Reagent management method

Abstract

An automated analysis apparatus and a method for sharing reagents among multiple devices are provided. The independent automated analysis apparatus (1A, 1B) of the present invention includes: a control unit (82A, 82B) for controlling the operation of various parts of the apparatus; a reagent-related information input / output unit (81A, 81B) for inputting and outputting reagent-related information (I) related to reagents mounted on a reagent supply unit, including reagents in use; a reagent container detection unit (83A, 83B) for detecting the insertion and / or removal of reagent containers relative to the automated analysis apparatus; and a reagent-related information reading unit (84A, 84B) for reading reagent-related information C from the reagents in use and / or reagent containers detected by the reagent container detection unit. The control unit (82A, 82B) compares the reagent-related information (C) read by the reagent-related information reading unit (84A, 84B) with the reagent-related information (I) input to the reagent-related information input / output unit (81A, 81B), and controls the operation of the reagent supply unit based on the comparison result.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an automated analysis apparatus capable of obtaining measurement information for a wide variety of tests by reacting samples (specimens) such as blood and urine with various reagents and measuring the reaction process, and to a method for sharing reagents among automated analysis apparatuses. Background Technology

[0002] Automatic analytical devices (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as devices) that obtain measurement information for a wide variety of tests by reacting biological samples such as blood and urine with various reagents and measuring the reaction process have been known to take various forms. For example, a specimen (sample) as a biological sample is dispensed from a specimen container into a reaction container, and the dispensed specimen is dispensed with reagents corresponding to the test items and mixed to perform various measurements and analyses (see, for example, Japanese Patent Document 1).

[0003] [Existing Technical Documents]

[0004] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Japanese Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-135497 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Such automated analyzers utilize serial numbers displayed on labels affixed to reagent containers to manage reagents in various ways (managing usage status, such as accuracy), for each container holding the reagents. For example, in managing remaining test counts, the device can use the serial number to track reagent usage for each container. Therefore, reagent containers with the same serial number that have already been used in the same automated analyzer cannot be reused. This applies not only to managing remaining test counts but also to managing remaining reagent quantities; thus, the remaining reagent in a container that has been used once in an automated analyzer cannot be reused in that device.

[0007] When two independent devices want to share the same reagent container, if a reagent container is transferred from the first device (where the container was used for the first time) to the second device, the second device will identify the transferred container (which is the first serial number container used on the second device) as an unused container and perform a reagent volume test. However, since the liquid volume in the transferred container is naturally less than that in the unused container, the second device will judge the container as insufficient and consider it unusable. This situation is very inconvenient for users who use at least two identical devices separately. This is because if one device malfunctions or becomes unusable, the reagent stored on that device cannot be moved to another device for use. Furthermore, the usability is also very poor when multiple devices, such as POCT devices, reuse the same reagent.

[0008] The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide an automated analysis device and a method for sharing reagents among multiple independent devices.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides an automated analytical apparatus comprising a reaction section for holding a reaction vessel containing a sample and a reagent supply section for supplying reagents. By reacting the sample with reagents supplied from the reagent supply section and measuring the reaction process, measurement information is obtained for specified test items. The automated analytical apparatus is characterized by comprising: a control section for controlling the operation of each part of the apparatus; a reagent-related information input / output section for inputting and outputting reagent-related information related to the reagents mounted on the reagent supply section, including reagents in use; a reagent container detection section for detecting the insertion and / or removal of a reagent container containing the reagents in use relative to the automated analytical apparatus; and a reagent-related information reading section for reading the reagent-related information from the reagents and / or reagent containers detected by the reagent container detection section relative to the automated analytical apparatus. The control section compares the reagent-related information read by the reagent-related information reading section with the reagent-related information input / output section, and controls the operation of the reagent supply section based on the comparison result.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for sharing reagents among automated analytical devices, wherein the automated analytical devices include a reaction section for holding a reaction container dispensing a sample and a reagent supply section for supplying reagents. By reacting the reagent supplied from the reagent supply section with the sample and measuring the reaction process, measurement information is obtained for specified test items. The method is characterized by comprising: a reagent-related information output step, wherein a first automated analytical device outputs reagent-related information related to a used reagent from the device at a predetermined time interval; a reagent-related information input step, wherein the reagent-related information output from the first automated analytical device is input to a second automated analytical device; a reagent container detection step, wherein a reagent container containing the used reagent is taken into the second automated analytical device for detection; a reagent-related information reading step, wherein the reagent-related information is read from the used reagent and / or reagent container detected by the reagent container detection step relative to the second automated analytical device; and a control step, wherein the reagent-related information read in the reagent-related information reading step is compared with the reagent-related information input in the reagent-related information input step, and the operation of the reagent supply section of the second automated analytical device is controlled based on the comparison result.

