JP2006284380A - Analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an analyzer constituted so as to automatically judge the deterioration degree of a heater and capable of reducing complicated labor becoming the load of a worker. <P>SOLUTION: The analyzer 1 is equipped with the heater, a temperature measuring part for measuring the temperature of the heating target heated by the heater, a clocking means and a deterioration judging means for judging the deterioration degree of the heater on the basis of the temperature measured by the temperature measuring part and the time measured by the clocking time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an analyzer for analyzing a sample prepared from a specimen and a reagent.

  Analytical devices such as a colorimetric analyzer, a fluorescence analyzer, and an immunoanalyzer are known as devices that irradiate a sample prepared from a sample and a reagent with light from a light source and analyze various properties of the sample. . Many analyzers of this type are equipped with a heater, and the sample and reagent are heated to a predetermined temperature by the heater or the sample prepared by mixing the sample and the reagent is kept warm for analysis. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-49350

  In such an analyzer, the heater deteriorates with time as the analyzer is used. However, as the heater progresses, the object to be heated cannot be sufficiently heated, which affects the measurement result of the analyzer. May appear. However, in the conventional analyzer, an operator who performs maintenance determines the degree of deterioration of the heater based on the inspection result of the heater, and determines whether or not the heater needs to be replaced. Such a heater check operation requires complicated labor and is burdensome to the operator. In addition, there is a problem that the judgment varies depending on the skill level of the worker or individual differences, and it is difficult for the user or an unskilled worker to judge.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an analyzer that can automatically determine the degree of deterioration of a heater and reduce a troublesome burden on an operator. And

  An analyzer according to the present invention is an analyzer that analyzes a sample prepared from a specimen and a reagent, and includes a heater, a temperature measuring unit that measures the temperature of a heating target that is heated by the heater, and a time measuring unit. And deterioration determining means for determining the degree of deterioration of the heater based on the temperature measured by the temperature measuring unit and the time measured by the time measuring means.

  By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to automatically determine the degree of deterioration of the heater, and to reduce the troublesome burden on the operator.

  In the above invention, the deterioration determination means further includes a heating time acquisition means for acquiring a heating time related to the heating of the heater, and based on the heating time acquired by the heating time acquisition means, It is preferable to be configured to determine the degree of deterioration of the heater.

  The degree of deterioration of the heater is closely related to the time required to reach the target temperature, that is, the rate of temperature rise of the heater. Therefore, with this configuration, it is possible to easily and accurately determine the degree of deterioration of the heater based on the heating time.

  In the above invention, the heating time acquisition means is configured to acquire a heating time when the temperature measured by the temperature measuring unit rises from a predetermined first temperature to a predetermined second temperature. It is preferable that

  By adopting such a configuration, the heating time used for the deterioration determination can be unified to the time required when the temperature rises from the first temperature to the second temperature. Therefore, it is accurate even at various ambient temperatures (external environmental temperatures). Can be determined.

  In the above invention, when the temperature measured by the temperature measurement unit and the initial elapsed time acquisition means for acquiring the elapsed time since the heater started heating, and when the temperature does not reach the first temperature, An initial failure determination that compares the elapsed time acquired by the initial elapsed time acquisition means with a predetermined failure determination time, and determines that the heater is in failure when the elapsed time exceeds the failure determination time. It is preferable to further comprise means. In addition, an elapsed time acquisition unit that acquires an elapsed time after the temperature measured by the temperature measurement unit reaches the first temperature, and a temperature measured by the temperature measurement unit reaches the second temperature. When the elapsed time exceeds the failure determination time, the elapsed time acquired by the elapsed time acquisition means is compared with a predetermined failure determination time. It is also possible to adopt a configuration further comprising failure determination means.

  Thereby, it is possible to determine not only the degree of deterioration of the heater but also whether or not the heater is out of order, and the maintenance work of the heater is further facilitated.

  In the above-mentioned invention, it further includes a storage unit that stores a relationship between the heating time of the heater and the degree of deterioration of the heater, and the deterioration determination means includes the heating time acquired by the heating time acquisition means. It is preferable to check the degree of deterioration of the heater by comparing with the relationship stored in the storage unit.

  In the above invention, the deterioration determination means further comprises a heating speed acquisition means for acquiring a heating speed related to the heating of the heater, and based on the heating speed acquired by the heating speed acquisition means, It is also possible to configure so as to determine the degree of deterioration of the heater.

  As described above, the degree of deterioration of the heater is closely related to the temperature rise rate of the heater. Therefore, by adopting such a configuration, it is possible to easily and accurately determine the degree of deterioration of the heater based on the heating rate of the heater.

  In the above invention, the heating rate acquisition means is configured to acquire a heating rate while the temperature measured by the temperature measuring unit rises from a predetermined first temperature to a predetermined second temperature. It is preferable. In this case, the heating rate acquisition means is configured to acquire a heating rate until a predetermined time elapses after the temperature measured by the temperature measurement unit exceeds a predetermined first temperature. You can also

  By adopting such a configuration, the heating rate used for the deterioration determination can be unified with the heating rate during the rise from the first temperature to the second temperature, so even at various ambient temperatures (external environmental temperatures). Accurate determination of deterioration becomes possible.

  In the above invention, the determination result recording means for recording the deterioration determination result by the deterioration determination means, the past deterioration determination result recorded in the determination result recording means, and the current deterioration determination result by the deterioration determination means It is preferable to further include a heater replacement determination unit that determines whether or not the heater needs to be replaced based on the above.

  The deterioration of the heater often proceeds with time. Therefore, by adopting such a configuration, the transition of the deterioration of the heater over time is clarified by the past deterioration determination and the current deterioration determination. Based on this, it is possible to accurately determine whether the heater needs to be replaced. Can do.

  In the said invention, it is preferable to set it as the structure further provided with the display part which displays the determination result by the said deterioration determination means. Thereby, the operator can grasp | ascertain the deterioration determination of a heater easily.

  In the said invention, it is preferable that the said heater is comprised so that at least 1 may be heated among a sample, a reagent, and the said sample.

  According to the analyzer according to the present invention, it is possible to automatically determine the degree of deterioration of the heater, and to reduce the troublesome burden on the operator.

