JP5591674B2 - Automatic analyzer and reagent container storage device - Google Patents

Description

  An embodiment of the present invention relates to an automatic analyzer and a test reagent for optically or electrically measuring the concentration or activity value of a component contained in a test sample such as blood or urine using a chemical reaction of the test reagent. The present invention relates to a reagent container storage device for storing containers.

  Conventionally, there is a mechanism (reagent automatic loading mechanism) that automatically transfers a reagent container set at a reagent container inlet of an automatic analyzer to a reagent storage of the automatic analyzer. By controlling this mechanism and the timing of loading the reagent container into the reagent container, the reagent container set at the reagent container inlet is transferred to the reagent container at an appropriate timing. Thereby, it is possible to replenish the reagent container with the reagent container without interrupting the measurement in the automatic analyzer.

  However, there is a limit to the number of reagent containers that can be installed in the reagent storage of the automatic analyzer (hereinafter referred to as the number of reagent installations). For this reason, the operator needs to insert an appropriate reagent container into the reagent container insertion port at an appropriate timing while confirming the remaining amount of the reagent in the reagent container arranged in the reagent store on the monitor screen. In addition, the operator needs to check whether the reagent container inserted into the reagent container insertion port is a reagent container that needs to be replenished or not, by checking with the monitor screen. Inserting an appropriate reagent container into the reagent container insertion port at an appropriate timing and checking it against the monitor screen have a problem that is burdensome for the operator.

JP-A-2005-37171

  The purpose is to reduce the burden on the operator who replenishes the reagent storage of the automatic analyzer.

The automatic analyzer according to the present embodiment includes a reagent storage that holds a plurality of reagent containers that respectively store a plurality of types of reagents, a remaining amount detection unit that detects a remaining amount of each of the plurality of reagent containers, and the reagent A replenishing container for holding a replenishing reagent container to be replenished to the storage; and a reagent for storing the same type of reagent as the reagent stored in the replenishing reagent container held by the replenishing container among the plurality of reagent containers a container identification unit for identifying the container, of the detected reagent remaining amount, provided the reagent remaining amount corresponding to the specified reagent container and the remaining amount specifying unit for specific, in place of the replenishing chamber And a remaining amount display unit that executes display based on the specified remaining amount of the reagent in association with the replenishing reagent container held by the replenishing chamber .

It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the automatic analyzer which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the reaction mechanism of the automatic analyzer of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which displays the reagent residual amount on the residual amount display part of the automatic analyzer which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the top view of the reagent storage of the automatic analyzer which concerns on 1st Embodiment, and a reagent container storage apparatus with an example of the front view of the residual amount display part in a reagent container storage apparatus. It is a figure which shows the replenishment store | warehouse | chamber of the reagent container storage apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment with a residual amount display part. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which loads a reagent container in the reagent storage of the automatic analyzer which concerns on 1st Embodiment.

Hereinafter, an automatic analyzer according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be given only when necessary.
(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an automatic analyzer according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic analyzer 100 includes a reaction mechanism 30, a remaining amount detection unit 40, an analysis unit 50, an output unit 60, an input unit 70, a system control unit 80, a transfer mechanism 90, a reagent container storage device 110, An interface (hereinafter referred to as I / F) 700 is provided.

  The reaction mechanism 30 includes a photometry unit 32, a reagent store 300, and a reaction mechanism control unit 36. The reaction mechanism 30 measures a test sample such as blood or urine using a reagent for each test item, and generates measurement data regarding the test sample.

  The photometry unit 32 irradiates a mixture of a test sample and a reagent (hereinafter referred to as a test mixture) with light. The photometry unit 32 converts the light transmitted through the test mixture into absorbance, and generates absorbance data regarding the test sample. The photometry unit 32 outputs the generated absorbance data to the data storage unit 52. The photometry unit 32 irradiates light to a mixture of a standard substance and a reagent (hereinafter referred to as a standard mixture). The standard substance is a substance having the same or common property as the substance to be measured or a substance having a common reaction with a reagent. The photometry unit 32 converts light that has passed through the standard mixture into absorbance, and generates absorbance data relating to the standard substance. The photometry unit 32 outputs absorbance data regarding the standard substance to the data storage unit 52.

  The reagent store 300 includes a first reagent store 350 and a second reagent store 370 shown in FIG. The reagent store 300 may further include other reagent stores in addition to the first reagent store 350 and the second reagent store 370. The reagent store 300 holds a plurality of reagent containers corresponding to a plurality of measurement items of the test sample. The reagent store 300 cools the held plurality of reagent containers. The reagent store 300 has a plurality of compartments for holding a plurality of reagent containers. In addition, the reagent store 300 may have a weighing scale for each of the plurality of sections. The weigh scale measures the weight of the reagent contained in the reagent container arranged in the compartment. The weigh scale outputs the measured weight of the reagent contained in the reagent container to the remaining amount detection unit 40 described later.

  On the outer surface of the reagent container, a one-dimensional code (bar code) or a two-dimensional code (stack) including information (hereinafter referred to as reagent information) such as a measurement item name, reagent container size, reagent type, reagent expiration date, etc. Type two-dimensional code, matrix type two-dimensional code, etc.). A storage medium such as an IC (Integrated Circuit) tag may be provided on the outer surface of the reagent container instead of the one-dimensional code or the two-dimensional code. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the reagent container is provided with a barcode. The barcode is read by a barcode reader (not shown). The barcode reader that has read the barcode outputs the reagent information to the reagent information storage unit 116 described later. The bar code reader that has read the bar code may output reagent information to a container specifying unit 118 described later and a storage unit (not shown).

