JP4585078B2 - Automatic analyzer and cleaning method for reaction tube - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that automatically performs component analysis of a test sample, and a reaction tube cleaning method that is preferably provided in the automatic analyzer, and in particular, to improve the cleaning effect in automatic cleaning of reaction tubes. The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer and a method for cleaning a reaction tube.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a conventional automatic analyzer, for example, a test sample typified by blood or urine is dispensed into a reaction tube 4 together with a reagent, and component analysis is performed by light measurement such as a reaction rate method. However, in order to use the measured reaction tube for measurement of another test sample, the measured reaction solution (mixed solution of the test sample and the reagent) in the reaction tube is discarded and the reaction tube is used. Need to be cleaned. For this reason, the conventional automatic analyzer is provided with a washing unit, and the reaction tube containing the measured reaction solution is washed as described below.
[0003]
That is, the cleaning unit first inserts a high-concentration suction nozzle into the reaction tube and drives the waste liquid pump, and sucks the measured reaction liquid through the high-concentration suction nozzle to drain it out of the apparatus.
[0004]
Next, a washing nozzle is inserted into the waste reaction tube, and an alkaline diluent is discharged into the reaction tube through this washing nozzle, and a vacuum pump is driven to suck and discharge the alkaline diluent. .
[0005]
Next, a cleaning nozzle is inserted into the reaction tube in which the alkaline diluting liquid is discarded, and the acidic detergent is discharged into the reaction tube through the cleaning nozzle, and the vacuum pump is driven to suck the acidic detergent and discharge the waste liquid. To do.
[0006]
Next, through each of the pure water cleaning nozzles provided in a plurality of stages, the operation of discharging the pure water to the reaction tube in which the acidic detergent has been drained and driving the vacuum pump to suck the cleaning liquid to waste Is repeatedly executed several times.
[0007]
Finally, a drying nozzle is inserted into the reaction tube from which the cleaning liquid is discarded, and the residual water in the reaction tube is sucked through the drying nozzle to complete a series of cleaning steps.
[0008]
Such a washing operation is performed by, for example, a single-multi type automatic analyzer that measures a plurality of items based on a reaction solution in one reaction tube, and measures a reaction solution in a predetermined reaction tube. It is performed in parallel with the measurement operation, such as washing the measured reaction tube during the operation. And since it wash | cleans using an alkaline dilution liquid and acidic detergent, the reaction tube can be wash | cleaned efficiently in a short time.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional automatic analyzer can reduce the washing time by washing the reaction tube with an alkaline diluent and an acidic detergent. Since it is performed in parallel with the measurement operation, the time that can be allocated to the cleaning of each reaction tube is only a few seconds, which is very short. For this reason, there is a concern that dirt remains in the reaction tube even after washing, and this dirt accumulates over many years. Then, the accumulated dirt may cause sudden data abnormality due to bubble adhesion, variation in measurement data, and the like.
[0010]
This problem can be improved by increasing the number of stages of cleaning nozzles, but adding additional cleaning nozzles is not desirable because it complicates the configuration of the automatic analyzer and doubles the amount of detergent and pure water used. .
[0011]
Therefore, it is preferable to periodically clean the reaction tubes manually so that dirt does not accumulate in the reaction tubes. This manual cleaning removes all of the hundreds of reaction tubes from the apparatus and turns them into detergent. After soaking, it is the work of washing with a brush etc. one by one. For this reason, it is not possible to force the user to perform this manual cleaning, and eventually a service person needs to go to the service level to perform hand cleaning.
[0012]
However, reaction tubes in recent years have been reduced in size to, for example, 5 mm × 4 mm square in order to reduce the amount of test samples and reagents, and are not of a size or structure that can be easily hand-washed. I need. In addition, since the accumulation method of dirt in the reaction tube differs depending on the number of samples processed by the automatic analyzer, the timing of manual cleaning differs for each device, and the operation results etc. are checked for each device in advance. It is necessary to perform hand washing at the optimal timing every time. For this reason, realization of this hand washing service is difficult and unrealistic.
[0013]
In addition, it is conceivable to irradiate the reaction tube with ultrasonic waves, but when the reaction tube is irradiated with strong ultrasonic waves, the ultrasonic wave causes fine scratches on the surface of the reaction tube, and the reaction tube It gradually becomes clouded by countless scratches. When this scratch occurs, the refractive index and transmittance of light at the time of light measurement change and hinder accurate measurement. Therefore, it is not suitable to use ultrasonic waves for cleaning the reaction tube.
