JP4422080B2 - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that analyzes components such as blood and urine, and more particularly to an automatic analyzer that cleans and reuses a probe used for dispensing.

  An automatic analyzer is described in, for example, JP-A-5-307042 (Patent Document 1).

  In this automatic analyzer, a sample dispensing nozzle (sample probe) and a reagent dispensing nozzle (reagent probe are washed and reused).

  That is, the inside of the sample or reagent probe used for dispensing by the automatic analyzer is performed by a cleaning means. The cleaning means has a pump, and a method is adopted in which pure water as cleaning water is passed through the inside of the probe by the pump to wash off the adhered sample and reagent.

  In order to reduce the size of the apparatus, a pump for supplying cleaning water is used in common on the sample side and the reagent side, and the water supply valves provided on the sample side and the reagent side are opened and closed to switch the water flow direction.

  The pressure applied to the water supply valve immediately after the sample side or the reagent is sucked into the probe is low. However, in the state in which either the sample or the reagent is internally cleaned, a high pressure is applied to the water supply valve that is not cleaned.

  In these two states (low pressure and high pressure), the back pressure applied to the water supply valve is greatly different, and the water supply valve is slightly deformed due to the fluctuation of the back pressure. As a result, the sample or reagent that has been sucked into the probe leaks out to the tip of the probe, and the dispensing amount fluctuates, so that a stable measurement result cannot be obtained.

JP-A-5-307042

  It was confirmed that the reason why stable measurement results could not be obtained was that the amount leaked to the tip of the probe due to the small amount of sample or reagent to be dispensed affected the measurement results. Under the trend of increasing inspection items, it is inevitable to reduce the amount dispensed.

  An object of this invention is to obtain the stable measurement result by making small the fluctuation | variation of dispensing amount in view of said problem.

  The present invention relates to a sample probe, a cleaning water supply source for supplying cleaning water to the reagent probe, a branching means for branching the cleaning water of the cleaning water supply source to the sample probe side and the reagent probe side, and a sample probe of the branching means In an automatic analyzer having a sample probe side wash water flow path communicating with the side outlet and the sample probe, and a reagent probe side wash water flow path communicating with the reagent probe side outlet of the branch means and the reagent probe, the sample probe side wash water flow path A plurality of water supply valves are provided in series on one side of the reagent probe-side wash water flow path, and one water supply valve is provided on the other side.

  According to the present invention, by providing a plurality of water supply valves in series, leakage from the sample probe or reagent probe can be eliminated, and a stable measurement result can be obtained. In addition, since no leakage occurs, the cleaning water pressure of the pump can be increased, so that the cleaning time can be shortened and the processing capacity can be improved in the future.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

  First, a schematic configuration of the automatic analyzer shown in FIG. 1 and a flow channel configuration shown in FIG. 2 will be described.

  The automatic analyzer includes a reaction vessel 3 on a reaction disk 4. First, the sample probe 11 moved from the sample dispensing mechanism 2 is started by washing the reaction vessel 3 as a sample dispensing destination, and the sample in the sample vessel 1 is sucked by the sample syringe mechanism 12 and washed. Discharge into the inside.

  During this time, the reagent probe 15 is washed with the washing water supplied by the high-pressure pump 21 of the washing water supply source 200, and then the reagent used in the previous cycle is washed away, and then moved to the reagent container 5 by the reagent dispensing mechanism 6 and the reagent syringe The mechanism 16 is used to aspirate the reagent.

  The cleaning water supply source 200 includes a storage tank 24 that stores cleaning water (using pure water), a low-pressure pump 23 that sends the cleaning water, and a high-pressure pump that is provided downstream of the low-pressure pump 23 and sends the cleaning water. 21.

  Further, the cleaning water supply source 200 includes a supply source branch pipe 22 and a water pressure switching valve 20. The inlet side of the supply source branch pipe 22 communicates with the discharge port side of the low pressure pump 23, and one outlet side of the supply source branch pipe 22 communicates with the inlet side of the high pressure pump 21. The other outlet side is communicated with the outlet side of the high-pressure pump 21 via the water pressure switching valve 20.

