JP3682029B2 - Biochemical analyzer - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention uses a spotting device to spot a sample such as blood or urine on a colorimetric type dry analytical element, an electrolyte type dry analytical element, etc., and the concentration and ion activity of a predetermined biochemical substance in the specimen The present invention relates to a biochemical analyzer for obtaining the above.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a specific color component of a dry analytical element or sample that can quantitatively analyze a specific chemical component or formed component contained in this sample simply by spotting and supplying a small droplet of the sample An electrolyte type dry analytical element capable of measuring ion activity of ions has been developed and put into practical use. Biochemical analyzers using these dry analytical elements are suitable for use in medical institutions, laboratories and the like because they can easily and quickly analyze samples.
[0003]
In the colorimetric measurement method using a colorimetric type dry analytical element, after a sample is spotted on the dry analytical element, it is held at a constant temperature in an incubator for a color reaction (dye generation reaction), and then This dry analytical element is irradiated with measurement irradiation light containing a wavelength selected in advance by a combination of a predetermined biochemical substance in the sample and a reagent contained in the dry analytical element, and the optical density is measured. Thus, the concentration of the biochemical substance is obtained using a calibration curve representing the correspondence between the optical density obtained in advance and the substance concentration of the predetermined biochemical substance.
[0004]
On the other hand, the potential difference measurement method using an electrolyte type dry analytical element is included in a sample spotted on an electrode pair consisting of two pairs of the same kind of dry ion selective electrodes instead of measuring the above optical density. The activity of specific ions is determined by quantitative analysis with potentiometry using a reference solution.
[0005]
In any of the above methods, a liquid sample is stored in a sample container (such as a blood collection tube) and set in the apparatus, and a dry analytical element necessary for the measurement is mounted on the apparatus, and the dry analytical element is mounted from the mounting position. While transporting to a landing part and an incubator, a sample is supplied to a spotting part from a loading position by a spotting nozzle and spotted.
[0006]
  As described above, depending on the measurement item, the type of dry analytical element and the method of spotting it are different, and analysis information including the measurement item is given to each dry analytical element by a barcode recording method or the like. Yes. This dry analytical elementLoading device (hereinafter referred to as sample tray)When mounted directly or using a cartridge, the dry analytical element is taken out from the sample tray, the information is read, and based on the read information, the specimen is aspirated according to the measurement item of the dry analytical element. Is controlling.
[0007]
In addition, a plurality of items are usually analyzed and measured for one specimen, and a plurality of types of dry analytical elements corresponding to each specimen are stacked on the sample tray and sequentially measured. Such a device is known. In this case, since one sample is spotted on a plurality of types of dry analysis elements in order, it is necessary to repeat reading of information and sample aspiration for each dry analysis element.
[0008]
  By the way, the reading of the analysis information given to the above-mentioned machine dry analysis element is carried out by installing an information reader in the conveyance path on the way the dry analysis element taken out from the sample tray is conveyed to the spotting position. Reading is generally done(See, for example, JP-A-11-211721).
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  However, in this case, if there is an error in the front or back of the dry analytical element taken out to the transport path, or the transport direction, etc., accurate measurement cannot be performed and information may not be read. However, it is necessary to take out the dry analytical element already in the transport path, transport it again, and read the information again, which is cumbersome and reduces processing efficiency. It was. In addition, when there is a shortage of consumables, a mismatch between the sample and the measurement item, etc., it is also complicated to perform measurement again after correcting the measurement operation once started.
[0010]
In this regard, it is preferable to read the analysis information before starting the conveyance with the dry analytical element mounted on the sample tray. However, depending on the installation position of the reader, the sample tray may be read for reading. After operating to the reading position, it is necessary to move to the take-out position and then to the specimen aspirating position.Therefore, the operation of the sample tray and the sequence control are complicated, and there is a problem that processing takes time. This is an obstacle to shortening.
[0011]
In view of this point, an object of the present invention is to provide a biochemical analyzer capable of efficiently reading analysis information given to a dry analytical element and aspirating a specimen.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The biochemical analyzer of the present invention is equipped with a specimen and a dry analytical element necessary for the measurement.On-board equipmentAnd theOn-board equipmentIn a biochemical analyzer equipped with a spotting device that sucks a sample mounted on a spotting nozzle and spots it on a dry analytical element, the dry analytical element includesGrantedAnalysis information including measurement itemsTheReaderComprisingSample is in the aspiration positionNext use in the state of the mounted deviceOf dry analytical elementsSaidAnalysis informationTheReadableThe readerIt is characterized by being installed.
