Automated analyzer

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an automatic analysis device with which it is easy for a user to grasp the current usage status and replacement time of a member having a long life. To this end, the present invention is an automatic analysis device for analyzing an analysis target in a specimen, the automatic analysis device being provided with: a lifespan member for performing analysis; a control unit that predicts the remaining life of the lifespan member; and a display unit capable of displaying the remaining life in a different manner, and the control unit switches the display manner of the remaining life displayed on the display unit when the remaining life of the life-having member reaches a predetermined reference value.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In automatic analyzers for analyzing specimens such as blood, life-limited components with a fixed life are used. For example, the light source is one of the important components that affect the analysis performance. The light emitted from the light source passes through a reaction solution mixed with reagents and specimens, is split into a specific number of wavelengths by a spectrometer, and is detected by a detector. In recent years, automatic analyzers equipped with light sources using LEDs have been developed instead of the halogen lamps used in the past. LED light sources generally have a long lighting life, but their lighting life varies depending on the usage environment. Therefore, it is important to predict the usable time (remaining life) of the light source and to grasp the appropriate replacement period. As a method for predicting the remaining life of an LED, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses predicting the remaining life (remaining life) based on changes in the correction rate (dimming correction rate) of an adjustment function used to keep the amount of light constant.

[0003] Patent Document 1 also discloses displaying the estimated remaining life as a remaining time or a number of remaining days obtained by dividing the remaining time by the average lighting time per day.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-45951 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, the predicted remaining life is continuously displayed in a single display form from the beginning to the end, so it is difficult to understand the current usage status and the specific replacement period. For example, when the remaining time is displayed from the beginning to the end, the user needs to calculate the end of the life. In addition, when the remaining days are displayed from the beginning to the end, the prediction accuracy of the remaining days displayed at the beginning is not high, and it is also difficult to intuitively understand the current usage status.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer that allows a user to easily understand the current usage status and replacement time of life-limited components.

[0010] Means for solving problems

[0011] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides an automatic analysis device, which analyzes an analysis object in a specimen, and the automatic analysis device comprises: a life component, which is used for analysis; a control unit, which predicts the remaining life of the life component; and a display unit, which can display the remaining life in different ways, and when the remaining life of the life component reaches a predetermined reference value, the control unit switches the display method of the remaining life displayed on the display unit.

[0012] Alternatively, in order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides an automatic analysis device, which analyzes an analysis object in a specimen, and the automatic analysis device comprises: a life component, which is used for analysis; a control unit, which predicts the remaining life of the life component; and an input unit, which selects a specific candidate from multiple candidates as a way of displaying the remaining life; and a display unit, which displays the remaining life in a way selected by the input unit.

[0013] Effects of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, since the display mode is switched according to the remaining life of the life component, it is possible to provide an automatic analyzing device that allows the user to easily understand the current usage status and replacement time of the life component. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing the overall structure of the automatic analyzer according to this embodiment.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic configuration diagram showing an optical system of the automatic analyzer according to the present embodiment and devices arranged around the optical system.

[0017] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing the switching of the display of the remaining life on the display unit of the automatic analyzer according to the present embodiment.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a graph showing a range in which the remaining life is displayed in the first display format and a range in which the remaining life is displayed in the second display format.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the configuration of a notification system including PCs of a plurality of automatic analyzers and a PC used by a light source replacement operator.

[0020] Figure 6 This is an example of a screen displayed on the automatic analyzer and the PC of the replacement operator in order to determine the replacement work date.

[0021] Figure 7 This is an example of a screen showing a state in which a plurality of candidates are proposed as a display method of the remaining life. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Embodiments of the invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

[0023] First, use Figure 1 The overall configuration of the automatic analyzer 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 1 It is a diagram showing the overall structure of the automatic analyzer according to this embodiment.

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, the automatic analysis device 100 is composed of a conveying line 101, a rotor 102, a reagent disk 103, a reaction disk 104, a sample dispensing mechanism 105a, a reagent dispensing mechanism 105b, a stirring mechanism 106, a light source 120, a spectrometer 107, a control unit 115, a display unit 123, an input unit 124, a reaction unit cleaning mechanism 108, a nozzle cleaning mechanism 109, etc.