  The reaction mechanism control unit 36 applies each element of the reaction mechanism 30 shown in FIG. 2 based on signals from the system control unit 80 regarding analysis items, analysis procedures, and the like input by the operator via the input unit 70. Create a sequence. The reaction mechanism control unit 36 rotates the reaction disk 310, the disk sampler 330, the first reagent storage 350, and the second reagent storage 370 shown in FIG. 2 at predetermined angles at predetermined timings based on the assembled sequence. . The reaction mechanism control unit 36 rotates and vertically moves the sample probe 334, the first reagent probe 354, and the second reagent probe 374 shown in FIG. 2 based on the assembled sequence. The reaction mechanism control unit 36 moves the stirrer 324 and the cleaning nozzle and the drying nozzle of the cleaning unit 325 shown in FIG. 2 up and down based on the assembled sequence. The reaction mechanism control unit 36 drives a sample dispensing pump, a first reagent dispensing pump, a second reagent dispensing pump, a washing pump, and a drying pump, which are not shown, based on the assembled sequence. The reaction mechanism control unit 36 vibrates the stirring bar 324 shown in FIG. 2 based on the assembled sequence.

  The reaction mechanism control unit 36 outputs reagent container arrangement information regarding a plurality of sections of the reagent store 300 to a container specifying unit 118 and a transfer mechanism 90 described later. The reagent container arrangement information is information indicating the arrangement of a plurality of reagent containers in a plurality of sections and the type of reagent that each of the plurality of reagent containers has. In addition, arrangement | positioning information may be memorize | stored in the reagent information storage part 116 mentioned later and the memory | storage part which is not shown in figure.

  The remaining amount of the reagent in each of the plurality of reagent containers held in the remaining amount detection unit 40 and the reagent storage 300 is detected. Specifically, the remaining amount detection unit 40 detects the liquid level of the first reagent by the downward movement of the first reagent probe 354. The remaining amount detection unit 40 calculates a distance (hereinafter referred to as a first downward movement distance) from the detected liquid level of the first reagent to the standby position of the first reagent probe 354. The remaining amount detection unit 40 calculates the distance from the position of the inner bottom surface of the first reagent container 352 to the standby position of the first reagent probe 354 (hereinafter referred to as the first standby distance). The remaining amount detection unit 40 subtracts the first downward movement distance from the first standby distance, thereby the distance from the inner bottom surface of the first reagent container 352 to the liquid level of the first reagent (hereinafter referred to as the first reagent depth). Calculate The remaining amount detection unit 40 detects the amount of decrease in the liquid level of the first reagent in a single inspection using the first reagent (hereinafter referred to as the first reagent decrease amount). The remaining amount detection unit 40 calculates the number of times that the measurement item corresponding to the first reagent can be inspected by dividing the first reagent depth by the first reagent decrease amount. Hereinafter, the number of inspections that can be performed is referred to as the remaining reagent amount. The first standby distance and the first reagent decrease amount may be stored in a storage unit (not shown). At this time, the remaining amount detection unit 40 reads the first standby distance and the first reagent decrease amount from the storage unit.

  The remaining amount detection unit 40 calculates a distance from the detected liquid level of the second reagent to the standby position of the second reagent probe 374 (hereinafter referred to as a second downward movement distance). The remaining amount detection unit 40 calculates a distance from the position of the inner bottom surface of the second reagent container 372 to the standby position of the second reagent probe 374 (hereinafter referred to as a second standby distance). The remaining amount detection unit 40 subtracts the second downward movement distance from the second standby distance to thereby obtain a distance from the inner bottom surface of the second reagent container 372 to the liquid level of the second reagent (hereinafter referred to as a second reagent depth). Calculate The remaining amount detection unit 40 detects the amount of decrease in the liquid level of the second reagent (hereinafter referred to as the second reagent decrease amount) in one test using the second reagent. The remaining amount detection unit 40 calculates the remaining amount of the reagent, which is the number of inspections possible, by dividing the second reagent depth by the second reagent decrease amount. The second standby distance and the second reagent decrease amount may be stored in a storage unit (not shown). At this time, the remaining amount detection unit 40 reads the second standby distance and the second reagent decrease amount from the storage unit.

  The remaining amount detection unit 40 may count the number of times the first reagent probe 354 and the second reagent probe 374 are moved down with respect to each of the plurality of reagent containers held in the reagent store 300. The remaining amount detection unit 40 may calculate the remaining amount of the reagent by subtracting the counted number of downward movements from the possible number of tests for each reagent container stored in a storage unit (not shown). Further, the remaining amount detection unit 40 detects a decrease in the weight of the reagent in one inspection. The remaining amount detection unit 40 may calculate the remaining amount of the reagent by dividing the weight of the reagent output by the weighing scale by the amount of decrease in the detected weight. The remaining amount detection unit 40 outputs the reagent remaining amount detected by each of the plurality of reagent containers to a reagent information storage unit 116 and a remaining amount specifying unit 120 described later.