[0013]
  The dry analytical elements are stacked in the number corresponding to the measurement items for one specimen.On-board equipmentIs mounted on the lower part, and is transported to the spotting position in order from the lower one, and the specimen is spotted.On-board equipmentIt is preferable to read the analysis information given to the lower surface of the dry analytical element that is installed in the lower part of the substrate and transported next.
[0014]
  The dry analytical element is set in an element cartridge.On-board equipmentMounted on. An information reading window is formed in the lower part of the element cartridge. In addition, multiple specimens can beOn-board equipmentIt is preferable to mount in a pair with a dry analytical element.
[0015]
  On-board equipmentHowever, it is possible to adopt a method of moving to an element extraction position and a specimen aspiration position by a circular rotation operation. Also,On-board equipmentThe movement may be performed by a linear motion.
[0016]
【The invention's effect】
  According to the present invention as described above, analysis information including measurement items is given to the dry analysis element, and a reader for reading the analysis information is provided.The analysis information of the dry analytical element to be used next can be read in the state of the mounted device with the sample in the suction position.When the sample to be spotted on the dry analytical element at the spotting position is aspirated, the reader can read the analysis information of the next dry analytical element at the same time.On-board equipmentMovement is not required, sequence control can be simplified, and multiple items can be analyzed efficiently.
[0017]
  Also, the readerOn-board equipmentSince the information can be read before transporting the dry analytical element, a warning or the like can be issued if there is a problem based on the read information. Because it has not started substantially, InspectionIt is possible to easily deal with inconsistencies between body and measurement items.
[0018]
  On-board equipmentEven when multiple sets of specimens and dry analytical elements are installed, information on the dry analytical elements can be sequentially read, the dry analytical elements can be taken out and transported, and the sample can be efficiently aspirated and the overall analysis tact time can be shortened. .
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional front view showing a schematic mechanism of a biochemical analyzer according to an embodiment, FIG. 2 is a plan view of a main mechanism at an element transport position of the biochemical analyzer, and FIG. 3 is a transport path of a dry analytical element. It is a section front view of a part. FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which the sample tray is moved to the specimen suction position and the reading position.
[0020]
  The biochemical analyzer 1As a mounted deviceA sample tray 2, a spotting unit 3, a first incubator 4, a second incubator 5, a spotting device 6, an element transport mechanism 7, a transfer mechanism 8, a chip discarding unit 9, an element discarding mechanism 10 and the like are provided. Become.
[0021]
The sample tray 2 has a circular shape, a sample container 11 containing a sample, an element cartridge 13 containing unused dry analysis elements 12 (colorimetric type dry analysis elements and electrolyte type dry analysis elements), and consumables (nozzle tips). 14. Mount the diluent container 15, the mixing cup 16 and the reference liquid container 17). The sample container 11 is mounted via a sample adapter 18, and a large number of nozzle chips 14 are stored and mounted in a chip rack 19.
[0022]
The spotting unit 3 is disposed on an extension of the center line of the sample tray 2 and is used for spotting a specimen such as plasma, whole blood, serum, urine, etc. on the transported dry analysis element 12. 6, the sample is applied to the colorimetric dry analysis element 12 and the sample and the reference liquid are applied to the electrolyte type dry analysis element 12. Subsequent to the spotting unit 3, a chip discarding unit 9 in which the nozzle tip 14 is discarded is arranged.
[0023]
The first incubator 4 has a circular shape and is disposed at an extended position of the chip discarding unit 9. The first incubator 4 accommodates a colorimetric type dry analytical element 12 and keeps the temperature constant for a predetermined time to perform colorimetric measurement. The second incubator 5 (see FIG. 2) is disposed at an adjacent position on the side of the spotting portion 3, accommodates the electrolyte-type dry analysis element 12, maintains a constant temperature for a predetermined time, and performs a potential difference measurement.