[0025] The transport line 101 transfers a specimen rack 111 holding a specimen container 110 containing a specimen to a specimen dispensing position 121. The specimen dispensing mechanism 105a dispenses the specimen from the specimen container 110 located at the specimen dispensing position 121 to a reaction unit 112 (reaction container). The transport line 101 is also connected to a rotor 102. By rotating the rotor 102, the specimen rack 111 is exchanged with another transport line 101.

[0026] The reagent disk 103 holds a reagent container 113 containing a reagent, and rotates and transfers the reagent container 113 to a reagent dispensing position 122 where the reagent dispensing mechanism 105b can perform a dispensing operation. The reagent dispensing mechanism 105b dispenses the reagent from the reagent container 113 located at the reagent dispensing position 122 to the reaction unit 112. The reagent dispensed to the reaction unit 112 reacts with a component in a sample to be analyzed.

[0027] The reaction disk 104 holds the reaction unit 112 and rotates and transfers the reaction unit 112 to various positions where the spectrometer 107, the stirring mechanism 106, the reaction unit cleaning mechanism 108, etc. are operated. Figure 2 ) and is kept warm by a constant temperature medium such as water.

[0028] This promotes the chemical reaction between the components in the specimen and the reagent in the reaction solution which is a mixture of the specimen and the reagent.

[0029] The specimen dispensing mechanism 105a sucks the specimen of the analysis object from the specimen container 110 and discharges it to the reaction unit 112. The reagent dispensing mechanism 105b sucks the reagent corresponding to the analysis item from the reagent container 113 and discharges it to the reaction unit 112. Each dispensing mechanism has an arm 118, a nozzle 116, and a dispensing mechanism motor 119. The arm 118 holds the nozzle 116 and the liquid level sensor 117. The nozzle 116 is connected to the liquid level sensor 117. The liquid level sensor 117 detects the presence or absence of liquid based on the change in electrostatic capacitance. A shielding portion 114 is provided near the position where each dispensing mechanism performs the dispensing action. The dispensing mechanism motor 119 moves each dispensing mechanism in the up-down direction or the rotational direction.

[0030] The stirring mechanism 106 stirs the reaction liquid in the reaction unit 112 in order to promote the reaction between the analyte component in the sample discharged from the sample container 110 to the reaction unit 112 and the reagent discharged from the reagent container 113 to the reaction unit 112 .

[0031] The light source 120 irradiates the reaction liquid stirred by the stirring mechanism 106 and undergoing a chemical reaction with output light. The spectrometer 107 separates the transmitted light that has passed through the reaction liquid. As described later, the separated transmitted light is detected by the photodetector 205 (see Figure 2 ) detection, absorbance determination unit 204 (refer to Figure 2 ) Calculate the absorbance based on the detection result.

[0032] The control unit 115 is composed of a processor, a memory, etc., and controls the operation of each mechanism of the automatic analyzer 100, or performs colorimetric analysis based on the absorbance measured by the optical system. In addition, the control unit 115 predicts the remaining life of the current life component (light source 120, etc.) based on the operation time, state quantity change, etc. of the life component used for analysis. In addition, the control unit 115 can be set in the PC used by the user (operator), or can be set separately from the PC.

[0033] The display unit 123 of the PC is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays an operation screen, remaining life, etc. In addition, the input unit 124 of the PC is composed of a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc., and accepts user operations.

[0034] The reaction unit cleaning mechanism 108 sucks the reaction liquid from the reaction unit 112 after the colorimetric analysis is completed, and discharges the detergent, etc., thereby cleaning the reaction unit 112. The nozzle cleaning mechanism 109 cleans the tip of the nozzle 116 of the dispensing mechanism into which the sample or reagent is dispensed. In this way, the residue attached to the nozzle 116 is removed, and the next analysis object can be prevented from being affected.

[0035] Next, use Figure 2 The details of the optical system in the automatic analyzer 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 2 This is a schematic configuration diagram showing an optical system of the automatic analyzer according to the present embodiment and devices arranged around the optical system.

