JP5221304B2 - Automatic analyzer and automatic analysis method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer and an automatic analysis method for transferring a reagent and a sample to a single container using a probe, causing the reagent to react in the container, and analyzing the reaction result. Here, the specimen includes a specimen and a sample.

  A plurality of reaction containers for reacting the reagent and the sample are arranged along the circumferential direction on the circumferential portion of the rotating disk. Reagents and samples react during rotation of the rotating disk and are subjected to analysis.

  In order to transfer the reagent and the sample to the reaction container, the rotating disk, the reagent container containing the reagent, the sample container containing the sample, and one or more arms and probes are provided.

  The rotating disk moves a plurality of reaction vessels in order to the discharge position by rotating. Around the rotating disk, one or more reagent containers and one or more sample containers are provided.

  One of the two arms is provided so as to be swingable between the reaction container moved to the discharge position and the reagent container. The other arm is swingably provided between the reaction container moved to the discharge position and the sample container.

  The probe is provided on each arm so as to be movable up and down. The arm swings between the reaction container moved to the discharge position and the reagent container, and the probe moves up and down, whereby the reagent is transferred from the reagent container to the reaction container. Further, the sample is transferred from the sample container to the reaction container as the arm swings between the reaction container and the sample container moved to the discharge position and the probe moves up and down.

  The automatic analyzer configured as described above has the following problems and the following measures are taken. Reagents and samples remain on the probe. Remaining reagents and samples can cause carryover that affects the next analysis. In order to avoid carry-over, each time the reagent or sample is transferred to the reaction vessel, the probe is washed with water, and the remaining reagent or sample is washed away.

  A small amount of water droplets may remain on the surface and inner surface of the probe after cleaning. If water drops remain, when the next reagent or sample is transferred to the reaction vessel, the water drops fall on the reagent or sample and dilute the reagent or sample, thus affecting the analysis results. Since the amount of water droplets adhering to the inner surface of the probe is constant, it is possible to know the bias of the analysis results and to calibrate the analysis results. However, the water droplets adhering to the surface of the probe are not constant and may greatly affect the analysis result.

  In order to wipe off the water drops remaining on the surface of the probe, a wiper is provided in the water drop removing device, the wiper is brought into contact with the probe, and the water drops are wiped off with the wiper. In addition, it has been proposed that a discharge pipe is connected to the wiper, a vacuum pump is connected to the tip of the discharge pipe, the inside of the discharge pipe is decompressed by the vacuum pump, and the water in the wiper is discharged to the outside through the discharge pipe. (For example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-229940

  However, in the automatic analyzer described in the above patent document, when the wiper repeats the operation of wiping off the water droplets remaining on the surface of the probe, the wiper is consumed. When the wiper is consumed, the surface of the probe cannot be wiped cleanly, and in order to affect the analysis result, it is necessary to replace the worn wiper with a new wiper. However, the wiper is provided in the water droplet removal device, and there is a problem that it is not easy to replace the wiper.

