JP5095563B2 - Automatic analyzer and method for checking reaction cell mounting state - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that automatically analyzes components of a sample reacted with a reagent by spectroscopic analysis.

  An automatic analyzer is a device that automatically analyzes a component of a sample by mixing a reagent with a sample such as blood or urine and reacting it, and spectroscopically analyzing the reaction state. This automatic analyzer is widely used in hospitals and medical examination institutions because it can analyze a large number of components in a short time for a large number of samples.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an analysis unit which is a main part of the automatic analyzer, and the automatic analyzer will be described with reference to this figure.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the automatic analyzer includes a reaction disk 11 equipped with a large number of reaction cells 10, a sample disk 12 containing a large number of sample containers 12a, a first reagent container 13, a second reagent container 14, and a sample fraction. It includes an injection mechanism 15, a first reagent dispensing mechanism 16, a second reagent dispensing mechanism 17, a first stirring mechanism 18, a second stirring mechanism 19, a washing unit 20, a measurement unit 22, and the like. The operation of each component device is controlled by an analyzer control unit (not shown). As an option, an electrode 21 can also be arranged.

  The reaction disk 11 is formed in a ring shape and is equipped with a large number of reaction cells 10 in the circumferential direction, and performs an intermittent rotation operation that rotates or stops by a predetermined angle according to a set program. . A sample disk 12 containing a large number of sample containers 12a containing samples to be analyzed is arranged near the reaction disk 11. The first reagent storage 13 is concentrically arranged inside the reaction disk 11 and stores a large number of reagent containers 13a containing reagents. Similarly, a second reagent storage 14 storing a large number of reagent containers 14 a containing reagents is arranged in the vicinity of the reaction disk 11 at a predetermined interval.

  A sample dispensing mechanism 15 is disposed between the reaction disk 11 and the sample disk 12. The sample dispensing mechanism 15 rotates between the reaction disk 11 and the sample disk 12 so as to draw an arc around the column 15a. A first reagent dispensing mechanism 16 is disposed in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the reaction disk 11, and a second reagent dispensing mechanism 17 is disposed between the reaction disk 11 and the second reagent storage 14. The first reagent dispensing mechanism 16 and the second reagent dispensing mechanism 17 are also arranged between the reaction disk 11 and the first reagent container 13 or between the reaction disk 11 and the second reagent container 14 with the support columns 16a and 17a as axes. Rotate to draw an arc. Further, a first stirring mechanism 18, a second stirring mechanism 19, a cleaning unit 20, and an electrode 21 are disposed near the outer periphery of the reaction disk 11, and a measurement unit 22 is disposed at a predetermined position of the reaction disk 11.

  The sample disk 12 is formed in a disk shape, and the desired one of the sample container 12a is moved to the suction position of the sample dispensing mechanism 15 by rotating around its axis. The sample dispensing mechanism 15 has a needle-like probe 15c on the distal end side of the arm 15b. Then, by positioning the probe 15c at a predetermined suction position of the sample disk 12 and lowering the support column 15a, the probe 15c is lowered into the sample container 12a to suck the sample. Thereafter, the column 15a is raised, the arm 15b is rotated to the reaction disk 11 side, and the sample is discharged into a predetermined reaction cell 10 accommodated in the reaction disk 11.

  Even when the sample is discharged, the sample dispensing mechanism 15 lowers the support column 15a at a predetermined discharge position so that the probe 15c is lowered into the reaction cell 10 and the sample is removed from the probe 15c. Is discharged. A tube is connected to the base of the probe 15c, that is, the arm 15b side. The tube passes through the arm 15b, further passes through the support column 15a, and the other end is connected to a pump (not shown).

  The reaction disk 11 rotates about its axis, and the predetermined reaction cell 10 is moved to the reagent discharge position of the first reagent dispensing mechanism 16 and the second reagent dispensing mechanism 17.