Hereinafter, an analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a case where a blood coagulation analyzer is used as the analyzer 1 will be described.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an analyzer 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the analyzer 1 is mainly configured by a measurement unit 2, a transport unit 3, and a data processing unit 4. The transport unit 3 is disposed in front of the measurement unit 2 and is configured to automatically supply a sample (plasma or serum) to the measurement unit 2. The measurement unit 2 uses the biological activity method, the synthetic substrate method, or the immunoturbidimetric method for the sample supplied from the transport unit 3 in this manner to determine the coagulation / fibrinolysis factor component contained in the sample. It is possible to analyze. The measurement unit 2 is connected to the data processing unit 4 via a LAN cable, and can transmit the analysis result to the data processing unit 4.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view showing configurations of the measurement unit 2 and the conveyance unit 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the transport unit 3 includes a transport path 3 </ b> A for transporting a sample rack 6 in which a plurality of (for example, ten) sample containers 5 in which samples are stored. An intermediate portion of the transport path 3A is a sample supply position 7. The sample rack 6 supplied from the outside is transported along the transport path 3 </ b> A and reaches the sample supply position 7. Then, the measurement unit 2 sucks the sample from the sample container 5 of the sample rack 6 that has reached the sample supply position 7, and performs measurement on the sample.

  Next, the configuration of the measurement unit 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the measurement unit 2 includes a table unit 9, a cuvette supply unit 12, cuvette transfer units 13 and 23, a buffer solution storage unit 14, sample dispensing units 15 and 16, and a heating table. 17, a reagent dispensing unit 18, 19, a detection unit 21, a cuvette discharge unit 24, and a control unit 25.

  The table unit 9 is provided in the center of the measurement unit 2. In the table unit 9, a plurality of disk-like and annular tables are coaxially arranged, and each table can rotate independently of each other. Each table is provided with a plurality of storage holes 10, and reagent containers 9 </ b> B and cuvettes 8 can be set in these storage holes 10. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the cuvette 8. As shown in FIG. 3, the cuvette 8 is formed in an elongated tubular shape having one end opened and the other end closed to have a round bottom. The cuvette 8 accommodates a specimen and a specimen (mixed liquid of specimen and reagent). Further, a cooling device (not shown) provided with a Peltier element is provided at the lower part of the table unit 9, and the temperature of the reagent accommodated in the reagent container 9B is maintained at about 15 ° C. by this cooling device. Be drunk.

  As shown in FIG. 2, on the right side of the table unit 9 (hereinafter, the right side in FIG. 2 is referred to as the right side and the left side in FIG. 2 is referred to as the left side), the cuvette supply unit 12 and the cuvette transfer unit 13 are provided. Is provided. The cuvette supply unit 12 can stock a plurality of cuvettes 8 supplied to the table unit 9. The cuvette transfer unit 13 transfers the cuvette 8 stocked in the cuvette supply unit 12 to the table unit 9 and sets it in the storage hole 10.

  Further, two sample dispensing sections 15 and 16 are provided on the left front side of the table unit 9. FIG. 4 is a side view showing the configuration of the sample dispensing unit 15. As shown in FIG. 4, the sample dispensing unit 15 includes a mechanism unit 15A, a shaft 15B, an arm 15C, a holder 15D, and a pipette 15E. A shaft 15B extending in a columnar shape upward is supported by the mechanism portion 15A. The shaft 15B is rotated around its central axis by the mechanism portion 15A, and can reciprocate linearly in the vertical direction. An arm 15C is attached to the upper end of the shaft 15B so as to be orthogonal to the shaft 15B. A holding tool 15D is attached to the tip of the arm 15C, and an injection needle-like pipette 15E is held by the holding tool 15D so as to extend downward. Thereby, the pipette 15E can rotate in the circumferential direction around the shaft 15B integrally with the shaft 15B, the arm 15C, and the holder 15D, and can reciprocate linearly in the vertical direction. The pipette 15E is connected to a syringe (not shown) for sucking and discharging the liquid. With the syringe, the pipette 15E can suck the sample and discharge the sucked sample. As a result, the sample dispensing unit 15 sucks a predetermined amount of the sample stored in the sample container 5 at the sample supply position 7, and then moves the pipette 15E to the cuvette 8 set on the table unit 9 to thereby move the cuvette. The specimen can be ejected to 8.

  The configuration of the sample dispensing unit 16 is the same as the configuration of the sample dispensing unit 15, and thus the description thereof is omitted. A buffer solution storage portion 14 is provided in front of the table unit 9 so as to be movable in the left-right direction. The buffer solution storage section 14 is provided with a plurality of storage holes, and a buffer solution container in which a buffer solution for diluting the specimen is stored is set. The sample dispensing unit 16 sucks a predetermined amount of the buffer solution from the buffer solution container set in the buffer solution storage unit 14, moves the pipette 16E to above the table unit 9, and the cuvette 8 in which the sample is stored. The sample is aspirated by the required amount according to the measurement item, and the sample is diluted. Thereafter, the sample dispensing unit 16 discharges the diluted sample in an empty cuvette 8 set on the table unit 9.

  A reagent dispensing unit 18 is provided on the left rear side of the table unit 9, and a reagent dispensing unit 19 is provided on the right rear side of the table unit 9. FIG. 5 is a side view showing the configuration of the reagent dispensing unit 18. As shown in FIG. 5, the reagent dispensing unit 18 includes a mechanism unit 18A, a shaft 18B, an arm 18C, a holder 18D, and a heating pipette 18E. The generally cylindrical warming pipette 18E is held by the holder 18D so as to extend downward, and is connected to a syringe (not shown). The warming pipette 18E can suck the reagent and discharge the sucked reagent by operating the syringe. The warming pipette 18E includes a pipette 18I, a warming unit 18F, and a heater 18H. The pipette 18I is formed in the shape of an injection needle, and the outer peripheral surface of the pipette 18I is covered with a heating part 18F made of aluminum alloy. In addition, a heater 18H (electric heating wire) is attached to the outer periphery of the heating portion 18F, and the outer side thereof is covered with a heat insulating material made of polyurethane resin having a low thermal conductivity. As a result, when the heater 18H generates heat, the heat of the heater 18H is quickly transmitted to the heating unit 18F made of an aluminum alloy having good thermal conductivity. Further, since the outside of the heating unit 18F is covered with a heat insulating material made of polyurethane resin having a low thermal conductivity, heat is not easily dissipated to the outside of the heat insulating material, and the heat from the heater 18H causes the inside of the pipette 18I. It is possible to efficiently heat the aspirated reagent. A thermistor 18G is provided in the vicinity of the heater 18H. The heating pipette 18E is elongated, and the heat of the heater 18H is quickly transmitted to the reagent sucked into the thin tube of the pipette 18I. Therefore, the temperature of the reagent is the heater 18H. Therefore, it is possible to measure the temperature of the reagent substantially by the thermistor 18G. The heater 18H and the thermistor 18G are electrically connected to a control unit 25 described later. The control unit 25 receives the output signal of the thermistor 18G, and controls the temperature of the heater 18H by controlling the amount of current flowing through the heater 18H so that the reagent in the heating pipette 18E has a predetermined temperature. ing. In addition, since the other structure of the reagent dispensing part 18 is the same as that of the sample dispensing part 15, the description is abbreviate | omitted. The reagent dispensing unit 18 aspirates a predetermined amount of the reagent from the reagent container 9B set on the table unit 9. Since the temperature of the reagent is kept at about 15 ° C. by the cooling device, the reagent dispensing unit 18 warms the reagent sucked with the warming pipette 18E to a predetermined temperature (about 37 ° C.) and then adds the reagent. The warm pipette 18E is moved to a reagent mixing position 20B above the heating table 17 described later, and the reagent is discharged into the cuvette 8 that has been transferred to the reagent mixing position 20B.