  The analysis unit 50 includes a sample analysis unit 51 and a data storage unit 52. The sample analysis unit 51 generates calibration curve data based on the absorbance data and analysis items stored in the data storage unit 52. The generated calibration curve data is stored in the data storage unit 52 and output to the output unit 60. Based on the calibration curve data and the absorbance data regarding the test sample stored in the data storage unit 52, the sample analysis unit 51 generates analysis data regarding the concentration and activity value of the component corresponding to the test item. . The generated analysis data is stored in the data storage unit 52 and output to the output unit 60.

  The data storage unit 52 includes a storage medium such as a hard disk. The data storage unit 52 stores absorbance data generated by the photometry unit 32 of the reaction mechanism 30. The data storage unit 52 stores the calibration curve data generated by the sample analysis unit 51 for each standard substance. The data storage unit 52 stores the analysis data generated by the sample analysis unit 51 for each test sample.

  The output unit 60 includes a printing unit 61 and a display unit 62. The output unit 60 outputs the calibration curve and analysis data generated by the analysis unit 50 as a print or display. The printing unit 61 uses an output device such as a printer to print the calibration curve and analysis data generated by the analysis unit 50 on a printer sheet with a predetermined layout. The display unit 62 displays the calibration curve and analysis data generated by the analysis unit 50 in a predetermined layout using a display device such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, a liquid crystal display, or a plasma display. In addition, the display unit 62 displays an analysis condition setting screen for setting analysis conditions such as the liquid volume of the test sample, the liquid volume of the reagent, and the wavelength of the photometric beam for each measurement item. A subject information setting screen for setting a sample name and the like, a measurement item selection screen for selecting a measurement item for each test sample, and the like are displayed.

  The input unit 70 includes input devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, various buttons, and a touch key panel. The input unit 70 includes analysis conditions for each measurement item input by the operator via the input device, measurement items to be measured for each test sample, a threshold for the remaining amount of the reagent, and a replenishment replenishment in a replenishment chamber 112 described later. The type or measurement item of the reagent accommodated in the reagent container, the subject ID, the subject name, etc. regarding the test sample are output to the system control unit 80 as operation signals. Note that the threshold for the remaining amount of reagent may be input for each of a plurality of types of reagents. Information input by the operator via the input unit 70 may be stored in a storage unit (not shown). The threshold value to be input is, for example, the number of times that inspection can be performed with respect to the remaining amount of reagent stored in one reagent container. The input threshold value is a threshold value for the volume or mass, respectively, when the reagent remaining amount detected by the remaining amount detection unit 40 is volume or mass. Further, the input threshold value may be stored in the reagent information storage unit 116 described later.

  The system control unit 80 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The system control unit 80 controls each unit in the automatic analyzer 100 in an integrated manner. The system control unit 80 controls each unit based on an operation signal supplied from the input unit 70, measurement items to be measured for each test sample, analysis conditions of each measurement item, subject information, and the like.

  For example, a network is connected to the I / F 700. The automatic analyzer 100 may be connected to a PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) via a network.

  The reagent container storage device 110 includes a replenisher 112, a code reader 114, a reagent information storage unit 116, a container specifying unit 118, a remaining amount specifying unit 120, a determination unit 122, and a remaining amount display unit 124.

  The replenishing cabinet 112 has a plurality of compartments (hereinafter referred to as reagent container loading ports) for loading the replenishing reagent containers, and a detector that detects the replenishing reagent containers loaded into the reagent container loading port. The replenishing container 112 holds at least one replenishing reagent container for replenishing the reagent container 300. Note that the replenishing cabinet 112 may have a reagent rack for holding a plurality of replenishing reagent containers. The replenishing cabinet 112 cools the replenishing reagent containers and the plurality of replenishing reagent containers held in the reagent rack. Note that the replenishing cabinet 112 can also hold at least one specimen sample. One-dimensional code (bar code) or two-dimensional code including information (hereinafter referred to as reagent information) such as measurement item name, reagent container size, reagent type, reagent expiration date, etc. on the outer surface of the replenishing reagent container (Stack type two-dimensional code, matrix type two-dimensional code, etc.) are provided. It should be noted that a storage medium such as an IC (Integrated Circuit) tag may be provided on the outer surface of the replenishing reagent container instead of the one-dimensional code or the two-dimensional code. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the reagent container for replenishment is provided with a barcode. The reagent container and the replenishing reagent container are containers having the same shape. The reagent container and the replenishing reagent container may be containers having different shapes.

  The code reader 114 is at least one of a bar code reader (hereinafter referred to as BCR), a reader that reads a two-dimensional code, and a reader that reads reagent information from a storage medium such as an IC (Integrated Circuit) tag. Have The code reader 114 acquires reagent information (information such as a measurement item name, a reagent container size, a reagent type, and a reagent expiration date) from a barcode provided on the replenishing reagent container via the BCR. The code reader 114 outputs the reagent information acquired by the BCR to the container specifying unit 118 described later. The code reader 114 may output the reagent information acquired by the BCR to the reagent information storage unit 116 or the like.