  The outlet side of the storage tank 24 communicates with the inlet side of the low pressure pump 23. The outlet side of the high-pressure pump 21 is connected to the inlet side of a branch pipe 19 that is a branching means.

  The reaction container 3 moves to the reagent dispensing position, and the aspirated reagent is discharged into the reagent probe 15 and added. During this time, the sample probe 11 to which the sample has been dispensed is washed with the washing water supplied from the high-pressure pump 21 and reused for dispensing in the next cycle.

  After the reagent is added, the reaction vessel 3 is stirred by the stirring mechanism 7 and then passed through the optical axis 9 of the photometer 8 to measure the absorbance, and quantitative analysis of the components contained in the sample is performed. After washing the reaction vessel used for the measurement, the sample is again dispensed and used for the next measurement.

  Here, the flow channel configuration (between the branch pipe and the probe) shown in FIG. 2 will be described in more detail.

  That is, the flow path configuration includes a reaction container 3 into which a sample and a reagent are dispensed, a sample dispensing mechanism 2 that dispenses a sample in the sample container 1 into the reaction container 3, and a reagent in the reagent container 5 into the reaction container 3. And a reagent dispensing mechanism 6 for dispensing the solution.

  Furthermore, the flow path configuration is provided in the sample dispensing mechanism 2, provided in the reagent dispensing mechanism 6, and the sample probe 11 that sucks the sample in the sample container 1 and discharges it to the reaction container 3. A reagent probe 15 that discharges the reagent into the reaction vessel 3, a sample probe 11 that communicates with the sample probe 11, and a suction and discharge action of the sample probe 11, a reagent probe 15, and a reagent probe 15 that communicates with the reagent probe 15. And a reagent lysine mechanism 16 that provides suction and discharge functions.

  Furthermore, the flow path configuration is such that the cleaning water supply source 200 that supplies cleaning water to the sample probe 11 and the reagent probe 15, and the cleaning water of the cleaning water supply source 200 branches to the sample probe 11 side and the reagent probe 15 side. The branch pipe 19 (branch means), the sample probe side outlet of the branch pipe 19 and the sample siridine mechanism 12 are in communication with each other, the reagent probe side outlet of the branch pipe 19 and the reagent siridine mechanism 16 are in communication with each other. And a reagent probe side washing water flow path 120.

  The sample probe side washing water channel 110 and the reagent probe side washing water channel each have a plurality of water supply valves (13.14) and (17.18) in series.

  FIG. 3 shows a time chart focusing on the operation of the water supply valve for controlling the cleaning water in the probe of the sample / reagent.

  When paying attention to sample dispensing, as described above, while dispensing the sample into the reaction vessel 3 after the sample is aspirated, the water pressure switching valve 20 is switched to high pressure and the reagent probe 15 is washed with high-pressure washing water. It is.

  The cleaning water supply source shares the sample probe side and the reagent probe side. This simplifies the configuration with a single cleaning water supply source and reduces the number of components.

  For this reason, the sample probe side washing water flow path 110 and the reagent probe side washing water flow path 120 are communicated with each other via the branch pipe 19. Thereby, when high-pressure washing water is passed through the reagent probe 15, a high water pressure is applied to the sample probe 11 side.

  Conventionally, one water supply valve for sealing the channel is provided in the sample probe side cleaning water channel and the reagent probe side cleaning water channel.

  Even when the water supply valve is closed, a minute deformation occurs inside the water supply valve due to the influence of the high water pressure, and the amount of deformation becomes the volume fluctuation in the flow path as it is. It will leak to the tip.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a water supply valve as a water supply electromagnetic valve.