  The first reagent storage 13 and the second reagent storage 14 are both formed in an annular shape and rotate around the axis thereof. Desired reagent containers 13a and 14a stored in the first reagent storage 13 and the second reagent storage 14 are respectively arranged for the first reagent. The injection mechanism 16 and the second reagent dispensing mechanism 17 are moved to the suction position. Similar to the sample dispensing mechanism 15, the first reagent dispensing mechanism 16 and the second reagent dispensing mechanism 17 have needle-like probes 16c and 17c at the tips of the arms 16b and 17b, respectively. The reagent is aspirated from the predetermined reagent containers 13 a and 14 a of the storage 13 and the second reagent storage 14, and a predetermined amount of the reagent is dispensed into the predetermined reaction cell 10 accommodated in the reaction disk 11.

  When the reaction cell 10 reaches the first stirring position and the second stirring position by the rotation operation of the reaction disk 11, the first stirring mechanism 18 and the second stirring mechanism 19 are discharged into the corresponding reaction cell 10. The mixture is mixed with a reagent with a stir bar to promote the reaction. Furthermore, when the reaction cell 10 reaches the position of the measurement unit 22 as the reaction disk 11 rotates, the components of the liquid mixture in the reaction cell 10 are spectrally analyzed by the measurement unit 22. Then, the liquid mixture in the reaction cell 10 is discarded after the analysis is completed, and the reaction cell 10 is cleaned by the cleaning unit 20 and used for the analysis of the next sample.

  By the way, there is a strong demand for reducing the amount of a sample to be analyzed by an automatic analyzer recently. The reason is that, of course, you don't want to waste blood that is important to you, but if you have a large amount of sample, you need a lot of reagent to react with that sample. . That is, since the ratio of the reagent to the running cost in the operation of the automatic analyzer is large, the amount of reagent to be used must be reduced in order to reduce the running cost.

  On the other hand, in performing the spectroscopic analysis, in order to obtain an accurate measurement accuracy, all of the light beams applied to the sample must pass through the sample. In other words, it is necessary to prevent the light beam from passing through the outside of the sample until it enters the sample and then exits (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Therefore, it is required to maintain the positions of the reaction cell 10 into which the sample is dispensed and the measurement unit 22 with high accuracy.

  Here, when only the reaction disk 11 portion is extracted and shown, the reaction disk 11 is formed in a ring shape as shown in FIG. The reaction disk 11 is driven by a drive unit 50 as shown in FIG. 7 schematically showing a cross section along the line AA. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the inner peripheral surface of the reaction disk 11 is engaged with the pinion 52 of the drive shaft 51, and the inner peripheral surface and the bottom surface of the reaction disk 11 are supported by the guide rollers 53 and 54, respectively. It has become so.

  A reaction cell holder 11 a holding the reaction cell 10 is attached in the outer peripheral direction of the reaction disk 11. For example, the reaction cell holder 11a is formed in an arc shape as shown in FIG. 8, for example, ten reaction cell holders 11a are arranged in a ring shape on the ring-shaped reaction disk 11, and the reaction cell holder 11a includes, for example, Eleven reaction cells 10 are mounted. Returning to FIG. 7, the measurement unit 22 is arranged on the bottom side of the reaction cell 10 so that the light beam 22 b from the light source lamp 22 a of the measurement unit 22 passes through the bottom side of the reaction cell 10. Has been.

In this way, the sample is analyzed by moving a large number of reaction cells 10 across the light beam 22b from the light source lamp 22a of the measurement unit 22.
JP 2001-91455 A

  By the way, in the automatic analyzer, since the measurement unit 22 is fixedly arranged, the position cannot be inadvertently shifted. However, the reaction cell 10 is washed by the washing unit 20 every time the sample to be analyzed changes, and in some cases, the operator may remove the reaction cell 10 from the reaction cell holder 11a of the reaction disk 11 and manually wash it. Even if the reaction cell 10 is returned to the reaction cell holder 11a after washing, it is expected that the reaction cell 10 is not returned to the correct position. Further, when the automatic analyzer is used for a long time, the reaction disk 11, the pinion 52 of the drive unit 50, the guide rollers 53, 54, etc. shown in FIG. As a result, the photometric position may be shifted.

  In such a case, a part of the light beam irradiated from the measurement unit 22 passes through the outside of the reaction cell 10, so that measurement accuracy cannot be maintained and accurate analysis data cannot be obtained. This will cause problems.

