JPH0225755A - automatic chemical analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an automatic chemical analyzer having a plurality of reaction sections for analyzing a sample.

(Prior art) Human serum, etc. is used as a sample, and a desired reagent is added to it to cause a chemical reaction.
An automatic chemical analyzer is known that measures the concentration of a specific component in the reaction solution using, for example, a colorimetric method for diagnosis. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the configuration of a conventional analyzer. , and a reaction section 3 for reacting a diluted sample with a desired reagent and measuring the concentration of a specific component in the reaction solution for analysis.

The sampler section 1 includes, for example, a sample cassette 4, in which sample cups 5 (5a, 5b, 5c, . . . ) filled with samples to be analyzed are prepared in advance according to the analysis items of each sample. The worksheets are arranged in a regular manner based on their content. The sample in each sample cup 5 is sampled by a sample dilution arm 6 that is movable back and forth, and the sample is sampled by a dilution container 7 of the sample dilution section 2.
(7a.

7b, 7c,...). Sample dilution section 2
After diluting the sample in the dilution container 7 to a desired ratio, the dilution container 7 is moved in the direction of the arrow. A sample dispensing arm 8 that is movable back and forth is provided at a desired position around the sample dilution section 2, and this arm 8 transfers the sample from the dilution container 7 to the reaction containers 9 (9a, 9b, 9c, . . . ) of the reaction section 3.
...) is dispensed.

The reaction section 3 rotates the reaction container 9 in the direction of the arrow in a constant cycle, and after dispensing a desired reagent with the reagent dispensing arm 10 at the P1 position, stirs the reaction liquid with the stirrer 11 at the P2 position. Subsequently, at position P3, the sample is analyzed by determining the absorbance of the reaction solution in the reaction container 9 using the photometry system 12 including the light source 12a and the detector 12b and measuring the concentration of the specific component. Further, an electrolyte measuring electrode (ion selective electrode) is provided as necessary, so that the electrolyte mass can be measured by the electrode method.

To perform such an analysis, the sample to be analyzed is stored in the sample cassette 4 regularly in the form of a sample cup 5, and the analysis operation is started by operating the operation panel or console section. This analysis operation is performed based on the contents of a worksheet prepared in advance, and the operation is automatically stopped when analysis of all the chimples in the sample cassette 4 is completed.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, in such conventional analyzers, analysis is performed using reaction sections whose number or functions are limited in advance, so there are limitations in terms of analysis efficiency and items that can be analyzed. There is a problem in that its scope of application is restricted.

The present invention was made in response to such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic chemical analyzer that can be applied to a wide range of fields.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a sample transport means for sequentially transporting a plurality of samples from a sampler section, and a plurality of sample transport means provided along the sample transport means. The reactor is equipped with a reaction section, a sample bypass means provided adjacent to each reaction section, and a centralized display means for displaying the operating status of each reaction section.

(Function) The ID information of a plurality of samples transported from the sample transport means is sequentially read, and depending on the reading results, the samples are sequentially sampled in one of the reaction sections and analyzed. The sample to be sampled is introduced into the sample bypass means of the corresponding reaction section and then sampled so that the sample transport means can always transport the sample without stagnation. The operating status of each reaction section can be confirmed by the centralized display means.

(Example) Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the automatic chemical analyzer of the present invention, in which a sampler section 1 holds a plurality of samples to be analyzed, and these samples are sequentially supplied to a conveyance line section 13 and first transported.

A plurality of reaction sections 3 are provided along the conveyance line section 13,
Each reaction section 3 can be configured to have different analytical functions. For example, the first reaction section 3a is configured with a line that performs analysis using a colorimetric method as shown in FIG. 6, the second reaction section 3b is configured with a line that performs analysis using an electrode method, and the third The section 3C can be configured as a line for performing analysis by immunoassay, and the other reaction sections can also be configured in a similar manner. A bypass line 14 is provided adjacent to each reaction section 3, and the sample sampled at each reaction section 3 can be taken into these bypass lines 14. A temporary storage section 15 is provided at the terminal end 13b of the transport line section 13, and the transport line section 1
Samples transported by 3 are temporarily stored. A return conveyance line 16 is provided between the terminal end 13b and the start end 13a, and the sample stored in the -time storage section 15 is taken out and returned to the conveyance line section 13 via this return conveyance line 16. It is designed to be transported by

In this - time storage section 15, samples for retesting, samples that could not be sampled during sampling by each reaction section 3, etc. are stored in a standby state. Alternatively, those samples may not be stored in the -time storage section 15, but may be directly transported from the terminal end section 13b to the return transport line 16.