  The present invention solves the above-described problem, and eliminates the need to replace parts such as a wiper for wiping off water droplets attached to the surface of the probe, and can improve the workability and an automatic analyzer The purpose is to provide an analysis method.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is configured to feed the tape every time the probe is cleaned. Also, after cleaning, the rising probe was brought into contact with a new part of the tape. And the water droplet adhering to the surface of the probe was wiped off with the new part of the tape.
Specifically, a first aspect of the present invention, a probe movement and to lift the sample in the reagent or sample container in the reagent container is aspirated, for discharging the aspirated reagent or sample into varus reaction container vessel, a cleaning tank for cleaning the pre-Symbol probe with water, provided so as to pass over the cleaning tank has a through hole formed at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction, through hole, the probe descends the through the through hole, the washed in the washing bath, conveying portion in which the probe rises after cleaning to position the through hole of the tape formed to be in contact with the hole edge of the through hole above the cleaning tank If, have a through-hole of the tape is formed to have a larger diameter than the outer diameter of the probe, and passage holes of the probe can pass, cut from the passage hole in the opposite direction to the feeding direction of the tape And having the slit inserted therein, the conveying unit By feeding the tape, the new passage hole is positioned above the washing tank so that the descending probe passes through the through hole, and the tape is further fed to form a new slit. Is located above the washing tank, and the probe that is raised is brought into contact with the edge of the slit .
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a passage hole that is guided so as to pass above the cleaning tank, is formed at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction, and has a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the probe; A primary feeding step in which a tape having a slit cut in a direction opposite to the tape feeding direction is fed so that the new passage hole is located above the cleaning tank; and the primary feeding step Before and after, a first moving step of moving the probe above the passage hole, a lowering step of lowering the probe and passing through the passage hole and entering the inside of the cleaning tank, and inside the cleaning tank A cleaning process for washing the probe that has entered with water, a secondary feeding process in which the tape is further fed and the probe is brought into contact with the edge of the slit, and the probe is raised and brought into contact with the edge of the slit. Na A second step of moving the probe to the position of the reagent container, moving the probe up and down to aspirate the reagent or sample in the reagent container, and after the second moving step Alternatively, a reaction container moving step of sequentially moving a plurality of reaction containers to a discharge position and a movement of the probe to the reaction container moved to the discharge position between the primary feeding step and the second moving step. And a third moving step of discharging the aspirated reagent or sample into the reaction container.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since a new through hole is always prepared every time the surface of the probe is wiped off, it is not necessary to replace parts for wiping off water droplets adhering to the surface of the probe. Can be improved.

In addition, according to the invention described in claim 3 , since a new slit is always prepared every time the water droplet attached to the surface of the probe is wiped off, the replacement work of parts for wiping off the water droplet attached to the surface of the probe is performed. It is unnecessary and the workability can be improved.

(Constitution)
A configuration of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a plan view of the automatic analyzer.

  The automatic analyzer 10 includes a reagent container 111 containing a reagent, a sample container 121 containing a sample, a reaction container 131 for reacting the reagent and the sample, the probe 20, and the probe 20 with water. A cleaning tank 30, a tape 40, and a transport unit 50 that sends the tape 40. The reagent container 111 and the sample container 121 correspond to a reagent container containing the reagent or sample according to the invention of claim 1.

  The probe 20 moves between the reagent container 111 and the reaction container 131 and moves up and down to suck the reagent in the reagent container 111 and discharge the sucked reagent into the reaction container 131. The probe 20 moves between the sample container 121 and the reaction container 131 and moves up and down to suck the sample in the sample container 121 and discharge the sucked sample into the reaction container 131. Both probes 20 have the same configuration. Hereinafter, the probe 20 that moves between the reagent container 111 and the reaction container 131 will be described as a representative, and the description of the probe 20 that moves between the sample container 121 and the reaction container 131 will be omitted.

  The cleaning tank 30 is provided at an intermediate position between the reagent container 111 and the reaction container 131 and at an intermediate position between the sample container 121 and the reaction container 131. Both washing tanks 30 have the same configuration. Hereinafter, the cleaning tank 30 provided at an intermediate position between the reagent container 111 and the reaction container 131 will be described as a representative, and the cleaning tank 30 provided at an intermediate position between the sample container 121 and the reaction container 131 will be described. Omitted.

  A plurality of reagent containers 111 are provided. The plurality of reagent containers 111 are arranged in the circumferential direction around the reagent disk 11. As the reagent disk 11 rotates by a predetermined angle, each reagent container 111, 111,... Is positioned at the suction position P2.

  A plurality of reaction vessels 131 are provided. The plurality of reaction vessels 131 are arranged in the circumferential direction around the reaction disk 13. As the reaction disk 13 rotates by a predetermined angle, the reaction vessels 131, 131,... Are sequentially positioned at the discharge position P3.

  Next, the probe 20 and a mechanism for moving the probe 20 up and down will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a diagram conceptually showing the moving mechanism of the probe 20 and the lifting mechanism of the probe 20.

  The probe 20 is provided so as to be movable and movable up and down between the reagent container 111 and the reaction container 131, sucks the reagent in the reagent container 111, and discharges the sucked reagent to the reaction container 131.