[0014]
  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems,Improve the cleaning effect on the reaction tube compared to cleaning the reaction tube in parallel with the measurement operation.With the goal.
[0015]
  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic analyzer that dispenses a sample and a reagent into a reaction tube and measures the mixed solution as means for solving the above-mentioned problems. It is performed in parallel with the measuring operation, and the cleaning means for discharging the cleaning water to the suction pipe and sucking the cleaning water in the reaction tube.Corresponds to the cleaning cycle time in cleaning modeFirst wash cycle timeAnd the first cleaning cycle timeLonger thanCorresponds to the cleaning cycle time in the cleaning mode when the measurement operation is not performedSecond wash cycle timeWhenBased on the cleaning cycle time setting means for setting the first cleaning cycle time and the second cleaning cycle time, the time from when the cleaning water is discharged to the reaction tube until it is sucked is set. The aspirating time setting means and a period of time set by the aspirating time setting means after the predetermined washing water is discharged to the reaction tube during the time when the measurement operation is not performed, so that the discharged washing water is aspirated. And a control means for controlling the cleaning means.
[0017]
  Moreover, the reaction tube cleaning method according to the present invention of claim 6 is a means for solving the above-mentioned problems.AntiIt is performed in parallel with the measurement operation of discharging the wash water to the response tube and sucking the wash water in the reaction tube, dispensing the sample and the reagent into the reaction tube, and measuring the mixed solution.Corresponds to the cleaning cycle time in cleaning modeFirst wash cycle timeAnd the first cleaning cycle timeLonger thanCorresponds to the cleaning cycle time in the cleaning mode when the measurement operation is not performedSecond wash cycle timeWhenAnd setting the time from when the washing water is discharged to the reaction tube until it is sucked based on the first washing cycle time and the second washing cycle time, and performing the measurement operation. The cleaning means is controlled so that the discharged cleaning water is sucked after elapse of the time set by the suction time setting means after the predetermined cleaning water is discharged into the reaction tube at a non-time. To do.
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
First, the configuration of the automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0023]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment. This automatic analyzer includes reagent containers 2 and 3 in which a reagent rack 1 containing a plurality of reagent bottles containing reagents that react with various components of a test sample can be installed, and a plurality of reaction tubes 4 on the circumference. It has the arranged reaction disk 5 and the disk sampler 6 in which the test sample container 17 in which the test sample is stored is set.
[0024]
The reagent containers 2 and 3, the reaction disk 5 and the disk sampler 6 are each rotated by a driving device. Reagents necessary for the measurement are transferred from the reagent bottle 7 stored in the reagent rack 1 of the reagent storage 2 or the reagent storage 3 to the reaction tube 4 on the reaction disk 5 using the dispensing arm 8 or the dispensing arm 9 respectively. It is dispensed.
[0025]
Further, the test sample stored in the test sample container 17 arranged on the disk sampler 6 is dispensed into the reaction tube 4 on the reaction disk 5 by the sampling probe 16 of the sampling arm 10. The reaction tube 4 into which the test sample and the reagent are dispensed moves to the stirring position by the rotation of the reaction disk 5, and the test sample and the reagent are stirred by the stirring unit 11 to form a mixed liquid (reaction liquid). . Thereafter, the photometric system 13 performs component analysis of the test sample by irradiating the reaction tube 4 moved to the photometric position with light and measuring the change in absorbance of the reaction solution in the reaction tube 4. When the analysis is completed, the reaction solution in the reaction tube 4 is discarded, and then the reaction tube 4 is washed by the washing unit 12.
[0026]
Next, FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the flow of control of the cleaning unit 12. The automatic analyzer according to this embodiment cleans all the reaction tubes 4 after the measurement for one day, in addition to the normal cleaning mode (normal cleaning mode) in which the reaction tubes 4 are cleaned in parallel with the measurement operation. A “day wash mode” and a “weekend wash mode” for cleaning all the reaction tubes 4 every week are provided.
