JP6879871B2 - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that performs qualitative and quantitative analysis of biological samples such as blood and urine, and more particularly to an automatic analyzer that predicts and displays the maintenance time for exchanging reagents and consumables from the past usage history.

In the conventional automatic analyzer, as described in Patent Document 1, the remaining amount of reagents and consumables is displayed on the screen, and the color of the remaining amount display is changed according to the remaining amount, or the remaining amount is stored in chronological order. Predict the time when the reagent needs to be replaced based on the information on the amount of reagent consumed or the number of times the reagent is consumed and the remaining amount of reagent, accumulate the amount of reagent consumed for each item over time, and determine the replacement time from the transition of the amount used. It describes how to calculate and list.

In Patent Document 2, the remaining amount of the reagent registered in the apparatus and the amount of the reagent calculated from the past analysis information are displayed not only in characters but also on a bar graph to grasp the replenishment amount. In order to grasp the excess or deficiency of consumables, it is described that the current reagent remaining amount and the consumption forecast amount predicted from the past reagent usage history are superimposed and displayed on the bar graph.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-209329 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-237734

In the analyzer disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is described that the work efficiency is improved by displaying the replacement time or the time required for replacement on the screen, or displaying the list in order of the replacement time. However, it is difficult for the user to individually manage the replacement time of the reagent only by displaying the time for each reagent, and it is difficult to grasp the whole before starting the work.

In the analyzer disclosed in Patent Document 2, the remaining amount of reagents, the predicted number of analyzes, and the excess / deficient number are displayed in a bar graph in an overlapping manner, and the reagents required for measurement according to the usage prediction before the start of use are displayed. Although it can be prepared in advance, a structure capable of installing a plurality of reagent containers is required.

Both methods increase the size of the device because it is necessary to provide a mechanism for switching and adding reagents in the middle of the operation. A small automatic analyzer cannot provide such a mechanism due to space constraints. Therefore, if the reagent is insufficient, the device outputs an alarm and interrupts the dispensing of the sample. Since the reagent cannot be exchanged until the analysis during measurement is completed, the user waits for the analysis during measurement to be completed and the reagent can be exchanged before replenishing new reagents and consumables. After exchanging reagents and consumables, preparatory operations such as cleaning are required, so a waiting time is required for a while. In this way, if reagents and consumables are replaced during the operation, a wasteful waiting time is generated before the start of the next measurement.

Therefore, the user does not have to replace the reagents and consumables during the operation, and while paying attention to the remaining amount of the reagents, even if the reagents are left over, they are replaced based on experience. However, the user has no choice but to make a judgment based on the current remaining amount of reagents and consumables and his / her own experience, and the user is presented with information that clearly assists the user in deciding when to replace the reagents and consumables appropriately. I wasn't.

In an automatic analyzer that measures samples using multiple reagents or consumables, a storage unit that stores past measurement history and the operating status of the day based on the past measurement history are predicted, and the predicted operating status of the day and the predicted operating status of the day It has a prediction calculation unit that sets a recommended replacement time zone for exchanging multiple reagents or consumables based on the remaining amount of each of the plurality of reagents or consumables. The time zone is displayed on the screen as a band graph.

Instead of displaying the recommended replacement time zone for each reagent or consumable, the user is embedded in the predicted operating status of the automatic analyzer to display the recommended replacement time zone for reagents and consumables. Can carry out systematic and appropriate replacement of reagents and consumables.

It is a schematic diagram of an automatic analyzer. This is an example of transition depending on the time zone of sample analysis. This is a processing flow that sets the recommended replacement time zone based on the operation forecast. This is a screen display example of a band graph. This is a recommended example of the exchange recommended time zone by the prediction calculation unit 14. This is an example of integrating the recommended replacement time zones of multiple automatic analyzers.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an automatic analyzer. A sample container 2 containing a sample and a control is set in the sample rack 3, and a measurement request is made to the automatic analyzer 1. The sample rack 3 is transported to the dispensing position by the transport path 4, and the dispensing mechanism 5 dispenses the sample from the transported sample container 2 to the reaction container 6. The reaction vessel 6 is mixed and stirred with the reagent 7, the detector 8 is used to measure the absorbance and the amount of luminescence of the reaction solution, and the measurement result calculation unit 9 is used to obtain the concentration value and the like to be detected as the measurement result, and finally the measurement is performed. The content of the request and the measurement result are displayed on the screen 10. Further, the measurement result is stored in the hard disk 11 (storage unit) together with the information on the dispensing time of the sample and the measurement item. The reaction vessel 6 used for the measurement is washed with detergent 12 and then reused in order to prevent disposal or contamination. The reaction vessel used in this apparatus may be a disposable reaction vessel. As the reaction vessel 6b, a state in which a plurality of disposable assay cups are arranged on a tray is shown.