  Since the configuration of the reagent dispensing unit 19 is the same as the configuration of the reagent dispensing unit 18, the description thereof is omitted. The reagent dispensing unit 19 sucks a predetermined amount of reagent from the reagent container 9B set on the table unit 9, and warms the reagent sucked by the heating pipette 19E to a predetermined temperature (about 37 ° C.). Thereafter, the warming pipette 19E is moved to a reagent mixing position 22B above the detection unit 21 described later, and the reagent is discharged into the cuvette 8 that has been transferred to the reagent mixing position 22B.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a heating table 17 is provided on the left rear side of the table unit 9. The heating table 17 is a disc-shaped rotary table and is configured to be able to rotate in the circumferential direction. A plurality of cuvette storage holes 17A are provided on the upper surface of the heating table 17 along the circumferential direction. A cuvette transfer section (not shown) is provided in the vicinity of the heating table 17, and the cuvette 8 set in the table unit 9 is transferred by this cuvette transfer section and set in the cuvette storage hole 17A.

  FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing the configuration of the heating table 17, and FIG. 7 is a plan view thereof. As shown in FIG. 6, a heating part 17B made of an aluminum alloy is provided at the lower part of the heating table 17, and the periphery of the heating part 17B and a heater 17C described later is a cover 17E made of synthetic resin. Covered. A heater 17C is provided in close contact with the lower portion of the heating unit 17B so that the heating unit 17B can be heated. This heater 17C is a so-called silicon rubber heater in which a silicon rubber sheet is provided with a nickel alloy resistor and an annular plate-like heating element, and its periphery is covered with a glass cloth. As shown in FIG. 7, this heater 17C is coaxially attached to a heating part 17B constituted by two disk-shaped members arranged one above the other, just below each cuvette storage hole 17A. The heater 17C is positioned at the bottom. Thus, when the heater 17C generates heat, the heat of the heater 17C is quickly transmitted to the heating unit 17B made of an aluminum alloy having good thermal conductivity. Since the periphery of the heating unit 17B is covered with a cover 17E made of synthetic resin, heat is not easily dissipated to the outside of the heating unit 17B, and the specimen and the sample in the cuvette 8 stored in the cuvette storage hole 17A are removed. It is possible to heat efficiently. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a thermistor 17D is provided inside the heating unit 17B. The thermistor 17D is disposed in the vicinity of the cuvette storage hole 17A, and the temperature of the liquid in the cuvette 8 set in the cuvette storage hole 17A can be measured by the thermistor 17D. Similarly to the heater 18H, the heater 17C is temperature-controlled by the control unit 25, whereby the liquid (specimen or sample) in the cuvette 8 set in the cuvette storage hole 17A reaches a predetermined temperature (37 ° C.). It is warmed. The heated cuvette 8 is taken out of the cuvette storage hole 17A by the cuvette transfer section described above and transferred to the reagent mixing position 22B. Thereafter, the reagent is dispensed into the cuvette 8 by the reagent dispensing unit 18, and the liquid in the cuvette 8 is stirred and mixed by the cuvette transfer unit to prepare a sample. Thereafter, the cuvette transfer section sets the cuvette 8 in the cuvette storage hole 17A again.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a detection unit 21 is provided on the right side of the heating table 17. The detection unit 21 is formed in a substantially cubic shape, and ten analysis holes 21A are arranged in two rows along the left-right direction on the upper surface. Further, a cuvette transfer unit (not shown) is provided in the vicinity of the detection unit 21, and the cuvette 8 containing the sample is transferred from the heating table 17 to the reagent mixing position 22B by the cuvette transfer unit. Thereafter, the reagent is discharged into the cuvette 8 by the reagent dispensing unit 19, and the sample in the cuvette 8 is stirred and mixed by the cuvette transfer unit. Thereafter, the cuvette transfer section sets the cuvette 8 in the analysis hole 21A.

  FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the configuration of the detection unit 21. As shown in FIG. 8, the detection part 21 has a configuration in which the outside of a heating part 21D made of aluminum alloy having a rectangular parallelepiped block shape is covered with a cover 21E made of synthetic resin having low thermal conductivity. The heating hole 21D is provided with the analysis hole 21A described above. The analysis hole 21A is not covered with the cover 21E, and the surface of the aluminum alloy of the heating part 21D is exposed. In addition, a long plate-like heater 21 </ b> B for heating the sample in the cuvette 8 is provided inside the detection unit 21. This heater 21B is a silicon rubber heater similar to the heater 17C, and is arranged to extend in the left-right direction between 10 analysis holes 21A provided in the front row and 10 analysis holes 21A provided in the back row. Has been. Similarly to the heating table 17 described above, the heat of the heater 21B is quickly transmitted to the heating part 21D made of aluminum alloy, and the cover 21E does not easily dissipate the heat to the outside of the heating part 21D. The specimen and the sample in the stored cuvette 8 can be efficiently heated. In addition, the thermistor 21C is provided in the heating unit 21D. The thermistor 21C is arranged in the vicinity of the analysis hole 21 in the front row, and the temperature of the liquid in the cuvette 8 set in the analysis hole 21A can be measured by the thermistor 21C. The temperature of the heater 21B is controlled by the control unit 25, whereby the liquid (sample) in the cuvette 8 set in the analysis hole 21A is heated to a predetermined temperature (37 ° C.). The detection unit 21 includes therein a light source (not shown) including a light emitting diode and a halogen lamp, and a light receiving element (not shown) including a photodiode. The detection unit 21 irradiates light from the light source toward the sample in the cuvette 8 accommodated in the analysis hole 21A, receives the scattered light or transmitted light from the sample at the light receiving unit, and sends the light to the control unit 25 as a light reception signal. Send.

  After the analysis, the cuvette 8 is taken out from the analysis hole 21A by the transfer unit described above and set in the storage hole 10 of the table unit 9. Further, a cuvette discharge portion 24 is provided on the right side of the table unit 9. The cuvette transfer unit 23 transfers the cuvette 8 that has been set in the table unit 9 and has been analyzed, and discards it to the cuvette discharge unit 24.

