JPH0619357B2 - Automatic chemical analyzer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Object of the Invention (Industrial field of application) The present invention identifies a sample container to which an ID bar code of a sample is attached and a sample container based on the ID bar code. And a control unit for supplying a control signal for analyzing a sample in a container to the analysis unit.

(Prior Art) A sample container containing a sample may be provided with an ID barcode for the sample. When the sample containers are transported to the analysis unit one by one, or when the sample containers are stored in the rack and transported to the analysis unit for each rack, the sample ID barcode is read by the barcode reader, A sample ID code (ie, identification information) is provided to the control unit. As a result, the control unit supplies a control signal to the analysis unit to identify the sample container and analyze the sample in the container for a given item, even when the sample container is being transported randomly.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) By the way, the ID barcode may not be accurately attached to the sample container. For example, if the bar code is dirty, if the bar code is not attached at all,
If the barcode is placed in a position that the reader cannot read,
The sample container may not be set in the rack. In such a case, the barcode cannot be read accurately by the reader, and the sample container cannot be correctly identified. Therefore, conventionally, in such a case, the control unit controls the analysis unit so as not to analyze the sample in the unidentified sample container.

However, when the sample container is not identified in this way, while some users do not need to analyze the sample, they also analyze the sample in the unidentified sample container and obtain the analysis result of this sample. ,
There are users who want to prevent a decrease in analysis efficiency.

The conventional analyzer cannot satisfy the demand of the latter user.

An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic chemical analysis device which analyzes a sample in a sample container in which an error occurs when an error occurs during reading of a sample ID barcode, and as a result, prevents a decrease in analysis efficiency. It is in.

Further, an object of the present invention is to output the error code corresponding to the cause of the error and the analysis result of the sample in the sample container in which the error has occurred, when the error occurs during the reading of the sample ID barcode. As a result, it is to provide an automatic chemical analyzer that can effectively use the analysis result.

[Structure] (Means for Achieving the Object) A plurality of sample containers containing a sample and to which an ID code of the sample is attached, and a transfer unit for transferring the plurality of sample containers along at least one transfer line. An analyzing means for analyzing the sample in the sample container, a reading means for reading the sample ID code of the sample container being transported, and the analyzing means for performing the analysis based on the sample ID code read by the reading means. The reading means outputs an error code corresponding to the cause of the error when the reading means has an error during reading. When the error code is received, the control means sets the sample according to a predetermined analysis item set in advance. Is controlled so as to analyze the error code and outputs the result corresponding to the error code, and the analysis means is controlled not to analyze the sample, and the error code The second mode for outputting is selectively activated according to the error code.

(Operation) Therefore, when an error occurs during reading and the sample ID code becomes unknown, an error code corresponding to the cause of the error is output from the reading means. Conventionally, no analysis work was performed at this time. In the present invention, depending on the type of the error code, the first mode or the second mode
The mode is selectively activated. That is, in the first mode, the analysis work of a predetermined analysis item set in advance is performed on the sample, and the analysis result is output together with the error code. On the other hand, in the second mode, the analysis work of the sample is not executed and only the error code is output.

Therefore, a decrease in analysis efficiency caused by the sample not being analyzed when the sample ID code becomes unknown can be prevented depending on whether the analysis result has utility value or not. Further, since the analysis result is output together with the error code, it is possible to recognize the cause of the error.
Furthermore, when a certain error occurs, for example, when an error occurs due to the absence of a container, the second mode is activated, so that the analysis work can not be executed.

Further, according to the present invention, when an error occurs during reading of the sample ID bar code when the sample container is stored in each of the storage parts of the rack and is transported, the operator can select the number of the sample container of which rack. The reason why the bar code was not read can be recognized, and the analysis result of the sample in this sample container can be obtained. Therefore, the operator searches for the sample container in which the error has occurred based on the position information, and then the operator refers to the error code to find out what kind of subject in which sample container has the error. It is possible to identify whether the sample has been stored and collate the identified sample with the analysis result. Therefore, even if an error occurs when reading the sample ID bar code, the analysis result is reported as if the error did not occur. Therefore, even if an error occurs, the analysis efficiency is prevented from being lowered.