  When assembling and adjusting the product, the positional relationship of the light beam 22b emitted from the light source lamp 22a of the photometry unit 22 with respect to the reaction cell 10 mounted on the reaction disk 11 is accurately set for each reaction cell holder 11a using a jig. However, such setting work is complicated and takes a long time, and it is difficult to carry out it in daily inspection. Therefore, it is difficult to confirm whether or not the reaction cell 10 has been returned to the correct position of the reaction disk 11 and the reaction cell holder 11a after washing, or whether or not a photometric misalignment due to uneven wear has occurred. there were.

  Based on such circumstances, the present invention makes it easy to perform daily inspections such as poor mounting of reaction cell holders that have been difficult to find in the past, misalignment of reaction cells, and poor photometry due to uneven wear of the drive unit, etc. It was made for the purpose of enabling discovery.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to spectroscopic analysis of the components of the sample by reacting a mixture of the sample and the reagent in a reaction cell mounted on a reaction disk. An automatic analyzer having a probe for dispensing a sample or a reagent into the reaction cell, and a mechanism for rotating and moving the probe up and down, and lowering the probe into the reaction cell, Detection means for detecting the amount of descent when the tip of the reaction cell hits the bottom of the reaction cell, storage means for storing the amount of descent of the probe detected by the detection means for each reaction cell, and storage means Comparing means for comparing the initial data of the amount of descent of the probe for each of the reaction cells stored in 1 and the data at the time of daily inspection is provided.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the automatic analyzer according to the first aspect, the mechanism section includes a horizontally extending arm that supports the probe vertically downward, and the arm includes the probe. Sensing means is provided for sensing that the tip of the probe hits the bottom of the reaction cell by lowering.

  The invention according to claim 3 is a method for confirming the mounting state of the reaction cell in an automatic analyzer for spectroscopically analyzing a sample in the reaction cell mounted on the reaction disk, and is mounted on the reaction disk. For all reaction cells that are initially set, the first step of collecting and recording initial data indicating the mounting state, and the same means as the first step, at the start of operation of the automatic analyzer, The second step of collecting and recording data indicating the mounting state for all the reaction cells, the data collected in the second step and the data collected in the first step, The method includes a third step of comparing each reaction cell and a fourth step of determining normality / abnormality of the mounting state of the reaction cell based on a comparison result in the third step.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the method for confirming the mounting state of the reaction cell according to the third aspect, the data indicating the mounting state of the reaction cell is obtained by dispensing a sample or a reagent into the reaction cell. By lowering the probe into the reaction cell, the number of down steps of the probe when the tip of the probe hits the bottom of the reaction cell is characterized.

  As shown in the section of the means for solving the above problems, according to the invention of each claim described in the claims of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

  According to the first aspect of the invention, the amount of descent from the reference position of the probe can be measured for each reaction cell, and the measurement data is stored as initial data when the automatic analyzer is manufactured. At the same time, the same data is obtained during daily inspection and compared with the stored initial data. Therefore, from this comparison result, it is possible to easily confirm the presence or absence of problems such as the reaction cell being lifted or the reaction disk drive part being unevenly worn. Therefore, since the conventional troublesome work of confirming the mounting state of the reaction cell using a jig is released, the burden on the operator can be reduced, and more accurate automatic analysis data can be collected.