The sample that has been analyzed is transferred to the terminal end 1 of the transport line section 13.
3b and then stored in the stocker section 17. Further, a central display section 18 is provided on which the operating status of each reaction section 3 is displayed.

Figure 2 shows the sampler section 1. This figure shows a schematic configuration of the Wl feed line section 13 and the like. The sampler section 1 includes a hopper unit 1a and a hopper feeder 1b, and each section has a belt conveyor, etc., and is configured to be able to transport sample racks as described later. The sample to be analyzed is the fourth
As shown in the figure, the sample is housed in a sample container 19 such as a vacuum blood collection tube, and this sample container 19 is provided with a barcode label 20 indicating ID information of the sample. A plurality of sample containers 19, for example five, are stored in the storage section 21a of the sample rack 21 as shown in FIG. 5 and set in the hopper unit 1a. A barcode label 22 is provided at the end of the sample rack 21 to indicate rack ID information.

Sample rack 2 set in hopper unit 1a]
are sequentially moved in the X direction and transferred to the hopper feeder 1b. Here, the sample rack 21 moves in the Y direction and when it reaches the end, it is transferred to the transport line section 13.

The conveyance line section 13 is composed of a belt conveyor, etc., and is intermittently driven by a drive source (not shown), and operates to convey the sample racks 21 supplied from the sampler section 1 sequentially from the starting end 13a toward the terminal end 13b. For example, an ID reader 23 having an optical detection function is provided around the conveyance line section 13, and reads sample ID information from the barcode label 22 of the sample rack 21 that moves intermittently between opposing positions. The sample ID information is read from the barcode label 20 via the section 21b. ID information of the samples and sample racks detected by the No. 10 reader 23 is output to the control unit 24. The control unit 24 consists of a microprocessor, and
Based on the information, it reads the analysis items of each sample and performs various arithmetic and control operations such as specifying the reaction section 3 that performs this analysis.

The sample whose ID has been read can be sampled by the sample dilution arm 25 at a position moved one rack ahead from this position. When the sample rack 21 reaches this sampling position, sampling is performed while it is stopped by a stopper (not shown).

A rack changer 13R is provided in the transport line section 13 that is approximately one rack away from this sampling position, and the transport direction of the sample rack 21 that has reached this position is reversed by the rack changer 13R, and the sample rack 21 is transferred to the bypass line 14. configured so that it can be accessed. As a result, a sample can be sampled from the sample rack 21 taken above the sampling position by the sample dilution arm 25 at this position in the same manner as described above.

The sampling position is a first sampling position Pt
, set the current sampling position to the second sampling position IP
2, these Pt and P2 are set on the movement line L of the sample dilution arm 25. These bypass lines 14 are provided to prevent a specific sample rack 21 from occupying the transport line section 13 that acts as a main transport line, and thereby preventing the transport of sample racks 21 to other reaction sections 3 from being stagnated. There is. A space is secured on both sides of the sample rack 21 above the second sampling position P2 to accommodate an extra sample rack 21. Which sample rack 21 is taken into which bypass line 14 is determined by the control unit 24 based on the output of the ID reader 23. Sample rack 2 where sampling has finished at second sampling position P2
1 is again returned to the conveyance line section 13 via the rack changer 13R.

Hereinafter, the first and second sampling positions P1 and P2 are set for each reaction section 3 in this way.

The sample sampled up to Pl or P2 by the sample dilution arm 25 is dispensed into the dilution container 2a of the sample dilution section 2. The diluted sample is dispensed from the dilution container 2a into the reaction container 9 of the reaction line 27 constituting the reaction section 3 by the sample dispensing arm 26. - As an example, the reaction line 27 is shown as being composed of one, but it may optionally be composed of two or more.

28a to 28C are photometric sections, 29 is a cleaning section, 30 is a reagent dispensing section, and 31 is a stirring section.

The central display section 18 is for displaying the operating status of each reaction section 3, and the indicator light A1 is displayed corresponding to each reaction section 3a to 3e.
to Ass first indicator lights B1 to Bs, second indicator light C
1 to Cs, third indicator lights Dl to D5, and alarm E
It is equipped with The indicator lights A1 to A5 are turned on when each reaction section 3 is powered on and in a standby state. The first indicator lights B1 to B5 are turned on when some kind of failure occurs in each reaction section 3. Second indicator lights C1 to C
5 lights up when the remaining amount of consumables such as reagents required for analysis in each reaction section 3 becomes low.