[0027]
In this embodiment, the description will be given on the assumption that a mode for cleaning the reaction tubes 4 at the end of the day or the end of the week is provided, but the technical idea according to the present invention is the measurement. This is to wash the reaction tube using the idle time (waiting time). Therefore, the “end of day” or “end of week” is an example of the “measurement free time”. For example, the free time from the end of measurement in the morning to the start of measurement in the afternoon is used. It is understood that a cleaning mode using other idle time may be provided, such as cleaning the reaction tube 4 or cleaning the reaction tube 4 every 3 days or 10 days. I want.
[0028]
The operation unit 21 shown in FIG. 2 shows an operation unit provided on the console of the automatic analyzer, and the user operates the operation unit 21 to set the above-described cleaning mode or the setting. In the cleaning mode, the time required for cleaning one reaction tube 4 (cleaning cycle time) is set.
[0029]
In addition to the operation unit 21, the automatic analyzer includes a memory 22 for storing the cleaning mode data indicating the cleaning mode set by the operation unit 21, the cleaning cycle time data indicating the cleaning cycle time, and the like. A measurement end detection unit 23 for detecting the cleaning unit 12 and the cleaning unit 12 based on the cleaning mode data and the cleaning cycle time data stored in the memory 22 when the measurement end detection unit 23 detects the end of the measurement. And a control unit 24.
[0030]
Next, FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a cleaning system including the cleaning unit 12 in the automatic analyzer. In FIG. 3, the cleaning system of the automatic analyzer is stored in an alkaline detergent bottle 30 in which an alkaline detergent stock solution is stored, an acidic detergent bottle 31 in which an acidic detergent stock solution is stored, and this alkaline detergent bottle 30. A detergent pump 32 for mixing an alkaline detergent stock solution and pure water to form an alkaline detergent water and mixing an acidic detergent stock solution and pure water contained in an acidic detergent bottle 31 to form an acidic detergent water. And have.
[0031]
This cleaning system is an electromagnetic valve that controls the flow of alkaline detergent water and acidic detergent water formed by the alkaline detergent stock solution, the acidic detergent stock solution, and the detergent pump 32 by energization of the control unit 24 shown in FIG. 33, 34. Note that the symbol “NO (normally open)” attached to each electromagnetic valve 33, 34, etc. shown in FIG. 3 indicates that the electromagnetic valve is open when not energized and closed when energized. The symbol “NC (normally closed)” indicates that the electromagnetic valve is closed when not energized and opened when energized. The symbol “COM (common hole)” indicates that the electromagnetic valve is a common valve.
[0032]
The cleaning unit 12 includes a first cleaning nozzle unit 35 that discharges and sucks high-concentration water to the reaction tube 4, and a second cleaning nozzle unit that discharges and suctions alkaline detergent water to the reaction tube 4. 36, a third cleaning nozzle unit 37 for discharging and sucking acidic detergent water to and from the reaction tube 4, and fourth and fifth cleaning nozzle units for discharging and sucking pure water to and from the reaction tube 4. 38, 39, a suction nozzle unit 40 that sucks the remaining water in the reaction tube 4, and a drying nozzle unit 41 that dries the reaction tube 4 from which the remaining water has been sucked.
[0033]
Each nozzle unit 35-41 has up-and-down mechanism 35a-41a, respectively, and the said control part 24 carries out ascending control and descending control of each nozzle unit 35-41 via this up-and-down mechanism 35a-41a. It has become.
[0034]
The first cleaning nozzle unit 35 and the fourth and fifth cleaning nozzle units 38, 39 are for supplying pure water to the nozzle units 35, 38, 39 via the branch pipe 42 and the electromagnetic valve 43. The cleaning bellows pump 44 is connected.
[0035]
The first cleaning nozzle unit 35 is connected to high-concentration waste liquid bellows pumps 45 and 46, and the high-concentration water waste liquid discharged into the reaction tube 4 through the cleaning bellows pump 44 is supplied to the first cleaning nozzle unit 35. A high concentration waste liquid bellows pump 45, 46 sucks the waste liquid.
[0036]
The fourth and fifth cleaning nozzle units 38 and 39 are connected to vacuum pumps 49 and 50 (VP) via branch pipes 47 and 48, respectively, and the reaction tube 4 is connected via a cleaning bellows pump 44. The waste water of pure water discharged into the interior is sucked by the vacuum pumps 49 and 50 to be drained.
