Automatic analyzer and method for adjusting amount of cleaning liquid

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer and an adjustment method capable of accurately adjusting the amount of cleaning liquid in a short time. Therefore, the present invention is an automatic analysis device in which, when cleaning a dispensing probe, a reference amount of cleaning liquid is discharged from a cleaning nozzle while the tip of the dispensing probe is at a cleaning position, and in a case where the position is set as a first adjustment position, the reference amount of cleaning liquid is adjusted to a first adjustment position, and the reference amount of cleaning liquid is adjusted to a second adjustment position. The dispensing probe has a position that is farther from the cleaning nozzle in the horizontal direction than the cleaning position and lower than the cleaning position, and detects a contact liquid when the cleaning liquid of the reference liquid amount is ejected when the tip of the dispensing probe is located at the position, and adjusts the amount of the cleaning liquid when the amount of the cleaning liquid is adjusted. The control unit ejects the cleaning liquid in a state in which the tip of the dispensing probe is at the first adjustment position, and after confirming whether or not liquid contact is detected, ejects the cleaning liquid in a state in which the tip of the dispensing probe is at a position above or downstream of the first adjustment position, and confirms whether or not liquid contact is detected. On the basis of these confirmation results, the setting of the liquid amount adjustment means required to set the cleaning liquid amount to the reference liquid amount is determined.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic analyzing device and a method for adjusting the amount of a cleaning liquid. Background Art

[0002] In an automatic analyzer, after dispensing a sample, etc., the dispensing probe is cleaned in a cleaning tank to maintain the reliability of the analysis. However, the amount of cleaning liquid may change due to the degradation of the pump that supplies the cleaning liquid over the years. Therefore, the operator usually performs maintenance to adjust the amount of cleaning liquid on a regular basis. However, manual adjustment takes time or causes deviations, so a technology for automatically adjusting the amount of cleaning liquid has been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic analyzer, which, when adjusting the amount of cleaning liquid, changes the amount of cleaning liquid by a liquid amount changing unit while setting the height of the front end of the dispensing probe to the upper end of a target cleaning range, and uses the amount of cleaning liquid when the cleaning liquid detection unit detects the cleaning liquid as the adjusted liquid amount to update the reference liquid amount (claims 1 and 2 of Patent Document 1). Figure 4 In addition, Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic analysis device that, when confirming the amount of cleaning liquid, makes the horizontal position of the dispensing probe located downstream relative to the cleaning nozzle compared to when the dispensing probe is cleaned (Claims 6, 7 and 8 of Patent Document 1). Fig.10 wait).

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2021 / 112120 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] However, in the technology described in claim 1 of patent document 1, the amount of cleaning liquid is adjusted by simply changing the height of the dispensing probe while the horizontal position of the dispensing probe is fixed at a cleaning position that is not easily affected by changes in the amount of cleaning liquid, so the adjustment accuracy is not high. In addition, in the technology described in claim 6 of patent document 1, the dispensing probe is gradually lowered from a reference height at which the cleaning liquid cannot be detected, and the liquid amount is confirmed based on the descending distance until the cleaning liquid is detected, so it takes time to confirm the liquid amount and it takes time to adjust.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analysis device and an adjustment method capable of adjusting the amount of a cleaning liquid accurately and in a short time.

[0009] Means for solving problems

[0010] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an automatic analysis device, which, when cleaning a dispensing probe, sprays a reference amount of cleaning liquid from a cleaning nozzle with the front end of the dispensing probe set to a cleaning position. When the following position is set to a first adjustment position, wherein the horizontal distance of the position from the cleaning nozzle is farther than the cleaning position and lower than the cleaning position, and when the front end of the dispensing probe is located at this position, the cleaning liquid detection unit detects contact liquid when the cleaning liquid of the reference amount is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle. When adjusting the amount of cleaning liquid, the control unit sprays cleaning liquid from the cleaning nozzle with the front end of the dispensing probe set to the first adjustment position. After confirming whether contact liquid is detected, the control unit sprays cleaning liquid from the cleaning nozzle with the front end of the dispensing probe set to a position above the first adjustment position or a position farther from the cleaning nozzle horizontally than the first adjustment position, and confirms whether contact liquid is detected. Based on these confirmation results, the control unit determines the setting of the liquid amount adjustment unit required to make the cleaning liquid amount the reference liquid amount.

[0011] Effects of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an automatic analysis device and an adjustment method capable of adjusting the amount of a cleaning liquid accurately and in a short time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 It is a schematic configuration diagram of the automatic analyzer according to this embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 It is a schematic configuration diagram of a supply path of a cleaning liquid in the automatic analyzer according to the present embodiment.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a flowchart showing a method for adjusting the amount of cleaning liquid in the automatic analyzer of Example 1.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the cleaning position of the dispensing probe and the liquid volume adjustment position.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing changes in the trajectory of the cleaning liquid when the amount of the cleaning liquid is increased by the liquid amount adjustment unit in a state where the tip of the dispensing probe is held at the first adjustment position.

[0018] Figure 6 The diagrams show a state where the tip of the dispensing probe is located at the first adjustment position (left) and a state where the dispensing probe is raised until the liquid surface cannot be detected (right).

[0019] Figure 7 An example of each boundary line serving as a reference for distinguishing the liquid contact degree is shown.

[0020] Figure 8 It means in Figure 7 A liquid contact degree table showing an example of the correspondence between information on whether or not each boundary line contacts the liquid and the liquid amount state.

[0021] Fig. 9 This is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of movement until the liquid is no longer in contact with the cleaning liquid and the amount of increase or decrease required to bring the cleaning liquid to a reference liquid volume.

