JPH02110376A - Automatic analyzing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To avoid excessive stand-by time and to improve processing ability by providing a path for a specimen to be analyzed including a specimen-pickup position and a path for a specimen which is not analyzed without including a specimen-pickup position in parallel in an automatic analyzing module. CONSTITUTION:A specimen container which is sent on a common path 3 is sent into a first specimen distributing device 5. The first specimen distributing device 5 sends the specimen container on a path 6 for the specimen to be analyzed when the analyzing item that is specified beforehand for the specimen is analyzed in a first analyzing module 1. If not, the container is sent on a path 7 for the specimen which is not alayzed. The specimen container which is sent on the path 6 is sent to a specimen pickup position P1, and a part of the specimen is picked up and supplied into a second specimen distributing a device 8. Meanwhile, the specimen through the path 7 is immediately sent into the second specimen distributing device 8. The specimen is processed in the second specimen distributing device 7 by the same way as described above.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer, in particular an automatic analyzer module which is arranged in series, each capable of analyzing one or more items, and which sequentially analyzes samples. The present invention relates to an automatic analysis device in which the automatic analysis module selectively collects a sample while being transported through the automatic analysis module.

[Conventional technology]

The above-mentioned type of automatic analyzer is, for example,
It is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 8544 and is well known.

In this known automatic analyzer, 2 to 8 analysis modules are arranged in series, sample containers containing samples to be analyzed are sequentially transported through a sample passage path, and each sample is An analysis module capable of analyzing a specified item collects a portion of the sample (22). After the analysis starts, the sample container is transferred to the next analysis module. A conveyor belt is usually used to transport the sample container. Since one analysis module can generally perform analysis on 4 to 12 items, the automatic analyzer as a whole is generally designed to be able to perform analysis on 20 to 30 items.

On the other hand, the analysis required items for each sample vary depending on the sample, but are generally 50 to 60% of the total number of analyzable items. In other words, 50-40% of the analyzable items are not analyzed, so some samples may not need to be analyzed in a certain analysis module, but these samples that do not require analysis can be analyzed sequentially in the same way as samples that require analysis. I am trying to pass the module.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

As mentioned above, in conventional automatic analyzers, even though a sample does not need to be analyzed in a certain analysis module, it passes through the analysis modules one after another, so while this sample is passing through, This means that the analysis module is taking a break from analysis, and as a result, when viewed as a whole, there is a drawback that the processing time per item becomes longer. In particular, when there are many samples in which only a small number of items, such as one item, are analyzed, the above-mentioned drawbacks become noticeable.

[Means and effects for solving the problem] The present invention provides a system in which a plurality of automatic analysis modules are arranged in series, each analyzing one or more items, and a sample is collected from a sample container passing through these automatic analysis modules. In an automatic analyzer that selectively collects and analyzes a part of the sample, at least one automatic analysis module has a passage path for the sample to be analyzed that includes the sample collection position, and a path that does not include the sample collection position for the sample to be analyzed. A sample passage path is provided in parallel with the sample container introduction side of this automatic analysis module, and sequential sample containers are arranged for analysis items specified in advance for each sample and analysis items that can be analyzed by this automatic analysis module. The present invention is characterized in that a sample distributing means is provided for feeding the sample into either the analysis target sample passage path or the non-analysis sample passage path according to the analysis target.

In the automatic analyzer of the present invention, samples that do not need to be analyzed are transported through the non-analyte sample passage path, so the analysis module does not stop, and subsequent samples that need to be analyzed are transported. It can be sent into the passage path of the sample to be analyzed and analyzed. In such an automatic analyzer of the present invention, the order of samples analyzed by the analysis module may be different from the order of samples delivered from the sample delivery device, but it is important to know where each sample container is located and which Since the control device can know in which analysis module a sample is being analyzed, it is possible to establish a correspondence between analysis results and samples.