  The probe 20 is swingably supported by the arm 15 and the pipe 16 at each position of a standby position P1, a suction position P2, a discharge position P3, and an intermediate position P4 between the suction position P2 and the discharge position P3. . The control unit of the automatic analyzer 10 detects that the probe 20 has swung to the respective positions of the standby position P1 to the intermediate position P4 based on the rotation angle of the arm 15. The control unit will be described later. A substantially U-shaped pipe 16 is passed through the arm 15. A vertical portion on the base end side of the pipe 16 is rotatably supported by the cylinder 17 and serves as a swing center of the probe 20. The vertical portion on the distal end side of the pipe 16 supports the probe 20 so as to be movable up and down.

  Next, a mechanism for the probe 20 to suck and discharge the reagent and a mechanism for cleaning the inner surface of the probe 20 with water will be described with reference to FIG.

  A piston 18 is provided inside the cylinder 17. Further, the actuator 18 moves the piston 18 in the vertical direction inside the cylinder 17.

  In order to suck the reagent with the probe 20, the piston 18 is lowered by the actuator 19 with the valve V closed. Thereby, the pressure inside the cylinder 17, the inside of the pipe 16, and the inside of the probe 20 is lowered, and the reagent can be sucked from the reagent container 111. When the reagent is aspirated, the probe 20 descends and enters the reagent container 111.

  In order to discharge the reagent with the probe 20, the piston 18 is raised by the actuator 19 with the valve V closed. As a result, the pressure inside the cylinder 17, the inside of the pipe 16 and the inside of the probe 20 increases, and the reagent can be discharged into the reaction container 131. When the reagent is discharged, the probe 20 descends and enters the reaction vessel 131.

  In order to clean the inner surface of the probe 20 with water, the piston 18 is lowered by the actuator 19 and the valve V is opened. As a result, cleaning water flows from the supply source (not shown) into the cylinder 17 through the valve V. Next, the valve V is closed, the piston 18 is raised by the actuator 19, cleaning water is passed through the pipe 16, the inner surface of the probe 20 is cleaned, and the cleaning water is discharged from the probe 20.

  Next, a mechanism for cleaning the surface of the probe 20 with water will be described with reference to FIG. The cleaning tank 30 is provided at an intermediate position P4 between the suction position P2 and the discharge position P3. The cleaning tank 30 has an upper opening 31. Further, the cleaning tank 30 has a discharge port 32. Water pipes 33 and 34 are extended inside the cleaning tank 30. The water pipes 33 and 34 are connected to a supply source (not shown) of the cleaning water, and the cleaning water is ejected from the tip ends of the water pipes 33 and 34.

  In order to clean the surface of the probe 20, the probe 20 is lowered and enters the cleaning tank 30. Wash water is ejected from both ends of the water pipes 33 and 34 toward the surface of the probe 20, and the surface of the probe 20 is washed. The probe 20 that descends and enters the cleaning tank 30 is indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. After cleaning, the probe 20 rises and exits from the cleaning tank 30. The probe 20 that has risen and exited from the cleaning tank 30 is indicated by a solid line in FIG.

  Next, the tape 40 and the transport unit 50 that sends the tape 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a view of the tape 40 spanned above the cleaning tank 30 as viewed from above.

  The tape 40 is provided so as to pass above the cleaning tank 30 and has through holes formed at equal intervals of 14 to 20 [mm] in the longitudinal direction. The tape 40 is guided by the guide portions (guide rollers 52 and 53) so as to close the upper opening 31 of the cleaning tank 30. The tape 40 has high water absorption and water resistance. The tape 40 is made of fibers that do not adhere to the probe 20 when the probe 20 is wiped off. The material of the tape 40 may be paper, or may be synthetic paper manufactured using synthetic resin as the main raw material. In the case of paper and synthetic paper, those made of a material that is difficult to tear and in which the fibers do not adhere to the probe 20 are preferred, and the thickness is more preferably between 0.1 mm and 1 mm.

  The passage hole 41 and the slit 42 shown in FIG. 3 correspond to the through hole. The through hole is formed so that the descending probe 20 passes through the through hole, is washed in the washing tank 30, and the probe 20 that rises after washing comes into contact with the hole edge of the through hole.