The prediction calculation unit 14 predicts the operating rate of the automatic analyzer 1 from the past measurement history information 13 stored in the hard disk 11. The prediction result is displayed on the screen 10 as a band graph 15 in, for example, color-coded so that the operating rate for each time zone can be easily visually recognized. For example, since the user can grasp the time zone during which the automatic analyzer 1 is not performing the analysis operation from the band graph 15, the user can easily recognize the time during which maintenance is possible based on the operation prediction information.

FIG. 2 shows an example of transition of the sample analysis performed by the automatic analyzer 1 depending on the time zone. The horizontal axis shows the time, the lower half of the figure ((b) sample number) is the time zone in which the sample analysis is performed for each sample number and sample number, and the upper half of the figure ((a) simultaneous analysis sample). Number) indicates the number of samples for which simultaneous analysis is performed at each time when sample analysis is performed as shown in the lower half of the figure. It also shows the free time zone 21 where the analysis has not been performed.

In general, in each hospital or laboratory where the automatic analyzer 1 is used, there is a tendency peculiar to the busyness of sample measurement in one day. For example, in the case of an automatic analyzer installed in a hospital, there is a sample measurement request for inpatients in the morning, followed by outpatients, sporadic afternoon outpatient examinations, regular monitoring, and interruption of emergency examinations. Therefore, while the operating status of the device in a certain day changes greatly depending on the time zone, such a change is not a randomly occurring change but a generally predictable change. For example, the number of inpatients does not fluctuate greatly depending on the number of beds in the hospital, and there are many tests that are performed periodically as a routine.

Therefore, the prediction calculation unit 14 quantitatively predicts the operation status of the day from the past measurement history information 13. In the prediction calculation, information that is considered to affect the daily operation status of the device by the user is used as basic information for prediction. As basic information for prediction, for example, information such as month, day, day of the week, distinction between standard sample and emergency sample, request item, measurement time, doctor in charge, number of inpatients, weather, etc. can be used. Furthermore, the frequency of emergency specimens on the day can be taken into consideration in order to respond to the ever-changing situation.

As an example of the prediction method, mathematicalization class 1 and the nearest neighbor method are used to obtain basic information (this is called "main factor") that is particularly highly correlated with the past measurement history, and these main factors are used. Is used to calculate the operating status of the day. The prediction method is not limited to this, and other methods such as deep learning can also be used.

The user can set in advance the maintenance time required for replacement of consumables such as the reagent 7 and the reaction vessel 6 from the predicted free time based on the operation status prediction of the day obtained by the prediction calculation unit 14. .. When the user logs in, the automatic analyzer 1 calls the work schedule of the day registered in advance, the time required for exchanging reagents and consumables, and the exchange method based on the login information, and displays the optimum maintenance time zone.

FIG. 3 is a processing flow in which the prediction calculation unit 14 sets a recommended replacement time zone for replacing reagents and consumables based on the operation prediction. First, the number of test requests on the day is predicted based on the ranking (step 31). When the prediction calculation unit 14 performs the operation status of the day, there are various basic information that affect the operation status. For this reason, as mentioned earlier, the main factors (day of the week, date, number of inpatients, etc.) that affect the occupancy rate are ranked in advance from past measurement history information using a method such as actuarial type 1. Then, the number of test requests on the day of the week is predicted based on the highly ranked factors, and the operating rate and free time zone for each time zone as shown in FIG. 2 are predicted based on the prediction (step 32). .. For example, it can be predicted from the operation of the user's device that test requests based on the factor "number of inpatients" will be concentrated in the morning, so not only the total number of test requests on the day but also the operating rate for each time zone Free time zones are also predictable. Based on the predicted operating rate calculated in step 32, the operating rate is converted into a band graph 15 and displayed on the screen 10.

On the other hand, the remaining amount of reagents and consumables is updated to the latest state (step 41), the remaining amount of reagents and consumables on the day is calculated based on the predicted operating rate obtained in step 32, and each of the reagents and consumables is insufficient. The shortage time Ts to be calculated is calculated (step 42).

For each of the reagents and consumables (collectively referred to as "consumables i"), the free time zone TWi of the device is obtained at a time before the shortage time Ts_i calculated in step 42 (step 34). In the free time zone TWi, it is determined whether or not the consumable item i is less than or equal to the recommended replacement remaining amount (step 35). (Step 36), and a mark indicating replacement of reagents and consumables is displayed at the position of the free time zone TWi on the band graph 15 (step 37). The mark is displayed as an example, and it is sufficient that the user can visually recognize the recommended replacement time zone (maintenance time zone) of reagents and consumables by displaying the mark in different colors and patterns.