The third indicator lights Dl to D5 are lit while each reaction section 3 is in the analysis operation. Further, the alarm device E is composed of a buzzer or the like, and operates to generate an alarm when the second or third indicator lights C and D are lit. This allows the operator to know an emergency situation that requires immediate countermeasures, such as when a failure occurs in any of the reaction sections 3 or when consumables are running low. By observing the centralized display section 18 in this way, the operating status of each reaction section 3 can be checked at all times.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

The sample racks 21 are supplied from the sampler section 1 to the conveyance line section 13 while holding sample containers 19 and are conveyed sequentially, and the IQ reader 23 reads the samples and the ID information of the sample racks 21 and outputs them to the control section 24. be done. The control unit 24 reads the analysis items of each sample based on this ID information, and also specifies the reaction unit 3 that performs this analysis and performs necessary control operations. As a result, when each sample is transported to the first sampling position P1 of the designated reaction section 3 by the sample rack 21, it is temporarily stopped and sampling is started by the sample dilution arm 25. When the sample rack 21 approaches during this sampling operation, based on the control operation of the control unit 24,
The sampling operation of the previous sample rack 21 is temporarily stopped and the sample rack 21 is transported first. And this sample rack 21
The transport direction of the sample is reversed by the rack changer 13R, and the sample is taken into the bypass line 14, and sampling is started again at the second sampling position P2. When the reaction section 3 in which the sample in the next sample rack 21 is performing limp ring operation is specified, the bypass line 14 of this reaction section 3 is already in the filled state fi (BtJSV state), so it is skipped and moved first. It is transported and returned again via the return transport line 16.

The sampled sample is dispensed into the reaction container 9 of the reaction line 27 via the sample diluting section 2, and the absorbance is determined by a colorimetric method and the sample is analyzed.

According to this embodiment, a plurality of samples are transferred from the sampler section 1 to the transport line section 13 by the sample rack 21.
Since the sample is supplied to one of the reaction sections 3 and sampled after being transported to one of the reaction sections 3, the sample is analyzed in one of the reaction sections 3. If the reaction section 3 that is to analyze a sample is sampling another sample, this sample is skipped and returned again, and this operation is repeated until sampling is performed, so that analysis is always performed. Therefore, analysis efficiency can be improved.

Furthermore, by configuring each reaction section 3 to have different analysis functions, it is possible to expand the range of items that can be analyzed. In this case, the arrangement order of each reaction section 3 may cause mutual contamination depending on the sample, so it is desirable to arrange the reaction sections 3 in a sampling order that avoids this.

Data obtained when the analysis is completed in one of the reaction units 3 is output to the control unit 24. For samples that are deemed to require re-examination based on this analysis result, the control unit 24 performs -
After being stored in the time storage section 15, the sample is conveyed again via the return conveyance line 16, thereby performing a control operation for analysis.

As described above, when each reaction section 3 is performing an analysis operation or is in the preparation stage, the operating status of each reaction section 3 can be confirmed by observing the central display section 18. In particular, when an emergency situation occurs in which the first or second indicator lamps C and D, which have a great influence on the analysis operation, are lit, the operator can be immediately notified by sounding the alarm E. Therefore, necessary measures can be taken quickly.

Although the embodiment has been described with a limited configuration, the number and functions of the reaction sections 3 can be combined as desired, and the mutual arrangement can also be changed freely.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of reaction sections are provided so that a plurality of samples transported sequentially can be sampled in any one of the reaction sections without stagnation, thereby improving analysis efficiency. This makes it possible to improve the items that can be analyzed, and it can be applied to a wide range of analytical fields.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the automatic chemical analysis device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the main parts of the device of this embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the central display section of the device of this embodiment. 4 and 5 are perspective views of the sample container and sample rack used in this embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of the conventional example. 1... Sampler part, 3 (3a, 3b, 3c, -) -... Reaction part, 13...
・Transport line section, 13R...Rack changer, 14 (14a, 14b, 14c, -)...Bypass line, 15...-time storage section, 16...Return transfer line, 18...Concentration Display section, 19... Sample container, 20... Barcode label of sample container, 21...
・Sample rack, 22...Sample rack barcode label, 23・
...ID reader, 24...control unit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] In an automatic chemical analyzer that has a reaction section that analyzes samples and sequentially samples a plurality of samples transported from a sampler section to the reaction section, there is provided a sample transport means for sequentially transporting the plurality of samples from the sampler section, and a sample transport means. An automated chemistry system characterized by comprising: a plurality of reaction sections provided along the line, a sample bypass means provided adjacent to each reaction section, and a centralized display means for displaying the operating status of each reaction section. Analysis equipment.