Automatic analysis device and method for cleaning probe

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an automatic analysis device and a probe cleaning method that reduce the frequency of manually cleaning a probe and improve analysis efficiency. To this end, this automatic analysis device is provided with a probe for dispensing a liquid, and a clogging detection unit for detecting clogging of the probe, and when clogging of the probe is detected by the clogging detection unit, the probe is cleaned with a temperature-adjusted liquid. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for cleaning a probe for dispensing a liquid, in which the probe is cleaned with a temperature-adjusted liquid when a clogging detection unit detects clogging of the probe.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic analysis device for performing qualitative and quantitative analysis on samples such as blood and urine, and a method for cleaning a probe. Background Art

[0002] The automatic analyzer discharges a certain amount of sample and a certain amount of reagent into a reaction container and mixes them. The dispensing mechanism in the automatic analyzer is a mechanism that automatically performs the dispensing of liquids. For example, the specimen dispensing mechanism divides specimens such as serum and urine into multiple reaction containers. The dispensing mechanism includes a metal elongated probe, a tube connected to the probe, a dispensing syringe connected to the tube, and other piping. The piping of the dispensing mechanism is usually filled with system water as a liquid that performs a pressure transmission function. Therefore, if the plunger of the dispensing syringe is reciprocated, the pressure in the piping changes, thereby performing suction and discharge of the specimen.

[0003] In recent automatic analyzers, the tip of the probe has become very thin because it is required to accurately suck a small amount of specimen. When sucking the specimen, if the blood coagulant or fibrin contained in the specimen enters the inner side of the probe, the probe will be clogged, sometimes reducing the accuracy of liquid dispensing.

[0004] Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic analysis device that detects abnormality caused by clogging of the dispensing probe based on data from a detector that detects the pressure in the dispensing probe. Patent Document 1 also discloses a technology for cleaning the dispensing probe by draining water supplied from a pump from the dispensing probe into a cleaning tank when an abnormality occurs. Prior art literature Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-157073 Summary of the invention Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0006] However, as described in Patent Document 1, sometimes the blockage of the probe cannot be removed simply by draining water from the probe. In addition, in order to suppress cross contamination of the specimen, a cleaning technique is known in which the probe is immersed in a cleaning solution containing a detergent, but even if this cleaning action is temporarily performed when the probe is detected to be clogged, the effect of removing the blockage is weak. When the operation of the device cannot remove the blockage, the user needs to stop the device, remove the probe from the device, and clean the probe manually, which becomes one of the main reasons for reducing the analysis efficiency.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analysis device and a probe cleaning method which reduce the frequency of manual cleaning of the probe and improve the analysis efficiency. Technical means for solving technical problems

[0008] In order to solve the above technical problems, the automatic analysis device of the present invention includes a probe for dispensing liquid and a blockage detection unit for detecting blockage of the probe. The automatic analysis device is characterized in that when the blockage detection unit detects blockage of the probe, the probe is cleaned with a temperature-controlled liquid. Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an automatic analysis device and a probe cleaning method that reduce the frequency of manual cleaning of the probe and improve analysis efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 This is an overall configuration diagram showing an outline of an automatic analyzer. Figure 2 This is a simplified diagram of the special cleaning tank with temperature control function and the cleaning liquid supply mechanism. Figure 3 This is a diagram of the structure of a special cleaning tank with a temperature control function. Figure 4 This is a flowchart showing the flow of probe clogging determination and clogging removal. Figure 5 This is a flowchart showing the operation when a sample dispensing probe becomes clogged during the dispensing of a plurality of samples. Figure 6 Yes means Figure 5 A flowchart of a modified example of the action of . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] Figure 1 1 is a diagram showing the overall structure of the automatic analysis device 100 according to the present embodiment. Figure 1 As shown, the automatic analysis device 100 is composed of a conveying line 101, a reagent disk 102, a reagent dispensing mechanism 104, a reaction disk 103, a sample dispensing mechanism 115, a stirring mechanism 105, a light source 106, a spectrometer 114, a cleaning mechanism 107, normal cleaning tanks 108a, 108b (first cleaning tank), a special cleaning tank 118 with a temperature control function (second cleaning tank), a control unit 121 and a computer 122.