(Embodiment) Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the principle configuration of an embodiment of an automatic analyzer according to the present invention.In this example, two automatic analysis modules 1 and 2 are connected in series when viewed in the sample transport direction. It is assumed that the first analysis module 1 can analyze items A-D, and the second analysis module 2 can analyze items E-D.
It is assumed that H can be analyzed. A sample delivery device 4 is provided which can hold a large number of sample containers each containing a sample to be analyzed and send these sample containers one by one to the common path 3. The sample containers delivered onto this common path 3 are sent to the first sample dispensing device 5 .

When the analysis item specified in advance for the sample is to be analyzed in the first analysis module l, the first sample distributing device 5 sends the sample container to the sample passage path 6 to be analyzed, and analyzes the sample for this sample. If the analysis items do not include the items to be analyzed in the first analysis module 1, the sample is sent to the non-analysis sample passage path 7.

The sample container sent to the analysis target sample passing path 6 is sent to the sample collection position P of the first analysis module l, where -
It will be stopped once. A part of the sample is collected by a sample collection device provided in the first analysis module 1, dispensed into a reaction container, and analysis is started. When analysis is started, the sample container is further advanced from the sampling position P1 and supplied to the second sample dispensing device 8. On the other hand, the sample transported through the non-analysis sample passage path 7 is transferred to the first analysis module 1.
Since there is no need to analyze the sample in the second sample dispensing device 8, the sample is immediately sent to the second sample distributing device 8. In this second sample distributing device 8, for each sample sent here, an analysis target sample passage path 9 or a non-analyte sample passage is determined depending on whether an item to be analyzed in the second analysis module 2 is specified. It is sent to the passage path 10. The sample container sent to the analysis target sample passing path 9 is positioned at the sample collection position Pz of the second analysis module 2, where a predetermined amount of sample is collected and analysis is started. After starting the analysis, the sample container is sent to the sample alignment device 11. On the other hand, the sample container sent to the non-analysis sample passage path 10 is directly sent to the sample alignment device 11. This sample alignment device 11 functions to align the sample containers conveyed through the analysis target sample passage path 9 and the non-analysis sample passage path 10 and send them to the common path 12, and these sample containers are It is supplied to the receiving device 13 and stored and held there. A control device 14 is provided to control the operation of all the devices described above. The control device 14 stores analysis items specified in advance for each sample, and is also capable of knowing where each sample container is currently located. This may be done by providing an ID mark on each sample container and reading it, or by storing the order of samples set in the sample delivery device 4 in advance. In addition, the analysis results obtained by the first and second analysis modules 1 and 2 are sent to the control device 1.
4, and the control device associates and stores which sample these analysis results belong to, and outputs them at an appropriate timing.

Next, a description will be given of how the sample set in the sample delivery device 4 of the automatic analyzer shown in FIG. 1 is processed. It is now assumed that analysis items shown in the following table are specified for the sample set in the sample delivery device 4.

Analysis items marked with an O mark First, a first sample is sent from the sample delivery device 4 to the common path 3 and supplied to the sample distribution device 5 .

The analysis items specified for this first sample are A, C, and D, and since these are the analysis items of the first analysis module 1, the first sample is sent to the analysis target sample passing path 6, and the sample collection position is P, where items A, C, D
Samples are dispensed for analysis. During this time, the second
sample is supplied to the sample distribution device 5, but the analysis items specified for this second sample are F and G, and the analysis items in the first analysis module 1 are not included. is fed into the non-analysis sample passage path 7 and supplied to the sample distribution device 8 for the second analysis module 2. As mentioned above, since the second sample includes the analysis items in the second analysis module 2, it is sent to the analysis target sample passage path 9, positioned at the sample collection position P2, and the items F and G are analyzed.
A sample is taken for analysis. During this time, collection of the first sample in the first analysis module 1 is completed, and the first sample is immediately sent to the sample distribution device 8. Since the analysis items of this first sample do not include the analysis items of the second analysis module 2, this first sample is immediately sent to the non-analysis sample passage path 10, and then passes through the sample alignment device 11' and the common path 12. The sample is supplied to the sample receiving device 13. When the first sample is being collected by the first analysis module 1 and the second sample is being collected by the second analysis module 2, a third sample is sent out from the sample delivery device 4 and supplied to the sample distribution device 5. The analysis items of this third sample are A, B, and E, so when the collection of the first sample is completed, it is sent to the analysis sample passing path 6 and positioned at the sample collection position P, and the items A, A sample is taken for analysis of B. During this time, the collection of the second sample in analysis module 2 is completed,
The second sample is supplied via the sample alignment device, 11 and the common path 12 to the sample receiving device 13, where it is stored.

