferable to provide a probe cleaning unit according to the number of specimen probes.

  In the automatic analyzer according to the present embodiment, the cleaning ability on the outside of the probe is adjusted based on the immersion amount of the sample probe, so that the dirty part on the outside of the probe can be more reliably cleaned. Further, since it is possible to perform cleaning by changing the selection of cleaning of the probe with the cleaning liquid or water and changing the concentration of the cleaning liquid, it is possible to suppress an increase in processing time required for the analysis process and to maintain the cleaning accuracy of the probe.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be applied to, for example, an automatic analyzer that performs immunological or biochemical analysis of a specimen. That is, the present invention can include various embodiments and the like not described herein, and various design changes and the like can be made without departing from the technical idea specified by the claims. Is possible.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the automatic analyzer concerning embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a sample dispensing mechanism and a sample container shown in FIG. 1. It is a schematic diagram which shows the washing | cleaning mechanism of the sample probe concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the probe washing | cleaning process concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the sample probe and sample container concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the amount of immersion concerning embodiment of this invention, and cleaning ability. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the washing | cleaning capability concerning embodiment of this invention, and the flow volume of a washing | cleaning liquid. It is a schematic diagram which shows the arm and probe washing | cleaning part which are shown in FIG. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the washing | cleaning capability concerning embodiment of this invention, and the flow volume of water or a washing | cleaning liquid. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a first modification of the specimen probe cleaning mechanism shown in FIG. 3. 10 is a graph showing a relationship between a cleaning capability and a supply time of a cleaning liquid according to Modification 1. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second modification of the specimen probe cleaning mechanism illustrated in FIG. 3. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the cleaning capability concerning the modification 2, and the flow volume of a cleaning liquid.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic analyzer 2 Measurement mechanism 3 Control mechanism 10 Microplate 20 Plate conveyance lane 21 Sample transfer part 21a Sample container 21b Sample rack 21c Sample reading part 22 Sample dispensing mechanism 22a, 24a Arm 22b Post 22c Tooth part 22d, 22e Sample probe 22f, 22g Liquid level detector 23 Reagent transfer unit 23a Reagent set 23b Reagent reading unit 24 Reagent dispensing mechanism 25 Reaction promoting unit 26 Photometric unit 27 Plate recovery unit 28, 29 Probe cleaning unit 29a Liquid receiving container 29b Probe cleaning container 29c, 29d Waste liquid pipe 29e Solenoid valve 29f Cleaning liquid supply pipe 29g Waste liquid tank 31 Control section 32 Input section 33 Analysis section 34 Storage section 35 Transmission / reception section 36 Output section 37, 67, 77 Cleaning control section 38 Dispensing control section 41 Lifting motor 41a Gear 42 Motor 5 , 51a, 51b Three-way valve 52a-52d Piping 53a-53c Pump 54 Cleaning liquid tank 54a First cleaning liquid tank 54b Second cleaning liquid tank 55 Water tank A1-A4 Cleaning capacity BC Blood cell BP Plasma C1, W1, W2 Cleaning points EA, EB, EC immersion area L locus W well WL0 Cleaning capacity straight line WL1-WL3, WL5, WL6 Flow rate straight line WL4 Supply time straight line

Claims (12)

In an automatic analyzer having a dispensing probe that sucks and discharges one of the liquids into a reaction container from the container containing the liquid separated into two layers of an upper layer and a lower layer,
A liquid level detecting means for detecting the liquid level of the upper layer and / or the lower layer contained in the container;
Dispensing control means for causing the dispensing probe to aspirate the desired liquid based on the liquid level information detected by the liquid level detecting means,
Probe cleaning means for cleaning the dispensing probe;
A cleaning control means for adjusting the cleaning ability of the probe cleaning means based on the amount of immersion of each pipetting probe in each layer accompanying the movement of the pipetting probe during the desired liquid suction and the degree of cleaning difficulty of each layer;
An automatic analyzer characterized by comprising   The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning control unit adjusts the cleaning capability by changing a flow rate of a cleaning liquid supplied to the probe cleaning unit.   The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning control unit adjusts the cleaning capability by changing a cleaning time by the probe cleaning unit.   The automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cleaning control unit adjusts the cleaning capability by switching and supplying cleaning liquids having different cleaning powers to the probe cleaning unit. The upper layer is more difficult to clean than the lower layer,
The said washing | cleaning control means wash | cleans the said dispensing probe by the high washing | cleaning capability compared with the case where the liquid of the said upper layer is attracted | sucked when the said lower layer liquid is aspirated. The automatic analyzer as described in any one.   The automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the upper layer is plasma or serum, and the lower layer is a blood cell. It has a dispensing probe that detects the level of at least one of the liquids separated into two layers, the upper layer and the lower layer, and draws out one of the liquids and discharges it to the reaction vessel based on the liquid level detection result. In the probe cleaning method of the automatic analyzer,
A dispensing step of moving the dispensing probe based on the liquid level detection result to aspirate a liquid in a desired layer and dispensing it into the reaction vessel;
Based on the amount of immersion of the dispensing probe in each layer and the difficulty of washing each layer accompanying the movement of the dispensing probe during liquid suction of the desired layer, the cleaning ability of the probe is adjusted to adjust the probe after dispensing. A washing step for washing the dispensing probe;
A probe cleaning method comprising:   The probe cleaning method according to claim 7, wherein the cleaning step adjusts the cleaning capability by changing a flow rate of the supplied cleaning liquid.   The probe cleaning method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the cleaning step adjusts the cleaning performance by changing a cleaning time.   The probe cleaning method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the cleaning step adjusts the cleaning performance by switching and supplying cleaning liquids having different cleaning powers. The upper layer is more difficult to clean than the lower layer,
The said washing | cleaning step WHEREIN: When the said lower layer liquid is attracted | sucked, the said dispensing probe is washed with a high washing | cleaning capability compared with the case where the said upper layer liquid is attracted | sucked. The probe washing | cleaning method as described in one.   The probe cleaning method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the upper layer is plasma or serum, and the lower layer is blood cells.

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