Automated analyzer

Abstract

The invention provides an automatic analysis device capable of improving the degree of freedom of the rotation action of a reaction disc. The sum of the rotation amounts of the reaction disc (1) in a device cycle of the automatic analysis device is determined. The device cycle includes: a photometric rotation period (401) in which the reaction disc is rotated by one or more turns; and a first alignment rotation period (402) and a second alignment rotation period (403) for stopping the reaction disc at a position corresponding to the sum at the end of the device cycle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic analysis device. Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1, an automatic analysis device is disclosed in which a reaction disk for mixing and reacting a sample, a reagent, etc. in a reaction vessel during a predetermined period is shared in measurements of different analysis processes, such as biochemical measurement and immunoassay.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2020 / 217636 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] The reaction disk is configured to rotationally drive, by a drive mechanism such as a motor, in addition to maintaining the reaction vessel at a constant temperature, in order to promote the reaction of the reaction solution stored in the reaction vessel. The reaction disk rotates by a rotation amount determined in a device cycle in which each mechanism of the automatic analysis device synchronizes its operation. Thereby, processes such as absorbance measurement of the reaction solution required for biochemical measurement, dispensing by the dispensing unit, and loading and unloading of the reaction vessel are periodically performed, and measurement steps corresponding to the analysis items are automatically performed.

[0008] However, according to Patent Document 1, there is a problem that it is difficult to set the rotational movement of the reaction disk so as not to interfere during measurements, or it is difficult to create a measurement plan with little throughput loss.

[0009] Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] An automatic analysis device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a reaction disk provided with a plurality of reaction vessels on its circumference and rotationally driven; a dispensing unit that dispenses liquid into the reaction vessels provided on the reaction disk; a spectrophotometer configured with an optical axis across the circumference of the reaction disk; and a control unit that controls the reaction disk and the dispensing unit in synchronization with a device cycle, the total rotation amount of the reaction disk in the device cycle being determined, the device cycle including: a photometric rotation period in which the reaction disk rotates more than one turn; and a first alignment rotation period and a second alignment rotation period for stopping the reaction disk at a position corresponding to the total at the end of the device cycle.

[0011] As an automatic analysis device according to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided: a reaction disk which is rotatably driven and has a plurality of reaction vessels provided on its circumference; a first dispensing unit which dispenses a liquid into the reaction vessels provided on the reaction disk; a second dispensing unit which dispenses a liquid into the reaction vessels provided on the reaction disk; a transport unit which transports the reaction vessels to the reaction disk; a spectrophotometer which is arranged with an optical axis across the circumference of the reaction disk; and a control unit which controls the reaction disk, the first dispensing unit, the second dispensing unit, and the transport unit in synchronization with the device cycle. The total rotation amount of the reaction disk in the device cycle is determined. The device cycle includes: a photometric rotation period during which the reaction disk rotates more than one full turn; a first alignment rotation period and a second alignment rotation period for stopping the reaction disk at a position corresponding to the total amount at the end of the device cycle; a first stop period between the first alignment rotation period and the second alignment rotation period; and a second stop period between the second alignment rotation period and the end of the device cycle. The first dispensing unit, the second dispensing unit, and the transport unit access the reaction vessels stopped at the respectively determined access positions during the first stop period or the second stop period. The total rotation amount of the reaction disk in the device cycle is determined to satisfy βM = αN ± 2, where N is the number of reaction vessels that can be provided on the reaction disk, M is the sum of the total rotation amounts of two consecutive device cycles, and α and β are constants.

[0012] Advantages of the Invention

[0013] An automatic analysis device can be provided which has an increased degree of freedom in the rotational movement of the reaction disk. Other problems and new features will become clear from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 FIG. is an example showing the overall structure of the automatic analysis device.

[0015] Figure 2 FIG. is a detailed view of access to the reaction disk.

[0016] Figure 3 FIG. is a diagram showing the measurement cycles of biochemical assays and immunoassays.

[0017] Figure 4 FIG. is a diagram showing the rotation pattern of the reaction disk in one device cycle.