[0011] According to the automated analysis device and reagent sharing method between devices described above, the second automated analysis device can acquire reagent-related information concerning reagents used in the first automated analysis device in two stages by reading from both the first and second automated analysis devices. It then compares this reagent-related information acquired in each stage and controls the operation of the reagent supply unit on the second automated analysis device side based on the comparison result (e.g., controlling the operation of the reagent supply unit to allow continued use of reagents when the reagent-related information read by the reagent-related information reading unit matches the reagent-related information input / output unit). Therefore, reagent sharing between the first and second automated analysis devices can be performed without problems (reagents used by the first automated analysis device can be directly reused by the second automated analysis device without problems). Thus, even without the function of exchanging reagent information between multiple devices through centralized management, as in a large testing center, reagents can be shared between two independent devices. As a result, when at least two identical devices are used separately, it is not necessary to place reagents for the same testing items in each device, reducing reagent waste caused by onboard time limitations. In addition, it improves the availability of POCT devices where multiple devices are likely to share a single reagent bottle. This is particularly beneficial in reagent serial management systems that use serial numbers to distinguish reagents within the same batch and manage the usage status of each reagent container.

[0012] According to the present invention, an automated analytical apparatus and a method for sharing reagents among multiple independent devices can be provided. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic overall appearance view of an automatic analysis device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 It means Figure 1 A block diagram outlining the general structure of the automatic analysis device.

[0015] Figure 3 It means Figure 1 A block diagram illustrating the composition of the characteristic parts of the automatic analysis device.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the action of retrieving a reagent container from the first automated analyzer side for reagent sharing.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the action of taking reagent containers into the second automated analyzer for reagent sharing. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic overall appearance view of the automatic analysis device according to this embodiment. Figure 2 It means Figure 1 A block diagram outlining the basic structure of an automated analysis device. (See diagram below.) Figure 2 As shown, the automatic analysis apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a reaction section 40 for holding a reaction container 54 containing a sample and a reagent supply section 70 for supplying reagents to the reaction container 54. By causing the reagent supplied from the reagent supply section 70 to the reaction container 54 to react with the sample and measuring the reaction process, measurement information is obtained for the specified test items.

[0020] Specifically, the automatic analysis device 1 of this embodiment is formed by a housing 100 forming its outer frame, and a specimen processing space is formed in the upper part of the housing 100.

[0021] like Figure 2 As clearly shown, the automatic analysis device 1 includes a control unit 10, a measurement unit 30, and a touch screen 190.

[0022] The control unit 10 controls the overall operation of the automatic analysis device 1. The control unit 10 is, for example, a personal computer (PC). The control unit 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 12, random access memory (RAM) 14, read-only memory (ROM) 16, storage medium 18, and communication interface (I / F) 20, all interconnected via a bus 22. The CPU 12 performs various signal processing tasks. The RAM 14 functions as the main storage device for the CPU 12. The RAM 14 can be, for example, dynamic RAM (DRAM) or static RAM (SRAM). The ROM 16 stores various startup programs. The storage medium 18 can be, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD). The storage medium 18 stores various information such as programs and parameters used by the CPU 12. Additionally, the storage medium 18 stores data acquired by the measurement unit 30. The RAM 14 and storage medium 18 are not limited to these and can be replaced with various storage devices. The control unit 10 communicates with external devices such as the measurement unit 30 and the touchscreen 190 via the communication I / F 20.

[0023] The touchscreen 190 includes a display device 192 and a touch panel 194. The display device 192 may include, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic EL display. Under the control of the control unit 10, the display device 192 displays various screens. These screens may include operation screens of the automatic analysis device 1, screens displaying measurement results, screens showing analysis results, and so on. The touch panel 194 is disposed on the display device 192. The touch panel 194 receives input from the user and transmits the received input information to the control unit 10.

[0024] The control unit 10 can also be connected to other devices such as printers, handheld barcode readers, and host computers via the communication I / F20.

[0025] The measurement unit 30 includes a control circuit 42, a data processing circuit 44, a thermostat 52, a reaction vessel 54, a light source 62, a scattered light detector 64, a transmitted light detector 66, a specimen container 72, a reagent container 74, a specimen probe 76, and a reagent probe 78. In this case, the reaction vessel 54, the scattered light detector 64, and the transmitted light detector 66 are located in the thermostat 52.