[0037]
The second cleaning nozzle unit 36 is connected to the detergent pump 32 via the branch pipe 51 and the electromagnetic valve 33, and is connected to the vacuum pump 50 via the branch pipe 48, via the detergent pump 32. The alkaline detergent water discharged into the reaction tube 4 is sucked by the vacuum pump 50 to be drained.
[0038]
Similarly, the third cleaning nozzle unit 37 is connected to the detergent pump 32 via the branch pipe 51 and the electromagnetic valve 34, and is connected to the vacuum pump 50 via the branch pipe 48. The acidic detergent water discharged into the reaction tube 4 through the vacuum is sucked by the vacuum pump 50 to be drained.
[0039]
The suction nozzle unit 40 is connected to a vacuum pump 50 through a branch pipe 48, and the residual water in the reaction tube 4 is sucked by the vacuum pump 50 to be drained.
[0040]
The drying nozzle unit 41 is connected to a vacuum pump 53 through an electromagnetic valve 52 and is connected to a vacuum pump 54, and the inside of the reaction tube 4 is dried by the vacuum pumps 53 and 54. Yes.
[0041]
  Each reaction tube 4 is controlled to move from the first washing nozzle unit 35 to the drying nozzle unit 41 in order, so that “high concentration water discharge” → “high concentration water suction” → “alkaline detergent” "Discharge of water"-> "Suction of alkaline detergent water"-> "Discharge of acidic detergent water"-> "Suction of acidic detergent water"-> "First discharge of pure water"-> "First suction of pure water" → “Second time pure water discharge” → “Second time pure water suction” → “Remaining water suction” → “Dry”CraftThe degree is to be given.
[0042]
Next, the flow of control of “collective cleaning” in the automatic analyzer of the embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of control of each part at the time of “collective cleaning”, and FIG. 5 is a discharge of detergent (alkaline detergent water or acidic detergent water) controlled based on the cleaning cycle time set by the user. It is a time chart which shows the timing of suction.
[0043]
First, in order to execute this “collective cleaning”, the user operates the operation unit 21 shown in FIG. 2 to set the cleaning mode, and the time required for cleaning the detergent of one reaction tube 4 (the nozzle is controlled to descend). It is necessary to set the time from the discharge of the detergent to the discharge of the waste liquid and the rise control of the nozzle = the cleaning cycle time) and the number of times of cleaning of each reaction tube 4 (the cleaning count). As described above, the automatic analyzer according to the present embodiment includes a “day wash mode” in which all the reaction tubes 4 are collectively washed at the end of the day as the “collective washing”, and all reactions every week. A “weekend wash mode” in which the tubes 4 are cleaned together is provided.
[0044]
When the “day wash mode” or “weekend wash mode” is selected by the user, the control unit 24 controls the memory 22 to store cleaning mode data indicating the selected cleaning mode. Further, when the cleaning cycle time and the cleaning count are set by the user, the control unit 24 controls the memory 22 to store the cleaning cycle time data and the cleaning count data corresponding thereto.
[0045]
In addition, since the purpose of performing this collective cleaning is to clean the dirt adhering to the reaction tube 4, the normal cleaning cycle time performed in parallel with the measurement operation was, for example, “4.5 seconds”. In this case, it is preferable to set the cleaning cycle time at the time of the collective cleaning longer than the normal cleaning cycle time, for example, to set to “6 seconds”.
[0046]
The automatic analyzer according to this embodiment performs collective cleaning of the reaction tube 4 by operating according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 based on the stored items stored in the memory 22.
[0047]
That is, the measurement end detection unit 23 shown in FIG. 2 monitors the current time using, for example, a timer, and monitors the operating state based on flag information from the measurement system. In step S1 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, whether or not the measurement end detection unit 23 is currently performing a normal measurement operation based on the current time by the timer and the operating state of the measurement unit. Is determined. If the measurement end detection unit 23 determines that the normal measurement operation is currently completed in the automatic analyzer (if No), the control unit 24 proceeds to step S2, and the measurement end detection unit 23 If it is determined that a normal measurement operation is currently being performed in the automatic analyzer (in the case of Yes), the process proceeds to step S13, and the routine shown in the flowchart of FIG. Continuously control the measurement operation.