In step 35, if the remaining amount exceeds the recommended replacement amount, the user is presented with an option for setting the recommended replacement time zone. The options include at least one of the options of recommending the time zone, re-notifying, searching for a short free time, and prioritizing the remaining amount. Although the predicted operating rate can be secured by setting the recommended time zone, there is a possibility that consumables will be wasted. Re-notification can be expected to be more reliable by observing the actual operation status and making a decision again later. To search for a short free time, the free time zone TWi usually searches on the assumption of the time required for replacement of consumables, but the search range is expanded by shortening the time. In the case of priority on the remaining amount, priority is given to using up the recommended remaining amount for replacement even if the operating rate may decrease due to replacement of consumables.

As an additional step, when the cursor on the screen 10 is on the band graph 15, a pop-up is displayed to indicate which reagent or consumable item needs to be replaced. Further, when other consumables are generated within Th, the free time TWi may be displayed to replace the other consumables (step 38).

FIG. 4 shows an example of screen display of the band graph 15. As shown in the legend, it is displayed so that you can see the operating status, recommended replacement time zone, and the current time. In the figure, the "in operation" information is displayed so that it can be further distinguished according to the number of samples. When the cursor 51 is moved to the recommended replacement time zone of the band graph 15, a pop-up 52 showing details of replacement of reagents or consumables is displayed (step 38 in FIG. 3).

The pop-up 52 shows the estimated remaining amount of reagents and consumables in the recommended replacement time zone for each module of the automatic analyzer 1. In the example of FIG. 4, the remaining amount of the acidic detergent and the alkaline detergent is displayed for the biochemical analysis module, and the remaining amount of the reaction vessel, the detergent and the buffer solution is displayed for the immunoanalytical analysis module. In this example, the consumables to be replaced are displayed separately from the consumables not to be replaced by the hatching display, and are shown together with the recommended remaining amount for replacement. In the example of FIG. 4A, the two consumables are less than the recommended replacement remaining amount, and are scheduled to be replaced during the recommended replacement time zone. On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 4B, the remaining amount of the reaction vessel is larger than the recommended replacement amount, but when it is selected to replace other consumables at the timing of replacement, such a setting is made. This is done (see step 38 in FIG. 3).

If the user selects the current time 53 with the cursor, the remaining amount of reagents and consumables at the present time can be confirmed.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the recommended method. First, after starting the device, the recommended replacement time zone of the day is displayed based on the flow of FIG. 3 (FIG. 5 (a)). FIGS. 5 (b) and 5 (c) show a state around noon. It is desirable that the prediction calculation unit 14 updates the prediction based on the actual operating state of the automatic analyzer 1 and the confirmed inspection schedule on the day. Although the past information is shown by masking the predicted operating status in the example of FIG. 5, the actual operating status may be displayed instead of the predicted operating status.

The example of FIG. 5B shows an example in which, for example, in addition to the consumable item 1 which is scheduled to be replaced from the beginning, the consumable item 2 also needs to be replaced due to the forecast update from the actual value. If the recommended replacement time zone 62 for consumables 1 and the recommended replacement time zone 63 for consumables 2 are close to each other within a predetermined time (Th), for example, within 1.5 hours, replacement of both consumables 1 and 2 is recommended. It may also be recommended to integrate into time zone 62 and replace all at once (see step 38 in FIG. 3).

The example of FIG. 5C is an example in which the automatic analyzer 1 cannot be stopped due to an emergency operation or the like during the time zone initially recommended for replacement, and the consumables cannot be replaced. .. In such a case, the prediction calculation unit 14 recommends the replacement recommended time zone 65, although the predicted remaining amount> the replacement recommended remaining amount.

When the user is allowed to select the exchange schedule or the exchange schedule needs to be changed in this way, it is desirable to issue an alarm to the user and display it on the screen 10 together with the reason for the recommendation in order to prevent the user from overlooking. ..

In the automatic analyzer, a plurality of automatic analyzers may be connected to one system. In such a case, since the operating status differs for each analyzer, the recommended maintenance time zone differs. If any of the analyzers can be masked and maintained individually, a band graph 15 showing the predicted operating status of each of the automatic analyzers connected to the system is displayed on one screen, and replacement of each is recommended. Just display the time.