[0026] The control circuit 42 controls the operation of each part of the measuring unit 30 based on instructions from the control unit 10. Although the control circuit 42 is not shown in the figure, it is connected to the data processing circuit 44, the constant temperature bath 52, the light source 62, the scattered light detector 64, the transmitted light detector 66, the specimen probe 76, the reagent probe 78, etc., and controls the operation of each part.

[0027] The data processing circuit 44 is connected to the scattered light detector 64 and the transmitted light detector 66, and obtains the detection results from the scattered light detector 64 and the transmitted light detector 66. The data processing circuit 44 performs various processes on the obtained detection results and outputs the processed results. The processing performed by the data processing circuit 44 may include, for example, A / D conversion processing, which converts the format of the data output from the scattered light detector 64 and the transmitted light detector 66 into a format that the control unit 10 can process.

[0028] The control circuit 42 and data processing circuit 44 may include, for example, a CPU, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The control circuit 42 and data processing circuit 44 may each be constructed from a single integrated circuit, or they may be composed of a combination of multiple integrated circuits. Alternatively, the control circuit 42 and data processing circuit 44 may also be constructed from a single integrated circuit. The operation of the control circuit 42 and data processing circuit 44 can be performed according to a program recorded, for example, in a storage device or a recording area within the circuit.

[0029] Specimen container 72 holds a specimen, for example, blood collected from a patient. Reagent container 74 holds various reagents used for the assay. Several specimen containers 72 and reagent containers 74 may be provided. Since there are usually multiple reagents used for analysis, there are generally multiple reagent containers 74. Specimen probe 76, under the control of control circuit 42, dispenses the specimen contained in specimen container 72 into reaction container 54. Reagent probe 78, under the control of control circuit 42, dispenses the reagents contained in reagent container 74 into reaction container 54. The number of specimen probes 76 and reagent probes 78 may also be several.

[0030] Under the control of the control circuit 42, the thermostatic bath 52 maintains the temperature of the reaction vessel 54 at a specified temperature. Inside the reaction vessel 54, a mixture of the sample dispensed by the sample probe 76 and the reagent dispensed by the reagent probe 78 reacts. Alternatively, there can be several reaction vessels 54.

[0031] Under the control of the control circuit 42, the light source 62 irradiates light of a predetermined wavelength. The light source 62 can be configured to irradiate light of different wavelengths depending on the measurement conditions. Therefore, the light source 62 can also have multiple light source elements. The light irradiated from the light source 62 is guided, for example, by an optical fiber, to the reaction vessel 54. Depending on the reaction process state of the mixture within the reaction vessel 54, some of the light irradiated to the reaction vessel 54 is scattered, and some is transmitted. The scattered light detector 64 detects the light scattered by the reaction vessel 54, for example, detecting the amount of scattered light. The transmitted light detector 66 detects the light transmitted through the reaction vessel 54, for example, detecting the amount of transmitted light. The data processing circuit 44 processes information about the amount of scattered light detected by the scattered light detector 64, or information about the amount of transmitted light detected by the transmitted light detector 66. The scattered light detector 64 and the transmitted light detector 66 can also be operated by either one depending on the measurement conditions. Therefore, the data processing circuit 44 can also process either the information about the amount of scattered light detected by the scattered light detector 64 or the information about the amount of transmitted light detected by the transmitted light detector 66, depending on the measurement conditions. The data processing circuit 44 sends the processed data to the control unit 10. Additionally, Figure 3 The measurement unit 30 shown has two detectors: a scattered light detector 64 and a transmitted light detector 66, but it may also have only one of them.

[0032] The control unit 10 performs various calculations based on data obtained from the measuring unit 30. These calculations include calculating the reaction amount of the mixture, the amount of the target substance in the test sample based on the reaction amount, and the quantitative calculation of the activity value. Some or all of these calculations may also be performed by the data processing circuit 44.

[0033] Furthermore, this explanation illustrates the case where the PC controlling the operation of the measurement unit 30 and the PC performing data calculation and quantitative calculation are the same control unit 10, but they can also be independent. In other words, the PC performing data calculation and quantitative calculation can exist as a single unit.

[0034] Next, refer to Figures 3-5 This section describes the characteristic functional parts of an automated analyzer that allows two automated analyzers configured as described above to share reagents, as well as the reagent management method.