[0022] Fig.10 This is a flowchart showing a method for adjusting the amount of cleaning liquid in the automatic analyzer of the third embodiment.

[0023] Fig.11 The diagrams show a state where the tip of the dispensing probe is located at the first adjustment position (top) and a state where the dispensing probe is moved away from the cleaning nozzle until the liquid surface cannot be detected (bottom).

[0024] Fig.12 This is a flowchart showing a method for adjusting the amount of cleaning liquid in the automatic analyzer of the fourth embodiment.

[0025] Fig.13 This is a flowchart showing the processing when a cleaning liquid amount insufficient error occurs in the automatic analyzer of the fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

[0027] Figure 1 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the automatic analyzer of the present embodiment. The automatic analyzer 100 is a device for measuring the reaction liquid that has undergone a chemical reaction in a reaction container 102 to perform component analysis. The automatic analyzer 100 has a reaction disk 101, a cleaning mechanism 103, a spectrophotometer 104, a stirring mechanism 105, a cleaning tank 106, a first reagent dispensing mechanism 107, a second reagent dispensing mechanism 107a, a cleaning tank 108, a reagent disk 109, a first sample dispensing mechanism 111, a second sample dispensing mechanism 111a, a cleaning tank 113, a sample transport mechanism 117, and a controller 118 as main structures. In addition, the first reagent dispensing mechanism 107, the second reagent dispensing mechanism 107a, the first sample dispensing mechanism 111, and the second sample dispensing mechanism 111a have a liquid level detection function.

[0028] Reaction containers 102 are arranged in a circumferential shape on the reaction disk 101. The reaction container 102 is a container for storing a mixed solution obtained by mixing a sample and a reagent, and a plurality of reaction containers 102 are arranged on the reaction disk 101. A sample transport mechanism 117 is arranged near the reaction disk 101, and the sample transport mechanism 117 is used to transport a sample rack 116 carrying sample containers 115.

[0029] A first sample dispensing mechanism 111 and a second sample dispensing mechanism 111a are arranged between the reaction disk 101 and the sample transport mechanism 117. The first sample dispensing mechanism 111a and the second sample dispensing mechanism 111a are rotatable and vertically movable, and each of them is provided with a sample dispensing probe 111b. A sample syringe 122 is connected to each of the sample dispensing probes 111b. The sample dispensing probe 111b moves horizontally and vertically while drawing an arc around the rotation axis, and dispenses the sample from the sample container 115 into the reaction container 102.

[0030] The reagent disk 109 is a storage unit in which a plurality of reagent bottles 110 and detergent bottles 112 containing reagents can be placed on a circumference. The reagent disk 109 is kept cold.

[0031] A first reagent dispensing mechanism 107 and a second reagent dispensing mechanism 107a that can rotate and move up and down are provided between the reaction disk 101 and the reagent disk 109, and each of them is provided with a reagent dispensing probe 120. The reagent dispensing probe 120 is moved up and down and horizontally by the first reagent dispensing mechanism 107 or the second reagent dispensing mechanism 107a. A reagent syringe 121 is connected to each of the reagent dispensing probes 120. The reagent, detergent, diluent, pretreatment reagent, etc. sucked from the reagent bottle 110, the detergent bottle 112, the diluent bottle, the pretreatment reagent bottle, etc. are dispensed into the reaction container 102 via the reagent dispensing probe 120.

[0032] Arranged around the reaction disk 101 are a cleaning mechanism 103 for cleaning the interior of the reaction container 102 , a spectrophotometer 104 for measuring the absorbance of light transmitted through the mixed solution in the reaction container 102 , and a stirring mechanism 105 for mixing the sample and reagent dispensed into the reaction container 102 .

[0033] In addition, a cleaning tank 108 for the reagent dispensing probe 120 is arranged within the operating range of the first reagent dispensing mechanism 107 and the second reagent dispensing mechanism 107a, a cleaning tank 113 for the sample dispensing probe 111b is arranged within the operating range of the first sample dispensing mechanism 111 and the second sample dispensing mechanism 111a, and a cleaning tank 106 for the stirring mechanism 105 is arranged within the operating range of the stirring mechanism 105.

[0034] Each mechanism is connected to the controller 118, and its operation is controlled by the controller 118. The controller 118 as a control unit is composed of a computer, etc., and controls the operation of the above-mentioned mechanisms in the automatic analyzer and performs calculation processing for obtaining the concentration of a predetermined component in a liquid sample such as blood or urine.

[0035] The automatic analyzer 100 performs the analysis process of the inspection sample in the following order. First, the sample in the sample container 115 placed on the sample rack 116 near the reaction disk 101 and transported by the sample transport mechanism 117 is dispensed into the reaction container 102 on the reaction disk 101 by the sample dispensing probe 111b of the first sample dispensing mechanism 111 and the second sample dispensing mechanism 111a. Next, the reagent for analysis is dispensed from the reagent bottle 110 on the reagent disk 109 into the reaction container 102 into which the sample has been dispensed by the first reagent dispensing mechanism 107 or the second reagent dispensing mechanism 107a. Next, the mixed solution of the sample and the reagent in the reaction container 102 is stirred by the stirring mechanism 105.

[0036] Then, the light generated from the light source is transmitted through the reaction container 102 in which the mixed solution is placed, and the luminosity of the transmitted light is measured by the spectrophotometer 104. The luminosity measured by the spectrophotometer 104 is sent to the controller 118 via the A / D converter and the interface. Then, the controller 118 performs calculations to obtain the concentration of a predetermined component in a liquid sample such as blood or urine, and displays the result on a display unit (not shown). In addition, an automatic analyzer that uses the spectrophotometer 104 to obtain the concentration of a predetermined component is described as an example, but the technology disclosed in the embodiments described below can also be used for an immune automatic analyzer and a coagulation automatic analyzer that use other photometers to measure samples.