  The water supply valves (13.14) and (17.18) have an inlet side 131 and an outlet side 132 that communicate with each other via the valve seat 130. The valve seat 130 is opened and closed by a plunger valve body 133. The plunger valve body 133 is biased by the biasing spring 134 so that the valve seat 130 is closed. When the solenoid coil 135 is energized, the plunger valve body 133 is pulled against the biasing spring 134, so that the valve seat 130 is opened.

  Even when the water supply valve is closed, if a high water pressure is applied to the plunger valve body 133, the plunger valve body 133 slightly moves against the biasing spring 134, or the plunger valve body 133 and the valve seat 130 are watertight. It is conceivable that the seal is deformed. It seems that the sample leaked to the tip of the sample probe due to this influence.

  FIG. 6 shows a state in which the leaked sample is attached to the tip of the sample probe.

  As shown in the drawing, when the sample leaks to the tip of the sample probe 11 and adheres to the outer periphery as the deposit 140, it remains without being discharged into the reaction container 3.

  Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, two water supply valves for controlling the flow of the washing water are provided in series. As a result, even if the sample-side water supply valve (B) 14 is deformed, the sample-side water supply valve (A) 13 seals the volume fluctuation in the flow path, and prevents the influence of such a high water pressure. Stable measurement results can be obtained even with a small amount of sample by improving the injection accuracy.

  When stopping the flow of the washing water, the sample side valve (B) 14 of the two water supply valves is closed first, and after releasing the pressure in the flow path, the sample side valve (A) 13 is closed. In this way, a time difference is provided between the two valve operations. Thereby, dispensing accuracy can be improved also by making the pressure concerning sample side valve (A) 13 constant.

  FIG. 4 shows a measurement sequence focusing on sample and reagent dispensing.

  Conventionally, the syringe mechanism and the valve were stopped until dispensing started.

  However, deformation of components such as a water supply valve, a tube connecting each component, a seal portion of a syringe mechanism, and the like starts to occur after the start of the dispensing operation and converges to a constant value as time elapses.

  When such a phenomenon occurs, the dispensing accuracy also varies with time, and the measurement result also drifts.

  Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, a break-in operation for operating the syringe mechanism and the water supply valve is provided as a preliminary operation before the actual dispensing is started. Thereby, since the dispensing required for the measurement is started from the state where the deformation of the component parts has converged, a stable measurement result can be obtained.

  Further, since the preliminary operation is performed together with the cleaning of the reaction container before the start of dispensing, it can be realized without changing the time until the measurement result is obtained.

  Further, even when an empty cycle without a dispensing operation occurs during measurement, by continuing this preliminary operation, a stable measurement result can be obtained even in the measurement after the dispensing operation is resumed.

  In addition, since no leakage occurs, the washing water pressure of the high-pressure pump can be increased, so that the washing time can be shortened and it can contribute to the improvement of the processing capacity in the future.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which two water supply valves are provided in both the sample probe side washing water flow path and the reagent probe side washing water flow path has been shown. However, in general, the reagent is dispensed more than the sample and has a high water pressure. The influence of the fluctuation in the flow path volume due to the influence on the dispensing accuracy is small. It is possible to improve the stability of measurement results simply by providing two water supply valves on the sample side. In the present invention, the case where one side of the flow path is a plurality of water supply valves is also included.

  Further, by operating the syringe mechanism and the valve as a preliminary operation at the same cycle time as the actual dispensing operation, the measurement result associated with the actual dispensing operation becomes more stable. Moreover, it is not necessary to prepare an operation program for preliminary operation.