[0012] The conveyor line 101 transfers the specimen rack 110 holding the specimen container 109 containing the specimen to a position where the specimen is sucked by the specimen dispensing mechanism 115. The reagent disk 102 holds the reagent container 112 containing the reagent, and rotates and transfers the reagent container 112 to be dispensed to a position where the reagent is sucked by the reagent dispensing mechanism 104. The reagent dispensing mechanism 104 sucks the reagent that reacts with the component in the specimen to be analyzed from the reagent container 112, and discharges it to the reaction container 111. The reaction disk 103 holds the reaction container 111 (reaction unit) containing a mixture of the specimen and the reagent on a constant temperature medium such as water, and rotates and transfers the target reaction container 111 to the operation position of the stirring mechanism 105, the spectrometer 114, the cleaning mechanism 107, etc.

[0013] The sample dispensing mechanism 115 sucks the sample from the sample container 109 and ejects it into the reaction container 111. The sample dispensing mechanism 115 has a clogging detection unit 117 such as a pressure sensor provided in its piping. The detection result of the clogging detection unit 117 is sent to the control unit 121, etc., and it is possible to monitor whether there is clogging in the sample dispensing probe 116 during the sample dispensing operation. The material of the sample dispensing probe 116 is not particularly limited, and it is made of metal, for example.

[0014] The stirring mechanism 105 stirs the mixed solution in the reaction container 111 to promote the reaction of the mixed solution of the sample dispensed from the sample container 109 to the reaction container 111 and the reagent dispensed from the reagent container 112 to the reaction container 111. The light source 106 irradiates light to the reaction solution after the stirring mechanism 105 stirs and chemically reacts. The spectrometer 114 measures the absorbance by spectroscopically dispersing the transmitted light from the reaction solution. The information on the absorbance is sent to the control unit 121, etc., and the concentration of a predetermined component contained in the sample is obtained by colorimetric analysis. The cleaning mechanism 107 is a mechanism for cleaning the used reaction container 111.

[0015] Usually, the cleaning tanks 108a and 108b are tanks for cleaning with water inside and outside the probe in order to suppress the situation where the residue at the front end of the probe affects the next analysis. Specifically, in the normal cleaning tank 108a, the reagent dispensing probe 113 of the reagent dispensing mechanism 104 is cleaned, and in the normal cleaning tank 108b, the sample dispensing probe 116 of the sample dispensing mechanism 115 is cleaned. For the inside of the probe, the system water in the pipe that fills the probe is discharged from the probe into the normal cleaning tanks 108a and 108b for cleaning. On the other hand, for the outside of the probe, the water from the water supply mechanism 120 is blown to the outside of the probe for cleaning.

[0016] The special cleaning tank 118 with a temperature control function is a tank that uses a cleaning liquid containing detergent to clean residues that cannot be cleaned by normal cleaning with water in the normal cleaning tanks 108a and 108b. In particular, for analysis items in which cross-contamination between specimens can easily affect the analysis results, the special cleaning tank 118 with a temperature control function is used to clean the probe after the previous specimen is dispensed and before the next specimen is dispensed. Therefore, the special cleaning tank 118 with a temperature control function can store the cleaning liquid at room temperature provided by the cleaning liquid supply mechanism 119, and heat the stored detergent liquid. Here, the cleaning liquid supply mechanism 119 can provide water as the cleaning liquid in addition to the detergent, and its specific structure will be used. Figure 2 In addition, the specific structure of the special cleaning tank 118 with temperature control function is described below. Figure 2 and Figure 3 When a cleaning solution containing a detergent is used for special cleaning, a temperature-controlled (heated) cleaning solution may be used, or a cleaning solution at room temperature may be used.

[0017] The control unit 121 controls the operation of each of the above mechanisms, or performs analysis based on the measurement results of the spectrometer 114. In addition, as described later, the control unit 121 also controls the cleaning operation of the probe.