[0037] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the supply path of the cleaning liquid in the automatic analyzer of the present embodiment. The sample dispensing probe 111b constituting the sample dispensing mechanism is connected to the tube 201 forming the dispensing flow path via the pipe joint 203. In addition, a sample syringe 122 for suctioning and ejecting the sample is connected to the upstream of the dispensing flow path, and a pressure sensor 204 for detecting the pressure in the flow path is provided on the way from the sample syringe 122 to the sample dispensing probe 111b. In addition, a liquid level detector 210 for detecting the electrostatic capacitance of the sample dispensing probe 111b is connected to the sample dispensing mechanism, and when the sample or the cleaning liquid contacts the front end of the sample dispensing probe 111b, the situation is detected based on the change in the electrostatic capacitance.

[0038] Furthermore, the automatic analyzer of this embodiment is provided with a cleaning tank 113 for cleaning the sample dispensing probe 111b and a cleaning liquid supply pump 208 for supplying cleaning liquid from a cleaning liquid tank (not shown). Here, the cleaning tank 113 is provided with an upper opening 205 through which the sample dispensing probe 111b passes when it approaches for cleaning, a cleaning liquid discharge port 207 (cleaning nozzle) for discharging cleaning liquid toward the outer surface of the approaching sample dispensing probe 111b, and a lower opening 206 for discharging the discharged cleaning liquid. In addition, the downstream side of the cleaning liquid supply pump 208 is branched into two paths, one of which becomes an inner cleaning path for cleaning the inner surface of the sample dispensing probe 111b, and the other becomes an outer cleaning path for cleaning the outer surface of the sample dispensing probe 111b.

[0039] The internal cleaning path further includes a liquid delivery pump 211 which is a higher pressure pump than the cleaning liquid supply pump 208. On the downstream side of the liquid delivery pump 211, an internal cleaning electromagnetic valve 212 is provided to open and close the flow path connecting the liquid delivery pump 211 and the sample syringe 122.

[0040] On the other hand, an external cleaning solenoid valve 209 is provided in the external cleaning path for opening and closing the flow path connected from the cleaning liquid supply pump 208 to the cleaning liquid ejection outlet 207. The internal cleaning solenoid valve 212 and the external cleaning solenoid valve 209 can be opened and closed and the opening degree can be changed according to the electrical signal input from the controller 118. For example, when a predetermined current is applied to the external cleaning solenoid valve 209, the external cleaning solenoid valve 209 becomes a predetermined opening degree, thereby supplying a predetermined amount of cleaning liquid to the downstream side.

[0041] When dispensing the sample, the dispensing channel is filled with system water (pure water), and the sample syringe 122 is operated to eject or suck the system water in the dispensing channel, thereby sucking or ejecting the sample. Whether the dispensing is successful at this time is determined using the pressure data detected by the pressure sensor 204. In addition, when dispensing the sample, the internal cleaning electromagnetic valve 212 is closed.

[0042] Next, when cleaning the inner surface of the sample dispensing probe 111b, the cleaning liquid supply pump 208 is operated to supply the cleaning liquid to the liquid delivery pump 211. The liquid delivery pump 211 makes the cleaning liquid high-pressure to deliver the cleaning liquid to the downstream side, and the cleaning liquid is passed through the dispensing flow path as system water to clean the inner surface of the sample dispensing probe 111b, and is ejected from the front end of the sample dispensing probe 111b into the cleaning tank 113.

[0043] On the other hand, when cleaning the outer surface of the sample dispensing probe 111b, the cleaning liquid supply pump 208 is operated and the outer cleaning solenoid valve 209 is opened to discharge the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid discharge port 207 toward the outer surface of the sample dispensing probe 111b.

[0044] Here, even if the opening of the external cleaning solenoid valve 209 is constant, the amount of cleaning liquid ejected from the cleaning liquid outlet 207 may not be able to obtain the target amount of liquid (reference amount of liquid) due to the years of degradation of the cleaning liquid supply pump 208, blockage of the flow path of the external cleaning path, etc. Therefore, it is important to regularly adjust so that the cleaning liquid ejected from the cleaning liquid outlet 207 is maintained within the range of the reference amount of liquid. For example, when the amount of cleaning liquid decreases during repeated external cleaning, the controller 118 increases the amount of liquid by increasing the opening of the external cleaning solenoid valve 209. Below, the method for adjusting the amount of liquid is specifically described based on Examples 1 to 4. In addition, the adjustment of the amount of cleaning liquid refers to adjusting the amount of liquid per unit time ejected from the front end of the sample dispensing probe 111b.

[0045] Example 1

[0046] use Figures 3 to 6 Example 1 is described. Figure 3 is a flow chart showing a method for adjusting the amount of cleaning liquid in the automatic analyzer of Example 1, Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the cleaning position of the dispensing probe and the liquid volume adjustment position.

[0047] First, when a button operation is performed to perform maintenance such as adjusting the amount of cleaning liquid for the sample dispensing probe 111b, the controller 118 shifts to the liquid amount adjustment mode (step S301). Then, the controller 118 operates the first sample dispensing mechanism 111 to move the tip of the sample dispensing probe 111b toward the upper edge of the sample dispensing probe 111b. Figure 4 The cleaning position 401 shown is moved to reset the position of the sample dispensing probe 111b (step S302). In addition, the normal cleaning operation of the sample dispensing probe 111b is performed in a state where the tip of the sample dispensing probe 111b is located at the cleaning position 401.