The schematic block diagram of the automatic analyzer which concerns on the Example of this invention. The flow-path block diagram of an automatic analyzer which concerns on the Example of this invention. FIG. 4 is a valve operation time chart according to the embodiment of the present invention. The measurement sequence figure concerning the Example of this invention. Sectional drawing of the water supply valve | bulb concerning the Example of this invention. The figure which shows a prior art example and shows the state which the deposit | attachment adhered to the front-end | tip of a sample probe.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sample container, 2 ... Sample dispensing mechanism, 3 ... Reaction container, 4 ... Reaction disk, 5 ... Reagent container, 6 ... Reagent dispensing mechanism, 7 ... Agitation mechanism, 8 ... Photometer, 9 ... Optical axis, 10 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Light source lamp, 11 ... Sample probe, 12 ... Sample syringe mechanism, 13 ... Sample side water supply valve (A), 14 ... Sample side water supply valve (B), 15 ... Reagent probe, 16 ... Reagent syringe mechanism, 17 ... Reagent side water supply valve (A), 18 ... Reagent side water supply valve (B), 19 ... Branch pipe, 20 ... Water pressure switching valve, 21 ... High pressure pump, 22 ... Supply source branch pipe, 23 ... Low pressure pump, 24 ... Reserved water tank, 200 ... Washing water supply source, 110 ... Sample probe side washing water flow path, 120 ... Reagent probe side washing water flow path.

Claims (9)