On the other hand, when a plurality of automatic analyzers are connected to one system, it is often efficient to perform maintenance of each automatic analyzer at the same time as much as possible. In that case, by accumulating the operation information of each analyzer and collecting it in one band graph, the reagents and consumables can be exchanged efficiently. FIG. 6 shows an example of integrating the recommended replacement time zones of a plurality of automatic analyzers.

FIG. 6A shows that the automatic analyzer A has a recommended replacement time zone 71 for the consumable item 1 and a recommended replacement time zone 72 for the consumable item 2. Similarly, in FIG. 6B, the recommended replacement time zone 73 for the consumable item 3, the recommended replacement time zone 74 for the consumable item 4, and the recommended replacement time zone 75 for the consumable item 5 are set in the automatic analyzer B. Indicates that The recommended replacement time zone set in the automatic analyzer A and the recommended replacement time zone set in the automatic analyzer B are summarized as much as possible. For example, if it is not possible to secure a common recommended replacement time for each preset time, a shorter replacement time (see step 43 in FIG. 3) enables the most efficient replacement. Display the band as recommended. FIG. 6C shows an example in which the recommended replacement time zones are integrated in the two automatic analyzers, and the replacement of the consumables 1 of the automatic analyzer A and the consumables 3 of the automatic analyzer B is performed in the recommended replacement time zone 76. It is recommended to replace the consumable item 4 of the automatic analyzer B in the recommended replacement time zone 77, and to replace the consumable item 2 of the automatic analyzer A and the consumable item 5 of the automatic analyzer B in the recommended replacement time zone 78.

1: Automatic analyzer, 2: Specimen container, 3: Specimen rack, 4: Transport path, 5: Dispensing mechanism, 6, 6b: Reaction vessel, 7: Reagent, 8: Detector, 9: Measurement result calculation unit, 10: Screen, 11: Hard disk, 12: Detergent, 13: Past measurement history information, 14: Prediction calculation unit, 15: Band graph.

Claims (9)

In an automatic analyzer that measures samples using multiple reagents or consumables
A storage unit that stores past measurement history,
Replacement that predicts the operating status of the day based on the past measurement history and replaces the plurality of reagents or consumables based on the predicted operating status of the day and the remaining amount of each of the plurality of reagents or consumables. It has a prediction calculation unit that sets the recommended time zone.
An automatic analyzer that displays the predicted operating status of the day and the set recommended replacement time zone as a band graph on the screen. In claim 1,
The prediction calculation unit identifies basic information having a high correlation with the past measurement history, and predicts the operating status for each time zone on the current day based on the basic information having a high correlation on the current day.
Examples of the basic information, month, day, day of the week, the distinction between the standard specimen and the urgent sample, request items, the measurement time, the attending physician, hospitalization number of patients, and an automatic analyzer that includes at least one of the weather. In claim 1,
The recommended replacement remaining amount is set for each of the plurality of reagents or consumables.
The prediction calculation unit determines the free time during which the sample measurement is not performed based on the predicted operating status of the day when any of the plurality of reagents or consumables is equal to or less than the recommended replacement remaining amount. An automatic analyzer set as the recommended replacement time zone. In claim 3,
When some of the recommended replacement time zones of the plurality of reagents or consumables are close to each other within a predetermined time, the prediction calculation unit is integrated into one recommended replacement time zone. Automatic analyzer. In claim 3,
The prediction calculation unit is an automatic analyzer that predicts the operation status of the day and updates the setting of the recommended replacement time zone based on the actual operation information of the day. In claim 3,
When any of the plurality of reagents or consumables is not less than the recommended replacement remaining amount in the free time when the sample measurement is not performed based on the predicted operating condition of the day , the prediction calculation unit is concerned. Presenting the user with multiple options regarding the recommended replacement time zone for reagents or consumables,
As the plurality of options, and sets the idle time as the replacement recommendation time zone, re-notification is shorter than the free time, the idle time in which the analyte measurement based on the operational status of the predicted day not performed Among them, at least one of searching for a free time in which the reagent or consumable is less than the recommended replacement remaining amount and giving priority to using up the reagent or consumable until the replacement recommended remaining amount is included. Automatic analyzer.
In claim 1,
An automatic analyzer that can identify which of the plurality of reagents or consumables is to be replaced by designating the recommended replacement time zone displayed on the band graph. A system is configured by connecting a plurality of automatic analyzers according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
A plurality of automatic analyzers An automatic analyzer that displays the band graph of each on one screen. In claim 8.
An automatic analyzer that integrates and sets the recommended replacement time zone in the band graph of the plurality of automatic analyzers into one recommended replacement time zone.

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