[0048]
Next, when progressing to step S2, the control part 24 calculates the waiting time (suction waiting time) until the detergent water discharged to the reaction tube 4 is sucked and discharged, and the process proceeds to step S3. Specifically, when the normal cleaning cycle time of the reaction tube 4 is “4.5 seconds”, for example, and the cleaning cycle time set by the user for this collective cleaning is “6 seconds”, the control is performed. The unit 24 calculates a value obtained by subtracting the normal cleaning cycle time from the cleaning cycle time set by the user for the collective cleaning as the suction waiting time (Td) (Td = 6 seconds−4.5 seconds = 1. 5 seconds).
[0049]
Next, when the suction waiting time (Td) is calculated and the process proceeds to step S3, the control unit 24 controls the movement of each of the cleaning nozzle units 35 to 41 and the reaction disk 5 to the initial position (home position: Home). Then, the process proceeds to step S4, where the first cycle of the cleaning operation is started. In this example, the “washing count” is set to “2”, for example, so that the description will proceed assuming that each reaction tube 4 is washed twice (2 cycles).
[0050]
When the cleaning operation is started, in step S5, the control unit 24 controls the first cleaning nozzle unit 35 to be lowered into the reaction tube 4 via the vertical mechanism 35a shown in FIG. Temporary cleaning is performed by sucking, and the cleaning nozzle unit 35 is lifted from the reaction tube 4 and then the second cleaning nozzle unit 36 is controlled to be lowered via the vertical mechanism 36a, and the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, the control unit 24 controls the second washing nozzle unit 36 so as to discharge the alkaline detergent water formed by the detergent pump 32 into the reaction tube 4, and at the timing when the alkaline detergent water is discharged. The elapsed time is counted and the process proceeds to step S7.
[0051]
As described above, since the suction waiting time in this example is 1.5 seconds, for example, the control unit 24 performs 1.5 seconds after discharging the alkaline detergent water into the reaction tube 4 in step S7. It is determined whether or not it has elapsed (whether or not the suction waiting time has elapsed). And when the suction waiting time has not passed (in the case of No), it waits in the state with which the inside of the reaction tube 4 was filled with alkaline detergent water until the suction waiting time passed, and at the timing when the suction waiting time passed. Proceed to step S8.
[0052]
In step S8, since the suction waiting time has elapsed, the control unit 24 controls the second cleaning nozzle unit 36 and the vacuum pump 50 so as to suck the alkaline detergent water in the reaction tube 4, and proceeds to step S9. Thereby, the alkaline detergent water in the reaction tube 4 is drained via the branch pipe 48 by the vacuum pump 50.
[0053]
In step S9, the control unit 24 controls the up-and-down mechanism 36a to raise the second washing nozzle unit 36 from the reaction tube 4 where the waste liquid of the alkaline detergent water is finished, and the process proceeds to step S10.
[0054]
Each timing from the lowering control to the raising control of the second cleaning nozzle unit 36 in step S5 to step S9 is as shown in FIG. That is, assuming that the second cleaning nozzle unit 36 is controlled to be lowered at time t1 in FIG. 5A, the alkaline detergent water is controlled to be discharged into the reaction tube 4 between time t2 and time t3 after the downward control. The alkaline detergent water in the reaction tube 4 is aspirated and drained between time t4 and time t5 when the suction waiting time Td of 1.5 seconds has elapsed from the discharge of the alkaline detergent water, and at time t6 after this waste liquid. The second cleaning nozzle unit 36 is raised and controlled. The period from time t1 to time t6, which is between the descending control and the ascending control of the second cleaning nozzle unit 36, is the cleaning cycle time during the collective cleaning.
[0055]
Next, in step S10, the control unit 24 controls the lowering of the fourth cleaning nozzle unit 38 via the up-and-down mechanism 38a shown in FIG. 3 and drives the cleaning bellows pump 44 to perform detergent cleaning with alkaline detergent water. The pure water from the cleaning bellows pump 44 is controlled to be discharged to the reaction tube 4 that has been completed. Then, the vacuum pump 49 is driven to suck and the pure water in the reaction tube 4 is suction-controlled to be drained. Thus, the first cleaning process using pure water is completed.
[0056]
When the first cleaning process using pure water is completed, the control unit 24 controls the lowering of the fifth cleaning nozzle unit 39 via the vertical mechanism 39a and drives the cleaning bellows pump 44. The pure water from the cleaning bellows pump 44 is controlled to be discharged to the reaction tube 4 after the first cleaning process using pure water. Then, the vacuum pump 49 is driven to suck and the pure water in the reaction tube 4 is suction-controlled to be drained. Thereby, the 2nd washing process by pure water is completed. That is, in the automatic analyzer according to this embodiment, the reaction tube 4 is continuously washed twice with pure water so that no detergent is left in the reaction tube 4.