[0024]
The element transport mechanism 7 (see FIG. 3), which is not shown in detail, is disposed inside the sample tray 2 and connects the center of the sample tray 2 and the center of the first incubator 4 to the spotted portion. 3 and an element transport for transporting the dry analytical element 12 from the sample tray 2 to the spotting section 3 and further to the first incubator 4 along a linear element transport path R (FIG. 2) passing through the chip discarding section 9 and the chip discarding section 9. A member 71 (conveying bar) is provided. The element conveying member 71 is slidably supported by a guide rod 38, and is reciprocated by a drive mechanism (not shown). The tip end portion is inserted into the guide hole 34a of the vertical plate 34, and slides in the guide hole 34a.
[0025]
The transfer mechanism 8 is also installed as the spotting unit 3, and transfers the electrolyte type dry analytical element 12 from the spotting unit 3 to the second incubator 5 in a direction orthogonal to the element transport path R.
[0026]
The spotting device 6 is disposed in the upper part, and a spotting nozzle 45 that moves up and down moves on the same straight line as the above-described element transport path R, spotting the specimen and the reference liquid, and diluting and mixing the specimen with the diluent. . The spotting nozzle 45 has a nozzle tip 14 attached to the tip, and sucks and discharges a sample, a reference liquid, and the like in the nozzle tip 14, and is provided with a syringe means (not shown) for performing the suction and discharge. The nozzle tip 14 is removed by the tip discarding unit 9 and discarded.
[0027]
The element discarding mechanism 10 (see FIG. 2) is attached to the first incubator 4 and pushes the colorimetric dry analytical element 12 after measurement to the center of the first incubator 4 to drop and discard. The element transport mechanism 7 can also be discarded. Further, the electrolyte type dry analytical element 12 after being measured by the second incubator 5 is discarded into the disposal hole 69 by the transfer mechanism 8.
[0028]
In addition, a blood filtration unit (not shown) that separates plasma from blood is installed in the vicinity of the sample tray 2.
[0029]
Next, the structure of each part will be specifically described. First, the sample tray 2 has a disk-shaped rotating disk 21 that is rotationally driven in the forward direction and the reverse direction, and a disk-shaped non-rotating part 22 at the center.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 2, the rotating disk 21 is adjacent to five sample mounting portions 23 of A to E that hold a sample container 11 such as a blood collection tube containing each sample via a sample adapter 18. The five element mounting portions 24 for holding the element cartridges 13 accommodated in a stacked state of the unused dry analysis elements 12 that normally require a plurality of types corresponding to the measurement items of each specimen, and a number of nozzles Two chip mounting portions 25 that hold a chip rack 19 that stores the chips 14 side by side in the holding holes, a diluent mounting portion 26 that holds three diluent containers 15 that store the diluent, a diluent and a sample, And a cup mounting portion 27 for holding a mixing cup 16 (a molded product in which a large number of cup-shaped recesses are arranged) are arranged in an arc shape.
[0031]
Further, the non-rotating part 22 includes a cylindrical reference liquid mounting part 28 for holding the reference liquid container 17 containing the reference liquid in the movement range of the spotting nozzle 45 on the extension line of the element transport path R. The reference liquid mounting unit 28 is provided with an evaporation prevention lid 35 (FIG. 1) that opens and closes the opening of the reference liquid container 17.
[0032]
The evaporation prevention lid 35 is held by a swing member 37 pivotally supported by the non-rotating portion 22 at the lower end, and is biased in the closing direction. The upper end locking portion 37a of the swinging member 37 can be brought into contact with the lower end corner portion 42a of the moving frame 42 of the spotting device 6, and the swinging member 37 is opened in the opening direction by the moving frame 42 that is moved close when the reference liquid is sucked. The evaporation prevention lid 35 opens the reference liquid container 17 so that the reference liquid can be sucked by the spotting nozzle 45. In other states, the evaporation prevention lid 35 closes the opening of the reference liquid container 17 to prevent the reference liquid from evaporating and prevents a decrease in measurement accuracy due to a change in concentration.
[0033]
The rotating disk 21 has an outer peripheral portion supported by a support roller 31 and a central portion rotatably held on a support shaft (not shown). Further, a timing belt (not shown) is wound around the outer periphery of the rotary disk 21 and is driven to rotate in the forward direction or the reverse direction by a drive motor. The non-rotating part 22 is non-rotatably attached to the support shaft.