  According to the third aspect of the invention, the normal operation as an automatic analyzer is applied to measure the descending amount of the probe with respect to each reaction cell, and the measurement data is the initial value when the automatic analyzer is manufactured. It is recorded as data, and the same data is obtained at the time of daily inspection and compared with the initial data, thereby determining whether or not there is an abnormality in the positional relationship between the reaction cell and the optical axis for spectroscopic analysis. With this, there is no need for special preparation such as jigs or troublesome measurement work, etc., whether there is a problem such as the reaction cell floating or the reaction disk drive part etc. being unevenly worn, The operator can easily confirm the start-up inspection and contribute to the collection of accurate automatic analysis data.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a method for confirming the mounting state of an automatic analyzer and a reaction cell according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. In these drawings, the same parts as those in FIGS. 5 to 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  First, at the time of assembly / adjustment of the automatic analyzer, the reaction mounted on the reaction disk 11 and the reaction cell holder 11a of the light beam 22b irradiated from the light source lamp 22a of the photometry unit 22 by the same method as conventionally performed. The positional relationship with respect to the cell 10 is accurately set for each reaction cell holder 11a using a jig. Subsequently, according to the present invention, data on the mounting state of each reaction cell 10 is obtained and stored, and this is used as initial data. Thereafter, if necessary, the same means is used to obtain and store data on the mounting state of the reaction cell 10, and this is used as inspection data. Then, by comparing the data at the time of inspection with the initial data, whether or not the current reaction cell 10 is returned to the correct position of the reaction disk 11 and the reaction cell holder 11a at the time of assembly and adjustment, or the reaction disk 11 and the pinion 52 of the drive part 50, the guide rollers 53 and 54, etc. cause uneven wear, and the presence or absence of abnormality is confirmed, for example, whether or not the photometric position shift caused by them has occurred.

  Next, a method for obtaining data on the mounting state of the reaction cell 10 will be described. The data is obtained by lowering the probe 15c of the sample dispensing mechanism 15 into the reaction cell 10 so that the tip of the probe 15c is at the reaction cell 10. The amount of descending of the column 15a when it hits the bottom of the column, that is, the number of down steps.

  FIG. 1 shows an automatic analyzer according to the present invention, in which a sample is dispensed into one of reaction cell holders 11a mounted along the outer circumferential direction of a reaction disk 11 and a reaction cell 10 held by the reaction cell holder 11a. The sample dispensing mechanism 15 is extracted and shown. Since the reaction disk 11 is rotationally controlled under an analyzer control unit (not shown), the reaction cell holder 11a is also rotated in the direction indicated by the arc-shaped arrow in FIG. Further, the analyzer control unit drives the sample dispensing mechanism 15 to suck the sample from the sample container 12a of the sample disk 12, and dispense the sample to the reaction cell 10 held by the reaction cell holder 11a. Control.

  The sample dispensing mechanism 15 has a substantially inverted U-shaped outer shape by a column 15a, an arm 15b, and a probe 15c. That is, an arm 15b is formed so as to extend in the horizontal direction from the upper end of the support column 15a, and a probe 15c is provided vertically downward at the tip of the arm 15b. The arm 15b is covered with a cover and the inside thereof cannot be seen. However, a tube connected to the probe 15c inside the arm 15b, a cut plate that senses a slight impact received by the probe 15c, and a movement of the cut plate that senses the impact. A sensor for detecting the light and turning on the LED and the like, and a slide plate for adjusting the sensitivity of the cut plate are housed.

  The column 15a, the arm 15b, and the probe 15c of the sample dispensing mechanism 15 are moved together in the vertical direction as shown by a thick arrow in FIG. A measuring device 15 d for measuring the amount of movement in the vertical direction is provided in the sample dispensing mechanism 15. The measuring device 15d counts, for example, pulses generated according to the vertical movement of the support column 15a, and measures the amount of movement by counting the number of pulses from the reference position.

  Therefore, the support column 15a of the sample dispensing mechanism 15 is moved upward to set, for example, the highest position as the reference position. Then, the probe 15c is positioned directly above the reaction cell 10, and the support column 15a is lowered in this state. Accordingly, the probe 15c is lowered into the reaction cell 10. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the probe 15c descends in the order of (a) → (b) → (c) → (d) in the stopped reaction cell 10. Here, (a) shows a state where the tip of the probe 15c is about to enter the reaction cell 10, (b) and (c) show a state where the probe 15c is gradually lowered, and (d) shows The state when the tip of the probe 15c hits the bottom of the reaction cell 10 is shown.

  When the tip of the probe 15c hits the bottom of the reaction cell 10, the impact is detected by a cut plate (not shown) in the arm 15b, the movement is detected by the sensor, and the descending operation of the column 15a is stopped. When the tip of the probe 15c hits the bottom of the reaction cell 10, the descending amount (down step number) of the support column 15a is measured by the measuring device 15d, and the value is recorded. Such measurement is performed for all the reaction cells 10 and the measurement value for each reaction cell 10 is recorded.