[0057]
Furthermore, when the second cleaning process with pure water is completed, the control unit 24 controls the lowering of the suction nozzle unit 40 via the vertical mechanism 40a and drives the vacuum pump 50 to perform suction. The remaining water in the reaction tube 4 after the cleaning process with pure water is suction-controlled to be drained.
[0058]
  Step S10 includes two cleaning steps with pure water and suction of residual water by the suction nozzle unit 40.CraftWhen each of these steps is completed, the reaction tube 4 is washed with alkaline detergent water (and pure water).CraftThe process ends.
[0059]
  Here, in step S5 to step S10, the reaction tube 4 has been described as being washed with alkaline detergent water (and pure water). However, the automatic analyzer according to the present embodiment provides high detergent washing. In order to obtain the effect, in addition to the detergent cleaning with the alkaline detergent water, the detergent cleaning with the acidic cleaning water is also performed. For this reason, in the automatic analyzer according to this embodiment, after the detergent cleaning with the alkaline detergent water is completed, the third cleaning nozzle 37 is controlled to move down the acidic detergent water formed by the detergent pump 32 to the reaction tube 4. Then, after the suction waiting time has elapsed, the vacuum pump 50 is driven to suck and the acid detergent water in the reaction tube 4 is sucked and discharged. Then, after the waste liquid, the third cleaning nozzle 37 is controlled to rise, and the above-described two cleaning steps with pure water and residual water suction are performed.CraftPerform the process.
[0060]
  Therefore, the flowchart of FIG. 4 shows the first detergent cleaning, that is, the detergent cleaning with alkaline detergent water, the two cleaning steps with pure water, and the residual water suction.CraftAfter the process is completed, the process proceeds to step S11. In actual operation, the detergent cleaning with the alkaline detergent water is followed by the detergent cleaning with the acidic detergent water in a series of steps, and the detergent cleaning with the acidic detergent water is performed. It should be understood that the process proceeds to step S11 after the completion (recognize that each routine from step S5 to step S10 is executed in each of the detergent cleaning with the alkaline detergent water and the detergent cleaning with the acidic detergent water). .
[0061]
  Next, in the automatic analyzer according to the present embodiment, the cleaning steps from step S5 to step S10 are sequentially performed on each reaction tube 4 in a flow manner. , Washing from step S5 to step S10CraftThe number of reaction tubes 4 subjected to the process (completed) is counted.
[0062]
  In step S11, the control unit 24 cleans all the reaction tubes 4 of the automatic analyzer based on the count value in steps S5 to S10.CraftIn the case of Yes, the process proceeds to step S12. In the case of No, the process returns to step S5, and the reaction tube 4 in which the washing process has not been completed is washed from step S5 to step S10.CraftWill be given.
[0063]
  Specifically, if, for example, 165 reaction tubes 4 are set in the automatic analyzer according to the embodiment, the control unit 24 performs the cleaning from step S5 to step S10.CraftEvery time the process ends, the count value is incremented by one count. In this case, the process returns to step S5 until the count value of “165” is detected, the cleaning process from step S5 to step S10 is continuously controlled, and the process proceeds to step S12 at the timing when the count value of “165” is detected. It will be.
[0064]
Next, in the automatic analyzer according to this embodiment, the number of times of washing (washing count) of each reaction tube 4 is set in advance as described above. The number of times of washing is counted as one count at the time when a series of washing steps for all the reaction tubes 4 is completed. That is, if, for example, 165 reaction tubes 4 are set in the automatic analyzer according to the present embodiment, the count is made as one count when all the 165 reaction tubes 4 are washed.
[0065]
  In step S12, the control unit 12 compares the number of cleanings preset by the user with the actual number of cleanings, and the actual number of cleanings matches the number of cleanings preset by the user.FalconDetermine whether or not.