[0048] Next, the controller 118 operates the first sample dispensing mechanism 111 to move the tip of the sample dispensing probe 111b toward Figure 4 The first adjustment position 402 shown is moved (step S303). Here, the first adjustment position 402 is a pre-set position that is farther from the cleaning liquid outlet 207 in horizontal distance than the cleaning position 401 and lower than the cleaning position 401. When the front end of the sample dispensing probe 111b is located at this position and a reference amount of cleaning liquid is sprayed from the cleaning liquid outlet 207, the liquid level (contact liquid) is detected by the liquid level detector 210. In addition, the liquid level detector 210 is already provided in the first sample dispensing mechanism 111, so there is no need for a special device for detecting liquid contact. In addition, the reason for moving the sample dispensing probe 111b to the first adjustment position 402 when adjusting the cleaning liquid is that, Figure 4As shown, when the cleaning liquid is ejected obliquely downward from the cleaning liquid ejection port 207 and forms a parabolic trajectory due to gravity, the first adjustment position 402 located downstream of the cleaning position 401 can detect changes in the amount of the cleaning liquid with high sensitivity.

[0049] After that, the controller 118 opens the external cleaning electromagnetic valve 209 at a predetermined opening, and operates the cleaning liquid supply pump 208 to start ejecting the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid ejection port 207 (step S304). At this time, the controller 118 obtains the information detected by the liquid level detector 210 as the cleaning liquid detection unit (step S305). Furthermore, based on the information obtained from the liquid level detector 210, the controller 118 confirms whether the liquid level is detected, that is, whether there is cleaning liquid at the front end of the sample dispensing probe 111b (step S306).

[0050] In step S306, if the liquid level is not detected, the amount of cleaning liquid is insufficient. Therefore, until the liquid level detector 210 detects the liquid level, the controller 118 gradually increases the opening of the external cleaning electromagnetic valve 209 as a liquid amount adjustment unit, thereby gradually increasing the amount of cleaning liquid (step S307). The opening of the external cleaning electromagnetic valve 209 can be increased continuously or in stages.

[0051] Figure 5 207. FIG. 208 shows the change in the trajectory of the cleaning liquid when the amount of cleaning liquid is increased by the liquid amount adjustment unit while the tip of the dispensing probe is maintained at the first adjustment position. Figure 5 As shown in the arrow 403, the momentum is lost on the way and the tip of the sample dispensing probe 111b located at the first adjustment position 402 is not contacted. However, in step S307, the controller 118 increases the opening of the external cleaning electromagnetic valve 209, thereby increasing the amount of cleaning liquid per unit time, and the cleaning liquid ejected from the cleaning liquid ejection port 207 is as shown in FIG. Figure 5 The position of the sample dispensing probe 111 b changes as shown by arrow 404 , and contacts the tip of the sample dispensing probe 111 b located at the first adjustment position 402 .

[0052] On the other hand, in step S306, when the liquid level is detected, the controller 118 operates the first sample dispensing mechanism 111 to move the front end of the sample dispensing probe 111b to a position above the first adjustment position 402 (step S308). Each time the controller 118 raises the sample dispensing probe 111b, it obtains the information detected by the liquid level detector 210 (step S309) and confirms whether the liquid level is not detected (step S310). In step S310, when the liquid level is still detected, the process returns to step S308 and the sample dispensing probe 111b is further raised. The operations from step S308 to step S310 are repeated until the liquid level is no longer detected.

[0053] Here, by making the moving speed of the sample dispensing probe 111b in step S308 slower than the moving speed during cleaning, the timing when the liquid level detector 210 cannot detect the liquid level can be determined with high accuracy. The height of the sample dispensing probe 111b may be raised continuously or in stages (e.g., for each pulse).

[0054] Figure 6 The diagram shows a state where the tip of the dispensing probe is located at the first adjustment position (left) and a state where the dispensing probe is raised until the liquid surface cannot be detected (right). Figure 6 The movement amount 530 in φ corresponds to the amount (height) of rise of the sample dispensing probe 111 b from the first adjustment position 402 to a height at which the liquid level detector 210 cannot detect the liquid level.

[0055] In step S310, when the liquid level cannot be detected, the controller 118 determines the setting (of the liquid amount adjustment unit) required to make the cleaning liquid amount the reference liquid amount based on the movement amount 530 from the first adjustment position (step S311). The setting of the liquid amount adjustment unit is, for example, related to the opening of the external cleaning electromagnetic valve 209, including the applied current value for making the external cleaning electromagnetic valve 209 the opening, etc. When determining the set value, the controller 118 refers to the correspondence between the movement amount 530 of the sample dispensing probe 111b recorded in advance as a table in the memory and the set value (for example, the applied current value) of the external cleaning electromagnetic valve 209 required to make the cleaning liquid amount the reference liquid amount. In addition, the movement amount 530 used to determine the set value may not be the actual distance that the sample dispensing probe 111b rises, but may be the number of pulses corresponding to the distance.

[0056] When the set value is determined, the controller 118 adjusts the opening by reflecting the set value to the external cleaning electromagnetic valve 209, and records the set value in the memory. After that, the controller 118 makes the external cleaning electromagnetic valve 209 fully closed to complete the adjustment of the liquid volume (step S312). In addition, the controller 118 activates the first sample dispensing mechanism 111 to move the position of the front end of the sample dispensing probe 111b to the cleaning position 401 (step S313). Finally, the controller 118 transfers to the standby state (step S314) and ends the liquid volume adjustment mode (step S315).