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 3, the element cartridges 13 are usually stacked with a plurality of unused dry analytical elements 12 stacked from above. When loaded in the element mounting portion 24, the lower end portion is held on the bottom wall 24a of the element mounting portion 24, and the dry analytical element 12 at the lowermost end portion is positioned at the same height as the element transport surface. An opening 13a through which only one dry analytical element 12 can pass is formed on the front side, and an opening 13b through which the element transport member 71 can be inserted is formed on the rear side.
[0035]
Further, analysis information (measurement item, lot number, etc.) by a dot recording method, a bar code method or the like is given to the lower surface of the dry analysis element 12. A window portion 13 c is formed on the bottom surface of the element cartridge 13 and a window portion 24 b is also formed on the bottom wall 24 a of the element mounting portion 24 so that the analysis information can be read from below the element cartridge 13.
[0036]
A reader 33 for reading analysis information is installed below the sample tray 2. In the reader 33, the rotating disk 21 is rotated by the operation of the sample tray 2 from the element conveyance position shown in FIG. 2, and the sample container 11 (sample mounting portion 23) is a spotting nozzle as shown in FIG. When the element cartridge 13 (element mounting portion 24) containing the dry analytical element 12 used for the measurement of the sample is moved to the suction position on the movement path (element transport path R) of 45, the position is below the position where the element cartridge 13 is moved. is set up. That is, in the illustrated case, the reader 33 is installed at the rotational position of the element mounting unit 24 at a phase angle that is shifted from the element transport path R by the phase pitch between the sample mounting unit 23 and the element mounting unit 24. 2 shows the reader 33 with a part of the rotating disk 21 cut away, and FIG. 3 shows the reader 33 below the element mounting portion 24 in the element transport path R for convenience.
[0037]
The reader 33 is composed of a CCD camera in the case of the dot recording method, and a barcode reader in the case of the barcode method. The reading of the analysis information of the dry analysis element 12 by the reader 33 is performed prior to the sample suction from the corresponding sample container 11 and the transport of the dry analysis element 12. Then, analysis information, lot information, etc. can be obtained from 6-digit or 4-digit numbers obtained by reading the information given to the dry analytical element 12, and the front, back, front and back directions are recognized from the recording pattern, etc. it can. Thereby, a set failure can be detected and a warning can be issued. Further, depending on the measurement item, a reference solution or a dilution solution may be required. When the consumables 14 to 17 are insufficient, there is a mismatch between the type of specimen and the analysis item of the dry analytical element 12 or the like. It is also possible to issue a warning.
[0038]
The sample adapter 18 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the sample container 11 is inserted from above. The sample adapter 18 includes an identification unit (not shown), and information such as the type of sample (processing information) and the type (size) of the sample container 11 is set. The identification sensor 30 (FIG. 2) provided reads the identification, and determines whether or not the sample is diluted, whether or not the plasma is filtered, and calculates the amount of liquid level fluctuation associated with the size of the sample container 11. Processing control is performed accordingly. For the specimen container 11 that requires plasma filtration, the specimen container 11 is inserted into the adapter 18 and a holder equipped with a filtration filter is mounted via a spacer (both not shown).
[0039]
The spotting unit 3 and the transfer mechanism 8 include a support base 61 that is long between the sample tray 2 and the first incubator 4 in a direction perpendicular to the element transport path R, and a sliding frame 62 is movable on the support base 61. is set up. A main element presser 63 and an auxiliary element presser 64 in which a spot wearing opening 63a (FIG. 3) is formed are mounted adjacent to the sliding frame 62 so as to be integrally movable. The main element presser 63 (the same applies to the auxiliary element presser 64) has a recess 63b on the bottom surface facing the support base 61 through which the dry analysis element 12 passes along the element movement path R. The sliding frame 62 is guided at one end by the guide bar 65, the pin 66 is engaged with the long groove 62a at the other end, and the drive gear 67 of the drive motor 68 is engaged with the rack gear 62b. Is done. The support base 61 is provided with a second incubator 5 and a disposal hole 69.