After the third sample necessary for the analysis of items A and H is collected in the first analysis module 1, this third sample is supplied to the sample distribution device 8. Since the analysis items specified for this third sample include the analysis item E in the second analysis module 2, this third sample is sent to the analysis target sample passage path 9, and the analysis item E is specified at the sample collection position Pt. After the samples necessary for analysis are collected, they are supplied to the sample receiving bag W13 via the sample alignment device 11 and the common path 12, and stored and held there.

In this way, by selectively bypassing the analysis modules for sequential samples according to pre-specified analysis items, the waiting time in each analysis module can be reduced as much as possible, and processing capacity can be greatly improved. Can be done.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a partial configuration of another embodiment of the automatic analyzer according to the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a configuration centered around an analysis module placed in the middle, and this analysis module 21 includes first and second sub-analysis modules 21A and 21B, and these sub-analysis modules are Analysis of the same item, partially different items, or completely different items can be performed independently of each other. The sample supplied from the previous analysis module to the sample distribution device 24 via the analysis target sample passage path 22 and the non-analyte sample passage path 23 is distributed here, and is divided into the first and second analysis target sample passage paths 25A.
and 25B or the non-analyte sample passage path 26. That is, when the analysis items specified for the sample include the analysis items of the first sub-analysis module 21A, the sample is sent to the first analysis target sample passing path 258 and analyzed by the second sub-analysis module 21B. When the item is included, the sample is sent to the second analysis target sample passage path 25B, and when the analysis item in the analysis module 21 is not included, it is sent to the non-analysis sample passage path 26.

First and second sub-analysis modules 21A and 21B
The samples sent to the analysis target sample passage paths 25A and 25B are dispensed to the respective sub-analysis modules at sampling positions P and P2, and then supplied to the sample distribution device 27 after the start of analysis. This sample distribution device 27 compares the analysis items in the next analysis module with the analysis items specified for each sample, and
8 or sent to the non-analysis sample passage path 29. When the analysis module has a plurality of sample collection positions as in this example, a plurality of passages for the sample to be analyzed can be provided.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, in an automatic analyzer in which a plurality of analysis modules are arranged in series and a sample to be analyzed is transported through these analysis modules, an analysis target sample passage path and an analysis target In addition to providing external sample passage paths in parallel, a sample distribution device is installed on the entrance side of these passage paths, and the analysis items specified in advance for each sample are compared with the items to be analyzed by the relevant analysis module. If an analysis item is specified in the analysis module, the sample is sent to the passage path for the sample to be analyzed, and in other cases, it is sent to the passage path for the sample not to be analyzed7.
Therefore, there is no need to set up extra waiting time like in the past, and processing capacity can be improved. However, as mentioned above, in actual analysis, the analysis items specified for each sample account for about 50 to 60% of all analysis items on average.
The present invention can be expected to significantly improve efficiency.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of one embodiment of an automatic analyzer according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a part of another embodiment. 1.2... Analysis module 4... Sample delivery device 5, 8... Sample distribution device 6.9... Analysis target sample passage path

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Multiple automatic analysis modules, each of which analyzes one or more items, are arranged in series, and a portion of the sample is selectively collected from the sample container passing through these automatic analysis modules for analysis. In an automatic analyzer, at least one automatic analysis module is provided with an analysis target sample passage path including a sample collection position and a non-analyte sample passage path not including a sample collection position in parallel, and this automatic analysis module Sample containers are sequentially placed on the sample container introduction side of the sample container, and the path for passing the sample to be analyzed and the passage for the sample not being analyzed are determined according to the analysis items specified in advance for each sample and the analysis items that can be analyzed by this automatic analysis module. An automatic analyzer characterized by being provided with a sample distributing means for sending a sample to any of the paths.