[0018] Figure 5 FIG. is a diagram showing an example of the timing for each mechanism of the automatic analysis device to access the reaction disk.

[0019] Figure 6 FIG. is a diagram showing the measurement steps for diluting the specimen in the dispensing reaction vessel.

[0020] Figure 7 is a diagram showing the rotation mode of the reaction disk corresponding to Figure 6 . Detailed implementation mode

[0021] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall structure of the automatic analysis device. The automatic analysis device 100 is a composite automatic analysis device that analyzes multiple analysis item groups (such as biochemistry and immunology) with one device. In order to miniaturize the device, it is configured to share a predetermined mechanism among multiple analysis item groups.

[0022] The automatic analysis device 100 includes: a reaction disk 1; a common disk 3 that holds both reagents and specimens; a first dispensing unit 8 that dispenses specimens and reagents for biochemical measurement using a first nozzle; a second dispensing unit 9 that dispenses specimens and reagents for immunological measurement using a second nozzle; a first pump 10 connected to the first dispensing unit 8; a second pump 11 connected to the second dispensing unit 9; a first cleaning tank 12 for cleaning the first nozzle; a second cleaning tank 13 for cleaning the second nozzle; a reagent stirring unit 14; a spectrophotometer 15; a detection unit 16 such as a flow cell; a conveying unit 18 that takes out the tip 17 mounted on the second nozzle for immunological measurement from the tray 19 and conveys it, or takes out the reaction vessel 2 for reacting the specimen and the reagent from the tray 20 and conveys it; a waste box 21 for storing the used tip 17 and reaction vessel 2; a mounting position 22 of the tip 17; a waste position 23 of the tip 17; a waste liquid tank 24 for storing the used liquid; a water supply tank 25 for biochemical measurement; a water supply tank 26 for immunological measurement; and a cleaning liquid container 27 for storing the cleaning liquid. And, a control device 30 that performs various controls is connected to the mechanisms included in the automatic analysis device 100.

[0023] The reaction disk 1 holds the reaction vessel 2 that stores the mixture of the specimen and the reagent on its circumference. In order to promote the reaction of the mixture, the reaction vessel 2 on the reaction disk 1 is maintained at a constant temperature. Using a driving mechanism such as a motor, the reaction disk 1 is controlled to rotate and drive a distance corresponding to a predetermined number of reaction vessels in each device cycle.

[0024] The reaction vessel 2 is a container with a common specification in all measurements and is disposable. For example, the reaction vessel 2 provided at the odd positions on the reaction disk 1 is used for biochemical measurement, and the reaction vessel 2 provided at the even positions on the reaction disk 1 is used for immunological measurement, thereby sharing the reaction disk 1 among multiple analysis item groups.

[0025] The common disk 3 mounts a plurality of reagent containers 4 and specimen containers 5 on its circumference. Here, an example is shown in which the reagent containers 4 are arranged on the inner circumference of the specimen containers 5, but the specimen containers 5 may also be arranged on the inner circumference of the reagent containers 4, or they may be arranged without distinguishing between the inner and outer circumferences.

[0026] The first dispensing unit 8 for biochemistry dispenses reagents or samples from the reagent container 4 or the sample container 5 into the reaction container 2 while drawing an arc track with the rotation axis as the center. On the track of the first dispensing unit 8, there are the sample suction position 7-1 on the common disk 3, the reagent suction position 6-1, the first dispensing position and the second dispensing position on the reaction disk 1, and the first cleaning tank 12.

[0027] The second dispensing section 9 for immunoassay also draws an arc track with the rotation axis as the center while dispensing reagents or specimens from the reagent container 4 or the specimen container 5 to the reaction container 2. On the track of the second dispensing section 9, there are the specimen suction position 7-2 on the common disk 3, the reagent suction position 6-2, the third dispensing position and the fourth dispensing position on the reaction disk 1, and the second cleaning tank 13. In addition, immunoassays require delicate measurements, and there is a high need to prevent carryover contamination between specimens, so the second dispensing section 9 installs a suction head 17 on the second nozzle for dispensing. Therefore, the installation position 22 and the discarding position 23 also exist on the track of the second dispensing section 9. In contrast, in biochemical assays, the level of delicacy of immunoassays is not required, so the first dispensing section 8 does not use the suction head 17, and each time dispensing is performed, the first nozzle is cleaned in the first cleaning tank 12 while dispensing.