[0040]
As shown in FIG. 2, when the main element presser 63 is positioned at the spotting portion 3, the colorimetric type dry analytical element 12 after spotting is pushed out by the element transport mechanism and the first incubator. 4 is transferred. On the other hand, when spotting is performed on the electrolyte type dry analysis element 12, the sliding frame 62 is moved, and the dry analysis element 12 after spotting slides on the support base 61 while being held by the main element presser 63. Thus, it is transferred to the second incubator 5 and the potential difference is measured. At that time, the auxiliary element presser 64 moves to the spotting unit 3 (spotting position), and then the specimen is spotted on the colorimetric dry analytical element 12 and then transported to the first incubator 4. Is possible. When the measurement in the second incubator 5 is completed, the sliding frame 62 is further moved, and the dry analytical element 12 after the measurement is transferred to the disposal hole 69 to be dropped and discarded.
[0041]
The spotting device 6 (FIG. 1) includes a moving frame 42 held on a horizontal guide rail 41 of a fixed frame 40 so as to be movable in the lateral direction, and two spotting nozzles that can be moved up and down on the moving frame 42. 45 is installed. A vertical guide rail 43 is fixed to the center of the moving frame 42, and two nozzle fixing bases 44 are slidably held on both sides of the vertical guide rail 43. An upper end portion of the spotting nozzle 45 is fixed to the lower portion of the nozzle fixing base 44, and a shaft-like member extending upward is inserted into the drive transmission member 47. A fitting force of the nozzle tip 14 is obtained by a compression spring interposed between the nozzle fixing base 44 and the drive transmission member 47. The nozzle fixing base 44 can move up and down integrally with the drive transmission member 47, and is driven relative to the nozzle fixing base 44 by compression of a compression spring when the nozzle tip 14 is fitted to the tip of the spotting nozzle 45. The transmission member 47 can move downward.
[0042]
The drive transmission member 47 is fixed to a belt 50 stretched around upper and lower pulleys 49 and moves up and down in accordance with the travel of the belt 50 by a motor (not shown). A balance weight 51 is attached to the outer portion of the belt 50 to prevent the descent nozzle 45 from moving down when not driven.
[0043]
The moving frame 42 is driven in the horizontal direction by a belt drive mechanism (not shown), and the horizontal movement and the vertical movement are controlled so that the two nozzle fixing bases 44 independently move up and down. Moves horizontally and moves up and down independently. For example, one spotting nozzle 45 is for a specimen, and the other spotting nozzle 45 is for a diluting liquid and a reference liquid.
[0044]
Both the spotting nozzles 45 are formed in a rod shape, an air passage extending in the axial direction is provided inside, and a pipette nozzle tip 14 is fitted in a sealed state at the lower end. Each spotting nozzle 45 is connected to an air tube connected to a syringe pump (not shown) and supplied with suction / discharge pressure. Further, the liquid level of the sample or the like can be detected based on the change in the suction pressure.
[0045]
The chip discarding unit 9 is provided so as to cross the transport surface of the dry analysis element 12 in the vertical direction, and includes an upper member 81 and a lower member 82. The support base 61 in the chip discarding section 9 is formed with a drop port 83 that is opened in an elliptical shape. The upper member 81 is fixed to the upper surface of the support base 61, an engagement notch 84 is provided immediately above the drop opening 83, and the lower member 82 is cylindrical so as to surround the lower side of the drop opening 83 on the lower face of the support base 61. The nozzle tip 14 that is formed and falls is guided.
[0046]
Then, the spotting nozzle 45 to which the nozzle tip 14 is mounted is moved down in the upper member 81 and then moved in the lateral direction, and the upper end of the nozzle tip 14 is engaged with the engagement notch 84. The nozzle tip 14 is extracted by moving the landing nozzle 45 upward, and the detached nozzle tip 14 is dropped and discarded through the drop port 83.
[0047]
Next, the first incubator 4 for performing colorimetric measurement includes an annular rotating member 87 on the outer peripheral portion, and the rotating member 87 is supported by a lower bearing 89 by an inclined rotating cylinder 88 fixed to the inner peripheral lower portion. It is free to rotate. An upper member 90 is disposed on an upper portion of the rotating member 87 so as to be integrally rotatable. The upper surface of the upper member 90 is flat, and a plurality of (13 in the case of FIG. 1) concave portions are formed on the upper surface of the rotating member 87 at predetermined intervals on the circumference, and a slit-like space is formed between the members 87 and 90. An element chamber 91 is formed, and the height of the bottom surface of the element chamber 91 is the same as the height of the transfer surface. Further, the inner hole of the inclined rotating cylinder 88 is formed in the disposal hole 92 of the dry analytical element 12 after the measurement, and the dry analytical element 12 in the element chamber 91 is moved to the center side as it is and dropped and discarded.