[0066]
That is, when the number of times of washing set in advance by the user is “3”, for example, it is determined whether or not the number of times of washing the 165 reaction tubes 4 is “3”. When the actual number of times of cleaning is less than the number of times of cleaning set in advance by the user (in the case of No), the process returns to step S5, and the above-described “discharge of alkaline detergent water” → “suction of alkaline detergent water” → "Discharge of acidic detergent water" → "Suction of acidic detergent water" → "First discharge of pure water" → "First suction of pure water" → "Second discharge of pure water" → When each cleaning step of “second suction of pure water” → “suction of residual water” is executed and the actual number of times of cleaning reaches the number of times of cleaning set in advance by the user (in the case of Yes) ) Cleaning is finished.
[0067]
Thereby, all the reaction tubes 4 can be washed by the number of times set by the user. When the cycle time of one reaction tube 4 is set to “6 seconds”, for example, one cleaning of the 165 reaction tubes 4 is completed in about 16 minutes.
[0068]
For example, when “day wash mode” is selected, all the reaction tubes 4 can be cleaned for one day after the completion of one day of inspection to prepare for the next inspection. When the “mode” is selected, all the reaction tubes 4 can be cleaned for one week after the inspection is completed to prepare for the next inspection. In these cases, since it is not necessary to prepare for the measurement, it is common to have a mode in which the cell is filled with pure water after completion of the cleaning mode.
[0069]
  As is clear from the above description, the automatic analyzer of this embodiment isCleaning of the reaction tube can be performed intensively using the idle time during which measurement is not performed, and the washing water discharged to the reaction tube can be kept in the reaction tube for a longer time than usual. Therefore, it is possible to improve the cleaning effect and prevent the inconvenience that dirt accumulates in the reaction tube. Further, the cleaning effect in the automatic cleaning of the reaction tube can be improved. For this reason, the troublesome work of periodically manually washing a large number of reaction tubes can be eliminated. In addition, accumulation of dirt in the reaction tube can be prevented, and the reaction tube is always kept in a state where accurate measurement is possible to prevent inconveniences such as sudden data abnormalities and variations in measurement data. Can do. Further, since the configuration can be realized simply and at low cost by simple control of the cleaning means, it is possible to prevent the disadvantage that the configuration of the apparatus becomes complicated and the cost is increased by adding additional cleaning nozzles. Furthermore, since no ultrasonic waves are used for cleaning, the reaction tube can be cleaned without being damaged. Also,In addition to the normal cleaning mode (normal cleaning mode) in which the reaction tube 4 is cleaned in parallel with the measurement operation, all the reaction tubes 4 such as “day wash mode” or “weekend wash mode” are combined. Therefore, all the reaction tubes 4 can be cleaned cleanly at the end of the day or the end of the week.
[0070]
Further, in this collective cleaning mode, the cleaning cycle is set longer than that in the normal cleaning mode, so that dirt that has not been cleaned in the normal cleaning mode and has adhered to the reaction tube 4 can be cleaned cleanly. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience that the reaction tube remains contaminated and the remaining contamination is accumulated, and the remaining contamination causes sudden data abnormality and measurement data variation. Inconvenience can be prevented.
[0071]
In addition, since it is possible to prevent inconvenience that dirt accumulates in the reaction tube 4, for example, a maintenance service for manually washing all the reaction tubes 4 by a service person can be eliminated (or a maintenance service is performed). The period can be lengthened.) For this reason, the labor of manually washing all the reaction tubes 4 can be omitted or reduced.
[0072]
Moreover, since it can be realized without changing the hardware, such as increasing the number of stages of cleaning nozzles, it is possible to prevent inconvenience that the configuration of the automatic analyzer is complicated, By increasing the number of nozzles, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience of doubling the amount of detergent or pure water used.
[0073]
In addition, since ultrasonic waves are not used for cleaning, fine scratches generated on the surface of the reaction tube due to ultrasonic waves change the refractive index and transmittance of light during optical measurement, which hinders accurate measurement. Inconvenience can be prevented, and the reaction tube can always be kept in a state where accurate light measurement is possible.
[0074]
In addition, when detergent water such as alkaline detergent water or acidic detergent water is discharged, suction is performed after the suction waiting time. The concept of this suction waiting time is, for example, pure water other than the detergent. The present invention may be applied to the case of discharging (when pure water other than detergent is discharged, suction may be performed with a suction waiting time).