[0028] The first dispensing part 8 and the second dispensing part 9 are arranged so as not to physically interfere with the tracks of the first nozzle and the second nozzle and the respective mechanisms. After the first dispensing part 8 and the second dispensing part 9 aspirate the specimen and the reagent, an aspiration and discharge operation is performed in the reaction container 2, thereby stirring and mixing the specimen and the reagent. Regarding the specimen used in any of the biochemical and immunological analyses, the specimen is dispensed by the first dispensing part 8 in the case of a biochemical assay, and the specimen is dispensed by the second dispensing part 9 in the case of an immunoassay.

[0029] In biochemical measurement, a spectrophotometer 15 disposed around the reaction disk 1 is used. The spectrophotometer 15 includes a light source and a detector (not shown), and measures the absorbance of the reaction solution by separating and detecting transmitted light and scattered light obtained by irradiating the reaction solution in the reaction container 2 with light.

[0030] The detection unit 16 is used in immunoassay. The reaction liquid whose reaction is promoted by the reaction disk 1 is transported to the detection unit 16, and the reaction liquid is analyzed by electrochemiluminescence, chemiluminescence, etc. The structure and physical properties of the reagent, labeling substance, and detection area are selected appropriately, and the detector (such as a photomultiplier tube) measures the luminescence amount from the luminescence reaction of the labeling substance.

[0031] The conveying unit 18 conveys the reaction vessel 2 in which the absorbance has been measured on the reaction disk 1 to the waste box 21 for disposal. In addition, the conveying unit 18 conveys the reaction vessel 2 containing the reaction solution whose reaction has been promoted by the reaction disk 1 to the detection unit 16. Further, the conveying unit 18 conveys the reaction vessel 2 that has been analyzed by the detection unit 16 to the waste box 21 for disposal.

[0032] The control device 30 is connected to each mechanism of the automatic analyzer 100 (detailed connection diagrams are omitted), and includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, an input unit 33, and a display unit 34. The control unit 31 controls the dispensing operations of the first dispensing unit 8 and the second dispensing unit 9, the rotation operation of the reaction disk 1, the rotation operation of the common disk 3, the conveying operation of the conveying unit 18, the suction / discharge operation of the liquid of the dispensing nozzle, etc. The storage unit 32 stores programs and various data for these operations. The control unit 31 realizes the operations described later by reading and executing programs from the storage unit 32. The input unit 33 accepts instructions from the user. The display unit (display) 34 displays results obtained from the analysis results and the like to the user. The input unit 33 and the display unit 34 may also be integrated as a user interface.

[0033] In the automatic analyzer 100, the reaction disk 1 not only promotes the reaction of the reaction solution in the reaction vessel 2, but also plays a role in moving the reaction vessel 2 to positions accessible by each mechanism of the automatic analyzer 100. Figure 2 It is a detailed view of the reaction disk 1. The reaction disk 1 can accommodate N reaction vessels 2, and the circled numbers indicate the arrangement positions of the reaction vessels 2. Figure 2 It is an example where N = 64, and the numbers indicating the arrangement positions are assigned clockwise from 1 to 64. Further, in Figure 2 it shows the access positions 101 to 107 of the mechanisms to the reaction disk 1 when the reaction disk 1 is in the starting position. The access positions are determined for each mechanism.

[0034] The reaction vessel loading position 101 is the position where the conveying unit 18 loads the reaction vessel 2 from the tray 20 onto the reaction disk 1. The reaction vessel unloading position (biochemical) 102 is the position where the conveying unit 18 unloads the reaction vessel 2 from the reaction disk 1 in order to convey the reaction vessel 2 in which the absorbance has been measured to the waste box 21 for disposal. The reaction vessel unloading position (immunoassay) 103 is the position where the conveying unit 18 unloads the reaction vessel 2 from the reaction disk 1 in order to convey the reaction vessel 2 to the detection unit 16 for immunoassay.