  The measurement operation performed at the completion of the assembly / adjustment of the automatic analyzer is stored or printed as initial data in the memory of the analyzer controller. Then, during subsequent daily inspections, etc., the descending amount of the column 15a is measured for all the reaction cells 10 in the same manner as necessary, and the reaction stored or printed in the memory of the analyzer control unit or the like. The initial data for each cell 10 is compared. As a result, if the difference between the two is within the allowable range, it is determined that there is no abnormality, and the analysis operation on that day is performed as it is.

  FIG. 3 shows a comparison of the amount of descending of the column 15a when the tip of the probe 15c hits the bottom of the reaction cell 10, that is, the result of obtaining the initial data of the number of downsteps and the data at the daily inspection for each reaction cell 10. It is shown in the table. For example, assuming that the number of down-steps in a normal state is 700, the NO. 1-NO. 65 and NO. 68-NO. Since 110 is the same value as 700 for both the initial data and the daily inspection data, it is determined that these reaction cells 10 are normally mounted without floating. However, NO. 66 and NO. It can be seen that 67 reaction cells 10 have daily inspection data of 690 and 692, and the number of down-steps is smaller than the initial data 700.

  In this way, if the daily inspection data is small relative to the initial data and the difference is outside the allowable range, the reaction cell 10 itself or the reaction cell holder 11a holding the reaction cell 10 is displaced. Therefore, the reaction cell 10 is inspected, and if there is a positional deviation or the like, it is corrected and data for daily inspection is collected again and compared with the initial data. In addition, if the abnormal value is not corrected even after another data comparison, it is expected that uneven wear has occurred in the reaction disk 11, the pinion 52 of the drive unit 50, the guide rollers 53, 54, etc. Ask the person in charge for inspection and repair.

  The flow of such an operation is shown in the flowchart in FIG.

  That is, in step 1, the positional relationship of the light beam 22b irradiated from the light source lamp 22a of the photometry unit 22 with respect to the reaction disk 11 and the reaction cell 10 attached to the reaction cell holder 11a during assembly / adjustment of the automatic analyzer is controlled. It is the process of setting correctly for every reaction cell 10 using a tool. When the setting is completed and the automatic analyzer is completed, the process proceeds to Step 2 to obtain initial data on the mounting state of all the reaction cells 10. As already described, this data is obtained by lowering the probe 15c of the sample dispensing mechanism 15 into the reaction cell 10 and lowering the column 15a when the tip of the probe 15c hits the bottom of the reaction cell 10 (down) The number of steps). The initial data is stored in a memory of the analyzer control unit or printed and stored.

  Next, at the time of daily inspection of the automatic analyzer, as step 3, data on the mounting state of all the reaction cells 10 is obtained by the same method as executed in step 2, and is temporarily stored in the memory of the analyzer control unit or the like. Save or print and store. Subsequently, as step 4, for each reaction cell 10, the data at the time of daily inspection and the stored initial data are compared. Then, in Step 5, the comparison result is determined, and if the difference between the data at the time of daily inspection and the initial data is within the preset allowable range, it is determined that there is no abnormality, and the process proceeds to Step 6 to perform the automatic analysis operation on that day. carry out.

  On the other hand, if a reaction cell 10 outside the allowable range is found in the comparison result in step 5, an error signal is issued. In this case, the number or difference value of the reaction cell 10 in error is displayed on the maintenance panel of the automatic analyzer. After confirming this display, the operator checks and corrects the installation state of the reaction cell 10 itself in error or the reaction cell holder 11a holding the reaction cell 10 (step 7). Then, the process returns to step 3 to collect data again, compare with the initial data, and determine whether there is an abnormality. If this inspection / correction and subsequent data recollection and comparison with the initial data do not repair the abnormality, the reaction disk 11, the pinion 52 of the drive unit 50, the guide rollers 53, 54, etc. will be unevenly worn. Therefore, the use of automatic analyzers will be discontinued and inspections and repairs will be requested from specialized service providers.