[0075]
Moreover, although it was decided to perform detergent washing with alkaline detergent water and acidic detergent water for the number of washing times set by the user, this is, for example, using a detergent in the first washing process and after the second washing process. You may make it wash | clean only with pure water, without using. In this case, in the cleaning process after the second cleaning process, the detergent cleaning with the alkaline detergent water and the acidic detergent water from the second cleaning nozzle unit 36 and the third cleaning nozzle unit 37 shown in FIG. 3 is not performed. Therefore, it is possible to save the detergent used.
[0076]
And even if it is other than this, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, If it is a range which does not deviate from the technical idea which concerns on this invention, for example, various changes according to a design etc. Of course, it is possible.
[0077]
  The automatic analyzer and reaction tube cleaning method according to the present invention include:The cleaning effect on the reaction tube can be improved as compared with the case where the reaction tube is cleaned in parallel with the measurement operation.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external appearance of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment to which an automatic analyzer and a reaction tube cleaning method according to the present invention are applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a cleaning control system provided in the automatic analyzer according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a cleaning system provided in the automatic analyzer according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a cleaning operation of the automatic analyzer according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a time chart for explaining a cleaning operation of the automatic analyzer according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Reagent rack, 2 ... Reagent storage, 3 ... Reagent storage, 4 ... Reaction tube, 5 ... Reaction disc, 6 ... Disc sampler, 7 ... Reagent bottle, 8 ... Dispensing arm, 9 ... Dispensing arm, 10 ... Disc Sampler dispensing arm, 11 ... stirring unit, 12 ... washing unit, 13 ... photometric system, 14 ... probe, 15 ... probe, 16 ... sampling probe, 17 ... sample container, 21 ... operation unit, 22 ... memory, 23 ... Measurement end detection unit, 24 ... Control unit, 30 ... Alkaline detergent bottle, 31 ... Acid detergent bottle, 32 ... Detergent pump, 35 ... First washing nozzle unit, 36 ... Second washing nozzle unit, 37 ... First 3 cleaning nozzle units, 38 ... fourth cleaning nozzle unit, 39 ... fifth cleaning nozzle unit, 40 ... suction nozzle unit, 41 ... drying nozzle unit

Claims (6)

In an automatic analyzer that dispenses samples and reagents into a reaction tube and measures the mixture,
Cleaning means for discharging cleaning water into the reaction tube and suctioning the cleaning water in the reaction tube;
First a cleaning cycle time, the first rather long than the cleaning cycle time, wash cycle in a washing mode for the time of not performing measurement operations corresponding to the cleaning cycle time in the measurement operation and cleaning mode to be performed in parallel a cleaning cycle time setting means for setting a second wash cycle time corresponding to the time,
A suction time setting means for setting a time from when the cleaning water is discharged to the reaction tube until it is sucked based on the first cleaning cycle time and the second cleaning cycle time;
The cleaning means is controlled so that the discharged cleaning water is sucked after a lapse of time set by the suction time setting means after the predetermined cleaning water is discharged to the reaction tube during the time when the measurement operation is not performed. And an automatic analyzer.   The suction time setting means sets a value obtained by subtracting the first cleaning cycle time from the second cleaning cycle time as a waiting time until the cleaning water is sucked after being discharged into the reaction tube. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1.   The control means controls the washing means so as to perform a washing process from discharging predetermined washing water to the reaction tube to suctioning the washing water to each reaction tube. Item 3. The automatic analyzer according to item 1 or 2. A cleaning number setting means for setting the number of times to perform the cleaning step;
4. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the cleaning unit to perform a cleaning process for each reaction tube by the number of times set by the cleaning number setting unit. An automatic analyzer according to claim 1.   The automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the washing water is detergent washing water or pure water. The washing water of the reaction tube by suction while discharging the wash water in the counter応管,
A first cleaning cycle time corresponding to a cleaning cycle time in a cleaning mode performed in parallel with a measurement operation of dispensing a sample and a reagent into a reaction tube and measuring the mixed solution, and the first cleaning cycle time rather long than set a second wash cycle time corresponding to the cleaning cycle time in the cleaning mode for the time of not performing measurement operation,
Based on the first washing cycle time and the second washing cycle time, set a time from when the washing water is discharged to the reaction tube until it is sucked,
The cleaning means is controlled so that the discharged cleaning water is sucked after a lapse of time set by the suction time setting means after the predetermined cleaning water is discharged to the reaction tube during the time when the measurement operation is not performed. A method for cleaning a reaction tube.

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