  Next, the configuration of the control unit 25 will be described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the measurement unit 2. As shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 25 includes a flash memory card reader 26, a CPU 27, a memory 28, a waveform processing unit 29, an operation control unit 31, and a communication unit 33. The CPU 27, the flash memory card reader 26, the memory 28, the waveform processing unit 29, the operation control unit 31, and the communication unit 33 are connected via a data transmission line so that data can be transmitted to each other. As a result, the CPU 27 can read and write data to and from the flash memory card reader 26 and the memory 28, and transmit and receive data to and from the waveform processing unit 29 and the operation control unit 31.

  The flash memory card reader 26 is used to read data recorded on the flash memory card 26A. The flash memory card 26A has a flash memory (not shown), and can hold data even when power is not supplied from the outside. The flash memory card 26A stores a computer program executed by the CPU 27, data used for the same, and the like, and a real-time operating system is installed. Such an operating system has a software clock function, and can measure time. Needless to say, the control unit 25 may be provided with a hardware clock, and the time may be measured using the hardware clock.

Further, the flash memory card 26, the deterioration determination start temperature _{K set1} used in the deterioration judgment operation described later, the deterioration determination end temperature _{K set2,} the failure determination time _{T over1, T over2} are recorded. In the following description, the deterioration determination start temperature _{K set1} a 25 ° C., the deterioration determination end temperature _{K set2} to 30 ° C., 15 minutes failure determination time _{T OVER1,} the failure determination time _{T Over2} although 10 minutes, limited to Needless to say, other values may be used. In particular, the failure determination time _{T over1, T over2} is warming target heat capacity of the heater _is set in consideration of the setting values of K _{set1, K set2.}

  The CPU 27 can execute a computer program recorded in a ROM (not shown) and a computer program loaded in the memory 28. The memory 28 is configured by SRAM, DRAM, or the like, and is used for reading a computer program recorded on the flash memory card 26A. Further, when the computer program is executed, it is used as a work area of the CPU 27 and a data storage area.

  The operation control unit 31 includes a driver circuit for driving devices such as a motor, a solenoid valve, and a cooling device. Based on a program executed by the CPU 27, the table unit 9, the cuvette supply unit 12, and the cuvette transfer unit 13, 23, buffer solution storage unit 14, sample dispensing units 15, 16, heating table 17, reagent dispensing units 18, 19 and detection unit 21 are controlled. Further, the operation control unit 31 is provided with a temperature control circuit 31a, and the temperature control circuit 31a can control the temperature of the heaters 17C, 18H, 19H, and 21B. The temperature control circuit 31a includes a heater 17C and the thermistor 17D provided on the heating table 17, heaters 18H and 19H provided on the reagent dispensing units 18 and 19, and the thermistors 18G and 19G, and a heater 21B provided on the detection unit 21. And the thermistor 21C and the thermistor 25A for measuring the ambient temperature of the measuring section 2 via wiring cords, respectively, and receive the detection signals of the thermistors 17D, 18G, 19G, 21C, and 25A, respectively, and the heater Control signals are transmitted to 17C, 18H, 19H, and 21B. The temperature control circuit 31a generates pulse voltage signals to be applied to the heaters 17C, 18H, 19H, and 21B based on the detected temperatures of the thermistors 17D, 18G, 19G, and 21C and a preset target temperature (37 ° C.). Generate. The pulse width of the pulse voltage signal is determined by PID control, whereby the current supplied to the heaters 17C, 18H, 19H, and 21B is controlled (PWM control).

  The thermistor 25A is provided in the internal part of the measurement unit 2 that is not affected by the temperature of the heater or cooling device. The thermistor 25A can measure the ambient temperature (external environment temperature, room temperature) of the measurement unit 2.

  The communication unit 33 is, for example, an Ethernet (registered trademark) interface, and the measurement unit 2 can transmit and receive data to and from the data processing unit 4 by using the communication unit 33 using a predetermined communication protocol. is there.

  The waveform processing unit 29 and the detection unit 21 are connected via a signal transmission cable so that the light reception signal output from the detection unit 21 can be given to the waveform processing unit 29. The waveform processing unit 29 performs signal processing on the received light signal, and the signal processing result is given to the CPU 27. Based on the signal processing result, the CPU 27 calculates the coagulation time, the absorbance change amount, and the like of the specimen, and transmits these measurement result data to the data processing unit 4 through the communication unit 33.

  Next, the configuration of the data processing unit 4 will be described. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the data processing unit 4 included in the analysis apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The data processing unit 4 is configured by a computer having a main body 41, a display unit 42, and an input unit 43. The main body 41 includes a CPU 41A, a ROM 41B, a RAM 41C, a hard disk 41D, a reading device 41E, an input / output interface 41F, a communication interface 41G, and an image output interface 41H. The CPU 41A, ROM 41B, RAM 41C, and hard disk 41D, reading device 41E, input / output interface 41F, communication interface 41G, and image output interface 41H are connected by a bus 41I for data transmission.

  The CPU 41A can execute the computer program stored in the ROM 41B and the computer program loaded in the RAM 41C. The computer functions as the data processing unit 4 by the CPU 41A executing a computer program as described below.

  The ROM 41B is configured by a mask ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, or the like, in which computer programs executed by the CPU 41A, data used for the same, and the like are recorded.

  The RAM 41C is configured by SRAM, DRAM, or the like. The RAM 41C is used for reading computer programs recorded in the ROM 41B and the hard disk 41D. Further, when these computer programs are executed, they are used as a work area of the CPU 41A.

  The hard disk 41D is installed with various computer programs to be executed by the CPU 41A, such as an operating system and application programs, and data used for executing the computer programs.

  The hard disk 41D is provided with a history database DB41 used in a heater deterioration determination operation described later. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the history database DB41. The history database DB41 is a relational database and has a deterioration rate field 41a and a determination time field 41b. The deterioration rate field 41a stores the deterioration rate, and the determination time field 41b stores the time (date and time) at which the deterioration rate is determined. The deterioration rate and the determination time of one record are associated with each other, so that the CPU 41A can acquire the deterioration rate and the time when the deterioration rate is determined.

  The reading device 41E is configured by a flexible disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, a DVD-ROM drive, or the like, and can read a computer program or data recorded on the portable recording medium 44. In addition, the portable recording medium 44 stores a computer program for causing a computer to function as the data processing device 4, and the CPU 41A reads the computer program according to the present invention from the portable recording medium 44, and the computer program Can be installed on the hard disk 41D.

  The computer program is provided not only by the portable recording medium 44 but also from an external device that is communicably connected to the data processing unit 4 via an electric communication line (whether wired or wireless). It is also possible to provide it through a line. For example, the computer program is stored in the hard disk of a server computer on the Internet. The data processing unit 4 can access the server computer, download the computer program, and install it on the hard disk 41D. It is.