A sample probe, a reagent probe,
A washing water supply source for supplying washing water to the sample probe and the reagent probe;
Branching means for branching the cleaning water of the cleaning water supply source into the sample probe side and the reagent probe side;
A sample probe side wash water flow path communicating the sample probe side outlet of the branching means and the sample probe;
A reagent probe side wash water flow path communicating the reagent probe side outlet of the branching means and the reagent probe;
In the automatic analyzer comprising the sample probe side wash water flow path and the syringe mechanism that is provided in the reagent probe side wash water flow path and performs dispensing that is suction / discharge of a predetermined amount of liquid ,
A plurality of water supply valves are provided in series on one side of the sample probe side washing water flow path or the reagent probe side washing water flow path on the upstream side of the syringe mechanism ,
On the upstream side of the syringe mechanism, provided with one water supply valve on the other of the sample probe side washing water flow path or the reagent probe side washing water flow path ,
In the sample probe and the reagent probe, an operation of discharging the cleaning water supplied from the cleaning water supply source by a probe having a single water supply valve, and a syringe mechanism having a probe having a plurality of water supply valves in series An automatic analyzer characterized by having a timing for simultaneously performing the operation of using and dispensing . A sample probe, a reagent probe,
A washing water supply source for supplying washing water to the sample probe and the reagent probe;
Branching means for branching the cleaning water of the cleaning water supply source into the sample probe side and the reagent probe side;
A sample probe side wash water flow path communicating the sample probe side outlet of the branching means and the sample probe;
A reagent probe side wash water flow path communicating the reagent probe side outlet of the branching means and the reagent probe;
In the automatic analyzer comprising the sample probe side wash water flow path and the syringe mechanism that is provided in the reagent probe side wash water flow path and performs dispensing that is suction / discharge of a predetermined amount of liquid ,
A plurality of water supply valves are provided in series in each of the sample probe side washing water channel and the reagent probe side washing water channel upstream of the syringe mechanism ,
In the sample probe and the reagent probe, one probe simultaneously discharges the cleaning water supplied from the cleaning water supply source and the other probe performs the dispensing operation using the syringe mechanism. An automatic analyzer characterized by having a timing to perform. A reaction vessel into which samples and reagents are dispensed;
A sample dispensing mechanism for dispensing the sample in the sample container into the reaction container;
A reagent dispensing mechanism for dispensing the reagent in the reagent container into the reaction container;
A sample probe provided in the sample dispensing mechanism, for sucking a sample in the sample container and discharging it to the reaction container;
A reagent probe provided in the reagent dispensing mechanism, for discharging the reagent in the reagent container to the reaction container;
A sample sirizine mechanism communicating with the sample probe and providing suction and discharge action to the sample probe;
A reagent lysine mechanism that communicates with the reagent probe and that causes the reagent probe to perform suction and discharge;
A washing water supply source for supplying washing water to the sample probe and the reagent probe;
A branch pipe for branching the cleaning water of the cleaning water supply source to the sample probe side and the reagent probe side;
A sample probe side washing water flow path to the sample probe and sample probe side outlet of the branch pipes are communicated with each other through the sample Shirijin mechanism,
Reagent probe side outlet and the reagent probe of the branch pipe and a reagent probe side washing water flow passage which communicates via a reagent Shirijin mechanism,
In an automatic analyzer in which dispensing, which is aspiration and discharge of a predetermined amount of liquid, is performed using the sample lysine mechanism and the reagent sirizine mechanism ,
Wherein A and sample probe side washing water flow passage wherein the reagent probe side washing water flow path includes one plurality of water supply valve upstream of the sample Shirijin mechanism or reagents Shirijin mechanism in series, one to the other of the upstream With water supply valve,
In the sample probe and the reagent probe, an operation of discharging the cleaning water supplied from the cleaning water supply source by a probe having a single water supply valve, and the sample sirizine mechanism by a probe having a plurality of water supply valves in series Or an automatic analyzer having a timing for simultaneously performing the dispensing operation using the reagent silidine mechanism . A reaction vessel into which samples and reagents are dispensed;
A sample dispensing mechanism for dispensing the sample in the sample container into the reaction container;
A reagent dispensing mechanism for dispensing the reagent in the reagent container into the reaction container;
A sample probe provided in the sample dispensing mechanism, for sucking a sample in the sample container and discharging it to the reaction container;
A reagent probe provided in the reagent dispensing mechanism, for discharging the reagent in the reagent container to the reaction container;
A sample sirizine mechanism communicating with the sample probe and providing suction and discharge action to the sample probe;
A reagent lysine mechanism that communicates with the reagent probe and that causes the reagent probe to perform suction and discharge;
A washing water supply source for supplying washing water to the sample probe and the reagent probe; a branch pipe for branching the washing water of the washing water supply source to the sample probe side and the reagent probe side;
A sample probe side wash water flow path communicating with the sample probe side outlet of the branch pipe and the sample silidine mechanism;
A reagent probe side outlet of the branch pipe and a reagent probe side washing water flow path communicating with the reagent silidine mechanism;
A sample probe side washing water flow path to the sample probe and sample probe side outlet of the branch pipes are communicated with each other through the sample Shirijin mechanism,
Reagent probe side outlet and the reagent probe of the branch pipe and a reagent probe side washing water flow passage which communicates via a reagent Shirijin mechanism,
In an automatic analyzer in which dispensing, which is aspiration and discharge of a predetermined amount of liquid, is performed using the sample lysine mechanism and the reagent sirizine mechanism ,
A plurality of water supply valves are provided in series in each of the sample probe side wash water flow path and the reagent probe side wash water flow path,
In the sample probe and the reagent probe, one probe simultaneously discharges the cleaning water supplied from the cleaning water supply source and the other probe performs the dispensing operation using the syringe mechanism. An automatic analyzer characterized by having timing . In the automatic analyzer as described in any one of Claims 1-4,
The automatic analysis characterized in that the washing water supply source has a storage tank for storing washing water, a low-pressure pump for sending washing water, and a high-pressure pump which is provided downstream of the low-pressure pump and sends washing water. apparatus. In the automatic analyzer according to claim 5,
The washing water supply source has a branch pipe for supply source,
The inlet side of the supply source branch pipe communicates with the discharge port side of the low-pressure pump, and one outlet side of the supply source branch pipe communicates with the inlet side of the high-pressure pump. An automatic analyzer characterized in that the other outlet side communicates with the outlet side of the high-pressure pump via a water pressure switching valve. In the automatic analyzer as described in any one of Claims 1-4,
The automatic analyzer is characterized in that the plurality of water supply valves are closed earlier than the water supply valve on the downstream side of the water supply valve on the upstream side in the flow of cleaning water. The automatic analyzer according to claim 3 or 4,
An automatic analyzer characterized by providing a break-in operation in which a syringe mechanism and a valve are preliminarily operated before sample and reagent dispensing is actually started. The automatic analyzer according to claim 8,
An automatic analyzer characterized in that the dispensing operation in the break-in operation is performed with the same cycle time as the actual dispensing operation.

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