[0035] Figure 3 It was only explicitly stated that the aforementioned conditions were met. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The functional units for sharing reagents in the two automated analysis devices 1A and 1B are shown schematically in a block diagram. Here, the case where the two automated analysis devices 1A and 1B share a single reagent container 32 will be described.

[0036] As shown in the figure, each automatic analysis device 1A (1B) includes: a control unit 82A (82B) that controls each part of the aforementioned automatic analysis device 1. Figure 3 In this context, these components are collectively represented as follows: the operation of the drive unit 85A (85B); the reagent-related information input / output unit 81A (81B), used to input and output reagent-related information (information held on the automatic analysis device 1A (1B) side) I, including the reagent in use, mounted on the reagent supply unit 70; the reagent container detection unit 83A (83B), used to detect the insertion and / or removal of the reagent container 32 containing the reagent in use relative to the automatic analysis device 1A (1B); and the reagent-related information reading unit 84A (84B), used to read reagent-related information C (information held on the reagent and / or reagent container 32 side) from the reagent in use and / or reagent container 32 detected by the reagent container detection unit 83A (83B) relative to the automatic analysis device 1A (1B). In this case, the reagent container detection unit 83A (83B) and the reagent-related information reading unit 84A (84B) are, for example, positioned at a predetermined position along the rotation direction of the rotary table 34 of the reagent supply unit 70. In addition, the reagent information reading unit 84A (84B) may also be configured as a barcode reader if the reagent information C exists as, for example, a barcode displayed or affixed to the reagent container 32.

[0037] Here, reagent-related information I(C) can be identification information for identifying the reagent and / or reagent container 32 (information related to inspection items, serial number, shelf life, etc.), or it can be usage information related to the use of the reagent (usage status information). Additionally, usage information can include reagent level, number of uses (number of measurements), remaining amount, etc. Furthermore, if the usage information includes information such as reagent level that needs to be confirmed by certain detections or measurements at the device receiving the reagent container during use, the reagent-related information reading unit 84A (84B) reads the reagent-related information C including prescribed detection information related to the reagent, such as liquid level. For example, the device receiving the transferred reagent container during use uses a reagent aspiration probe to detect the reagent level and calculates the remaining amount of reagent in the container based on the detected liquid level. Since the origin height of the reagent aspiration probe relative to the base surface varies slightly depending on the device, even with the same pulsation amount during liquid level detection, the remaining pulsation amount up to the base surface may differ, resulting in errors in calculating the remaining amount of reagent in the container. Therefore, it is preferable that the device side has the function of correcting this part.

[0038] Next, refer to Figures 3-5This explanation describes a method, for example, that enables the transfer of reagent container 32 used in the first automated analyzer 1A to the second automated analyzer 1B for continued use by the second automated analyzer, through such a configuration (functional unit). Furthermore, while the transfer of reagent container 32 is from the first automated analyzer 1A to the second automated analyzer 1B, the process (operation) remains the same even when the transfer direction is reversed, i.e., from the second automated analyzer 1B to the first automated analyzer 1A.

[0039] First, in the case where it is desired to transfer the reagents used in the first automated analyzer 1A to the second automated analyzer 1B for use ( Figure 4 Step S1), remove the reagent container 32 containing the reagent in use from the first automatic analysis device 1A (see also...). Figure 3 ). This occurs when the reagent container 32 is removed, specifically when the reagent container detection unit 83A detects the removal of the reagent container 32. Figure 4 In step S2), reagent-related information I, which relates to the reagents used in use by the first automatic analyzer 1A, is output from the reagent-related information input / output unit 81A of the first automatic analyzer 1A. Figure 4The reagent-related information output step S3). However, the timing of outputting the reagent-related information I is not limited to this. For example, when the power of the first automatic analysis device 1A is turned off, the reagent-related information input / output unit 81A can automatically output the reagent-related information I to, for example, a storage medium connected to the device 1A. This can prevent the operator from forgetting. In addition, if the storage medium is not installed in the device 1A before the power is turned off, the operator can also be informed of this situation. Alternatively, as the timing of outputting the reagent-related information I, after the reagent container 32 is removed from the reagent refrigerator by opening the lid of the reagent supply unit 70, the reagent supply unit 70 can output the reagent-related information I to, for example, a storage medium connected to the device 1A when the reagent container 32 is not read again on the rotating table 34 of the removed reagent container 32 as a trigger condition. In addition, this situation can also be output to the display of the display input unit 60 to remind the operator. Alternatively, the reagent-related information I of reagent container 32 can be automatically output (written) from reagent-related information input / output unit 81A to storage medium or the like at the end of each batch of analysis or when all the tests set for the placed specimens are completed. In this way, reagent-related information input / output unit 81A can automatically output reagent-related information I based on the operating status of automatic analysis device 1A and / or reagent supply unit 70, but it can also output reagent-related information I based on manually input signals. For example, the operator can also manually output reagent-related information I to storage medium or the like at any time via reagent-related information input / output unit 81A.