  In addition, an operating system that provides a graphical user interface environment such as Windows (registered trademark) manufactured and sold by US Microsoft Co. is installed in the hard disk 41D. Such an operating system has a software clock function, and can measure time. Needless to say, the computer may be provided with a hardware clock, and the time may be measured using the hardware clock. In the following description, it is assumed that the computer program according to the first embodiment operates on the operating system.

  The input / output interface 41F includes, for example, a serial interface such as USB, IEEE1394, RS232C, a parallel interface such as SCSI, IDE, IEEE1284, an analog interface including a D / A converter, an A / D converter, and the like. . An input unit 43 including a keyboard and a mouse is connected to the input / output interface 41 </ b> F, and the user can input data to the data processing unit 4 by using the input unit 43.

  The communication interface 41G is, for example, an Ethernet (registered trademark) interface, and the data processing unit 4 can transmit and receive data to and from the measurement unit 2 by using the communication interface 41G using a predetermined communication protocol.

  The image output interface 41H is connected to a display unit 42 constituted by an LCD, a CRT, or the like, and outputs a video signal based on image data given from the CPU 41A to the display unit 42. The display unit 42 performs screen display according to the input video signal.

  Next, the heater deterioration determination operation of the analyzer according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, the operation relating to the heater deterioration determination of the measurement unit 2 will be described. As described above, the flash memory card 26A provided in the control unit 25 of the measurement unit 2 stores the computer program for heater deterioration determination according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. This computer program is read from the flash memory card reader 26 when the measurement unit 2 is activated, loaded into the memory 28, and executed by the CPU 27. When the CPU 27 executes this computer program, the measuring unit 2 operates as follows. In the following, the operation of the measurement unit 2 when performing deterioration determination for the heater 17C will be described, but the same deterioration determination operation is performed for the other heaters 18H, 19H, and 21B.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of the heater deterioration determination operation by the measurement unit 2 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, CPU 27 of the measuring unit 2, the heater degradation determination start temperature _{K set1} recorded in the flash memory card 26A, the flash memory heater deterioration determination end temperature _{K set2,} and failure determination time _{T over1, T over2} The data is read from the card 26A and stored in the memory 28 (step S1). The CPU 27 refers to the software clock (system clock), acquires the current time T1 (step S2), and acquires the temperature K1 of the thermistor 17D (step S3).

Next, the CPU 27 compares the temperature K1 with the heater deterioration determination start temperature K _set1 (step S4). When the temperature K1 is higher than the heater deterioration determination start temperature _Kset1 (No in step S4), the CPU 27 ends the process. Thus, when the temperature of the thermistor 17D is higher than the deterioration determination start temperature K _set1 , the measurement unit 2 does not execute the deterioration determination operation of the heater 17C. For example, the heating unit 17B of the heating table 17 (or the heating pipettes 18E and 19E of the reagent dispensing units 18 and 19 and the heating unit 21D of the detection unit 21) which has been used for a long time and is sufficiently heated. If the measuring device 2 is restarted in the heated state, or the measuring device 2 is temporarily stopped and then immediately started, the detection temperature of the thermistor 17D (or thermistors 18G, 19G, 21C) is sufficient. This is because the target temperature is reached only by operating the heater 17C (or the heaters 18H, 19H, and 21B) for a short period of time, so that the deterioration cannot be accurately determined.

In step 4, when the temperature K1 is equal to or lower than the deterioration determination start temperature K _set1 (Yes in step S4), the CPU 27 determines whether or not the temperature K1 and the deterioration determination start temperature K _set1 are equal (step S5). ). Here, when the temperature K1 and the deterioration determination start temperature _Kset1 are different (No in step S5), the CPU 27 obtains the current time T2 from the system clock (step S6), and the time T2 and the time T1. And the initial elapsed time _Ton1 is calculated (step S7). Further, CPU 27 compares the initial elapsed time _{T on1} calculated and the failure determination time _{T OVER1} in step S7 (step S8), and if the initial elapsed time _{T on1} is less than the failure determination time _{T OVER1} (step S8 in no), the returns to step S3, and repeats the process of step S3~S8 long as the temperature K1 does not match the degradation determination starting temperature _{K set1.} In this loop process, since the initial elapsed time _Ton1 is sequentially updated, the elapsed time until the temperature K1 reaches the deterioration determination start temperature _Kset1 is measured. Then, (Yes in step S8) the initial elapsed when the time _{T on1} is failure determination time _{T OVER1} more in step S8, even over a long period of time (i.e., even after a lapse of 15 minutes from the start warming) pressure The warming part 17B is not sufficiently heated (that is, the temperature of the warming part 17B does not reach 25 ° C.), and it is considered that a failure has occurred in the heater 17C, and the CPU 27 fails in the initial elapsed time _Ton1. First failure notification data indicating that the determination time has been exceeded is transmitted to the data processing unit 4 (step S9), and the process ends.

In step S8, when the temperature K1 and the deterioration determination start temperature _Kset1 are equal (Yes in step S5), the CPU 27 acquires the time T3 at that time from the system clock (step S10). Next, the CPU 27 obtains the time T4 from the system clock again (step S11), obtains the difference between the time T4 and the time T3, and calculates the elapsed time Ton2 (step S12). Next, the CPU 27 acquires the temperature K2 of the thermistor 17D (step S13), and compares the temperature K2 with the deterioration determination end temperature _Kset2 (step S14).

When the temperature K2 is different from the deterioration determination end temperature _Kset2 (No in step S14), the CPU 27 compares the elapsed time _Ton2 calculated in step S12 with the failure determination time _Tover2 (step S15). If the elapsed time Ton2 is less than the failure determination time _Tover2 (No in step S15), the process returns to step S11, and unless the temperature K2 coincides with the deterioration determination end temperature _Kset2 , the steps S11 to S15 are performed. Repeat the process. In this loop process, since the elapsed time _Ton2 is sequentially updated, the elapsed time until the temperature K2 reaches the deterioration determination end temperature _Kset2 is measured. And when elapsed time _Ton2 is more than failure determination time _Tover2 (Yes in step S15), even if it takes a long time (that is, 10 minutes have passed since the heating unit 17B reached 25 ° C.). Also, the heating unit 17B is not sufficiently heated (that is, the temperature of the heating unit 17B does not reach 30 ° C.) and the heater 27C is considered to have failed, and the CPU 27 determines that the elapsed time _Ton2 The second failure notification data indicating that the failure determination time has been exceeded is transmitted to the data processing unit 4 (step S16), and the process ends.