  The passage hole 41 is formed larger in diameter than the outer diameter of the probe 20 so that the probe 20 can pass through. The outer diameter of the probe 20 is about 1 [mm]. The slit 42 is cut from the passage hole 41 in a direction opposite to the feeding direction of the tape 40. The cut amount of the slit 42 is a sufficient length so that the edge of the slit 42 contacts the entire surface in the circumferential direction of the probe 20. The slit 42 shown in FIG. 3 has no width, but may have a certain amount of width.

  In this embodiment, the through hole includes the passage hole 41 and the slit 42, but is not limited thereto. For example, the through hole may be a hole that matches the cross-sectional shape of the probe 20. In this case, the diameter of the hole is made smaller than the outer diameter of the probe 20 so that the hole edge contacts the probe 20.

  The transport unit 50 feeds the tape 40 each time the probe 20 is cleaned, thereby positioning a new through hole above the cleaning tank 30. The conveyance unit 50 includes a first roller 51, guide rollers 52 and 53, and a second roller 54 shown in FIG. The first roller 51 is wound with the tape 40 and feeds out the wound tape 40. The tape 40 fed out from the first roller 51 is stretched around the guide rollers 52 and 53. The wound tape 40 is wound around the second roller 54. When the second roller 54 winds up the tape 40, the tape 40 is sent above the cleaning tank 30.

  The transport unit 50 sends the tape 40 so that the new passage hole 41 is positioned above the cleaning tank 30 so that the descending probe 20 passes through the passage hole 41, and further sends the tape 40, A new slit 42 is positioned above the cleaning tank so that the ascending probe 20 contacts the edge of the slit 42.

  As described above, every time the probe 20 is cleaned, the transport unit 50 sends the tape 40 twice. The mechanism for feeding the tape 40 twice includes a first notch 43 and a second notch 44 formed on the side edge of the tape 40, and a position sensor 65. The first cutout 43 and the second cutout 44 correspond to the passage hole 41 and the slit 42. The position sensor 65 includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element. The position sensor 65 is turned on when the passage hole 41 and the slit 42 are respectively positioned above the cleaning tank 30. Further, the position sensor 65 is turned off when the passage hole 41 and the slit 42 are respectively moved from above the cleaning tank 30.

  The on signal and the off signal of the position sensor 65 are input to the control unit of the automatic analyzer 10, and the control unit controls the rotation of the second roller 54. When the transport unit 50 feeds the tape 40 and the position sensor 65 is turned on, the control unit stops the rotation of the second roller 54 and positions the passage hole 41 and the slit 42 above the cleaning tank 30. The tape 40 is set in the automatic analyzer 10, the tape 40 is fed, and the position sensor 65 is turned on first, whereby the position sensor 65 detects the passage hole 41. Thereafter, the position sensor 65 alternately detects the slits 42 and the passage holes 41 each time it is turned on. Details of the rotation control of the second roller 54 will be described later.

  A tape break sensor 66 is provided for detecting tape break. The tape break sensor 66 also includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and is turned off when the tape 40 is present and turned on when the tape 40 is absent. The ON signal and OFF signal of the tape out sensor 66 are input to the control unit of the automatic analyzer 10, and the control unit notifies the tape out information. The notification of the tape out information will be described later.

(Operation)
Next, the operation of the automatic analyzer 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a control unit for controlling the automatic analyzer 10. Note that the operation of the automatic analyzer 10 will also be described representatively in the case of aspirating and discharging a reagent, and the description of the case of aspirating and discharging a sample will be omitted.

(Primary feeding process)
First, the primary feed process will be described.
The transport unit 50 feeds the tape 40 so that the new passage hole 41 is positioned above the cleaning tank 30. Specifically, the roller controller 72 rotates the second roller 54 in response to an instruction to feed the tape 40. When the first notch 43 corresponding to the passage hole 41 moves to the position of the position sensor 65, the position sensor 65 is turned on from the off state, and the roller control unit 72 receives the on information of the position sensor 65 and the roller control unit 72 54 is controlled to stop the rotation of the second roller 54. Thereby, a new passage hole 41 is located above the cleaning tank 30.