[0018] The computer 122 includes an output unit, an input unit, and a storage unit. The output unit displays analysis results, alarms, etc. to the user, and is, for example, a display. The input unit is used for the user to input characters or numerical values ​​to set the operation conditions of the device, such as a keyboard. The storage unit is used to store analysis results or setting values, such as a memory.

[0019] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of a special cleaning tank 118 with a temperature control function and a cleaning liquid supply mechanism 119. First, the special cleaning tank 118 with a temperature control function includes: a liquid storage portion 301 for storing the cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning liquid supply mechanism 119, a temperature control heater 302 for heating the liquid storage portion 301, and a lower opening 303 for discharging the cleaning liquid overflowing from the liquid storage portion 301. Figure 3 This will be further elaborated later. Figure 2 In the example of FIG. 1 , two special cleaning tanks 118a and 118b are shown as the special cleaning tanks 118 with a temperature adjustment function. Figure 1As shown, when there is one specimen dispensing mechanism 115, there may be one special cleaning tank with a temperature control function 118. On the other hand, the cleaning liquid supply mechanism 119 is a mechanism for supplying cleaning liquid to the liquid storage part 301 of the special cleaning tank with a temperature control function 118, and includes a cleaning liquid supply pump 201, a cleaning liquid supply syringe 204, solenoid valves 209 to 214, cleaning liquid remaining sensors 205, 206, and branch pipes 207, 208.

[0020] The cleaning liquid supply pump 201 delivers the first cleaning liquid from a tank (not shown) containing the first cleaning liquid. The first cleaning liquid is, for example, a cleaning liquid containing water or a neutral detergent. The cleaning liquid supply syringe 204 delivers the first cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply pump 201 further to the downstream side. The solenoid valve 214 controls the flow of the first cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply pump 201 to the cleaning liquid supply syringe 204. The cleaning liquid remaining amount sensor 205 detects the remaining amount of the second cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning liquid storage tank 202, and the cleaning liquid remaining amount sensor 206 detects the remaining amount of the second cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning liquid storage tank 203. The second cleaning liquid is, for example, a cleaning liquid containing an alkaline detergent or an acidic detergent. The solenoid valve 212 controls the flow of the second cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid storage tank 202 to the branch pipe 207, and the solenoid valve 213 controls the flow of the second cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid storage tank 203 to the branch pipe 207. The branch pipe 207 is a pipe that allows the supply lines of the second cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid storage tank 202 and the second cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid storage tank 203 to converge, and sends the supplied second cleaning liquid to the branch pipe 208. The electromagnetic valve 211 controls the flow of the second cleaning liquid from the branch pipe 207 to the branch pipe 208. The branch pipe 208 is a pipe that allows the supply lines of the first cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply syringe and the second cleaning liquid from the branch pipe 207 to converge, and sends the supplied first cleaning liquid or the second cleaning liquid to the liquid storage part 301 of the special cleaning tank 118 with a temperature control function. The electromagnetic valve 209 controls the flow of the first cleaning liquid and the second cleaning liquid from the branch pipe 208 to the liquid storage part 301 of the special cleaning tank 118a with a temperature control function. The electromagnetic valve 210 controls the flow of the first cleaning liquid and the second cleaning liquid from the branch pipe 208 to the liquid storage part 301 of the special cleaning tank 118b with a temperature control function.

[0021] By means of such a cleaning liquid supply mechanism 119, the first cleaning liquid or the second cleaning liquid can be supplied to the liquid storage section 301. In addition, the old second cleaning liquid stored in the liquid storage section 301 can be replaced with a new second cleaning liquid. Similarly, the first cleaning liquid stored in the liquid storage section 301 can be replaced with the second cleaning liquid, or the second cleaning liquid stored in the liquid storage section 301 can be replaced with the first cleaning liquid. Furthermore, the supply source of the second cleaning liquid can be switched between the cleaning liquid storage tank 202 and the cleaning liquid storage tank 203 according to the detection conditions of the cleaning liquid remaining amount sensors 205 and 206. Figure 2 In the example, the cleaning liquid supply mechanism 119 includes two cleaning liquid storage tanks and has the function of replacing the second cleaning liquid. However, the cleaning liquid supply mechanism 119 may include only one cleaning liquid storage tank and not have the function of replacing the second cleaning liquid.