In step S14, when the temperature K2 and the deterioration determination end temperature K _set2 are equal (Yes in step S14), the CPU 27 increases the temperature detected by the thermistor 17D from the deterioration determination start temperature K _set1 to the deterioration determination end temperature K _set2. Elapsed time _Ton2 is transmitted to the data processing unit 4 (step S17), and the process is terminated.

  Next, the operation regarding the heater deterioration determination of the data processing unit 4 will be described. The data processing unit 4 stores a computer program for heater failure determination according to the present invention in the hard disk 41D in the main body 41. The computer program is read from the hard disk 41D by the CPU 41A, loaded into the RAM 41C, and executed by the CPU 41A. When the CPU 41A executes this computer program, the data processing unit 4 operates as follows.

  FIGS. 13 and 14 are flowcharts showing the flow of operations related to heater deterioration determination by the data processing unit 4 according to the first embodiment. First, the CPU 41A of the data processing unit 4 waits for reception of data transmitted from the measurement unit 2 (step S18). In step S18, when the data received from the measurement unit 2 is the first failure notification data or the second failure notification data (“failure notification data” in step S18), the CPU 41A replaces the heater that prompts replacement of the heater. The notification window 42A is displayed on the display unit 42 (step S19), and then the process ends. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the heater replacement notification window 42A. As shown in Fig. 15, the heater replacement notification window 42A shows that "Heater failure has occurred", "The heater did not reach the set temperature even after the predetermined time. The heater has failed. Please replace the heater as soon as possible. " In this manner, the heater replacement notification window 42A displays a message, an image, etc. for notifying the user / operator that the heater has failed and needs to be replaced. By doing so, it is possible to automatically determine whether or not the heater has failed without burdening the operator with the trouble of determining the failure of the heater, which has been conventionally required. The user / worker can know that a failure has occurred in the heater only by confirming the heater replacement notification window 42A, and can quickly proceed with arrangements necessary for heater replacement. It is also possible to simultaneously display a model number for identifying the heater, an image showing the heater replacement location, or an image / message for guiding the heater replacement procedure. By doing in this way, the replacement | exchange work of a heater becomes still easier.

On the other hand, when the data received from the measurement unit 2 is the elapsed time _Ton2 in step S18 (“elapsed time data” in step S18), the CPU 41A of the data processing unit 4 determines the deterioration rate of the heater 17C. (Step S20). In the process of step S20, the heating time of the heater (here, the elapsed time _Ton2 required for the temperature detected by the thermistor 17D (that is, the temperature of the heating unit 17B) to rise from 25 ° C. to 30 ° C.) A deterioration rate table 50 showing the relationship with the heater deterioration rate is used. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of the deterioration rate table 50. As illustrated in FIG. 16, the deterioration rate table 50 is a lookup table in which a plurality of heating time ranges are associated with deterioration rates. When the heating time is short, the heater has a high heating capability, so the deterioration rate of the corresponding heater is low, and the corresponding deterioration rate is high as the heating time is long. CPU41A, in the processing in step S20, compares the elapsed time _{T on2} to this degradation rate table 50, obtains the degradation rate of the corresponding heater to the elapsed time _{T on2.} Thereafter, the CPU 41 obtains the current time T5 from the system clock (step S21), associates the deterioration rate obtained in step S20 with the time T5 obtained in step S21, and stores it in the history database DB41 ( Step S22).

  Next, the CPU 41A reads, from the history database DB41, the deterioration rate obtained by the previous deterioration rate determination and the determination time thereof, that is, the previous data stored in step S22 from the database DB41 (step S23). .

  Here, the CPU 41A determines whether or not the deterioration rate acquired in step S20, that is, the deterioration rate obtained in the current deterioration rate determination is less than 30% (step S24). When the deterioration rate is less than 30% (Yes in Step S24), the CPU 41A displays a deterioration state notification window 42B for notifying the deterioration state of the heater on the display unit 42 (Step S25), and ends the process.

  FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the deterioration state notification window 42B. As shown in FIG. 17, in the deterioration state notification window 42 </ b> B, “the deterioration rate of the heater is less than 30%”, “the previous deterioration rate was 0%, and the determination time was 3/12 13:00. "," No heater replacement is required "is displayed. In this way, in the deterioration state notification window 42B, the current deterioration rate, the previous deterioration rate, the execution time of the previous deterioration rate determination, the message / image etc. for notifying the user / operator that there is no need to replace the heater, etc. Is displayed. By doing in this way, the user / worker can grasp that it is not necessary to replace the heater only by checking the deterioration state notification window 42B. Further, by displaying the previous deterioration rate and the determination time, the user / worker can grasp the transition of the heater deterioration rate.

  In step S24, when the deterioration rate is 30% or more (No in step S24), the CPU 41A determines whether or not the heater deterioration rate is less than 50% (step S26). If the deterioration rate is less than 50% (Yes in step S26), the CPU 41A displays a deterioration state notification window on the display unit 42 (step S27). In this deterioration state notification window, the user / work indicates that the current deterioration rate, that is, the deterioration rate is 30% to less than 50%, the previous deterioration rate, the previous deterioration determination time, and the heater need not be replaced. A message / image to notify the user is displayed. After displaying the deterioration state notification window, the CPU 41A ends the process.

  In step S26, when the deterioration rate is 50% or more (No in step S26), the CPU 41A determines whether or not the heater deterioration rate is less than 70% (step S28), and the deterioration rate is 70%. If it is less (Yes in Step S28), it is determined whether or not the previous deterioration rate is less than 50% (Step S29). Here, when the previous deterioration rate is less than 50% (Yes in step S29), the deterioration rate is worse than the previous time, so that the heater deterioration is progressing or there is some abnormality in the heater. It can be determined that it has occurred. Therefore, in such a case, the CPU 41A displays a heater replacement notification window 42C that prompts replacement of the heater on the display unit 42 (step S30), and ends the process.

  FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the heater replacement notification window 42C. As shown in FIG. 18, in the heater replacement notification window 42C, “the heater deterioration rate is less than 50 to 70%”, “the previous deterioration rate is less than 30%, and the determination time is 3/25 13: “It was 00” and “The heater needs to be replaced.” As described above, the heater replacement notification window 42C includes the current deterioration rate, the previous deterioration rate, the time of the previous deterioration rate determination, the message / image that notifies the user / operator that the heater needs to be replaced, and the like. Is displayed. By doing so, the operator can grasp that the heater needs to be replaced only by confirming the heater replacement notification window 42C, and can promptly make arrangements necessary for replacing the heater. . Further, since the previous deterioration rate and the determination time are displayed, the user / worker can grasp the transition of the deterioration rate of the heater.