[0035] The first dispensing position 106 and the second dispensing position 107 are the positions where the first dispensing unit 8 dispenses liquids such as reagents and specimens used in biochemical assays. Similarly, the third dispensing position 104 and the fourth dispensing position 105 are the positions where the second dispensing unit 9 dispenses liquids such as reagents and specimens used in immunoassays. Additionally, in biochemical assays, a spectrophotometer 15 is used to measure the absorbance of the reaction solution in the reaction vessel 2. As the reaction disk 1 rotates, the reaction vessel 2 provided on the reaction disk 1 passes through in a manner that crosses the optical axis 108 of the spectrophotometer 15. The absorbance measurement is performed at this timing.

[0036] Figure 3 It shows the measurement cycles of biochemical assays and immunoassays. Each mechanism of the automatic analyzer 100 is controlled to operate synchronously with a device cycle, for example, in units of 10 seconds, so that the absorbance measurement of biochemical assays can be periodically performed. Additionally, the biochemical assay is controlled to operate in a biochemical assay cycle with two device cycles as one cycle. In the first device cycle of the biochemical assay cycle, the first dispensing is performed at the first dispensing position 106, and in the second device cycle, the second dispensing is performed at the second dispensing position 107. In the figure, the timing of the dispensing operation by the dispensing unit is indicated by a black triangle. Similarly, the immunoassay is controlled to operate in an immunoassay cycle with six device cycles as one cycle. In the fourth device cycle of the immunoassay cycle, the first dispensing is performed at the third dispensing position 104, and in the sixth device cycle, the second dispensing is performed at the fourth dispensing position 105.

[0037] In this case, the processing capacity of the device for biochemical assays becomes one test in 20 seconds. That is, the biochemical assay of a specimen can be started at the shortest every 20 seconds, and after the reaction time required for the biochemical assay on the reaction disk 1, the measurement result can be continuously obtained. Similarly, the processing capacity of the device for immunoassays becomes one test in 60 seconds. That is, the immunoassay of a specimen can be started at the shortest every 60 seconds, and after the reaction time required for the immunoassay, it is transported to the detection unit 16 for measurement.

[0038] For each analysis item, the measurement steps such as the quantity of reagents to be dispensed, the timing of dispensing reagents, and the reaction time for reacting the specimen with the reagents are determined during the measurement. Therefore, the movement to the Figure 2 shown access positions needs to be controlled according to the Figure 3 shown measurement cycle to perform dispensing, loading, and unloading of the reaction vessel in coordination with the measurement steps defined in the analysis item. In the composite automatic analyzer of this embodiment, in the reaction disk 1, it is necessary to concurrently control two different operations with different measurement principles and different measurement cycles, namely biochemical assays and immunoassays. Therefore, it is necessary to perform control so that the operations of each mechanism in the measurement cycle do not interfere with each other.

[0039] In this embodiment, first, in order to control the rotation of the reaction disk for absorbance measurement and the rotation to the access position without interference, the rotation of the reaction disk 1 in one device cycle is divided into the rotation for absorbance measurement and the rotation for alignment and controlled accordingly. Figure 4 It shows the rotation mode of the reaction disk 1 in one device cycle. The rotation period 401 is the period for the rotation for absorbance measurement, and the rotation periods 402 and 403 are the periods for the rotation for alignment to the access position. The rotation period 401 is referred to as the photometric rotation period, and the rotation periods 402 and 403 are respectively referred to as the first alignment rotation period and the second alignment rotation period.