(First movement process)
Next, the first movement process will be described.
The probe 20 is moved above the passage hole 41 before and after the primary feed process. Specifically, the arm control unit 73 controls a power unit (not shown) and starts swinging the arm 15. In response to the movement of the probe 20 to the intermediate position P4, the arm control unit 73 outputs a control signal to the power unit and stops the swinging of the arm 15. As a result, the probe 20 moves above the passage hole 41.

(Descent process)
Next, the descending process will be described.
In response to the movement of the probe 20 to the intermediate position P4, the arm control unit 73 controls the power unit (not shown), lowers the probe 20, passes through the passage hole 41, and enters the cleaning tank 30. Since the diameter of the passage hole 41 is larger than the outer diameter of the probe 20, the probe 20 passes through the passage hole 41 without contacting the hole edge of the passage hole 41 and is located below the passage hole 41. Enter inside.

(Washing process)
The main controller 71 receives that the probe 20 has been lowered, and the probe 20 that has entered the inside of the washing tank 30 is washed with water. Specifically, the main control unit 71 controls the actuator 19 and the valve V to lower the piston 18 and open the valve V. Thereby, water flows into the cylinder 17 from a supply source (not shown) of the cleaning water. Next, the main control unit 71 controls the actuator 19 and the valve V to close the valve V and raise the piston 18. Thereby, the cleaning water passes through the pipe 16, cleans the inner surface of the probe 20, and is discharged from the probe 20. Further, the main control unit 71 opens a valve (not shown), ejects water from the water pipes 33 and 34 toward the surface of the probe 20 for a predetermined time, and cleans the surface of the probe 20. The water that has cleaned the inner surface and the surface of the probe 20 collects in the cleaning tank 30 and is discharged to the outside of the cleaning tank 30 through the discharge port 32.

(Secondary feed process)
The roller control unit 72 receives that the cleaning of the probe 20 has passed for a predetermined time, and controls the transport unit 50. The transport unit 50 further feeds the tape 40 so that the probe 20 contacts the edge of the slit 42. Specifically, when the roller control unit 72 controls the transport unit 50 to rotate the second roller 54 and the second notch 44 corresponding to the slit 42 moves to the position of the position sensor 65, the position sensor 65. Is turned from OFF to ON, and the roller control unit 72 receives ON information of the position sensor 65 to control the second roller 54 and stop the rotation of the second roller 54. Thereby, a new slit 42 is positioned above the cleaning tank 30. At this time, the probe 20 contacts the new slit 42.

(Rising process)
After the secondary feeding process, the arm control unit 73 controls the power unit (not shown), raises the probe 20, and leaves the cleaning tank 30 while contacting the edge of the slit 42. The edge of the new slit 42 wipes off water droplets adhering to the surface of the probe 20. Since a new slit 42 is always prepared every time the water droplets attached to the surface of the probe 20 are wiped off, it is not necessary to exchange parts for wiping off the water droplets attached to the surface of the probe 20.

(Second movement process)
In response to the probe 20 being lifted, the arm control unit 73 controls a power unit (not shown), moves the probe 20 to the suction position P2 (position of the reagent container 111), and moves it up and down. Next, the main control unit 71 controls the actuator 19 and the valve V to aspirate the reagent in the reagent container 111. Specifically, the arm control unit 73 controls a power unit (not shown) and starts swinging the arm 15. The arm controller 73 receives that the probe 20 has swung to the suction position P2, controls the power unit, and stops the swing of the arm 15. As a result, the probe 20 moves above the reagent container 111.

  Next, the arm control unit 73 receives that the probe 20 has swung to the suction position P <b> 2, controls the power unit, and lowers the probe 20 to enter the reagent container 111. Next, the main control unit 71 controls the actuator 19 and the valve V to suck the reagent in the reagent container 111, and then the arm control unit 73 controls the power unit to raise the probe 20, Exit from within 111. When aspirating the reagent, with the valve V closed, the piston 18 is lowered by the actuator 19 and the pressure inside the probe 20 is lowered.

(Reaction vessel transfer process)
The plurality of reaction vessels 131, 131,... Rotate the reaction disk 13 by a predetermined angle after the second movement process of the probe 20 or between the primary feeding process of the tape 40 and the second movement process of the probe 20. By doing so, it moves to the discharge position P3 in order.