  The reagent information storage unit 116 stores the reagent information output from the BCR and the reagent remaining amount output from the remaining amount detection unit 40. Specifically, the reagent information storage unit 116 holds the type of reagent stored in the replenishing reagent container, the type of reagent included in each of the plurality of reagent containers held in the reagent store 300, and the reagent store 300. In addition, the type of reagent stored in each of the plurality of reagent containers, the remaining amount of the reagent in each of the plurality of reagent containers, and the threshold corresponding to each of the plurality of types of reagents are stored. The reagent information storage unit 116 may store reagent container arrangement information related to a plurality of sections of the reagent store 300. The reagent information storage unit 116 may store a correspondence table between reagents and threshold values.

  The container specifying unit 118 checks the reagent type acquired by the BCR with the reagent type included in each of the plurality of reagent containers. The container specifying unit 118 specifies a reagent container held in the reagent store 300 having the same type of reagent as the type of reagent acquired by the BCR based on the collation result.

  The remaining amount specifying unit 120 specifies the reagent remaining amount of the specified reagent container based on the output from the remaining amount detecting unit 40. The remaining amount specifying unit 120 outputs at least one of the measurement item name and the reagent type and the specified reagent remaining amount to the determination unit 122 and the remaining amount display unit 124 described later. The remaining amount specifying unit 120 may specify the remaining reagent amount by reading out the remaining reagent amount of the specified reagent container from the reagent information storage unit 116.

  The determination unit 122 determines whether the specified reagent remaining amount is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. Specifically, the determination unit 122 reads out the threshold value corresponding to the specified reagent remaining amount from the reagent information storage unit 116. The determination unit 122 compares the specified reagent remaining amount with the read threshold value. The determination unit 116 outputs the determination result to the remaining amount display unit 124 described later.

  The remaining amount display unit 124 is disposed in the vicinity of the replenishing box 112. The remaining amount display unit 124 displays at least one of the measurement item name and the reagent type output from the remaining amount specifying unit 120, the reagent remaining amount corresponding to the reagent type, and the display mode based on the determination result of the determination unit 122 Is displayed. Specifically, the display mode based on the determination result refers to a mode in which a warning is displayed when the determination unit 122 determines that the remaining amount of reagent is equal to or less than a threshold value. The warning is, for example, a display mode such as red display or blinking. Note that a sound output unit (not shown) may output a warning sound together with a warning display. Further, the remaining amount display unit 124 may be disposed outside the vicinity of the replenishing warehouse 112.

  The remaining amount display unit 124 does not display a warning when the determination unit 122 determines that the remaining amount of reagent is not less than the threshold value. When the determination unit 122 determines that the remaining amount of the reagent is not less than the threshold value, the remaining amount display unit 124 displays, for example, a display mode such as blue display, yellow display, and lighting instead of not displaying a warning. It may be output in association with the reagent remaining amount. Note that the remaining amount display unit 124 has the reagent remaining amount of the reagent container in the reagent store 300 approaching the threshold value stored in the reagent information storage unit 116, and a replenishing reagent container having this reagent is inserted into the reagent container insertion port. If not, at least one of the measurement item name of the reagent and the reagent type, the remaining amount of the reagent, and a warning may be displayed.

  The transfer mechanism 90 has a pickup arm for transferring a replenishing reagent container disposed in the replenishing container 112. The transfer mechanism 90 can use means other than the pickup arm as means for transferring the replenishment reagent container. Specifically, when the replenishing reagent container introduced into the reagent container insertion port is detected by the detector of the replenishing container 112, the transfer mechanism 90 moves the detected replenishing reagent container to the vicinity of the BCR of the code reader 114. Transport to. When the bar code of the detected replenishment reagent container is read by the BCR, the transfer mechanism 90 transfers the detected replenishment reagent container to the inserted reagent container inlet.

  The transfer mechanism 90 transfers the reagent container for replenishment arranged in the replenishing container 112 to the reagent container 300 based on the arrangement information output by the reaction mechanism control unit 36 and the determination result by the determining unit 122. Specifically, the transfer mechanism 90 includes a section in which the reagent container is arranged in the reagent container 300, and when the reagent remaining amount is equal to or less than a threshold value, the replenishment reagent container disposed in the reagent container insertion port is transferred to the reagent container. Transfer to 300 compartments. The transfer mechanism 90 has a section in which the reagent container is arranged in the reagent storage 300, and the reagent container having the same type of reagent as the type of reagent stored in the replenishing reagent container input to the reagent input port is the reagent storage 300. If not, the replenishment reagent container that has been introduced into the reagent container insertion port is transferred to the compartment of the reagent store 300.

  The transfer mechanism 90 supplies the reagent stored in the replenishing reagent container disposed in the replenishing container 112 based on the arrangement information output by the reaction mechanism control unit 36 and the determination result by the determining unit 122 to the replenishing container. You may transfer from the reagent container for replenishment put in 112 to the reagent container of the reagent store 300 which has the same kind of reagent as this kind of reagent. Specifically, when the reagent remaining amount of the reagent container disposed in the reagent store 300 is equal to or less than the threshold value, the transfer mechanism 90 removes the reagent contained in the replenishing reagent container that has been inserted into the reagent container insertion port. It is transferred to a reagent container arranged in the storage 300. The transfer mechanism 90 is replenished when a plurality of reagent containers for replenishment are arranged at the reagent container inlet of the replenisher 112 and the reagent container 300 holds a plurality of reagent containers having a remaining amount of reagent that is equal to or less than a threshold value. The reagent containers having the same type of reagents as the types of reagents contained in the reagent containers are transferred from the replenishing container 112 to the reagent container 300 in ascending order of the reagent remaining amount.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the reaction mechanism 30. As shown in FIG.
Reaction disk 310, disk sampler 330, first reagent container 350, second reagent container 370, sample probe 334, sample arm 336, first reagent probe 354, first reagent arm 356, second reagent probe 374, second reagent arm 376, a stirring unit 320, a cleaning unit 325, and a photometry unit 32.