[0022] Next, use Figure 3 The structure of the special cleaning tank 118 with a temperature control function is described in detail. Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of a special cleaning tank 118 with a temperature control function, and the lower opening 303 is omitted. Figure 3 As shown, since a temperature control heater 302 is wound around the outer periphery of the lower part of the liquid storage part 301, the cleaning liquid in the liquid storage part 301 can be heated. Although the temperature control heater 302 can also be set in the cleaning liquid supply mechanism 119, the case where it is set in the liquid storage part 301 on the downstream side of the cleaning liquid supply mechanism 119 can efficiently heat the cleaning liquid in a limited place. In the temperature control of the temperature control heater 302, the temperature of the cleaning liquid or the temperature control heater 302 measured by a temperature sensor such as a thermistor or a thermocouple not shown is used. The set temperature when the cleaning liquid is temperature-controlled is, for example, 40°C to 70°C. The set temperature can also be appropriately changed by the user according to the properties of the sample or the cleaning liquid to be dispensed. When the sample dispensing probe 116 is immersed in the relatively high temperature cleaning liquid in the liquid storage part 301, by sucking and discharging a small amount of cleaning liquid, the residues such as fibrin or blood coagulant attached to the inside and outside of the sample dispensing probe 116 can be removed. Hereinafter, the probe cleaning operation using the temperature-controlled cleaning liquid may be referred to as temperature-controlled cleaning.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a flowchart showing the flow of probe clogging determination and clogging removal.

[0024] First, after the conveyor line 101 transfers the specimen container 109 to the specimen dispensing position, the specimen dispensing probe 116 aspirates the specimen contained in the specimen container 109 (step S401). At this time, the control unit 121 performs a first clogging determination of the specimen dispensing probe 116, that is, determines whether the specimen dispensing probe 116 is clogged based on the detection result of the clogging detection unit 117 during specimen aspiration (step S402).

[0025] When it is determined that there is no clogging, the sample dispensing mechanism 115 rotates onto the reaction container 111 and discharges the sample into the reaction container 111 (step S403). Thereafter, the control unit 121 determines whether other analysis items remain for the sample (step S404). If there are remaining items, the process returns to step S401 to continue dispensing the specimen. If there are no remaining items, the dispensing operation of the specimen is terminated.

[0026] On the other hand, in step S402, when it is determined that the sample dispensing probe 116 is clogged, water discharge cleaning (first clogging removal operation) of the sample dispensing probe 116 is performed (step S405). Specifically, the control unit 121 rotates the sample dispensing mechanism 115 to the position of the normal cleaning tank 108b, and discharges the liquid in the piping from the sample dispensing probe 116 on the normal cleaning tank 108b. At this time, the discharged liquid is not limited to the system water filling the piping of the sample dispensing probe 116, and can be a liquid other than water as long as it is directly supplied through the piping of the sample dispensing probe 116 and has a pressure transmission function.

[0027] At this time, the control unit 121 performs a second blockage determination of the sample dispensing probe 116, that is, based on the detection result of the blockage detection unit 117 during the sample aspiration, it determines again whether the sample dispensing probe 116 is blocked (step S402). If it is determined that there is no blockage, the sample dispensing operation ends. However, in step S406, if it is determined that there is no blockage, the control unit 121 may also transfer to the above-mentioned step S404.

[0028] On the other hand, in step S406, when it is determined that the sample dispensing probe 116 is clogged, the sample dispensing probe 116 is temperature-controlled and cleaned (the second blockage removal action) (step S407). Specifically, the control unit 121 rotates the sample dispensing mechanism 115 to the position of the special cleaning tank 118 with a temperature control function, and performs suction and discharge actions while immersing the sample dispensing probe 116 in the temperature-controlled cleaning liquid in the liquid storage unit 301. The cleaning liquid sucked by the sample dispensing mechanism 115 can also be discharged in the normal cleaning tank 108b after the sample dispensing mechanism 115 moves to the normal cleaning tank 108b. In addition, since it takes a certain amount of time to adjust the temperature of the cleaning liquid to the set temperature, when it is determined in step S402 that there is a blockage, it is preferred to start the temperature control of the temperature control heater 302 in parallel with the water discharge cleaning in step S405 (step S408).