[0040] Thus, after reagent-related information I is output from the reagent-related information input / output unit 81A of the first automatic analyzer 1A, this reagent-related information I is input to the reagent-related information input / output unit 81B of the second automatic analyzer 1B via a storage medium (e.g., USB memory, SD card, etc.) or through remote communication (e.g., email delivery via an external server, Bluetooth, etc.). Furthermore, the reagent container 32 taken from the first automatic analyzer 1A is subsequently placed in the reagent supply unit 70 of the second automatic analyzer 1B. Therefore, on the second automatic analyzer 1B side, after the input of reagent-related information I is confirmed by the reagent-related information input / output unit 81B... Figure 5 The reagent-related information input step S10) and the reagent container detection unit 83B detects the insertion of the reagent container 32 (reagent container detection step S11).

[0041] Reagent-related information I is input to the output unit 81B. After the reagent container 32 is detected by the reagent container detection unit 83B, the reagent-related information reading unit 84B of the second automatic analysis device 1B reads the reagent-related information C held by the retrieved reagent container 32 (and / or reagent) (reagent-related information reading step S12). Then, the control unit 82B compares the reagent-related information C read by the reagent-related information reading unit 84B with the reagent-related information I input to the reagent-related information input / output unit 81B (step S13), and controls the operation of the reagent supply unit 70 based on the comparison result (control steps S14, S15, S16). In particular, in this example, when the comparison results are consistent, the control unit 82B determines that the reagent container 32 detected by the reagent container detection unit 83B is a reagent container 32 used by the first automatic analysis device 1B, and controls the operation of the reagent supply unit in a manner that allows the continued use of the reagent container 32 (step S16). When the comparison results are inconsistent, the continued use of the reagent container 32 is not allowed (step S15). Furthermore, if the reagent-related information I and C include expiration date information, and the expiration date of the reagent container 32 read by the second automatic analyzer 1B has expired, the operator can be reminded to remove the reagent, or even if the above comparison results are consistent, the use of the reagent container 32 can be disallowed. Alternatively, the operator can be allowed to choose one of these options.

[0042] As described above, according to this embodiment, the second automatic analysis device 1B can acquire reagent-related information I and C related to the reagents used in the first automatic analysis device 1A in two stages by reading from both the first automatic analysis device 1A and the device itself on the second automatic analysis device 1B side. It then compares the reagent-related information I and C acquired in each stage and controls the operation of the reagent supply unit 70 based on the comparison result (the operation of the reagent supply unit 70 is controlled such that continued use of the reagent is allowed when the reagent-related information C read by the reagent-related information reading unit 84B matches the reagent-related information I input to the reagent-related information input / output unit 81B). Therefore, reagent sharing between the first automatic analysis device 1A and the second automatic analysis device 1B can be performed without problems (reagents used in the first automatic analysis device 1A can be directly reused by the second automatic analysis device 1B without problems, and vice versa). Therefore, even without the function of exchanging reagent information between multiple devices through centralized management, as in a large testing center, reagents can be shared between two independent devices 1A and 1B. As a result, when using at least two identical devices 1A and 1B separately, it is not necessary to place reagents for the same test items on each device 1A and 1B, thus reducing reagent waste caused by time constraints. Furthermore, it improves the availability of POCT devices where multiple devices are likely to share a single reagent bottle. This is particularly beneficial in reagent serial management systems that differentiate reagents within the same batch by serial number and manage their usage status by reagent container.

[0043] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments, and can be implemented in various modifications without departing from its spirit. For example, in the present invention, the configuration of identifying relevant information, the configuration of the automatic analysis device, etc., can be arbitrarily set. In addition, some or all of the foregoing embodiments can be combined, or a portion of an omitted configuration from one of the foregoing embodiments can be used.