  The reaction disk 310 rotatably holds a plurality of reaction vessels 312 arranged on the circumference. The reaction vessel 312 is accommodated in a thermostatic chamber in the reaction disk 310. The reaction disk 310 stops after rotating at a predetermined angle for each analysis cycle. Thereby, the reaction vessel 312 is rotated by a predetermined angle.

  The disk sampler 330 holds the sample container 332 in a rotatable manner. The sample container 332 contains a sample such as a standard substance or a test sample.

  The first reagent storage 350 has a plurality of first reagent containers 352. The second reagent storage 370 has a plurality of second reagent containers 372. In the first reagent container 352 and the second reagent container 372, reagents that react with the components of the respective inspection items are stored.

  The sample probe 334 is attached to the tip of the sample arm 336. The sample arm 336 supports the sample probe 334 so as to be rotatable. The sample probe 334 sucks the sample from the sample container 332 at the position for sucking the sample on the disk sampler 330 by the sample dispensing pump. The sample probe 334 discharges the sucked sample to the reaction container 312 at the position where the sample on the reaction disk 310 is discharged.

  The first reagent probe 354 is attached to the tip of the first reagent arm 356. The first reagent arm 356 supports the first reagent probe 354 so as to be rotatable and vertically movable. The first reagent probe 356 descends from the standby position into the first reagent container 352 at the position for aspirating the first reagent on the first reagent storage 350, and further falls by a predetermined amount when the liquid level is detected. Information about the detected liquid level of the first reagent (hereinafter referred to as first liquid level information) is output to the remaining amount detection unit 40. The first liquid level information is a distance or a descent time during which the first reagent probe 356 descends from the standby position to the liquid level. The remaining amount detection unit 40 calculates the remaining amount of the first reagent based on the first liquid level information. The first reagent probe 354 sucks the first reagent from the first reagent container 352 by a predetermined amount by the first reagent dispensing pump. The first reagent probe 354 moves up to the standby position after completing a predetermined amount of suction. In addition, it is also possible to use the sucked suction amount as the first liquid level information. The first reagent probe 354 discharges the aspirated first reagent to the reaction container 312 on the reaction disk 310 at a position where the first reagent is discharged.

  The second reagent probe 374 is attached to the tip of the second reagent arm 376. The second reagent arm 376 supports the second reagent probe 374 so as to be rotatable and vertically movable. The second reagent probe 374 descends from the standby position into the second reagent container 372 at the position for aspirating the second reagent on the second reagent storage 370, and further falls by a predetermined amount when the liquid level is detected. Information about the detected liquid level of the second reagent (hereinafter referred to as second liquid level information) is output to the remaining amount detection unit 40. The second liquid level information is a distance, a descent time, or the like at which the second reagent probe 374 descends from the standby position to the liquid level. The remaining amount detection unit 40 calculates the remaining amount of the second reagent based on the second liquid level information. The second reagent probe 374 sucks the second reagent from the second reagent container 372 by a predetermined amount by the second reagent dispensing pump. The second reagent probe 374 moves up to the standby position after completing a predetermined amount of suction. It should be noted that the sucked amount can be used as the second liquid level information. The second reagent probe 374 discharges the aspirated second reagent into the reaction container 312 on the reaction disk 310 at a position where the second reagent is discharged.

  The stirring unit 320 includes a stirring arm 322 and a stirring bar 324. The stirring bar 324 is attached to the tip of the stirring arm 322. The stirring arm 322 supports the stirring bar 324 so as to be rotatable and vertically movable. The stirring arm 322 inserts the stirring bar 324 from the standby position into the reaction container 312 stopped at the position where the test mixture in the reaction container 312 on the reaction disk 310 is stirred. When the tip of the stirring bar 324 is lowered to the vicinity of the inner bottom surface of the reaction vessel 312, the stirring arm 322 stops the lowering of the stirring bar 324. After the stirring bar 324 is stopped, the stirring bar 324 vibrates under the control of the reaction mechanism control unit 36. As the stirrer 324 vibrates, the mixed liquid (sample and first reagent, sample and second reagent, sample, first reagent and second reagent, etc.) in the reaction vessel 312 is agitated. After stirring, the stirring arm 322 raises the stirring bar 324 to the standby position.

  The photometry unit 32 irradiates the reaction container 312 rotated by the reaction disk 310 with light. The photometry unit 32 generates absorbance data by converting light transmitted through the mixed solution in the reaction vessel 312 into absorbance. The photometry unit 32 outputs the generated absorbance data to the data storage unit 52.

  The cleaning unit 325 includes a support mechanism (not shown), a cleaning nozzle, and a drying nozzle. The support mechanism supports the cleaning nozzle and the drying nozzle so as to be movable up and down, respectively. The cleaning nozzle sucks the mixed solution from the reaction container 312 at the position for cleaning the reaction container 312 on the reaction disk 310 by a cleaning pump. After sucking the mixed solution, the cleaning nozzle discharges pure water to clean the inside of the reaction vessel 312. The drying nozzle dries the inside of the reaction vessel 312 in the position for drying the reaction vessel 312 on the reaction disk 310 with a drying pump.