[0029] Afterwards, the control unit 121 performs a third blockage determination of the sample dispensing probe 116, that is, based on the detection result of the blockage detection unit 117 during sample aspiration, it determines again whether the sample dispensing probe 116 is blocked (step S409). If it is determined that there is no blockage, the sample dispensing operation ends. However, in step S409, if it is determined that there is no blockage, the control unit 121 may also transfer to the above-mentioned step S404. After the temperature control cleaning, the temperature of the sample dispensing probe 116 is relatively high. If the sample is directly dispensed, the dispensing accuracy may be reduced. Therefore, it is preferred to cool the sample dispensing probe 116 as described later.

[0030] On the other hand, in step S409, when it is determined that the sample dispensing probe 116 is clogged, the control unit 121 determines whether the number of times the temperature-controlled cleaning is performed is less than the threshold value N times (step S410). In step S410, when it is determined that it is less than N times, the process returns to the above-mentioned step S407 and the temperature-controlled cleaning is performed again. The threshold used in the determination can be changed in advance by the user, and (N=) can be 1 time. In addition, each time the temperature-controlled cleaning is repeated, the set temperature can be increased, or the time for immersing the sample dispensing probe 116 in the cleaning solution can be extended. In step S410, when it is determined that it is more than N times, the control unit 121 urges the user to clean the sample dispensing probe 116 by outputting an alarm, and stops the sample dispensing action (step S411).

[0031] Thus, by appropriately performing temperature-controlled cleaning, clogging of the sample dispensing probe 116 that cannot be removed by a cleaning solution at room temperature can be removed, and the time for manual cleaning of the probe can be minimized, thereby contributing to improved analysis efficiency. Figure 4 In the example of FIG. 4 , if clogging is detected in the first clogging determination in step S402, the water discharge cleaning process is first performed in step S405, but the water discharge cleaning can also be omitted and the temperature adjustment cleaning can be performed immediately. In addition, the user can also set whether the temperature adjustment cleaning needs to be performed.

[0032] Figure 5 This is a flowchart showing the operation when the sample dispensing probe 116 becomes clogged during the process of dispensing multiple samples. Here, it is assumed that the multiple samples are samples A to C obtained from different patients. In addition, when dispensing sample A, the sample dispensing probe 116 becomes clogged and temperature-controlled cleaning is performed. Since cross contamination between samples B and C is likely to affect the analysis results, special cleaning using a cleaning solution at room temperature is set.

[0033] First, the sample dispensing mechanism 115 starts dispensing the sample A stored in the sample container 109 (step S501). After that, the clogging of the sample dispensing probe 116 is detected by the clogging detection unit 117, and the sample dispensing probe 116 is temperature-controlled and cleaned in the special cleaning tank 118 with a temperature control function (step S502), and then the temperature control is stopped, and the dispensing of the sample A is ended (step S503). At this time, the temperature of the sample dispensing probe 116 is higher than the normal temperature. Therefore, if the next dispensing action is directly transferred to the next sample B, the sample B will be heated in the sample dispensing probe 116, and the sample dispensing probe 116 will drop to room temperature. As a result, the dispensing accuracy of the sample B is reduced. Therefore, after rotating the sample dispensing mechanism 115 to the position of the normal cleaning tank 108b, the control unit 121 drains the water in the pipe from the sample dispensing probe 116 in the normal cleaning tank 108b and sprinkles water on the outside of the sample dispensing probe 116 (step S504). In this way, the sample dispensing probe 116 can be cooled while cleaning the inside and outside of the sample dispensing probe 116.

[0034] Next, the sample dispensing mechanism 115 starts dispensing the sample B stored in the sample container 109 (step S505 ), and when clogging of the sample dispensing probe 116 does not occur, dispensing of the sample B is completed (step S506 ).