[0057] As described above, if the cleaning liquid can be detected when the front end of the sample dispensing probe 111b is located at the first adjustment position 402, it is possible to ensure contact with the cleaning liquid when the front end of the sample dispensing probe 111b is located at the cleaning position 401. However, the amount of cleaning liquid is not limited to a moderate (normal) amount, that is, a reference liquid amount. That is, it may be a minimum (quasi-normal) amount of cleaning liquid to the extent that the front end of the sample dispensing probe 111b slightly contacts, and it may be an excess amount of cleaning liquid that contacts the top of the predetermined height range of the sample dispensing probe 111b. In particular, in the case of an excess of cleaning liquid, water droplets remain at the front end of the sample dispensing probe 111b, which may also affect the analysis accuracy. Therefore, in this embodiment, by raising the sample dispensing probe 111b from the first adjustment position 402, the timing at which the cleaning liquid cannot be detected is determined, thereby determining the setting of the external cleaning solenoid valve 209 for obtaining a moderate amount of cleaning liquid.

[0058] Furthermore, when the maintenance of the liquid volume adjustment of this embodiment is frequently performed, even if the cleaning liquid volume is abnormal (not the reference liquid volume), it is highly likely that it is at least quasi-normal. In such a case, even if the tip of the sample dispensing probe 111b is located at the first adjustment position 402, the cleaning liquid is likely to be detected. Therefore, the cleaning liquid can be omitted. Figure 3 Step S306 and step S307 in .

[0059] In this embodiment, the tip of the sample dispensing probe 111b moves to the cleaning position 401 (step S302) before moving to the first adjustment position 402 (step S303), but it may move to the first adjustment position 402 without passing through the cleaning position 401. That is, step S302 may be omitted.

[0060] Example 2

[0061] use Figures 7 to 9Example 2 will be described. In this example, the liquid contact degree of the cleaning liquid with respect to the sample dispensing probe 111 b is determined in which of four stages, thereby evaluating the liquid quantity state in four stages and determining the setting of the liquid quantity adjusting unit based on the evaluation result.

[0062] Figure 7 An example of each boundary line that serves as a reference for distinguishing the liquid contact degree is shown. Figure 7 As shown, when the front end of the sample dispensing probe 111b is located at the first adjustment position 402, the position of the front end is the first boundary line 501, the position above the first boundary line 501 that is higher than the predetermined height is the second boundary line 502, and the position above the second boundary line 502 that is higher than the predetermined height is the third boundary line 503.

[0063] Figure 8 It means in Figure 7 The liquid contact degree table is an example of the correspondence between the information on whether or not each boundary line contacts the liquid and the liquid amount state. Figure 8 The liquid contact degree table 520 can evaluate the liquid quantity status into the following four levels. First, when the cleaning liquid does not contact all the boundary lines, it is evaluated that the liquid quantity status is in the insufficient range 510. Next, when the cleaning liquid contacts the first boundary line 501 but does not contact the other boundary lines, it is evaluated that the liquid contact area of ​​the dispensing probe is narrow, and the liquid quantity status is in the quasi-normal range 511. Furthermore, when the cleaning liquid contacts the first boundary line 501 and the second boundary line 502 but does not contact the third boundary line 503, it is evaluated that the liquid quantity status is in the normal range 512. Furthermore, when the cleaning liquid contacts all the boundary lines, it is evaluated that the liquid quantity status is in the excess range 513. In addition, the above-mentioned reference liquid quantity is included in the normal range 512.

[0064] Here, the method for determining whether the cleaning liquid contacts each boundary line is described. First, as in step S306 in Example 1, when the tip of the sample dispensing probe 111b is located at the first adjustment position 402, the liquid contact with the first boundary line 501 is determined based on whether the liquid level detector 210 can detect the cleaning liquid. At this time, if the cleaning liquid is not detected, it can be known that the cleaning liquid is not in contact with the first boundary line 501, nor with other boundary lines.

[0065] Next, when the cleaning liquid contacts the first boundary line 501, the sample dispensing probe 111b is raised as in step S308 to step S310 in Example 1, and the movement amount 530 from the first adjustment position 402 until the cleaning liquid is no longer detected is determined. Furthermore, when the movement amount 530 is smaller than the height from the first boundary line 501 to the second boundary line 502, the liquid does not contact the second boundary line 502. On the other hand, when the movement amount 530 is greater than the height from the first boundary line 501 to the second boundary line 502, the liquid contacts the second boundary line 502. Furthermore, when the movement amount 530 is smaller than the height from the first boundary line 501 to the third boundary line 503, the liquid does not contact the third boundary line 503. On the other hand, when the movement amount 530 is greater than the height from the first boundary line 501 to the third boundary line 503, the liquid contacts the third boundary line 503.

[0066] Fig. 9 This is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of movement until the liquid is no longer in contact with the cleaning liquid and the amount of increase or decrease required to bring the cleaning liquid to the reference liquid amount. Fig. 9 The chart is pre-recorded in the memory so that the controller 118 can refer to the chart when adjusting the liquid volume. Fig. 9 The vertical axis in represents the increase or decrease in the amount of the cleaning liquid, but it may also be the setting value of the liquid amount adjustment unit performed to obtain the increase or decrease in the amount.

[0067] like Fig. 9 As shown, when the movement amount 530 until the liquid is no longer in contact is small and is evaluated as a quasi-normal range 511, the controller 118 is set to increase the opening of the external cleaning electromagnetic valve 209 to increase the amount of cleaning liquid. On the other hand, when the movement amount 530 until the liquid is no longer in contact is large and is evaluated as an excess range 513, the controller 118 is set to decrease the opening of the external cleaning electromagnetic valve 209 to reduce the amount of cleaning liquid. When the movement amount 530 until the liquid is no longer in contact is between them and is evaluated as a normal range 512, the opening of the external cleaning electromagnetic valve 209 is not changed, and the amount of cleaning liquid is not increased or decreased.