  On the other hand, in step S29, when the previous deterioration rate is 50% or more (No in step S29), the deterioration rate has not substantially changed from the previous time. It can be determined to be normal. Therefore, in this case, the CPU 41A indicates that the current deterioration rate (50% to 70%), the previous deterioration rate (50% or more), the previous deterioration determination time, and that the heater need not be replaced. A deterioration state notification window including a message / image to be notified to the person is displayed on the display unit 42 (step S31), and the process is terminated.

  In step S28, when the current deterioration rate is 70% or more (No in step S28), the CPU 41A determines whether or not the heater deterioration rate is less than 80% (step S32). Here, when the deterioration rate is less than 80% (Yes in Step S32), the CPU 41A determines whether or not the previous deterioration rate is less than 70% (Step S33).

  If the previous deterioration rate is less than 70% (Yes in step S33), the deterioration rate is worse than the previous time, so the heater deterioration is progressing or some abnormality has occurred in the heater. Can be determined. Therefore, in such a case, the CPU 41A indicates that the current deterioration rate (70% to 80%), the previous deterioration rate (less than 70%), the previous deterioration determination time, and that the heater needs to be replaced. A heater replacement notification window including a message / image to be notified to the person is displayed on the display unit 42 (step S34), and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if the previous deterioration rate is 70% or more in step S33 (No in step S33), the deterioration rate has not changed substantially from the previous time, so the progress of the heater deterioration is slow and for a while. It can be determined that the heater can be used normally. Therefore, in this case, the CPU 41A indicates that the current deterioration rate (50% to 70%), the previous deterioration rate (50% or more), the previous deterioration determination time, and that the heater need not be replaced. A deterioration state notification window including a message / image to be notified to the person is displayed on the display unit 42 (step S35), and the process is terminated.

  In step S32, when the current deterioration rate is 80% or more (No in step S32), the deterioration of the heater is advanced, and it is expected that the heater will not function normally in the near future. Therefore, in this case, the CPU 41A displays the heater replacement notification window including the current deterioration rate (80% or more) and a message / image notifying the user / worker that the heater needs to be replaced. (Step S36), and the process is terminated. By doing so, it is possible to automatically determine whether or not it is necessary to replace the heater without burdening the operator with the labor and time required for heater replacement determination. The user / worker can quickly proceed with arrangements necessary for heater replacement only by checking the heater replacement notification window. It is also possible to simultaneously display a model number for identifying the heater, an image showing the heater replacement location, or an image / message for guiding the heater replacement procedure. By doing in this way, the replacement | exchange work of a heater becomes still easier.

  In the analyzer 1 according to the first embodiment, the deterioration determination is performed based on the elapsed time required for the temperature detected by the thermistor 17C (the temperature of the heating unit 17B) to rise from 25 ° C. to 30 ° C. Although the configuration has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and heater deterioration determination is performed based on the time required for the heating unit 17B to rise in temperature within another temperature range (for example, 20 ° C. to 30 ° C.). It is good also as a structure, and it is good also as a structure which determines deterioration of a heater based on the time required for temperature rise only by predetermined temperature (for example, 5 degreeC) from the heating start of a heater.

Further, in the analysis apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above, the heating time is collated with the deterioration rate table 50 in which a plurality of heating time ranges and deterioration rates are associated with each other, and the heating time is determined. Although the structure for obtaining the corresponding deterioration rate has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the deterioration rate when the heating time is 5 to 6 minutes and the ambient temperature is 10 to 15 ° C. is 50%. In addition, a table in which deterioration rates are associated with a plurality of heating time ranges and a plurality of ambient temperature ranges is prepared, and the measured heating time and the ambient temperature are checked against the table, and the corresponding deterioration rates are determined. For example, the deterioration rate may be determined based on the relationship between the heating time and the deterioration rate other than those described above.
(Embodiment 2)
The configuration of the analyzer according to the second embodiment is substantially the same as the configuration of the analyzer according to the first embodiment except for the computer program stored in the flash memory card 26A and the hard disk 41D of the data processing unit 4. Therefore, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. Only the operation of the analyzer according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the flow of the heater deterioration determination operation by the measurement unit 2 according to the second embodiment. Among the operations of the measurement unit 2, the processing from step S1 to S16 described in the first embodiment is the same, and thus the description thereof is omitted. In step S14, if the temperature K2 and deterioration determination end temperature _{K set2} are equal (Yes at step S14), CPU 27, the deterioration determination start temperature _{K set1} deterioration determination end temperature _{K set2,} and the elapsed time _{T on2} data The data is transmitted to the processing unit 4 (step S37), and the process is terminated.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations related to heater deterioration determination by the data processing unit 4 according to the second embodiment. The CPU 41A of the data processing unit 4 waits for reception of data transmitted from the measurement unit 2 (step S38). In step S38, when the data received from the measurement unit 2 is the first failure notification data or the second failure notification data (“failure notification data” in step S38), the CPU 41A has been described in the first embodiment. The heater replacement notification window 42A is displayed on the display unit 42 (step S39), and then the process ends. On the other hand, in step S37, the data received from the measurement unit 2, the deterioration determination start temperature _{K set1} deterioration determination end temperature _{K set2,} and when the elapsed was the time _{T on2} ( "temperature data and time data in step S18 The CPU 41A calculates the temperature increase rate V _on of the heating unit 17B according to the following equation (1) (step S39).

_{V on = (K set2 -K set1} ) / T on2 ··· (1)
Next, the CPU 41A determines the deterioration rate of the heater 17C based _on the temperature increase rate V _on (step S40). In the process of step S40, the heater heating rate (here, the temperature rise rate V _on when the temperature detected by the thermistor 17D (that is, the temperature of the heating unit 17B) rises from 25 ° C. to 30 ° C.) and the heater A deterioration rate table showing the relationship with the deterioration rate of the is used. FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the deterioration rate table 150. The deterioration rate table 150 is a lookup table in which a plurality of heating rate ranges are associated with deterioration rates. When the heating rate is high, the heater has high heating capability, so the corresponding heater deterioration rate is low, and the corresponding deterioration rate increases as the heating rate decreases. In the process of step S40, the CPU 41A collates the temperature increase rate V _on with the deterioration rate table 150 and acquires the heater deterioration rate corresponding thereto. Thereafter, the CPU 41 shifts the processing to step S21. Since the processing after step S21 is the same as that described in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

By doing so, since the degree of deterioration of the heater is closely related to the temperature rise rate of the heater, it is possible to easily and accurately determine the degree of deterioration of the heater based on the heating rate of the heater. . Further, with this configuration, it is possible to unify the heating rate used for the deterioration determination to the heater increase rate V _on while the heater deterioration determination start temperature K _set1 increases to the heater deterioration determination end temperature determination temperature K _set2. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine deterioration even at various ambient temperatures (external environmental temperatures).