[0040] Here, the total rotation amount of the rotation periods 401 to 403 in the device cycle is preset. As a requirement that the total rotation amount in the device cycle should meet, it is necessary to be able to set the reaction vessels 2 at all the configuration positions of the reaction disk 1. As described above, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the reaction vessels 2 set at even positions are used for immunoassay, and the reaction vessels 2 arranged at odd positions are used for biochemical assay, and in Figure 2 the shown access position, the reaction vessel insertion position is a common one for both biochemical assay and immunoassay. To meet this condition, it is necessary to set the rotation amount of one device cycle to be equivalent to the distance of an odd number of reaction vessels, and set the reaction vessels 2 for biochemical assay in one of the consecutive device cycles and the reaction vessels 2 for immunoassay in the other.

[0041] The biochemical assay cycle is two device cycles. Therefore, when the number of reaction vessels that can be set on the reaction disk 1 is set to N, and the sum of the total rotation amounts of two consecutive device cycles is set to M (here, expressed by the number of reaction vessels equivalent to the movement amount), after the β assay cycle, the reaction disk 1 only needs to move by α rotation ±2. It should be noted that since the rotation amount of one device cycle is odd, M is even. This constraint can be expressed as (Equation 1).

[0042] βM = αN ± 2 ··· (Equation 1)

[0043] When (Equation 1) holds, in each β assay cycle, the configuration positions of the reaction vessels are each staggered by two in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction, and ultimately the odd configuration positions for biochemical assay can be filled. If the odd configuration positions for biochemical assay can be filled, by moving the reaction vessels for immunoassay into the even configuration positions that are always at a distance equivalent to a constant number of reaction vessels from the set reaction vessels for biochemical assay, all the even configuration positions can also be filled.

[0044] For example, when N = 64, M = 50, α = 7, and β = 9, βM = αN + 2 = 450. Therefore, when the sum M of the rotation amounts in two consecutive apparatus cycles is 50, a rotation that satisfies the above constraints is obtained.

[0045] Moreover, the photometric rotation period 401 needs to be set such that the rotation amount is 1 turn or more, that is, the movement is N positions or more, so that absorbance measurement is necessarily performed on all the reaction vessels 2 provided on the reaction disk 1.

[0046] Based on the above, the sum M of the rotation amounts in two consecutive apparatus cycles is allocated to two apparatus cycles (odd apparatus cycle and even apparatus cycle), and one turn rotation (N = 64) for photometric rotation is added, and the sum of the rotation amounts in the apparatus cycle is determined. The specific rotation amount is determined according to the access position from the Figure 2 mechanism shown. For example, when focusing on a certain reaction vessel, the time required to reach the second dispensing position from the first dispensing position, or the time required to reach the reaction vessel extraction position from the second dispensing position is set to satisfy the reaction time defined in standard biochemical assays or immunoassays.

[0047] However, it is preferable to allocate one turn rotation or more to the photometric rotation (in this case, the reaction vessel moves 64 or more). This is to enable absorbance measurement of all the reaction vessels 2 during a period when the rotation of the reaction disk 1 is stable. In addition, the rotation amount of the photometric rotation period 401 is a common fixed value in both the odd apparatus cycle and the even apparatus cycle.

[0048] The rotation amounts of the remaining apparatus cycles are allocated to the rotation amounts of the first alignment rotation period 402 and the second alignment rotation period 403 in such a way as to satisfy the movement amounts of the odd apparatus cycle and the even apparatus cycle. As Figure 4 shown, there is a first stop period 405 between the first alignment rotation period 402 and the second alignment rotation period 403, and a second stop period 406 between the second alignment rotation period 403 and the end of the apparatus cycle. Each mechanism of the automatic analyzer 100 can access the reaction vessel 2 on the reaction disk 1 during the first stop period 405 or the second stop period 406. It should be noted that, in Figure 4 , the photometric rotation period 401 and the first alignment rotation period 402 are shown separately for conceptual distinction, but the reaction disk 1 can also operate the photometric rotation and the first alignment rotation continuously.

[0049] Example 1

[0050] Figure 5 An example of the timing for each mechanism of the automatic analyzer to access the reaction disk 1 is shown. Regarding absorbance measurement, during the photometric rotation period 401, access from the mechanism is performed during the first stop period 405 or the second stop period 406.