[0048]
The upper member 90 is provided with heating means, and the temperature of the dry analytical element 12 in the element chamber 91 is kept constant at a predetermined temperature. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the upper member 90 is provided with a presser member 93 corresponding to the element chamber 91 to press the mount of the dry analysis element 12 from above to prevent evaporation of the specimen. A heat retaining cover 94 is disposed on the upper surface of the upper member 90, while the first incubator 4 is entirely covered with a light shielding cover 95. Further, a photometric aperture 91a is formed at the center of the bottom surface of each element chamber 91 of the rotating member 87, and the reflection optical density of the dry analytical element 12 by the photometric head 96 disposed at the position shown in FIG. Is measured. The first incubator 4 is rotationally driven by a belt mechanism (not shown) and is driven to reciprocate.
[0049]
The disposal mechanism 10 includes a disposal bar 101 that moves forward and backward in the element chamber 91 in the center direction from the outer peripheral side. The disposal bar 101 is fixed to a belt 102 whose rear end travels in a horizontal direction, and the measured dry analytical element 12 is pushed out from the element chamber 91 in accordance with the traveling of the belt 102 driven by the drive motor 103 and discarded. To do. A recovery box for recovering the dry analytical element 12 after measurement is disposed below the disposal hole 92.
[0050]
Further, in the second incubator 5 for measuring the ion activity, the main element presser 63 of the sliding frame 62 is an upper member, and one element chamber is provided between the upper surface of the measurement main body 97 by the concave portion at the bottom. It is formed. The second incubator 5 is provided with a heating means (not shown), and a temperature measuring portion of the dry analytical element 12 for measuring the ion activity is isothermally heated to a predetermined temperature. Further, three pairs of potential measurement probes 98 for measuring the ion activity are provided on the side portion of the measurement main body 97 so as to come into contact with the ion selective electrode of the dry analytical element 12.
[0051]
A plasma filtration unit (not shown) is inserted through a holder (not shown) having a filter made of glass fiber inserted into the specimen container 11 (collecting blood vessel) held in the sample tray 2 and attached to the upper end opening. Plasma is separated and sucked from blood, and the filtered plasma is held in the cup at the upper end of the holder.
[0052]
Next, the operation of the biochemical analyzer 1 as described above will be described. First, before performing the analysis, in each of the mounting portions 23 to 28 of the sample tray 2, a specimen container 11 containing each specimen, an element cartridge 13 loaded with a dry analytical element 12, a chip rack 19 containing a nozzle chip 14, The mixing cup 16, the diluent container 15 and the reference liquid container 17 are mounted to prepare for measurement.
[0053]
Thereafter, the analysis process is started. First, in the case of a specimen that requires plasma filtration, the whole blood in the specimen container 11 is filtered by a blood filtration unit to obtain a plasma component.
[0054]
Next, the element cartridge 13 of the specimen to be measured by rotating the rotary disk 21 is stopped at a reading position (position shown in FIG. 4) corresponding to the reader 33, and is applied to the dry analytical element 12 at the lowest stage of the element cartridge 13. Read analysis information. Thereafter, the rotary disk 21 is rotated to stop the element cartridge 13 at the element take-out position (position of FIG. 2) corresponding to the spotting portion 3, and the dry analytical element 12 having read the information is It is taken out from the cartridge 13 and conveyed to the spotting unit 3.
[0055]
If the read analysis information is colorimetric measurement, the sample tray 2 is rotated to move the nozzle tip 14 of the tip rack 19 below the spotting nozzle 45, and the spotting nozzle 45 is moved downward as described above. Then, the nozzle tip 14 is fitted and attached to the tip and raised.
[0056]
Subsequently, the sample tray 2 is further rotated to move the sample container 11 to the suction position (position in FIG. 4), and the spotting nozzle 45 is lowered to suck the sample into the nozzle chip 14. Subsequently, the spotting nozzle 45 is moved to the spotting unit 3 to spot the sample on the dry analytical element 12. At the time of this sample aspiration, the element cartridge 13 corresponding to the sample container 11 is at the reading position, and at the same time, the analysis information of the dry analytical element 12 used for the next measurement at the bottom is read.