[0036] The light source 120 is composed of one or more LED elements. In addition, when the light source 120 is composed of a plurality of LED elements, the amount of current supplied to each LED element is set separately. The current detection unit 201 monitors (measures) the current flowing through the light source 120. The current adjustment unit 202 has a circuit that reduces the amount of current supplied to the light source 120 or turns off the power supply of the light source 120 at a timing that does not affect the analysis.

[0037] The light from the light source 120 is irradiated to the reaction unit 112 passing through the photometric position between the light source 120 and the diffraction grating 206 during the operation of the reaction disk 104. In the reaction solution in the reaction unit 112, the analyte component in the specimen reacts with the reagent corresponding to the analysis item, and the photometric target substance is generated or consumed in proportion to the concentration of the analyte component. In addition, there is reaction tank water (constant temperature medium) between the reaction tank 203 and the reaction unit 112.

[0038] The light of the wavelength of the absorption region corresponding to the photometric target substance in the light irradiated to the reaction solution is absorbed by the photometric target substance. The light transmitted through the reaction solution is incident on the concave diffraction grating 206. The diffraction grating 206 splits the incident light into wavelengths and outputs the split light to the photodetector 205. The photodetector 205 converts the light quantity into an electrical signal and outputs the electrical signal to the absorbance determination unit 204.

[0039] The absorbance determination unit 204 calculates the absorbance based on the electrical signal output from the photodetector 205, and outputs the calculated absorbance to the control unit 115. The control unit 115 performs colorimetric analysis based on the absorbance output from the absorbance determination unit 204.

[0040] When colorimetric analysis is performed, the control unit 115 dispenses cell blank water into all reaction units 112 and measures the absorbance at each wavelength of 340 to 800 nm (cell blank measurement). The control unit 115 stores the measurement result as a cell blank value in a storage unit (not shown). The control unit 115 corrects the absorbance by comparing the cell blank value with the absorbance of the reaction solution of the analysis object, and outputs the corrected absorbance as measurement data to the screen of the display unit 123.

[0041] Next, use Figure 3 A method of displaying the remaining life of a life component in the automatic analyzer 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 31 is a diagram showing the switching of the display of the remaining life on the display unit of the automatic analyzer of the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the LED element constituting the light source 120 will be described as an example of a component with a lifetime.

[0042] The light source 120 composed of LED elements has a longer lighting life than the light sources (e.g., halogen lamps, etc.) used in biochemical automatic analyzers in the past. However, the lighting life varies according to the user's device usage environment. For example, the lighting life of the light source 120 is very different when the automatic analyzer is used for 8 hours a day (i.e., the light source 120 is turned off for 16 hours a day) and when it is used continuously for 24 hours. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the same replacement period is not set for the light source 120, and an appropriate replacement period reflecting the device usage environment is recommended by predicting the remaining life. In addition, the remaining life predicted by the control unit 115 is not limited to the time until the life is reached, and can also be the number of days until the life is reached, or the date and time when the life is reached, which is calculated based on the time and the usage tendency of the device.

[0043] The date and time when the life of the light source 120 reaches the end of its life can also be regarded as the replacement time of the light source 120 .

[0044] In addition, when the display unit 123 displays the remaining life predicted by the control unit 115, multiple display methods are envisioned. For example, when the remaining life is sufficient, the method of displaying the remaining life as a ratio (%) to the life of the original (new) light source 120 is more suitable for intuitively grasping the current use status of the light source 120 than the method of displaying the specific number of days until the life is reached. On the other hand, when the remaining life is short, it is easier for the user to grasp the replacement period in detail by displaying the specific number of days until the life is reached than by displaying the remaining life as a ratio.

[0045] Therefore, the control unit 115 of this embodiment switches the display mode of the remaining life displayed on the display unit 123 when the remaining life of the light source 120 reaches a predetermined reference value. Figure 3 In the example, until the remaining life reaches the reference value A (for example, until the time until the life reaches 1000 hours), the remaining life is displayed as a remaining ratio, and after the remaining life reaches the reference value A, the remaining life is displayed as the number of remaining days. By switching the display mode of the remaining life in this way, the user can intuitively understand the use status of the light source 120 and can also formulate a specific operation plan of the automatic analyzer 100 in preparation for replacing the light source 120. In addition, the display mode before and after the switching is not limited to Figure 3 , but it is preferred that the display mode before switching is low resolution (rough accuracy) and the display mode after switching is high resolution (fine accuracy).