[0051] Figure 5 In the timing example of, for Figure 2 the reaction disk 1 shown, in order to satisfy the reaction time defined in standard biochemical assays or immunoassays, in odd device cycles, it is set to a distance equivalent to 93 (= 64 + 29) reaction vessels, and in even device cycles, it is set to a distance equivalent to 85 (= 64 + 21) reaction vessels. Furthermore, the rotation amounts during the first counterpoint rotation period 402 and the second counterpoint rotation period 403 in odd device cycles and the rotation amounts during the first counterpoint rotation period 402 and the second counterpoint rotation period 403 in even device cycles are allocated as fixed values.

[0052] In this way, 3 cycles of biochemical assay cycles and 1 cycle of immunoassay cycles are implemented in parallel. As long as the total rotation amount of the entire device cycle is observed, the rotation amounts allocated to the first counterpoint rotation period 402 and the second counterpoint rotation period 403 can be in the clockwise direction or the counterclockwise direction. Here, when calculating the total rotation amount, for example, when the movement in the clockwise direction is set as the positive rotation amount, the movement in the counterclockwise direction is calculated as the negative rotation amount. Absorbance measurement is reliably implemented during the photometric rotation period 401, so there is no need to consider the absorbance measurement timing, and the degree of freedom of the cyclic operation for determining that the measurement procedures for multiple analysis item groups can be executed without interfering with each other can be improved.

[0053] Example 2

[0054] In Example 1, an example in which the rotation amounts during the first counterpoint rotation period 402 and the second counterpoint rotation period 403 are set as fixed values was described. In contrast, in Example 2, an example in which the rotation amounts during the first counterpoint rotation period 402 and the second counterpoint rotation period 403 are set as variable values is described. For example, in the case of adding a measurement step that is not in the standard measurement steps, it can be dealt with by changing the rotation amounts during the first counterpoint rotation period 402 and the second counterpoint rotation period 403 from the standard values (fixed amounts).

[0055] Here, an example will be described in which a sample is temporarily dispensed from the sample container 5 into the reaction vessel 2 on the reaction disk 1 and diluted, and the diluted sample (diluted sample) is re-dispensed for biochemical assay. For example, in Figure 5 the timing example, during the first stop period 405 of the first device cycle, neither the biochemical assay cycle nor the immunoassay cycle is accessed by any mechanism. In this case, by changing the rotation amounts during the first counterpoint rotation period 402 and the second counterpoint rotation period 403 while maintaining the total rotation amount of the first device cycle, steps can be added during the first stop period 405 without disturbing the overall measurement steps performed by the automatic analyzer 100.

[0056] Figure 6 Indicates the measurement step of the diluted specimen in the dispensing reaction vessel 2a. Figure 7 Indicates the Figure 6 corresponding rotation pattern of the reaction disk 1. In this example, Figure 5 the first apparatus cycle shown is the apparatus cycle in which the reaction vessel 2b stops at the first dispensing position 106 at the end of the apparatus cycle, and the Figure 7 rotation pattern is executed.

[0057] Figure 6 The upper part of the shows the timing immediately after the photometric rotation ends. Before that, the diluted specimen 601 is received by dispensing the test sample and the diluent into the reaction vessel 2a. After the photometric rotation ends, the first alignment rotation 605 is executed. The rotation amount of the first alignment rotation 605 is the distance from the arrangement position of the reaction vessel 2a to the first dispensing position 106. Figure 6 The middle part of the shows the first stop period. The first dispensing unit 8 sucks the diluted specimen from the reaction vessel 2a. Then, the second alignment rotation 606 is executed. The rotation amount of the first alignment rotation 605 is the distance from the arrangement position of the reaction vessel 2b to the first dispensing position 106. Figure 6 The lower part of the shows the second stop period. The first dispensing unit 8 discharges the diluted specimen into the reaction vessel 2b. After that, the measurement steps such as the second dispensing are executed for the diluted specimen in the reaction vessel 2b according to the measurement cycle.