[0057]
Then, the colorimetric dry analytical element 12 on which the specimen is spotted is inserted into the first incubator 4. Next, after being kept at a constant temperature for a predetermined time, the element chamber 91 is rotated to sequentially move the inserted dry analysis elements 12 to the position of the photometric head 96, and the reflection optical density of the dry analysis elements 12 is measured. . After the measurement is completed, the measured dry analytical element 12 is pushed out to the center side and discarded. The measurement result is output, and the used nozzle tip 14 is removed from the spotting nozzle 45 by the tip discarding unit 9 and dropped downward and discarded, and the processing is completed.
[0058]
Further, after the sampler tray 2 sucks the sample and finishes spotting, the rotating disk 21 is rotated again to stop the element cartridge 13 at the element taking-out position corresponding to the spotting part 3 and read the information. The dry analytical element 12 is taken out from the element cartridge 13 by the element conveying member 71 and conveyed to the spotting unit 3. Subsequently, the sample tray 2 is further rotated to move the sample container 11 to the suction position, and the spotting nozzle 45 is lowered to suck the sample into the nozzle tip 14. Subsequently, the spotting nozzle 45 is moved to the spotting unit 3 to spot the sample on the dry analytical element 12. At the time of this sample aspiration, the element cartridge 13 corresponding to the sample container 11 is at the reading position, and at the same time, the analysis information of the next dry analytical element 12 at the bottom is read. The above operation is repeated for the number of dry analytical elements 12.
[0059]
When measuring a sample in a new sample container 11, for reading the analysis information of the first dry analytical element 12, the corresponding element cartridge 13 is moved to the reading position (position in FIG. 4). After that, after moving to the transport position (position in FIG. 2), taking out and transporting the dry analytical element 12, the specimen container 11 is moved to the specimen suction position (position in FIG. 4) in the same manner as described above. The operation of reading information on the next dry analytical element 12 is repeated simultaneously with the spotting of the specimen.
[0060]
Next, when the read analysis information is a dilution request, for example, when the blood concentration is too high to perform an accurate test, the dry analysis element 12 is transported to the spotting position, and then the nozzle tip 14 is attached to the spotting nozzle 45, and the spotting nozzle 45 is lowered to suck the sample into the nozzle tip 14. At that time, information reading of the next dry analytical element 12 is simultaneously performed. Then, after the aspirated specimen is dispensed from the nozzle tip 14 to the mixing cup 16, the used nozzle tip 14 is removed. Next, a new nozzle tip 14 is attached to the spotting nozzle 45, and the diluent is sucked from the diluent container 15 into the nozzle tip 14. The sucked diluted liquid is discharged from the nozzle tip 14 to the mixing cup 16. Then, the nozzle tip 14 is inserted into the mixing cup 16 and agitation is performed by repeating suction and discharge. After agitation, the diluted specimen is sucked into the nozzle tip 14, the spotting nozzle 45 is moved to the spotting section 3, and the specimen is spotted on the dry analytical element 12. Similarly, photometry, element discard, result output, and chip discard are performed, and the process is terminated.
[0061]
Next, when the read analysis information is the measurement of ion activity, after the electrolyte type dry analytical element 12 is transported to the spotting position, first, the nozzle tip 14 is attached to one spotting nozzle 45, and the specimen Aspirate. At that time, information reading of the next dry analytical element 12 is simultaneously performed. Next, the nozzle tip 14 is attached to the other spotting nozzle 45 and the reference liquid is sucked from the reference liquid container 17. Next, the specimen is spotted on one liquid supply hole of the dry analytical element 12 by one spotting nozzle 45, and the reference liquid is spotted on the other liquid supply hole of the dry analytical element 12 by the other spotting nozzle 45. To wear.
[0062]
Then, the dry analytical element 12 on which the specimen and the reference liquid are spotted is transferred from the spotting portion 3 to the second incubator 5 by the movement of the sliding frame 62, and the ion activity is measured by the potential difference measuring probe 98. Done. After the measurement is completed, the dry analytical element 12 after measurement is transferred to the discard hole 69 by the movement of the sliding frame 62 and discarded. Then, the measurement result is output, both the used nozzle tips 14 are removed from both spotting nozzles 45 and discarded, and the process is terminated.