In the analysis apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the temperature increase rate V _on in the predetermined temperature range is calculated and the heater deterioration determination is performed based _{on the} temperature increase rate V _on . For example, the temperature of the thermistor 17D is time-differentiated by using a means such as a differentiating circuit, and the temperature change rate obtained by this, that is, the temperature rise rate, is used to determine the deterioration of the heater. It is good also as a structure to perform, The difference of the detection temperature of the thermistor 17D for every predetermined time interval (for example, sampling period) (The difference of the detection temperature obtained by the last sampling, and the detection temperature obtained by this sampling) It is good also as a structure which determines the deterioration rate of a heater using the difference value obtained as a result as a temperature rise rate. Further, the temperature rise rate of the heating unit 17B is calculated from a predetermined temperature (for example, 20 ° C.) until a predetermined time (for example, 3 minutes) elapses, and the heater deterioration is determined based on the temperature increase rate. It is good.

  In the analysis apparatus 1 according to the first and second embodiments, the configuration using a thermistor for the temperature sensor has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a thermocouple, a platinum resistance thermometer, etc. It is good also as a structure which measures temperature using this temperature sensor.

  The analyzer according to the present invention automatically determines the degree of deterioration of the heater and can reduce the troublesome burden on the operator. It is useful as an analyzer for analyzing a sample prepared from

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an analysis apparatus 1. FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing configurations of a measurement unit 2 and a conveyance unit 3. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a cuvette 8. FIG. 4 is a side view showing the configuration of a sample dispensing unit 15. FIG. 4 is a side view showing the configuration of the reagent dispensing unit 18. FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a heating table 17. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a configuration of a heating table 17. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a configuration of a detection unit 21. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a measurement unit 2. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a data processing unit 4. FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of history database DB41. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of a heater deterioration determination operation by the measurement unit 2 according to the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations related to heater deterioration determination by a data processing unit 4 according to the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations related to heater deterioration determination by a data processing unit 4 according to the first embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the heater replacement notification window 42A. It is a figure which shows an example of the deterioration rate table. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the deterioration state notification window 42B. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the heater replacement notification window 42C. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of a heater deterioration determination operation by the measurement unit 2 according to the second embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of an operation relating to heater deterioration determination by a data processing unit 4 according to the second embodiment. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a deterioration rate table 150. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Analyzer 2 Measurement part 3 Transport part 3A Transport path 4 Data processing part 5 Sample container 6 Sample rack 7 Sample supply position 8 Cuvette 9 Table unit 9B Reagent container 10 Storage hole 12 Cuvette supply part 13, 23 Cuvette transfer part 14 Buffer solution Containers 15, 16 Sample dispensing unit 18, 19 Reagent dispensing unit 15A, 18A Mechanism unit 15B, 18B Shaft 15C, 18C Arm 15D, 18D Holder 15E, 16E, 18I Pipette 17 Heating table 17A Cuvette storage hole 17B, 18F, 21D Heating unit 17C, 18H, 19H, 21B Heater 17D, 18G, 19G, 21C, 25A Thermistor 17E, 21E Cover 18E, 19E Heating pipette 20B, 22B Reagent mixing position 21 Detection unit 21A Analysis hole 24 Cuvette discharge unit 25 Control unit 26 Flash memory car Reader 26A flash memory card 27 CPU
28 Memory 29 Waveform Processing Unit 31 Operation Control Unit 31a Temperature Control Circuit 33 Communication Unit 41 Main Body 41A CPU
41B ROM
41C RAM
41D Hard disk 41F Input / output interface 41G Communication interface 41H Image output interface 41I Bus DB 41 History database 41a Degradation rate field 41b Determination time field 42 Display unit 42A Heater replacement notification window 42B Degradation state notification window 42C Heater replacement notification window 43 Input unit 44 Portable Recording medium 50, 150 deterioration rate table

Claims (12)

An analyzer for analyzing a sample prepared from a specimen and a reagent,
A heater,
A temperature measuring unit that measures the temperature of the heating target heated by the heater;
Timekeeping means,
An analysis apparatus comprising: a deterioration determination unit that determines a degree of deterioration of the heater based on the temperature measured by the temperature measurement unit and the time measured by the time measuring unit. The deterioration determining means includes
A heating time acquisition means for acquiring a heating time related to the heating of the heater;
The analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the analyzer is configured to determine a degree of deterioration of the heater based on a heating time acquired by the heating time acquisition unit.   The warming time acquisition unit is configured to acquire a warming time required when the temperature measured by the temperature measuring unit rises from a predetermined first temperature to a predetermined second temperature. 2. The analyzer according to 2. Initial elapsed time acquisition means for acquiring an elapsed time since the heater started heating;
When the temperature measured by the temperature measurement unit has not reached the first temperature, the elapsed time acquired by the initial elapsed time acquisition means is compared with a predetermined failure determination time, and the elapsed time The analyzer according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising an initial failure determination unit that determines that the heater is in failure when the failure determination time is exceeded. An elapsed time acquisition means for acquiring an elapsed time after the temperature measured by the temperature measurement unit reaches the first temperature;
When the temperature measured by the temperature measuring unit does not reach the second temperature, the elapsed time acquired by the elapsed time acquisition unit is compared with a predetermined failure determination time, and the elapsed time is The analyzer according to any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising failure determination means for determining that the heater is in failure when a failure determination time is exceeded. A storage unit that stores the relationship between the heating time of the heater and the degree of deterioration of the heater;
The deterioration determination unit is configured to check the degree of deterioration of the heater by comparing the heating time acquired by the heating time acquisition unit with the relationship stored in the storage unit. The analyzer in any one of thru | or 5. The deterioration determining means includes
A heating speed acquisition means for acquiring a heating speed related to heating of the heater;
The analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the analyzer is configured to determine a degree of deterioration of the heater based on a heating rate acquired by the heating rate acquisition unit.   The said heating rate acquisition means is comprised so that the temperature measured by the said temperature measurement part may acquire the heating rate while it rises from predetermined 1st temperature to predetermined 2nd temperature. The analyzer described in 1.   The said heating rate acquisition means is comprised so that the heating rate until predetermined time may pass after the temperature measured by the said temperature measurement part exceeds predetermined 1st temperature may be comprised. Analysis equipment. A determination result recording means for recording a deterioration determination result by the deterioration determination means;
Heater replacement determination means for determining whether or not the heater needs to be replaced based on a past deterioration determination result recorded in the determination result recording means and a current deterioration determination result by the deterioration determination means. The analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising:   The analysis apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays a determination result by the deterioration determination unit. The analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the heater is configured to heat at least one of a specimen, a reagent, and the sample.

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