(Reagent remaining amount display function)
The reagent remaining amount display function is a function for displaying the reagent remaining amount in the reagent container arranged in the reagent storage 300 of the automatic analyzer 100. Hereinafter, processing according to the reagent remaining amount display function (hereinafter referred to as reagent remaining amount display processing) will be described.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the reagent remaining amount display process.
Prior to automatic analysis of the test sample, setting of analysis conditions for each measurement item input by the operator via the input device of the input unit 70, determination of measurement items to be measured for each test sample, and the test sample The subject ID, the subject name, etc. are output to the system control unit 80. These analysis conditions, measurement items, subject ID, subject name, and the like are stored in a storage unit (not shown). When these inputs / settings are completed, automatic analysis for the test sample is started. When a replenishment reagent container is inserted into the reagent container insertion port of the replenishing cabinet 112 while automatic analysis is being performed or when power is being supplied to the automatic analyzer 100, the replenishment reagent container that has been charged (Hereinafter referred to as the input reagent container) is detected (step Sa1).

  The input reagent container is transferred to the vicinity of the BCR of the code reader 114 by the transfer mechanism 90. The barcode provided in the input reagent container transferred to the vicinity of the BCR is read by the BCR. By reading the barcode with the BCR, information related to the reagent in the input reagent container (for example, reagent type, measurement item name, etc.) is acquired by the code reader 114 (step Sa2).

  It is checked whether or not a reagent container (hereinafter referred to as the same reagent container) having the same type of reagent as the type of reagent contained in the input reagent container is in the reagent storage 300 (step Sa3). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the same reagent container is in the reagent storage 300 by collating the type of reagent acquired in step Sa2 with the arrangement information output from the reaction mechanism control unit 36. The If the same reagent container is not in the reagent storage 300, at least one of the reagent type and the measurement item name in the input reagent container is output to the remaining amount display unit 124 (step Sa4).

  If the same reagent container is in the reagent store 300, the remaining reagent amount of the same reagent container is specified by the remaining amount specifying unit 120 based on the output of the remaining amount detecting unit 40 (step Sa5). The identified reagent remaining amount is output to the determination unit 122. The determination unit 122 determines whether or not the output reagent remaining amount is equal to or less than the threshold value read from the reagent information storage unit 116 (step Sa6). When the output reagent remaining amount is not less than or equal to the threshold value read from the reagent information storage unit 116, information (measurement item name, reagent remaining amount, etc.) related to the reagent contained in the same reagent container is displayed in the remaining amount display unit 124. (Step Sa7). When the output reagent remaining amount is equal to or less than the threshold value read from the reagent information storage unit 116, information on the reagent contained in the same reagent container (measurement item name, reagent remaining amount, etc.), a predetermined warning, Is output to the remaining amount display unit 124 (step Sa8). Information output from step Sa4 or step Sa7 or step Sa8 is displayed on the remaining amount display section 124 (step Sa9).

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a top view of the reagent storage 300 and the reagent container storage device 110 of the automatic analyzer 100 according to the first embodiment, together with an example of a front view of the remaining amount display unit 124 in the reagent container storage device 100. FIG. The replenishment reagent container A introduced into the first reagent container insertion port of the replenishing container 112 is transferred to the vicinity of the BCR by the transfer mechanism (pickup arm) 90. The transfer mechanism (pickup arm) 90 transfers the replenishment reagent container A to the first reagent container inlet when the barcode of the replenishment reagent container A is read by the BCR. The replenishment reagent container B introduced into the second reagent container insertion port of the replenishing container 112 is transferred to the vicinity of the BCR by the transfer mechanism (pickup arm) 90. The transfer mechanism (pickup arm) 90 transfers the replenishment reagent container B to the second reagent container inlet when the barcode of the replenishment reagent container B is read by the BCR.

  FIG. 5 is a view showing the replenishment storage 112 of the reagent container storage device 110 according to the first embodiment together with the remaining amount display unit 124. TP, AST, and Ca in the remaining amount display unit 124 are measurement item names. The number displayed at the bottom of the measurement item name (for example, 5 displayed at the bottom of the TP) is the measurement item related to the reagent contained in the reagent container arranged in the reagent container 300 and the test that is the remaining amount of the reagent. The number of possible times (hereinafter referred to as the number of remaining tests). Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the threshold value (the number of remaining tests) stored in the reagent information storage unit 116 is 10. Assuming that the number of remaining tests for the measurement item TP is 5, the remaining amount display unit 124 displays the measurement item (TP) and the number of remaining tests at the lower part of the reagent container inlet where the reagent container for replenishment is not charged. In addition, a warning (diagonal lines at TP and 5 in FIG. 5) is displayed.

  The measurement item name AST and the remaining test number 106 displayed in the remaining amount display section 124 below the first reagent container inlet in FIG. 5 trigger the detection of the replenishing reagent container A introduced into the first reagent container inlet. As shown, the results of the execution of steps Sa1 to Sa3, steps Sa5 to Sa7, and step Sa9 are displayed. The measurement item name related to the reagent stored in the replenishing reagent container A arranged at the first reagent container charging port is AST, but the number of times that the replenishing reagent container A can be inspected is not 105. That is, the number of inspections that can be performed for the inspection item name AST displayed in the remaining amount display unit 124 in FIG. 5 is the number of remaining tests of the reagent stored in the reagent container held in the reagent container 112.