[0044] [Explanation of Labels in the Attached Image]

[0045] 1, 1A, 1B Automatic Analysis Device

[0046] 70 Reagent Supply Department

[0047] 32. Reagent containers

[0048] 40 Reaction Section

[0049] 81A, 81B Reagent-Related Information Input / Output Section

[0050] 82A, 82B Control Unit

[0051] 83A, 83B Reagent Container Testing Department

[0052] 84A, 84B Reagent Information Reading Section

[0053] C, I reagent information

Claims

1. An independently operating automated analytical device, comprising a reaction section for holding a reaction vessel containing a sample and a reagent supply section for supplying reagents. The automatic analytical apparatus is characterized by reacting reagents supplied from the reagent supply unit with a sample and measuring the reaction process to obtain measurement information for specified test items. The aforementioned automatic analysis device includes: Control unit, which controls the operation of each part of the control device; The reagent-related information input / output unit is used to input and output reagent-related information about the reagents installed in the reagent supply unit. A reagent container detection unit is used to detect the insertion and / or removal of a reagent container containing the aforementioned reagent relative to the aforementioned automated analysis device; and The reagent-related information reading unit reads reagent-related information from the reagent and / or reagent container detected by the reagent container detection unit relative to the automatic analysis device. in, The above reagent-related information includes usage information related to the use of the above reagents. The control unit compares the reagent-related information read by the reagent-related information reading unit with the reagent-related information input / output unit inputted by the reagent-related information input / output unit of the other automated analyzer for a used reagent container. When the comparison results match, it determines that the used reagent container is a reagent container used by the other automated analyzer, and controls the operation of the reagent supply unit to allow the continued use of the reagent. When the comparison results do not match, it controls the operation of the reagent supply unit to disallow the continued use of the reagent, thereby realizing the sharing of the same reagent container with other automated analyzers.

2. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The above-mentioned reagent-related information input / output unit uses a storage medium to input and output the above-mentioned reagent-related information.

3. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reagent-related information input / output unit inputs and outputs the above-mentioned reagent-related information via remote communication.

4. The automatic analysis apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The reagent-related information input / output unit automatically outputs the reagent-related information based on manually input signals or according to the operating status of the automatic analysis device and / or the reagent supply unit.

5. The automatic analysis apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The reagent-related information further includes identification information for identifying the reagent and / or the reagent container.

6. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The above usage information includes the reagent level or the number of measurements.

7. The automatic analysis device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The reagent-related information reading unit reads the reagent-related information, including the detection information specified for the reagent.

8. A reagent management method for sharing a common reagent container among independently operating automated analytical devices, wherein the automated analytical device includes a reaction section for holding a reaction container dispensing a sample and a reagent supply section for supplying reagents, and by reacting the reagent supplied from the reagent supply section with the sample and measuring the reaction process, measurement information is obtained for specified test items. The reagent management method is characterized in that... The above-mentioned reagent management methods include: The reagent-related information output step involves the first automatic analyzer outputting reagent-related information about the reagents used by the device at a specified time. The reagent-related information input step involves inputting the reagent-related information output from the first automatic analyzer into the second automatic analyzer. The reagent container testing step involves taking the reagent container containing the aforementioned reagents in use into the second automated analysis device for testing. The reagent-related information reading step reads the reagent-related information from the reagent and / or reagent container that is being used and has been taken into the second automatic analysis device as detected by the reagent container detection step above. as well as In the control step, the reagent-related information read in the reagent-related information reading step and the reagent-related information input in the reagent-related information input step are compared. When the comparison result is consistent, the reagent container detected in the reagent container detection step is determined to be a reagent container used by the first automatic analyzer, and the operation of the reagent supply unit is controlled to allow the second automatic analyzer to continue using the reagent container. When the comparison result is inconsistent, the operation of the reagent supply unit is controlled to disallow the second automatic analyzer from continuing to use the reagent container. The reagent-related information mentioned above includes usage information related to the use of the reagents.

9. The reagent management method according to claim 8, characterized in that, In the above-mentioned reagent-related information output step and the above-mentioned reagent-related information input step, the above-mentioned reagent-related information is input and output through a storage medium.

10. The reagent management method according to claim 8, characterized in that, In the above-mentioned reagent-related information output step and the above-mentioned reagent-related information input step, the above-mentioned reagent-related information is input and output through remote communication.

11. The reagent management method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that, In the above-mentioned reagent-related information output step, the above-mentioned reagent-related information is automatically output based on the manually input signal or according to the working status of the above-mentioned automatic analysis device and / or the above-mentioned reagent supply unit.

12. The reagent management method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that, The reagent-related information further includes identification information for identifying the reagent and / or the reagent container.

13. The reagent management method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The above usage information includes the reagent level or the number of measurements.

14. The reagent management method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The above reagent-related information reading steps include the prescribed detection information related to the reagent.

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