[0035] After that, before dispensing the specimen C, the specimen dispensing probe 116 is specially cleaned with a cleaning liquid at room temperature. However, the cleaning liquid in the liquid storage section 301 of the special cleaning tank 118 with a temperature control function is still at a relatively high temperature because the temperature control cleaning is performed in step S502. Therefore, the control section 121 cools the special cleaning tank 118 with a temperature control function with water before the special cleaning by any of the following methods (step S507). The first cooling method is a method in which the water in the pipe is discharged from the specimen dispensing probe 116 in the special cleaning tank 118 with a temperature control function, and the water is supplied to the liquid storage section 301. The second cooling method is a method in which the cleaning liquid supply mechanism 119 supplies water as a first cleaning liquid to the liquid storage section 301. When the liquid storage section 301 of the special cleaning tank 118 with a temperature control function is cooled by any of the methods, the cleaning liquid supply mechanism 119 supplies a cleaning liquid containing a detergent as a second cleaning liquid to the liquid storage section 301, and replaces the water that contributes to cooling with a cleaning liquid at room temperature.

[0036] Next, the control unit 121 performs special cleaning by causing the sample dispensing probe 116 to perform suction and discharge operations while being immersed in the cleaning liquid at room temperature in the liquid reservoir 301 (step S508 ).

[0037] Thereafter, the sample dispensing mechanism 115 starts dispensing the sample C stored in the sample container 109 (step S509 ), and when clogging of the sample dispensing probe 116 does not occur, dispensing of the sample C is completed (step S510 ).

[0038] exist Figure 5 In the example shown, after the temperature control cleaning is performed in step S502, the dispensing of the sample A is completed, but if there are remaining items for the sample A at the time of the temperature control cleaning, the dispensing of the sample A may be retried. However, if the dispensing of the sample A is retried immediately after the temperature control cleaning, the dispensing accuracy is reduced, so it is necessary to cool the sample dispensing probe 116 as in the above step S504.

[0039] By operating as described above, both temperature-controlled cleaning using a temperature-controlled cleaning solution and special cleaning using a cleaning solution at room temperature can be performed in one special cleaning tank, thereby contributing to the cost reduction of the automatic analyzer. In addition, even if temperature-controlled cleaning is performed, the special cleaning tank 118 with a temperature-controlled function is not cooled immediately, but is cooled before the special cleaning is performed using a cleaning solution at room temperature, thereby shortening the overall processing time. However, in the case where the cooling of the special cleaning tank 118 with a temperature-controlled function requires time, the cooling of the special cleaning tank 118 with a temperature-controlled function can be started at the moment when the temperature-controlled cleaning is completed or the moment when the dispensing of the specimen A is completed, and the cooling action is continued in parallel with the dispensing of the specimen B. Furthermore, even if the temperature-controlled cleaning is performed, if the special cleaning is not performed for a certain period of time thereafter, the special cleaning tank 118 with a temperature-controlled function is naturally cooled even without the action such as step S507.

[0040] Figure 6 Yes means Figure 5 Flowchart of a modification of the operation of Figure 5 The difference is that it includes step S601 of determining whether to cool the special cleaning tank 118 with a temperature control function according to the temperature measured by the temperature sensor. Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , after the dispensing of the specimen B is completed, if the temperature measured by the temperature sensor provided for the temperature control of the temperature control heater 302 is above the predetermined threshold, the process proceeds to the above-mentioned step S507 to cool the special cleaning tank 118 with a temperature control function. On the other hand, in step S601, if the temperature measured by the temperature sensor is lower than the predetermined threshold, the process does not proceed to the special cleaning tank 118 with a temperature control function based on step S507, but proceeds to the above-mentioned step S508 for special cleaning. The threshold used in the determination of step S601 is, for example, 35° C. to 45° C.

[0041] In the above Figure 5 and Figure 6In the example, temperature control cleaning is performed only when clogging occurs, but regardless of whether clogging occurs or not, the possibility of clogging of the sample dispensing probe 116 can be minimized by performing temperature control cleaning each time the sample is dispensed. In this case, even for the same sample, temperature control cleaning can be performed when dispensing different analysis items, or temperature control cleaning can be performed each time the sample changes. However, after temperature control cleaning, in order not to affect the next dispensing action, a cooling action of the sample dispensing probe 116 is required. In addition, temperature control cleaning can be performed as a cleaning for preventing dirt from remaining on the sample dispensing probe 116 after a certain divided analysis action is completed, etc., or it can be performed at an arbitrary timing according to the user's settings.