[0063]
In the embodiment as described above, corresponding to the rotation operation of the sampler tray 2, before the dry analytical element 12 is transported from the element cartridge 13 to the spotting position, the analysis information is installed in the lower part of the sampler tray 2. In order to spot the sample corresponding to the measurement item based on the information read by the reader 33, the sample is aspirated and spotted from the specimen container 11, and at the same time, the information is read from the dry analytical element 12 to be spotted next. Therefore, the movement for reading only needs to be performed for the first time, and after that, the reading movement is not required, the sequence control can be simplified, and the analysis time can be shortened.
[0064]
In addition, since the information of the dry analysis element 12 is read before the dry analysis element 12 is taken out from the element cartridge 13, based on the read information, the front and back, front and back erroneous set states can be detected. This can be easily handled by removing the element cartridge 13 from the sampler tray 2 and reinserting the dry analytical element 12. Further, from the read information, it is possible to detect a shortage of consumables used for the corresponding measurement, a mismatch between the items of the dry analytical element 12 and the sample type, etc., and display a warning to the operator to deal with them.
[0065]
FIG. 5 is a layout diagram of a main part of a biochemical analyzer equipped with a sample tray according to another embodiment. In the sampler tray 20 of this embodiment, the sample mounting part 23 for mounting the sample container 11 and the element mounting part 24 for mounting the element cartridge 13 containing the dry analytical element 12 necessary for the measurement are on the same center line. It is arrange | positioned at the inner peripheral part and outer peripheral part. The reader 33 that reads the analysis information is installed below the sample tray 2 at the rotational position of the element mounting portion 24 in the element transport path R. Others are configured in the same manner as in the above embodiment, and the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
[0066]
In this embodiment, the element transport position and the sample suction position are set to coincide with each other in the rotation operation of the rotary disk 21 of the sampler tray 2. Therefore, when analysis is continuously performed on the same specimen, particularly in the case of colorimetric measurement, reading of analysis information, transport of the dry analytical element 12, specimen aspiration, and spotting operation are accompanied by a rotation operation of the rotary disk 21. The analysis efficiency can be improved with little time loss.
[0067]
Although the sample tray is configured to rotate in a circular shape, the sample tray may be configured to have a rack shape that moves linearly. In this case, the sample tray is moved to the spotting position next. A reader 33 is arranged so that analysis information of the dry analytical element 12 to be conveyed can be read.
[0068]
Further, the reader 33 may not be installed below the element cartridge 13 (element mounting portion 24), but may be a remote place as long as the analysis information of the dry analysis element 12 at this position can be read.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional front view showing a schematic configuration of a biochemical analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a plan view of a main part mechanism of the biochemical analyzer of FIG. 1 excluding a spotting device at an element transfer position.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional front view of a transport path portion of a dry analytical element.
FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which a sample tray is moved to a reading position.
FIG. 5 is a layout of a main part of a biochemical analyzer equipped with a sampler tray according to another embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Biochemical analyzer
2,20 sample tray
3 point landing
6 Pointing device
7 Element transport mechanism
11 Sample container
12 Dry analytical element
13 element cartridge
14 Nozzle tip
17 Reference solution container
19 tip rack
21 Rotating disc
23-28 mounted part
33 Reader
45 spot nozzle

Claims (2)

A mounting device for mounting a specimen and the dry analysis element necessary for the measurement, in a biochemical analysis apparatus and a destination apparatus that it spotted to sucks the specimen mounted on the mounting device in spotting nozzle dry analytical element ,
Wherein comprising a reader for reading the analysis information including the measurement items that have been granted to the dry analytical element, in the state of the mounting device in which the specimen is in the suction position, and then as readable the insights dry analytical element used A biochemical analyzer, wherein the reader is installed. The dry analytical element is one in which the number corresponding to the measurement item for one specimen is stacked and mounted on the mounting apparatus , and the specimen is spotted by being transported to the spotting position in order from the bottom. The biochemical analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the machine reads the analysis information provided on the lower surface of the dry analytical element that is installed at the lower part of the mounting device and then transported.

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