[0058] In this way, by making the rotation amounts of the first alignment rotation period 402 and the second alignment rotation period 403 variable, it is possible to flexibly cope with complicated measurement steps.

[0059] Here, an example of biochemical measurement has been described, but the same applies to immunoassay. In addition, the above-described embodiment is particularly useful when applied to a composite automatic analyzer that simultaneously performs biochemical measurement and immunoassay and shares the reaction disk 1 in biochemical measurement and immunoassay, but the same idea can also be applied to an automatic analyzer that only performs biochemical measurement. For example, in an automatic analyzer in which reaction vessels 2 are provided on the reaction disk 1 and absorbance measurement and alignment to the access position are performed by the rotation operation of the reaction disk 1, the rotation for absorbance measurement and the rotation for alignment to the access position are separated, and multiple alignment rotations are performed within one apparatus cycle. In addition, by making the rotation for alignment during each alignment period be either clockwise or counterclockwise, the degree of freedom of operation can be improved. Furthermore, by making the rotation amount during the alignment period comply with the total rotation amount within the apparatus cycle and making it variable, more flexible coping can be performed. For example, when the number of reaction vessels that can be set on the reaction disk 1 is N, the total rotation amount within the apparatus cycle can be set to the distance corresponding to (N±1) reaction vessels.

[0060] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and includes various variations. For example, the above-mentioned embodiments and variations are examples described in detail to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and are not limited to all the structures described. In addition, a part of the structure of a certain embodiment or variation can be replaced with the structure of another embodiment or variation, and the structure of another embodiment or variation can be added to the structure of a certain embodiment or variation. In addition, for a part of the structure of each embodiment or variation, other structures can be added, deleted, or replaced.

[0061] Explanation of symbols

[0062] 1—reaction disk; 2—reaction container; 3—common disk; 4—reagent container; 5—sample container; 6—reagent suction position; 7—sample suction position; 8—first dispensing part; 9—second dispensing part; 10—first pump; 11—second pump; 12—first cleaning tank; 13—second cleaning tank; 14—reagent stirring part; 15—spectrophotometer; 16—detection part; 17—chip; 18—transport part; 19—tray; 20—tray; 21—waste box; 22—installation position; 23—waste position; 24—waste liquid tank; 25—water supply tank; 26

[0063] —water supply tank; 27 —cleaning liquid container; 30 —control device; 31 —control unit; 32 —storage unit; 33

[0064] —input unit; 34—display unit; 100—automatic analysis device; 101—reaction container loading position; 102

[0065] —Reaction container removal position (biochemistry); 103—Reaction container removal position (immunology); 104—third dispensing position; 105—fourth dispensing position; 106—first dispensing position; 107—second dispensing position; 108—optical axis; 401—photometric rotation period; 402—first alignment rotation period; 403—second alignment rotation period; 405—first stop period; 406—second stop period; 601—diluted specimen; 605—first alignment rotation; 606—second alignment rotation.

Claims

1. An automatic analysis device, characterized in that, comprising: a reaction disk which is provided with a plurality of reaction vessels on its circumference and is rotationally driven; a dispensing unit which dispenses liquid into the reaction vessels provided on the reaction disk; a spectrophotometer which is arranged with an optical axis in a manner crossing the circumference of the reaction disk; and a control unit, wherein the control unit controls the reaction disk and the dispensing unit in synchronization with the apparatus cycle, the total rotation amount of the reaction disk in the apparatus cycle is determined, and the apparatus cycle includes: a photometric rotation period during which the reaction disk rotates more than one circle; and a first alignment rotation period and a second alignment rotation period for stopping the reaction disk at a position corresponding to the total at the end of the apparatus cycle.

2. The automatic analysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein during the first alignment rotation period and the second alignment rotation period, the control unit can make the rotation direction of the reaction disk be either clockwise or counterclockwise.

3. The automatic analysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus cycle includes: a first stop period between the first alignment rotation period and the second alignment rotation period; and a second stop period between the second alignment rotation period and the end of the apparatus cycle, during the first stop period or the second stop period, a mechanism accessing the reaction disk accesses the reaction vessels stopped at the access positions determined for each mechanism.