(Third movement process)
In response to the movement of the reaction vessel 131 to the discharge position P3, the arm control unit 73 controls the power unit (not shown), swings the arm 15, moves the probe 20 to the discharge position P3, and moves the probe 20 to the discharge position P3. Is lowered to enter the reaction vessel 131. Next, the main control unit 71 controls the actuator 19 and the valve V. Thereby, the probe 20 discharges the aspirated reagent into the reaction container 131. When the reagent is discharged, the piston 18 is raised by the actuator 19 with the valve V closed, and the pressure inside the probe 20 is raised.

  Next, the arm control unit 73 outputs a control signal to the power unit, raises the probe 20, and leaves the reaction vessel 131. By passing through the above steps, the reagent can be dispensed from the reagent container 111 to the reaction container 131.

(Specific operation)
Next, a specific operation of the automatic analyzer 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4 to 7. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation when dispensing the reagent, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation when aspirating and discharging the reagent, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation when washing the probe. is there. The specific operation of the automatic analyzer 10 will also be described representatively with respect to the case of aspirating and discharging a reagent, and the description of the case of aspirating and discharging a sample will be omitted.

  First, reagent dispensing will be described with reference to FIG. In response to the reagent dispensing instruction, it is determined whether or not the cleaning of the probe 20 is completed (X = 1) (step S101). The main control unit 71 determines whether or not the cleaning of the probe 20 has been completed based on whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the cleaning. The reagent dispensing means that the reagent is aspirated from the reagent container 111 and discharged to the reaction container 131. Reagent dispensing is started when the main control unit 71 receives an input signal from the input / output unit 70 shown in FIG.

  When the cleaning of the probe 20 is not completed (X = 0) (step S101; N), the probe 20 is cleaned (X ← 1) (step S102). It is determined whether or not the cleaning of the probe 20 has been completed (step S103). The cleaning of the probe 20 will be described later.

  When the cleaning of the probe 20 has been completed (step S101; Y) or (step S103; Y), the main control unit 71 outputs a control signal to the arm control unit 73, and the arm control unit 73 outputs a power unit (not shown). (Omitted) is controlled to rotate the arm 15 (step S104). Next, it is determined whether or not the probe 20 is located at the standby position P1 (step S105).

  When the probe 20 is located at the standby position P1 (step S105; Y), the reagent is aspirated and discharged (X ← 0) (step S106). Reagent aspiration and discharge will be described later. Next, it is determined whether or not the reagent aspiration and discharge are completed (step S107).

  When the reagent aspiration and discharge have been completed (step S107; Y), the probe 20 is washed (X ← 1) (step S108). Next, it is determined whether or not the probe 20 has been washed (step S109). The main controller 71 determines that the cleaning of the probe 20 has been completed when a predetermined time has elapsed since the cleaning of the probe 20 was started. When the cleaning of the probe 20 is completed (step S109; Y), it is determined whether or not the reagent dispensing is completed (step S110). When the dispensing of the reagent has not been completed (step S110; N), the process returns to step S101 for determining whether or not the cleaning of the probe 20 has been completed.

  Next, reagent aspiration and discharge will be described with reference to FIG. First, the arm control unit 73 controls the power unit to rotate the arm 15 (step S201). Next, it is determined whether or not the probe 20 is located at the suction position P2 (step S202).

  When the probe 20 is located at the aspiration position P2 (step S202; Y), the reagent is aspirated (step S203). The reagent is sucked by lowering the probe 20 to enter the reagent container 111, sucking the reagent in the reagent container 111, and raising the probe 20 to leave the reagent container 111. Next, it is determined whether or not reagent aspiration is complete (step S204).

  When the reagent suction has been completed (step S204; Y), the arm control unit 73 controls the power unit to rotate the arm 15 (step S205). Next, it is determined whether or not the probe is located at the discharge position P3 (step S206).

  When the probe 20 is located at the discharge position P3 (step S206; Y), the reagent is discharged (step S207). To discharge the reagent, the probe 20 is lowered to enter the reaction vessel 131, the reagent is discharged into the reaction vessel 131, and then the probe 20 is raised to exit from the reaction vessel 131. Next, it is determined whether or not the probe 20 has finished discharging (step S208). When the probe 20 has finished discharging (step S208; Y), the reagent aspiration and discharge are ended.