(Example) FIG. 1 shows an automatic chemical analyzer according to the present invention. This analyzer is mainly used for the sample container 1
A sampler session 10 in which are arranged, a transport unit (transport means) 20 for transporting the rack 5, a dilution unit 30 for diluting the sample, and four reaction lines (analytical means) 40 for analyzing the sample. And a control unit (control means) 50 for identifying the sample container and controlling the reaction line 40.

As shown in FIG. 2, an ID bar code 2 for identifying the sample is attached to the sample container 1 containing the sample. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a predetermined number (five) of sample containers 1 are stored in each storage portion 6 of the rack 5. An ID barcode 7 for identifying the rack is attached to this rack. Further, each storage portion 6 is provided with a notch 8 for exposing the sample ID to the outside.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sampler section 10 is
A hopper unit 11, a feeder unit 12, and a stacker unit 13 are provided. Hopper unit 11
The racks 5 are transferred to the feeder unit 12 one by one.

Further, the rack 5 is moved from the feeder unit 12 to the transport unit 20 arranged in the sampler section 10 by one.
Will be transferred one by one. The transport unit 20 intermittently transports the racks 5 one by one to the dilution unit 30.

The diluting unit 30 includes a suction / injection arm 31 and a diluting container 33 that is moved in an annular shape by a conveyor 32. The suction / injection arm 31 sucks the sample from each sample container 1 of the rack 5 transported to a predetermined position, and injects the sample into the dilution container 33.

When the suction of the sample from each sample container is completed, the rack 5 is transported to the changer 21 by the transport unit 20. By this changer 21, the rack 5 containing the sample container to be retested is transferred to the return unit 22. The rack 5 is further transferred from the return unit 22 to the stacker unit 13 by the changer 14 and stored in the stacker unit 13. The rack 5 containing sample containers that do not require re-inspection is moved to a stock section (not shown).

The sample diluted in the dilution container 33 is distributed by the sample suction / injection arm 41 to, for example, the reaction container 42 in the reaction line 40 at the upper right of FIG. The reaction container 42 is rotated clockwise by the turntable 43, and is maintained at a predetermined temperature by a thermostat (not shown). When the reaction container 42 is moved to the reagent injection unit 44, the reagent injection unit 44 injects an appropriate reagent into the reaction container 42. As a result, the reagent and the sample react with each other to generate a reaction liquid. Reaction container 4
2 is moved to the stirring unit 45, and the stirring unit 4
The reaction solution is stirred by 5. Then, the reaction container 42
Are moved to the measuring unit 46. Measuring unit 46
A light beam emitted from a light source (not shown) of the reaction container 4
The reaction liquid in 2 is transmitted, and as a result, the intensity of this transmitted light beam is measured by a photometer (not shown). After that, the reaction container 42 is moved to the washing / drying unit 47, and is washed / dried by this unit 47. This completes the analysis of the predetermined measurement item of the sample.

The other three reaction lines 40 are also constructed in the same manner as the reaction line at the upper right of FIG. Reference numeral 48 is an electrode thread for measuring the electrolyte of the sample by the electrode method.

Further, in the present invention, a bar code reader (ID reader) is arranged along the transport unit 20. The ID reader 60 reads the rack ID barcode of the rack and the sample ID barcode of the sample container.

As shown in FIG. 4, the reader 60 includes a light source 61 that irradiates the sample ID barcode 2 of the sample container 1 with a light beam at a predetermined angle. This light beam is reflected by the sample ID barcode 2. The reflected light beam is condensed by the lens 62 and is incident on the image sensor 63. As a result, the image sensor 63 converts the optical signal corresponding to the barcode into an electrical detection signal.