[0068] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the movement amount 530 until the liquid is no longer in contact is determined, but the movement amount 530 may be determined, and the liquid amount state may be evaluated only by determining whether the liquid is in contact at three locations, namely, the first boundary line 501, the second boundary line 502, and the third boundary line 503. In this case, after confirming whether the liquid is in contact at the first adjustment position 402 at a height corresponding to the first boundary line 501, the controller 118 moves the front end of the sample dispensing probe 111b to the second adjustment position at a height corresponding to the second boundary line 502, and confirms whether the liquid is in contact at the second adjustment position. Thereafter, the controller 118 moves the front end of the sample dispensing probe 111b to the third adjustment position at a height corresponding to the third boundary line 503, and confirms whether the liquid is in contact at the third adjustment position. Then, the controller 118 compares the confirmation results at the first adjustment position 402, the second adjustment position, and the third adjustment position with the results of the liquid dispensing probe 111b. Figure 8 By comparing with the liquid contact degree table, the 4-stage liquid contact degree can be determined in a relatively short time.

[0069] Example 3

[0070] use Fig.10 Example 3 is described. Fig.10 Flow chart showing a method for adjusting the amount of cleaning liquid in the automatic analyzer of Example 3. In the above-mentioned Example 1, the liquid level detector 210 is used as the cleaning liquid detection unit, but in this example, the pressure sensor 204 is used as the cleaning liquid detection unit. In addition, the pressure sensor 204 is also already provided in the first sample dispensing mechanism 111, so a special device for detecting liquid contact is not required.

[0071] First, steps S601 to S604 are the same as steps S301 to S304 in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

[0072] In this embodiment, in step S605, the controller 118 operates the sample syringe 122 to perform suction. The suction by the sample syringe 122 may be intermittent, but a continuous method is preferred because it can shorten the adjustment time.

[0073] Next, the controller 118 checks whether there is contact with liquid, that is, whether there is cleaning liquid at the tip of the sample dispensing probe 111b, based on whether there is a change in the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 204 (step S606). In step S606, if there is no pressure change, there is no liquid contact, so the process moves to step S607. On the other hand, in step S606, if there is a pressure change, there is contact with liquid, so the process moves to step S608. Steps S607 and S608 are the same as steps S307 and S308 of Example 1, so their description is omitted.

[0074] After that, the controller 118 causes the sample dispensing probe 111b to rise while causing the sample syringe 122 to operate for suction (step S609), and checks whether there is a pressure change through the pressure sensor 204 (step S610). In step S610, if there is no pressure change, the liquid is still in contact, so the process returns to step S608. On the other hand, in step S610, if there is a pressure change, the liquid is no longer in contact, so the process transfers to step S611. Steps S611 to S615 are the same as steps S311 to S315 of Example 1, so their description is omitted.

[0075] Example 4

[0076] use Fig.11 and Fig.12 Example 4 is described. In the above-mentioned Examples 1 to 3, the tip of the sample dispensing probe 111b is moved above the first adjustment position 402, and the amount of cleaning liquid is adjusted based on the amount of movement until it no longer contacts the liquid. However, in this example, the sample dispensing probe 111b is moved so that the horizontal distance from the cleaning liquid discharge port 207 is farther than the first adjustment position 402, and the amount of cleaning liquid is adjusted based on the amount of movement until it no longer contacts the liquid.

[0077] Fig.11 The diagram shows a state where the tip of the dispensing probe is located at the first adjustment position (top) and a state where the dispensing probe is moved away from the cleaning nozzle until the liquid level cannot be detected (bottom). Fig.11 The movement amount 540 in φ corresponds to the movement amount of the sample dispensing probe 111 b horizontally moving from the first adjustment position 402 to the downstream side of the cleaning nozzle to a position where the liquid level detector 210 cannot detect the liquid level.

[0078] Fig.12 This is a flowchart showing a method for adjusting the amount of cleaning liquid in the automatic analyzer of Example 4. First, steps S701 to S707 are the same as steps S301 to S307 of Example 1, and thus description thereof is omitted.

[0079] In the present embodiment, in steps S708 to S710, the sample dispensing probe 111b is moved so as to be farther horizontally away from the cleaning liquid discharge port 207 until the liquid level detector 210 fails to detect the liquid level (step S708).

[0080] Steps S711 to S715 are the same as steps S311 to S315 in Example 1, and thus description thereof is omitted.

[0081] Example 5

[0082] use Fig.13 Example 5 is described. Fig.13 This is a flowchart showing the processing when a cleaning liquid amount insufficient error occurs in the automatic analyzer of Example 5. The above-mentioned Examples 1 to 4 assume that the liquid amount is confirmed and adjusted in the maintenance mode that is performed regularly, but this Example is a process performed when a cleaning liquid amount insufficient state actually occurs and an error is output.

[0083] Regarding the reason for insufficient amount of cleaning liquid, depending on the degree of curvature of the sample dispensing probe 111b and the blockage of the cleaning liquid outlet 207, sometimes even if the liquid volume is maximized by the cleaning liquid volume adjustment unit (for example, even if the opening of the external cleaning solenoid valve 209 is set to fully open), the amount of cleaning liquid cannot be increased to the reference liquid volume. In this case, it is necessary to replace the sample dispensing probe 111b or take measures other than liquid volume adjustment. That is, in the case of insufficient amount of cleaning liquid, even if the liquid volume adjustment described in Examples 1 to 4 is performed, the amount of cleaning liquid cannot be adjusted to the reference liquid volume, and the adjustment time may be wasted and ended.