  Next, cleaning of the probe 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the cleaning of the probe 20, first, it is determined whether or not the position sensor 65 is on (step S301). If the position sensor 65 is not on (step S301; N), the transport unit 50 sends the tape 40. When the second roller 54 winds the tape 40, the tape 40 is fed (step S302).

  When the first notch 43 shown in FIG. 3 corresponds to the position sensor 65, the position sensor 65 is turned on. At this time, the passage hole 41 shown in FIG. When the second notch 44 shown in FIG. 3 corresponds to the position sensor 65, the position sensor 65 is turned on. At this time, the slit 42 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the on / off information (position information) of the position sensor 65 is input to the roller control unit 72. The roller controller 72 controls the second roller 54 to feed the tape 40 and stop feeding the tape 40.

  The feeding of the tape 40 continues until the position sensor 65 is turned on. During this time, if the tape break is detected, the tape break is notified. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the tape break sensor 66 is on (Y2 = 1?) (Step S303). When the tape out sensor 66 is ON (step S303; Y), when the tape out warning information is not output (step S304; N), the tape out warning information is output from the input / output unit 70 (step S305). ). As shown in FIG. 4, ON information (tape out information) of the tape out sensor 66 is input to the roller control unit 72 and is input from the roller control unit 72 to the main control unit 71. The main control unit 71 outputs tape out information to the input / output unit 70.

  When the position sensor 65 is on (step S301; Y), it is determined whether or not the passage hole 41 shown in FIG. 3 is located above the cleaning tank 30 (Y1 = 1?) (Step S306). When the passage hole 41 is not located above the cleaning tank 30 (Step S306; N), the transport unit 50 sends the tape 40. The feeding of the tape 40 is the same as the operation of the transport unit 50 in step S302, and the description thereof is omitted.

  When the tape 40 is set in the automatic analyzer 10, the tape 40 is fed until the position sensor 65 is turned on. When the position sensor 65 is turned on, that is, when the passage hole 41 is located above the cleaning tank 30, Y1 = 1 is set.

  The feeding of the tape 40 continues until the position sensor 65 is turned on. During this time, if a tape break is detected, the tape break is notified (steps S308 to S310). The detection of tape breakage and the notification of tape breakage are the same as steps S303 to S305, and a description thereof is omitted.

  When the passage hole 41 is positioned above the cleaning tank 30 (step S306; Y), when the probe 20 is not lowered (step S311; N), the probe 20 is lowered (step S312). The probe 20 enters the cleaning tank 30 through the passage hole 41. Since the diameter of the passage hole 41 is larger than the outer diameter of the probe 20, the probe 20 does not contact the edge of the passage hole 41.

  When the probe 20 is descending (step S311; Y), it is determined whether or not the ejection is finished (step S313). When the ejection is not finished (step S313; N), water is ejected from the water pipes 33 and 34 (step S314). Thereby, the surface of the probe 20 is washed. Further, the valve V is opened, and the cleaning water flows into the cylinder 17. Next, the valve V is closed, the piston 18 is raised, cleaning water is passed through the pipe 16, the inner surface of the probe 20 is cleaned, and the probe 20 is discharged. Since the tape 40 blocks the upper opening 31 of the cleaning tank 30, it is possible to prevent the sprayed water or the water discharged from the probe 20 from splashing outside from the cleaning tank 30.

  If the ejection is finished (step S313; Y), it is determined whether or not the position sensor 65 is on (step S315). If the position sensor 65 is not on (step S315; N), the transport unit 50 sends the tape 40 (Y1 ← 0) (step S316). The feeding of the tape 40 continues until the position sensor 65 is turned on. During this time, if a tape break is detected, the tape break is notified (steps S317 to S319). The detection of tape breakage and the notification of tape breakage are the same as steps S303 to S305, and a description thereof is omitted.

  When the position sensor 65 is turned on by feeding the tape 40, the probe 20 comes into contact with the edge of the new slit 42.