The light beam detected by the sensor is a light beam other than the totally reflected light beam. This is because the totally reflected light beam does not have an optical signal corresponding to the bar code.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the light beam scans the sample ID barcode 2 along line 64.
As a result, a detection signal (sample ID code) as shown in FIG. 5B is obtained.

Further, the reader 60 reads the rack barcode 7 and supplies a detection signal (rack ID code) to the control unit 50. As a result, it is possible to recognize which rack is being transported.

Further, the storage section 6 of the rack 5 is set to, for example, a first position, a second position, ..., A fifth position in the rack transport order. The rack 10 is transported intermittently,
Each storage unit is temporarily stopped each time it faces the sample ID reader. For example, when the first storage unit stops facing the reader, the sample ID barcode 2 of the sample container in the first storage unit is read by the reader. As a result, the predetermined sample I is stored in the first storage unit.
It is detected that the D-code sample container is stored.

Therefore, when the rack bar code 7 and the sample ID bar code 2 are read by the reader 60, the position information of the sample container indicating in which rack and in which rack the sample container having the predetermined sample ID code is stored is obtained. To be This position information is supplied to the control unit 50. On the other hand, the measurement item of the sample of this sample ID code is input to the control unit 50 from the keyboard 51. As a result, the control unit creates a command to analyze the sample in the sample container of the predetermined storage portion of the predetermined rack for the predetermined measurement item. This command is supplied to the reaction line 40. As a result, the reaction line 40
This sample is analyzed for predetermined measurement items, and the analysis result of this sample is output. The analysis result is supplied to the control unit 50 and displayed on the CRT 52.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, after the rack barcode 7 and the sample ID barcode 2 are read, the rack 5 moves by the length of one rack. When the rack 5 is stopped at this position, the aspirating / injecting arm 31 aspirates the sample from each sample container.

By the way, an error may occur when reading the sample ID barcode. In such a case, the reader 60
Emits an error code corresponding to the cause of the error. The cause of this error and its error code are explained below.

(I) Code mismatch (error code: 01) As shown in FIG. 7A, a barcode of a system other than the designated barcode system may be attached to the sample container. In this case, the reader reads a bar code having a different scheme and emits a detection signal as shown in FIG. 7A. However, this detection signal is
Does not represent the code. Therefore, the reader outputs this detection signal as an error code 01.

(II) When the barcode is defective (Error code: 0
2) As shown in FIG. 7B, the bar code may have a notch. In this case, the detection signal is the 7B
As shown in the figure, since it is not established as a symbol code, it does not represent the sample ID code. Therefore, the reader outputs this detection signal as error code 02.

(III) When there is no barcode (Error code: 03) The barcode may not be attached to the sample container, or the sample container may be placed at a position where the reader cannot read the barcode. In such a case, the barcode is of course not detected, but the presence of the sample container is detected as follows.

As shown in FIG. 8, the sample container is moved, and the outer surface of the sample container is formed in an arc shape by the light reflecting material. Therefore, the incident angle and the reflection angle change as the sample container moves. Therefore, when the sample container is moving, the incident angle becomes equal to the reflection angle, the light beam emitted from the light source 61 is totally reflected on the outer surface of the sample container, and the totally reflected light beam is transmitted to the sensor 63. May be incident.

Therefore, when this totally reflected light beam is detected by the sensor 63, the presence of the sample container is recognized. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7C, the reader 6
0 outputs this totally reflected light beam as an error code 03.

(IV) When there is no sample container (Error code: 04) The sample container may not be stored in the rack storage section. In this case, the barcode and the reflected light beam are also not detected and are recognized. So the leader
As shown in FIG. 7D, the non-detection signal is output as error code 04.