  The measurement item name Ca and the remaining test number 15 displayed in the remaining amount display section 124 below the second reagent container inlet in FIG. 5 trigger the detection of the replenishing reagent container B introduced into the second reagent container inlet. As shown, the results of the execution of steps Sa1 to Sa3, steps Sa5 to Sa7, and step Sa9 are displayed. Note that the measurement item name relating to the reagent contained in the replenishing reagent container B in which the second reagent container charging port is arranged is Ca, but the number of testable times of the replenishing reagent container B is not 15. That is, the number of inspections that can be performed on the inspection item name Ca displayed in the remaining amount display unit 124 in FIG. 5 is the number of remaining tests of the reagent stored in the reagent container held in the reagent storage 112.

(Reagent container loading function)
The reagent container loading function is a function for loading a reagent container for replenishment arranged in the replenishing container 112 of the reagent container storage device 110 into a section of the reagent container 300. Hereinafter, processing according to the reagent container loading function (hereinafter referred to as reagent container loading processing) will be described.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the reagent container loading process.
After step Sa1 and step Sa2, the replenishment reagent container (hereinafter referred to as the input reagent container) that has been input to the reagent container input port is stored in the reagent storage 300 based on the reagent container arrangement information relating to the plurality of sections of the reagent storage 300. The presence / absence of a partition that can be arranged is determined (step Sb3). If there is no section for placing the input reagent container in the reagent store 300, the input reagent container is not loaded in the reagent store 300. If there is a section in which the input reagent container is arranged in the reagent storage 300, there is a reagent container (hereinafter referred to as the same reagent container) having the same type of reagent as the reagent stored in the input reagent container in the reagent storage 300. It is verified whether or not (step Sa3).

  If the same reagent container is in the reagent store 300, the remaining reagent amount of the same reagent container is specified by the remaining amount specifying unit 120 based on the output of the remaining amount detecting unit 40 (step Sa5). The identified reagent remaining amount is output to the determination unit 122. The determination unit 122 determines whether or not the output reagent remaining amount is equal to or less than the threshold value read from the reagent information storage unit 116 (step Sa6). When the output reagent remaining amount is not equal to or less than the threshold value read from the reagent information storage unit 116, the input reagent container is not loaded in the reagent store 300.

  If the same reagent container is not in the reagent storage 300 in step Sa3, or if the output reagent remaining amount is equal to or less than the threshold value read from the reagent information storage unit 116 in step Sa5, the input reagent container is stored in the reagent storage. It is loaded into the section of 300 (step Sb4). When a plurality of reagent containers for replenishment are arranged at the reagent container inlet of the replenisher 112 and the reagent container 300 holds a plurality of reagent containers having a remaining amount of reagent that is equal to or less than the threshold value, the reagent container for replenishment The reagent containers having the same type of reagents as the types of reagents contained in the reagent are loaded into the compartments of the reagent store 300 in ascending order of the remaining reagent amount.

According to the configuration described above, the following effects can be obtained.
According to this automatic analyzer, when a reagent container is inserted into the reagent container insertion port of the replenishing container 112, the reagent in the reagent container that stores the same type of reagent as the reagent stored in the inserted reagent container The remaining amount can be displayed on the remaining amount display unit 124 in the vicinity of the replenishing cabinet 112. As a result, the operator can easily determine the replenishment reagent container to be introduced into the reagent container insertion port of the replenishing container 112. In addition, a reagent container for replenishment that contains the same type of reagent as the reagent type related to the remaining amount of reagent larger than the threshold is removed from the reagent container inlet, and the same type of reagent as the type of reagent related to the remaining amount of reagent that is less than or equal to the threshold value It becomes easy to insert the replenishing reagent container containing the reagent into the reagent inlet. In addition, the operator refers to the display of the remaining amount of the reagent list on the display unit 62 and the display by the remaining amount display unit 124, so that the replenishing reagent having the same reagent as the reagent related to the remaining amount of the reagent that is equal to or less than the threshold value. The container can be preferentially charged into the reagent inlet of the replenishing container 112.

  In addition, according to this automatic analyzer, when there is a section where the reagent container can be placed in the reagent store 300 and the remaining amount of the reagent is equal to or less than the threshold value, the supplied replenishment reagent container is stored in the reagent store 300. Loaded into the compartment. In addition, when there is a section in the reagent store 300 where the reagent container can be arranged and there is no reagent container in the reagent store 300 having the same reagent as the reagent in the supplied refill reagent container, the supplied refill reagent The container is loaded into a compartment of the reagent store 300. Thereby, since the reagent container for replenishment is replenished to the reagent storage 300 regardless of the number of reagent erections, the operator does not need to check the reagent remaining amount on the screen of the display unit 62. As a result, the burden on the operator is reduced, and the reagent container 300 can be efficiently replenished with the reagent container for replenishment.