  If the position sensor 65 is on (step S315; Y), it is determined whether or not the probe 20 has been raised (step S320). If the probe 20 has not been raised (step S320; N), the probe 20 is raised (step S321). Since the rising probe 20 is in contact with the edge of the slit 42, the edge of the slit 42 wipes off water droplets adhering to the surface of the probe 20. When the probe 20 is raised (step S320; Y), the cleaning of the probe 20 is finished. Above, description of the specific operation | movement of the automatic analyzer 10 is complete | finished.

  In the above-described embodiment, the transport unit 50 sends the tape 40 twice to place the passage hole 41 and the slit 42 in the upper part of the cleaning tank 30, but the through hole is a simple hole. In this case, the through-hole may be positioned in the upper part of the cleaning tank 30 by allowing the transport unit 50 to feed the tape 40 once. In this case, one notch may be provided on the side edge of the tape 40 in correspondence with the through hole.

It is a top view of the automatic analyzer concerning one embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed notionally the washing tank which wash | cleans a probe, the conveyance part which sends a tape, the moving mechanism of a probe, and the raising / lowering mechanism of a probe. It is the figure which looked at the tape hung over the washing tank from the upper part. It is a functional block diagram of the control part for controlling an automatic analyzer. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement when dispensing a reagent and a sample. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement when aspirating and discharging a reagent and a sample. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement when wash | cleaning a probe.

Explanation of symbols

P1 Standby position P2 Suction position P3 Discharge position P4 Intermediate position 10 Automatic analyzer 11 Reagent disk 111 Reagent container 12 Sample disk 121 Sample container 13 Reaction disk
131 Reaction vessel 15 Arm 16 Pipe 17 Cylinder 18 Piston 19 Actuator 20 Probe 30 Washing tank 31 Upper opening 32 Discharge port 33, 34 Water pipe 40 Tape 41 Passing hole 42 Slit 43 First notch 44 Second notch 50 Conveying part 51 First 1 roller 52, 53 guide roller 54 second roller 65 position sensor 66 tape out sensor 70 input / output unit 71 main control unit 72 roller control unit 73 arm control unit

Claims (3)

And probe movement and to lift the sample in the reagent or sample container in the reagent container is aspirated, for discharging the aspirated reagent or sample into varus reaction container vessel,
The pre-Symbol probe cleaning tank for washing with water,
The through-holes are provided so as to pass above the washing tank and are formed at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction, and the through-holes pass through the through-holes and are washed in the washing tank. a conveying unit for the probe to be elevated after cleaning position the said through hole of the tape formed to be in contact with the hole edge of the through hole above the cleaning tank,
I have a,
The through hole of the tape is formed with a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the probe, and includes a passage hole through which the probe can pass, and a slit cut from the passage hole in a direction opposite to the feeding direction of the tape. Have
The transport unit, by sending the tape, causes the new passage hole to be positioned above the cleaning tank so that the descending probe passes through the through hole, and further sends the tape, An automatic analyzer characterized in that a new slit is positioned above the cleaning tank so that the rising probe is brought into contact with an edge of the slit . The washing tank has an upper opening;
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the tape is guided by the guide portion so as to close an upper opening of the cleaning tank. Guided so as to pass above the cleaning tank, formed at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction, and formed with a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the probe, and from the passage hole in a direction opposite to the tape feeding direction A primary feeding step in which a tape having a slit formed therein is fed so that the new passage hole is positioned above the cleaning tank;
A first moving step of moving the probe above the passage hole before and after the primary feeding step;
A lowering step of lowering the probe and passing it through the passage hole into the cleaning tank;
A washing step of washing the probe that has entered the inside of the washing tank with water;
A secondary feeding step in which the tape is further fed, and the probe is brought into contact with an edge of the slit;
The ascending step of raising the probe and withdrawing from the washing tank while contacting the edge of the slit;
A second moving step of moving the probe to the position of the reagent container and moving it up and down to aspirate the reagent or sample in the reagent container;
A reaction container moving step of sequentially moving a plurality of reaction containers to a discharge position after the second moving step or between the primary feeding step and the second moving step;
A third moving step of moving the probe to the reaction container moved to the discharge position, raising and lowering, and discharging the aspirated reagent or sample into the reaction container;
An automatic analysis method characterized by comprising:

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