[0046] The control unit 115 uses the lighting time of the light source 120, the attenuation rate of the light quantity, the supply current value, and other information when predicting the remaining life of the light source 120. Here, in the case where the lighting time of the light source 120 cannot be counted directly, the lighting time can be indirectly obtained based on the use time of the automatic analyzer 100. During the startup of the automatic analyzer 100, the light source 120 is basically lit when in standby and operation, so if the use time of the automatic analyzer 100 is multiplied by a coefficient of, for example, 0.90 to 0.99, the lighting time of the light source 120 is indirectly obtained. However, directly counting the lighting time of the light source 120 and using this time to predict the remaining life has a higher prediction accuracy. Therefore, in the case of controlling the light source 120 to extinguish when the automatic analyzer 100 is in standby, it is desirable to be able to count the lighting time of the light source 120.

[0047] Next, use Figure 4 A method for determining a reference value for switching the remaining life display method will be described. Figure 4 : is a graph showing the range of the remaining life displayed in the first display mode and the range of the remaining life displayed in the second display mode. Figure 4 In the graph of , the horizontal axis represents the usage time of the automatic analyzer 100, and the vertical axis represents the predicted remaining time. In addition, the solid line of the graph is the range of the remaining life displayed in the first display mode (e.g., the remaining ratio), and the dotted line of the graph is the range of the remaining life displayed in the second display mode (e.g., the remaining number of days). Point A of the graph represents the switching timing of the display mode.

[0048] Point A is a predetermined reference value, which can be determined only by predicting the remaining time, or only by using the time, or by using both the former and the latter. The reference value is determined in consideration of a fixed replacement preparation period so that the replacement operation can be completed before the life of the light source 120 is reached. For example, the period of point A is set so that if the replacement operator places an order for the light source 120 within a predetermined period after reaching point A, the replacement can be performed before the life is reached.

[0049] Next, use Figure 5 The notification to the operator of the replacement of the light source 120 will be described. Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the structure of a notification system including PCs of multiple automatic analyzers and PCs used by operators who replace light sources. The PCs of each automatic analyzer are connected to the PC of the operator who replaces the light source via a wired or wireless communication line. In addition, the PC used by the operator who replaces the light source may also be a terminal device such as a smart phone. Here, one operator is responsible for the replacement operation of the light source in automatic analyzers A to D installed in different facilities.

[0050] The light source replacement periods of the automatic analyzers A to D that one operator is responsible for are different, so it is difficult for the operator to grasp the replacement period of all the devices. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the remaining life of the light source 120 reaches the reference value and the display mode of the remaining life is switched, the control unit 115 of the automatic analyzer 100 notifies the PC of the operator who replaced the light source via the communication line that the reference value has been reached. Figure 5 In the example, the remaining life of the light source of the automatic analysis device of C has reached the reference value, so the PC of the replacement operator is notified of this fact. As a result, the replacement operator can easily grasp the device that needs to be replaced, and the risk of delay in replacement operation can be reduced. In addition, the notification to the PC of the replacement operator is preferably performed at the time point when the reference value is reached, that is, the time point when the display mode is switched, but it can also be performed after a fixed period from this time point.

[0051] Next, use Figure 6 The method for determining the replacement work day is explained. Figure 6 This is an example of a screen displayed on the automatic analyzer and the PC of the replacement operator in order to determine the replacement work date.

[0052] exist Figure 6 In the example, the remaining life of the light source of the automatic analyzer A reaches the reference value, and the display unit 123 displays the recommended replacement dates of A to C. Figure 6 The timing of displaying the recommended replacement date is not limited to the time immediately after the remaining life reaches the reference value for switching the display mode, but may be a predetermined time (number of days) after reaching it. In addition, the reference value for displaying the recommended replacement date may be set separately from the reference value for switching the display mode. In addition, the control unit 115 calculates a plurality of candidates for the recommended replacement date in consideration of the usage schedule of the automatic analyzer. For example, in the case of an automatic analyzer that is not used only on Wednesday from Monday to Friday every week, Wednesday is calculated as the recommended replacement date.