4. The automatic analysis apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the dispensing unit sucks liquid from the reaction vessel stopped at the access position determined for the dispensing unit during the first stop period, and discharges the liquid into the reaction vessel stopped at the access position determined for the dispensing unit during the second stop period.

5. The automatic analysis apparatus according to claim 3, wherein it has a transport unit which transports reaction vessels to the reaction disk, the control unit controls the transport unit in synchronization with the apparatus cycle, the total of the rotation amount of the reaction disk in the apparatus cycle is determined such that the transport unit transports reaction vessels to the reaction disk at the determined timing of the apparatus cycle, whereby reaction vessels can be provided at the arrangement positions of all the reaction vessels on the reaction disk.

6. The automatic analysis apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the dispensing unit has a rotation axis for moving a dispensing nozzle on an arc track, the access position determined for the dispensing unit is located below the arc track.

7. An automatic analysis device, characterized in that comprising: a reaction disk which is provided with a plurality of reaction vessels on its circumference and is rotationally driven; a first dispensing unit which dispenses liquid into the reaction vessels provided on the reaction disk; a second dispensing unit which dispenses liquid into the reaction vessels provided on the reaction disk; a transport unit which transports reaction vessels to the reaction disk; a spectrophotometer which is arranged with an optical axis in a manner crossing the circumference of the reaction disk; and a control unit, wherein the control unit controls the reaction disk, the first dispensing unit, the second dispensing unit and the transport unit in synchronization with the apparatus cycle, The sum of the rotation amounts of the reaction disk in the device cycle is determined. The device cycle includes: a photometric rotation period during which the reaction disk rotates more than one full turn; a first alignment rotation period and a second alignment rotation period for stopping the reaction disk at a position corresponding to the sum at the end of the device cycle; a first stop period between the first alignment rotation period and the second alignment rotation period; and a second stop period between the second alignment rotation period and the end of the device cycle. The first dispensing unit, the second dispensing unit, and the conveying unit access reaction vessels stopped at respectively determined access positions during the first stop period or the second stop period. The sum of the rotation amounts of the reaction disk in the device cycle is determined to satisfy βM = αN ± 2, where N is the number of reaction vessels that can be set on the reaction disk, M is the sum of the rotation amounts of two consecutive device cycles, and α and β are constants.

8. The automatic analysis device according to claim 7, wherein: The first dispensing unit is for biochemical assays, and the second dispensing unit is for immunoassays.

9. The automatic analysis device according to claim 8, wherein: The conveying unit transports a reaction vessel to a placement position stopped at an access position commonly determined in the biochemical assay and the immunoassay. The sum of the rotation amounts of the device cycle is equivalent to the distance of an odd number of reaction vessels. In the next device cycle after the device cycle in which a reaction vessel for immunoassay is loaded, a reaction vessel for biochemical assay is loaded.

10. The automatic analysis device according to claim 7, wherein: During the first alignment rotation period and the second alignment rotation period, the control unit can make the rotation direction of the reaction disk either clockwise or counterclockwise.

11. The automatic analysis device according to claim 10, wherein: The first dispensing unit aspirates liquid from a reaction vessel stopped at the access position determined for the first dispensing unit during the first stop period and discharges the liquid to the reaction vessel stopped at the access position determined for the first dispensing unit during the second stop period, or the second dispensing unit aspirates liquid from a reaction vessel stopped at the access position determined for the second dispensing unit during the first stop period and discharges the liquid to the reaction vessel stopped at the access position determined for the second dispensing unit during the second stop period.

12. The automatic analysis device according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein: The first dispensing unit has a rotation axis and moves a first dispensing nozzle on a first circular arc track. The second dispensing unit has a rotation axis and moves a second dispensing nozzle on a second circular arc track. The access position determined for the first dispensing unit is below the first circular arc track. The access position determined for the second dispensing unit is below the second circular arc track.

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