Thus, even when an error occurs when reading the sample container, the position information of the sample container where the error has occurred is recognized. For example, when the storage unit that stores the sample container having the defective barcode stops facing the reader, the reader issues an error code instead of the sample ID code. Therefore, it is possible to recognize in which storage unit the sample container in which the error has occurred is stored. The rack is identified by reading the rack barcode.

Therefore, the position information of the sample container where the error occurred,
The error code and is obtained. The position information and the error code are supplied to the control unit 50. As a result, the control unit recognizes for what reason the barcode of the sample container stored in which rack of which rack is not read.

By the way, when the error code is 04, it is impossible to analyze the sample because the sample container does not exist. However, in the case of error codes 01 to 03, the sample container is set in the rack. Therefore, it is possible for the sample in this sample container to be analyzed. In the latter case, many users want the sample in the sample container to be analyzed so that analysis efficiency is not compromised. Therefore, in the present invention, when the control unit receives the error codes 01 to 03, the control unit activates the first mode and issues a command to the reaction line to analyze the sample in the sample container in which the error has occurred. Supply. On the other hand, in the former case, the control unit activates the second mode and does not perform the analysis.

When activating the first mode, the measurement item of the sample is unknown. Therefore, it is set in advance whether the sample is analyzed for all the measurement items of the analyzer or only the predetermined measurement item is analyzed. This is because the analysis result for the necessary measurement items should be extracted after the analysis is completed.

This sample is analyzed by the reaction line for preset items, and the analysis result is output. This analysis result is supplied to the control unit. The control unit outputs the position information of the sample container in which the error has occurred, the error code, and the analysis result.

As a result, the operator can recognize why the bar code of the sample container in which rack and in which rack the storage container was not read can be obtained, and the analysis result of the sample in this sample container can be obtained. Therefore, the operator searches for the sample container in which the error has occurred based on the position information, and then the operator refers to the error code to find out what kind of subject in which sample container has the error. It is possible to identify whether the sample was stored. Then, the operator collates the identified sample with the analysis result.

Therefore, in the present invention, even if an error occurs during reading of the sample ID barcode, the sample is analyzed, so that the analysis efficiency is prevented from being lowered. Further, the position information of the sample container in which the error has occurred, the error code, and the analysis result are output.
Therefore, even if the sample is not identified by the barcode, the sample can be identified and the sample and the analysis result can be matched.

In addition, the user may want the sample not to be analyzed, depending on the source of the error. In this invention, an error code can be output. So, for example,
In the case of error code 01, the sample can be set to be analyzed, and in the case of error code 02, the sample can be set not to be analyzed. In this way, whether to analyze or not analyze is selected according to the user's desire.

If the sample container in which an error has occurred is not analyzed, this sample container is used as the sample suction / injection arm 3
When 1 is reached, the suction arm 31 does not perform a suction operation on the sample container, or the sample container is set to pass without stopping at the suction arm 31.

Next, the operation of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

At step 101, the rack ID barcode and the sample ID barcode are read. As a result, the position information of the sample container is obtained (step 102).

At step 103, it is determined whether an error occurred while reading the sample ID barcode. That is, it is determined whether the error code is output.

When the error code is not output (that is, in the case of a normal routine), the sample ID code is read and the sample of this ID code is analyzed for a predetermined item (steps 104 to 106). As a result, the sample position information, the sample ID code, and the analysis result are output (step 107).

If the error code is output, step 11
At 1, it is determined what the error code is.
In the case of error code 04, the analysis operation is not executed because the sample container does not exist. Error code is 01
If ˜03, then in step 112 it is determined whether the user wants analysis. If the user desires analysis, the sample is analyzed for preset measurement items (step 113). As a result, the position information of the sample container, the error code, and the analysis result are output. If the user does not wish to analyze, the step is moved to end.

The cause of the error and the error code are classified into four, but it goes without saying that the cause and the code may be classified in any manner.