[0053] When a specific recommended replacement date among the plurality of recommended replacement dates is selected through the input unit 124, the control unit 115 of the automatic analyzer 100 notifies the selected recommended replacement date to the PC of the replacement operator via the communication line. Figure 6 In the example, the PC of the automatic analyzer A selects the recommended date of B, and the PC of the replacement operator is notified of this. This makes it easier for both the user and the replacement operator to adjust the replacement date, and reduces the risk of delay in the replacement operation.

[0054] Next, use Figure 7 Describes how the user can switch the display method of the remaining life. Figure 7 This is an example of a screen showing a state in which a plurality of candidates are proposed as a display method of the remaining life.

[0055] exist Figure 7 In the example of , three display modes can be selected: remaining ratio, remaining time, and remaining days. When the user selects a specific candidate using the input unit 124, the control unit 115 displays the remaining life on the display unit 123 using the selected display mode. Thus, the user can display the remaining life in a desired manner, so it is easy to understand the replacement period of the light source 120.

[0056] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and includes various modifications. For example, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the light source 120 is used as an example of a life-span component, but it can also be applied to other life-span components used in the analysis. For example, the nozzle 116 of the dispensing mechanism, the syringe (not shown) for aspiration and discharge of the specimen and reagent, the reaction unit 112, etc. also have a fixed lifespan, so as long as an algorithm for predicting the lifespan can be made, it can be applied in the same way.

[0057] Description of Reference Numerals

[0058] 100…Automatic analysis device

[0059] 101…Transfer line

[0060] 102…Rotor

[0061] 103…Reagent disk

[0062] 104…Reaction plate

[0063] 105a…Specimen dispensing mechanism

[0064] 105b…reagent dispensing mechanism

[0065] 106…Stirring mechanism

[0066] 107…Spectrum Splitter

[0067] 108…Reaction unit cleaning mechanism

[0068] 109…Nozzle cleaning mechanism

[0069] 110…sample container

[0070] 111…Specimen rack

[0071] 112…Reaction unit

[0072] 113…reagent container

[0073] 114…Shielding

[0074] 115…Control Department

[0075] 116…Nozzle

[0076] 117…Liquid level sensor

[0077] 118…arm

[0078] 119…Motor for dispensing mechanism

[0079] 120…Light source

[0080] 121…Specimen dispensing position

[0081] 122…reagent dispensing position

[0082] 123…Display

[0083] 124…Input

[0084] 203…Reaction tank

[0085] 205…Light detector

[0086] 206…Diffraction grating.

Claims

1. An automatic analysis device for analyzing an analysis object in a specimen, characterized in that: The automatic analysis device comprises: There are life parts, which are used to perform analysis; a control unit configured to predict the remaining life of the life-limited component; and A display unit, which can display the remaining life in different ways, When the remaining life of the life-limited component reaches a predetermined reference value, the control unit switches a display mode of the remaining life displayed on the display unit.

2. An automatic analysis device for analyzing an analysis object in a specimen, characterized in that: The automatic analysis device comprises: There are life parts, which are used to perform analysis; a control unit configured to predict the remaining life of the life-limited component; and an input unit for selecting a specific candidate from a plurality of candidates as a method for displaying the remaining life; as well as A display unit displays the remaining life in a manner selected by the input unit.

3. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The life-limited component is a light source having an LED element.

4. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that The control unit switches the display mode of the remaining life from high resolution to low resolution when the remaining life of the life-limited component reaches a predetermined reference value.

5. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that When the display method of the remaining life of the life-limited component is switched, the control unit notifies a terminal device connected to the automatic analyzer via a communication line that the reference value has been reached.

6. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The control unit calculates a recommended replacement date for the life component based on the remaining life of the life component, and displays the recommended replacement date on the display unit.

7. The automatic analysis device according to claim 6, characterized in that The automatic analysis device further includes an input unit for selecting a specific recommended replacement date from among the plurality of recommended replacement dates. When the specific recommended replacement date is selected through the input unit, the control unit notifies a terminal device connected to the automatic analyzer via a communication line of the selected recommended replacement date.

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