  As described above in detail, according to the present invention, a simple data collection operation is performed without performing a complicated inspection operation using a jig or the like, and the data is collected when the automatic analyzer is assembled and adjusted. To determine whether or not there is a deviation in the positional relationship of the light beam 22b irradiated from the light source lamp 22a of the photometry unit 22 with respect to the reaction cell 11 and the reaction cell 10 mounted on the reaction cell holder 11a. it can. Therefore, it is possible to operate an automatic analyzer that maintains high reliability.

  In the description of the above-described embodiment, the data indicating the mounting state of the reaction cell 10 is obtained as the descending amount (down step number) of the column 15a of the sample dispensing mechanism 15, but the column 15a, the arm 15b, and the probe Since 15c moves up and down integrally, it goes without saying that it is the same as the descending amount of the probe 15c. Further, the first reagent dispensing mechanism 16 and the second reagent dispensing mechanism 17 are connected to a measuring device similar to the sample dispensing mechanism 15 and a sensor that senses that the tips of the probes 16c and 17c have hit the bottom of the reaction cell 10. It is needless to say that the mounting state of the reaction cell 10 can be confirmed by the first reagent dispensing mechanism 16 and the second reagent dispensing mechanism 17 in the same manner as in the above embodiment.

It is explanatory drawing which showed one part of the reaction cell holder of the automatic analyzer which concerns on this invention, and the principal part of the sample dispensing mechanism which dispenses a sample to the reaction cell hold | maintained at this. It is the figure which showed the state which a probe descends with respect to the reaction cell for demonstrating operation | movement of this invention. It is the graph which illustrated the acquisition result of the initial data of the number of down steps, and the data at the time of daily inspection for every reaction cell. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of this invention. It is the perspective view which showed schematic structure of the analysis part which is the principal part of an automatic analyzer. It is the perspective view which extracted and showed the reaction disk part of the automatic analyzer. It is a schematic sectional drawing which follows the AA line of FIG. It is a perspective view of the reaction cell holder with which the reaction disk was installed in the perimeter direction.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Reaction cell 11 Reaction disk 11a Reaction cell holder 15 Sample dispensing mechanism 15a Support | pillar 15b Arm 15c Probe 15d Measuring device 22 Measuring unit

Claims (4)

In an automatic analyzer for spectroscopically analyzing the components of the sample by reacting the sample and reagent dispensed and mixed with the reaction cell mounted on the reaction disk,
A mechanism for dispensing a sample or a reagent into the reaction cell, and a mechanism for rotating and vertically moving the probe;
Detecting means for detecting the amount of descent when the probe hits the bottom of the reaction cell by lowering the probe into the reaction cell;
Storage means for storing, for each reaction cell, the amount by which the probe is detected detected by the detection means;
Comparison means for comparing initial data and daily inspection data of the amount of descent of the probe for each reaction cell stored in the storage means;
The automatic analyzer characterized by comprising. The mechanism portion includes a horizontally extending arm that supports the probe vertically downward;
2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the arm is provided with sensing means for sensing that the tip of the probe hits the bottom of the reaction cell when the probe is lowered. A method for confirming the mounting state of a reaction cell in an automatic analyzer for spectroscopic analysis of a sample in a reaction cell mounted on a reaction disk,
A first step of collecting and recording initial data indicating the mounting state for all reaction cells mounted on the reaction disk and initially set;
By the same means as the first step, at the start of operation of the automatic analyzer, a second step of collecting and recording data indicating the mounting state for all the reaction cells;
A third step of comparing the data collected in the second step and the data collected in the first step for each of the reaction cells;
And a fourth step of determining normality / abnormality of the mounting state of the reaction cell based on the comparison result in the third step, and a method for confirming the mounting state of the reaction cell. Data indicating the mounting state of the reaction cell,
The number of down-steps of the probe when the tip of the probe hits the bottom of the reaction cell by dropping a probe for dispensing a sample or a reagent into the reaction cell into the reaction cell. The method of confirming the mounting state of the reaction cell of Claim 3.

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