[Effect of the Invention] In the present invention, when an error occurs during reading and the sample ID code becomes unknown, an error code corresponding to the reason for the error is output from the reading means.
Conventionally, no analysis work was performed at this time. In the present invention, the first mode or the second mode is selectively activated according to the type of the error code. That is, in the first mode, the analysis work of a predetermined analysis item set in advance is performed on the sample, and the analysis result is output together with the error code. On the other hand, in the second mode, the analysis work of the sample is not executed and only the error code is output.

Therefore, a decrease in analysis efficiency caused by the sample not being analyzed when the sample ID code becomes unknown can be prevented depending on whether the analysis result has utility value or not. Further, since the analysis result is output together with the error code, it is possible to recognize the cause of the error.
Furthermore, when a certain error occurs, for example, when an error occurs due to the absence of a container, the second mode is activated, so that the analysis work can not be executed.

Further, according to the present invention, when an error occurs during reading of the sample ID bar code when the sample container is stored in each of the storage parts of the rack and is transported, the operator can select the number of the sample container of which rack. The reason why the bar code was not read can be recognized, and the analysis result of the sample in this sample container can be obtained. Therefore, the operator can specify which sample of which subject was stored in the sample container in which the error occurred, and collate the specified sample with the analysis result. Therefore, even when an error occurs when reading the sample ID barcode, the analysis result is reported and the analysis efficiency is prevented from being lowered, as in the case where the error does not occur.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an automatic chemical analyzer based on the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sample container, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a rack, and FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a bar code reader. FIG. 5A is a front view of a sample container with a barcode, FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a detection signal of the barcode, FIG.
FIG. A and FIG. 6B are schematic diagrams showing a rack transport state,
7A to 7D are views showing a sample container and an error code, respectively, and FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a bar code reader when a reflected light beam totally reflected by the outer peripheral surface of the sample container is detected. FIG. 9 and FIG. 9 are flowcharts showing the operation of the automatic chemical analyzer according to the present invention. 1 ... Sample container, 2 ... Sample ID barcode,
20 ... Transport unit (transport means), 40 ... Reaction line (analysis means), 50 ... Control unit (control means),
60 ... Bar code reader (detection means), 5 ... rack, 7 ... rack ID.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A sample is contained and the ID of the sample.
A plurality of coded sample containers, a transport means for transporting the plurality of sample containers along at least one transport line, an analysis means for analyzing a sample in the sample container, and a sample in the transported sample container Reading means for reading the ID code; and control means for controlling the analyzing means so as to perform analysis based on the sample ID code read by the reading means and outputting the analysis result in association with the sample ID code. The reading means outputs an error code corresponding to the cause of the error when an error occurs during reading, and the control means, when receiving the error code, performs a predetermined predetermined analysis. The analysis means is controlled to analyze the sample according to the item, and the result is associated with the error code. A first mode for outputting and a second mode for outputting the error code by controlling the analyzing means so as not to analyze the sample, and selectively activating according to the error code. Automatic chemical analyzer. 2. The apparatus further comprises a plurality of racks to which a unique rack ID bar code is attached and which accommodates a plurality of sample containers and is transported by the transport line, wherein the reading means is transported. Rack of rack I
The D bar code is read, and the control unit receives the rack I received from the reading unit.
The automatic chemical analyzer according to claim 1, wherein a D barcode is added to the output contents of the first mode and the second mode and output. 3. The reading means comprises a light source for emitting a light beam and an image sensor means for receiving the light beam reflected by the outer peripheral surface of the sample container, wherein the image sensor means is provided from the outer peripheral surface of the sample container. When an error occurs after receiving the reflected light of the sample container, the first error code is output, and when the error occurs because the image sensor means does not receive the reflected light from the outer peripheral surface of the sample container. Outputs a second error code, the control means receives the first error code to activate the first mode, and receives the second error code to activate the second mode. The automatic chemical analysis device according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The automatic chemical analysis according to claim 1, further comprising input means for inputting at least one analysis item to be analyzed when the control means activates the first mode. apparatus.