[0084] Therefore, when the controller 118 of the present embodiment outputs an error indicating insufficient cleaning liquid, etc., before adjusting the cleaning liquid volume, it first sets the opening of the external cleaning solenoid valve 209 to be fully opened to spray cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid spray port 207, and confirms whether the liquid level detector 210 detects the liquid level. Then, in the case where the liquid level detector 210 does not detect the liquid level, the controller 118 can prompt measures other than liquid volume adjustment at an early stage by outputting a warning. On the other hand, in the case where the liquid level detector 210 detects the liquid level, the cleaning liquid volume can be increased to the reference liquid volume, and thus the same liquid volume adjustment as in the above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 4 is performed. In the following, according to Fig.13 Provide specific instructions.

[0085] First, when a cleaning liquid insufficient error is output, the controller 118 operates the first sample dispensing mechanism 111 to move the tip of the sample dispensing probe 111b to the cleaning position 401 to reset the position of the sample dispensing probe 111b (step S801).

[0086] Next, the controller 118 fully opens the opening of the external cleaning electromagnetic valve 209 (step S802), and starts to spray the cleaning liquid by operating the cleaning liquid supply pump 208 (step S803). At this time, the controller 118 obtains the information detected by the liquid level detector 210 (step S804). And, based on the information obtained from the liquid level detector 210, the controller 118 confirms whether the liquid level is detected (step S805).

[0087] In step S805 , if the liquid level is not detected, there is a possibility that a malfunction such as the sample dispensing probe 111 b needs to be replaced, and therefore the controller 118 outputs a warning (step S808 ).

[0088] On the other hand, in step S805, when the liquid level is detected, the controller 118 stops the ejection of the cleaning liquid by the cleaning liquid supply pump 208 (step S807), and fully closes the external cleaning electromagnetic valve 209 (step S808). Afterwards, the same processing as steps S303 to S315 in embodiment 1 is performed.

[0089] The above-mentioned embodiments are examples described in detail to explain the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner, and are not limited to having all the described structures. In addition, a part of the structure of a certain embodiment can be replaced with the structure of another embodiment, or the structure of another embodiment can be added.

[0090] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the case of adjusting the amount of cleaning liquid for the sample dispensing probe 111b is described, but it can also be applied to the case of adjusting the amount of cleaning liquid for the reagent dispensing probe 120. In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the amount of cleaning liquid is adjusted by the opening of the external cleaning electromagnetic valve 209, but it can also be adjusted by the rotation speed of the cleaning liquid supply pump 208. The amount of cleaning liquid ejected per unit time can be increased by increasing the rotation speed, or the amount of cleaning liquid ejected can be reduced by reducing the rotation speed. In addition, as long as the amount of cleaning liquid ejected per unit time from the front end of the sample dispensing probe 111b can be adjusted, other liquid amount adjustment units can also be used.

[0091] Description of Reference Numerals

[0092] 100 external cleaning automatic analyzer, 101 external cleaning reaction disk, 102 external cleaning reaction container, 103 external cleaning cleaning mechanism, 104 external cleaning spectrophotometer, 105 external cleaning stirring mechanism, 106 external cleaning cleaning tank (for stirring mechanism), 107 external cleaning first reagent dispensing mechanism, 107a external cleaning second reagent dispensing mechanism, 108 external cleaning cleaning tank (for reagent dispensing mechanism), 109 external cleaning reagent disk, 110 external cleaning reagent bottle, 111 external cleaning first sample dispensing mechanism, 111a external cleaning second sample dispensing mechanism, 111b external cleaning sample dispensing probe, 112 external cleaning detergent bottle, 113 external cleaning cleaning tank (for sample dispensing mechanism), 115 external cleaning sample container, 116 external cleaning sample rack, 117 external cleaning sample transport mechanism, 118 external cleaning controller, 120 external cleaning reagent dispensing probe, 121 external cleaning reagent Syringe, 122 syringe for external cleaning sample, 201 external cleaning tube, 203 external cleaning tube joint, 204 external cleaning pressure sensor, 205 external cleaning upper opening, 206 external cleaning lower opening, 207 external cleaning cleaning liquid outlet, 208 external cleaning cleaning liquid supply pump, 209 external cleaning external cleaning electromagnetic valve, 210 external cleaning liquid level detector, 211 external cleaning liquid delivery pump, 212 external cleaning internal cleaning electromagnetic valve, 401 external cleaning cleaning position, 402 external cleaning first adjustment position, 501 external cleaning first boundary line, 502 external cleaning second boundary line, 503 external cleaning third boundary line, 510 external cleaning insufficient range, 511 external cleaning quasi-normal range, 512 external cleaning normal range, 513 external cleaning excessive range, 520 external cleaning liquid contact degree meter, 530 external cleaning movement amount (rise amount), 540 external cleaning movement amount (horizontal movement amount).