  Furthermore, according to the automatic analyzer 100, the reagent container 300 can be replenished with the reagent container for replenishment without stopping the examination. In addition, since a plurality of reagent containers can be arranged in the replenishing box 112, the number of reagent installations substantially increases. In addition, since the replenishing container 112 holds the replenishing reagent container and the test sample in common, the automatic analyzer 100 can be downsized. As a modification of the above-described embodiment, when the technical idea of the automatic analyzer is realized by the reagent container storage device 110, for example, the components within the dotted line in the configuration diagram of FIG. 1 are included.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 ... Reaction mechanism 32 ... Photometry part 36 ... Reaction mechanism control part 40 ... Remaining quantity detection part 50 ... Analysis part 51 ... Sample analysis part 52 ... Data storage part 60 ... Output part 61 ... Printing part , 62 ... Display section, 70 ... Input section, 80 ... System control section, 90 ... Transfer mechanism, 100 ... Automatic analyzer, 110 ... Reagent container storage apparatus, 112 ... Replenisher, 114 ... Code reader, 116 ... Reagent information storage 118: Container specifying unit, 120 ... Remaining amount specifying unit, 122 ... Determination unit, 124 ... Remaining amount display unit, 300 ... Reagent storage, 310 ... Reaction disk, 312 ... Reaction container, 320 ... Stirring unit, 322 ... Stirring Arm, 324 ... Stirrer, 325 ... Washing unit, 330 ... Disc sampler, 332 ... Sample container, 334 ... Sample probe, 336 ... Sample arm, 350 ... First reagent storage, 352 ... First reagent container, 54 ... first reagent probe, 356 ... first reagent arm 370 ... second reagent storage, 372 ... second reagent container, 374 ... second reagent probe, 376 ... second reagent arm 700 ... I / F

Claims (11)

A reagent store holding a plurality of reagent containers each containing a plurality of types of reagents;
A remaining amount detection unit for detecting the remaining amount of reagent in each of the plurality of reagent containers;
A replenisher holding a replenishing reagent container to be replenished to the reagent vault; and
Among the plurality of reagent containers, a container specifying unit for specifying a reagent container that stores the same type of reagent as the reagent stored in the replenishing reagent container held by the replenishing container ;
Among the detected reagent remaining amount, the remaining amount specifying unit which identify the reagent remaining amount corresponding to the specified reagent container,
A remaining amount display unit that is provided at a predetermined position of the replenishing chamber and executes display based on the specified remaining amount of the reagent in association with the replenishing reagent container held by the replenishing chamber;
The automatic analyzer characterized by comprising.   The remaining amount display section
  Executing the display in a different display mode according to the specified reagent remaining amount,
  The automatic analyzer according to claim 1.   The remaining amount display section
  Displaying the specified reagent remaining amount;
  The automatic analyzer according to claim 1.   The remaining amount display section
  Further displaying the number of testable times with the specified reagent remaining amount,
  The automatic analyzer according to claim 3.   When a reagent container that contains the same reagent as the reagent contained in the replenishing reagent container held in the replenishing container is not housed in the reagent container, the type of reagent contained in the replenishing reagent container; Displaying at least one of the measurement items,
  The automatic analyzer according to claim 1. A determination unit that determines whether the remaining amount of the reagent specified by the remaining amount specifying unit is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold;
The remaining amount display unit warns and displays the reagent remaining amount determined by the determination unit to be a predetermined threshold value or less;
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 . The remaining amount display section
  The replenishment that contains the reagent of the same type as the reagent that has the remaining amount of the reagent stored in the reagent container held in the reagent store being equal to or less than the predetermined remaining amount. When the reagent container for use is not held in the replenishing cabinet, further displaying the measurement items of the reagent below the predetermined remaining amount and the remaining amount;
  The automatic analyzer according to claim 6.   The remaining amount display section
  When the replenishing reagent container is not held in the replenishing container, a display mode different from the case where the replenishing reagent container is held in the replenishing container,
  The automatic analyzer according to claim 7. Further comprising a transfer mechanism for transferring the replenishment reagent container held in the replenisher to the reagent reservoir;
The transfer mechanism transfers, from the replenisher, the reagent container for replenishment that contains the same type of reagent as the reagent type in the remaining amount of reagent determined by the determination unit to be equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. about,
The automatic analyzer according to claim 6 . Further comprising a transfer mechanism for transferring the reagent contained in the replenishment reagent container held in the replenisher to the reagent reservoir;
The transfer mechanism replenishes, from the replenishment reagent container, a reagent in a replenishment reagent container that contains a reagent of the same type as that of the reagent remaining in the reagent remaining amount that is determined to be equal to or less than a predetermined threshold by the determination unit. Transferring to a reagent container that contains the same type of reagent as the reagent contained in the reagent container,
The automatic analyzer according to claim 6 . A replenisher holding a replenishing reagent container to be replenished to a reagent container holding a plurality of reagent containers each containing a plurality of types of reagents;
A reagent information storage unit for storing the types of reagents respectively stored in the plurality of reagent containers held in the reagent storage and the reagent remaining amounts of the plurality of reagent containers;
Among the plurality of reagent containers, a container specifying unit for specifying a reagent container that stores the same type of reagent as the reagent stored in the replenishing reagent container held by the replenishing container ;
Among the stored reagent remaining amount, the remaining amount specifying unit which identify the reagent remaining amount corresponding to the specified reagent container,
A remaining amount display unit that is provided at a predetermined position of the replenishing chamber and executes display based on the specified remaining amount of the reagent in association with the replenishing reagent container held by the replenishing chamber;
A reagent container storage device comprising:

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