Claims

1. An automatic analysis device comprising: A dispensing mechanism including a dispensing probe for dispensing a sample or a reagent into a reaction container; a cleaning nozzle that sprays a cleaning fluid toward an outer surface of the dispensing probe; a liquid amount adjustment unit, which adjusts the amount of cleaning liquid sprayed from the cleaning nozzle; a cleaning liquid detection unit, which is provided in the dispensing mechanism and detects contact of the liquid with the dispensing probe; and a control unit that controls the dispensing mechanism, the liquid amount adjustment unit, and the cleaning liquid detection unit, When cleaning the dispensing probe, the control unit ejects a reference amount of cleaning liquid from the cleaning nozzle in a state where the tip of the dispensing probe is at a cleaning position. It is characterized in that When the following position is set as the first position, wherein the horizontal distance of the position from the cleaning nozzle is farther than the cleaning position and lower than the cleaning position, and when the cleaning liquid of the reference liquid amount is ejected from the cleaning nozzle when the front end of the dispensing probe is located at the first position, the cleaning liquid detection unit detects liquid contact, When adjusting the amount of cleaning liquid, the control unit sprays cleaning liquid from the cleaning nozzle with the front end of the dispensing probe at the first adjustment position. After confirming whether the cleaning liquid detection unit detects liquid contact, the control unit sprays cleaning liquid from the cleaning nozzle with the front end of the dispensing probe at a position above the first adjustment position or at a horizontal distance from the cleaning nozzle farther than the first adjustment position. It is confirmed whether the cleaning liquid detection unit detects liquid contact. Based on these confirmation results, the control unit determines the settings of the liquid amount adjustment unit required to make the cleaning liquid amount the reference liquid amount.

2. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that When adjusting the amount of cleaning liquid, the control unit moves the front end of the dispensing probe upward, or moves the front end of the dispensing probe in a manner that the horizontal distance from the cleaning nozzle becomes farther, until the cleaning liquid detection unit detects no liquid contact, and the control unit determines the setting of the liquid amount adjustment unit based on the movement amount from the first adjustment position.

3. The automatic analysis device according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the movement amount is within the quasi-normal range, the control unit increases the amount of the cleaning liquid through the liquid amount adjustment unit. When the movement amount is within a normal range larger than the quasi-normal range, the control unit does not change the amount of the cleaning liquid. The control unit reduces the amount of cleaning fluid when the movement amount is within an excess range that is larger than the normal range.

4. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that When a position at a predetermined height above the first adjustment position or a position at a horizontal distance from the cleaning nozzle farther than the first adjustment position by a predetermined distance is set as the second adjustment position, and a position at a predetermined height above the second adjustment position or a position at a horizontal distance from the cleaning nozzle farther than the second adjustment position by a predetermined distance is set as the third adjustment position, When adjusting the amount of cleaning liquid, the control unit sprays cleaning liquid from the cleaning nozzle with the front end of the dispensing probe in the second adjustment position. After confirming whether the cleaning liquid detection unit detects liquid contact, the control unit sprays cleaning liquid from the cleaning nozzle with the front end of the dispensing probe in the third adjustment position. After confirming whether the cleaning liquid detection unit detects liquid contact, the control unit determines which of the four stages of liquid contact degree is based on the confirmation results of the first adjustment position, the second adjustment position and the third adjustment position, and determines the setting of the liquid amount adjustment unit based on the determined liquid contact degree.

5. The automatic analysis device according to claim 4, characterized in that The four stages of liquid contact degree are an insufficient range when liquid contact is not detected at all adjustment positions, a quasi-normal range when liquid contact is detected only at the first adjustment position, a normal range when liquid contact is detected at the first adjustment position and the second adjustment position, and an excess range when liquid contact is detected at all adjustment positions.

6. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the cleaning liquid detection unit does not detect liquid contact at the first adjustment position, the control unit increases the amount of cleaning liquid through the liquid amount adjustment unit until the cleaning liquid detection unit detects liquid contact.

7. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Before adjusting the amount of cleaning liquid, the control unit maximizes the liquid volume through the liquid volume adjustment unit and sprays cleaning liquid from the cleaning nozzle while the front end of the dispensing probe is in the cleaning position, and confirms whether the cleaning liquid detection unit detects liquid contact. If the cleaning liquid detection unit does not detect liquid contact, the control unit outputs a warning.

8. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that: When adjusting the amount of cleaning liquid, the speed at which the front end of the dispensing probe moves from the first adjustment position to an upward position, or the speed at which the front end of the dispensing probe moves to a position farther horizontally from the cleaning nozzle than the first adjustment position, is slower than the speed at which the front end of the dispensing probe moves when cleaning the dispensing probe.

9. A method for adjusting the amount of cleaning liquid in an automatic analysis device, The automatic analysis device comprises: A dispensing probe for dispensing samples or reagents; a cleaning nozzle that sprays a cleaning fluid toward an outer surface of the dispensing probe; a cleaning liquid detection unit that detects contact of liquid with the dispensing probe; and a control unit that cleans the dispensing probe by ejecting a reference amount of cleaning liquid from the cleaning nozzle in a state where the front end of the dispensing probe is at a cleaning position, It is characterized in that When the following position is set as the first position, wherein the horizontal distance of the position from the cleaning nozzle is farther than the cleaning position and lower than the cleaning position, and when the cleaning liquid of the reference liquid amount is ejected from the cleaning nozzle when the front end of the dispensing probe is located at the position, the cleaning liquid detection unit detects liquid contact, The adjustment method comprises the following steps: The control unit ejects the cleaning liquid from the cleaning nozzle in a state where the tip of the dispensing probe is at the first adjustment position, and confirms whether the cleaning liquid detection unit detects liquid contact; The control unit sprays cleaning liquid from the cleaning nozzle when the front end of the dispensing probe is located above the first adjustment position or at a horizontal distance from the cleaning nozzle farther than the first adjustment position, and confirms whether the cleaning liquid detection unit detects liquid contact; and The control unit determines the setting of the liquid amount adjustment unit required to make the cleaning liquid amount the reference liquid amount based on the confirmation results.

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