[0042] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and also includes various modifications. For example, in the above-mentioned embodiments, both temperature-controlled cleaning and special cleaning are performed in a special cleaning tank, but a special cleaning tank with a temperature-controlled function may be provided for temperature-controlled cleaning, and a special cleaning tank without a temperature-controlled function may be provided for special cleaning. In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the case of cleaning the sample dispensing probe is described as an example, but it is also applicable to the case of cleaning the reagent dispensing probe. In addition, the dispensing probe is not limited to a probe that performs suction and discharge, and may only perform suction.

[0043] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the analysis device including the measuring unit for measuring the light of the mixed solution in the reaction container is described as an example, but it can also be an analysis device including the measuring unit for measuring the light in the piping that sucks the mixed solution from the reaction container. In addition, in addition to the analysis device including the measuring unit for measuring the light of the mixed solution, it can also be an analysis device including the measuring unit for measuring the voltage of the mixed solution or the specimen, for example, an analysis device including the electrolyte measuring unit. That is, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the case of cleaning the dispensing probe in the biochemical automatic analyzer is described as an example, but it is also applicable to the case of cleaning the dispensing probe in the immunological automatic analyzer or the coagulation automatic analyzer. Description of symbols

[0044] 100...Automatic analyzer, 101...Transfer line, 102...Reagent disk, 103...Reaction disk, 104...Reagent dispensing mechanism, 105...Stirring mechanism, 106...Light source, 107...Cleaning mechanism, 108a, 108b...General cleaning tank, 109...Specimen container, 110...Specimen holder, 111...Reaction container, 112...Reagent container, 113...Reagent dispensing probe, 114...Spectrometer, 115...Specimen dispensing mechanism, 116...Specimen dispensing probe, 117... Clogging detection unit, 118...special cleaning tank with temperature control function, 119...cleaning liquid supply mechanism, 120...water supply mechanism, 121...control unit, 122...computer, 201...cleaning liquid supply pump, 202, 203...cleaning liquid storage tank, 204...cleaning liquid supply syringe, 205, 206...cleaning liquid residual sensor, 207, 208...branch pipe, 209~214...solenoid valve, 301...liquid storage unit, 302...heater for temperature control, 303...lower opening.

Claims

1. An automatic analysis device, comprising: Probes for dispensing liquids; as well as a clogging detection unit for detecting clogging of the probe, The automatic analysis device is characterized in that When the clogging detection unit detects clogging of the probe, the probe is cleaned using the temperature-controlled liquid.

2. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that Also includes: a first rinse tank that drains water from said probe; as well as a second cleaning tank storing a cleaning liquid containing a detergent and heating the cleaning liquid with a heater, When the blockage detection unit detects blockage of the probe, a first blockage removal action is performed in the first cleaning tank by discharging water provided by the piping from the probe. When the blockage detection unit also detects blockage of the probe after the first blockage removal action is performed, a second blockage removal action is performed in the second cleaning tank by causing the probe to absorb the heated cleaning liquid.

3. The automatic analysis device according to claim 2, characterized in that The cleaning liquid is heated in parallel with the first clogging removal operation.

4. The automatic analysis device according to claim 2, characterized in that The probe is a sample dispensing probe for dispensing a sample, During the period from when the sample dispensing probe finishes dispensing of the first sample to when the sample dispensing probe starts dispensing of the second sample, normal cleaning of the inside and outside of the sample dispensing probe is performed with water in the first cleaning tank. During the period from when the sample dispensing probe finishes dispensing the second sample to when the sample dispensing probe starts dispensing the third sample, the sample dispensing probe performs special washing in the second washing tank by sucking the washing liquid at room temperature.

5. The automatic analysis device according to claim 4, characterized in that The second cleaning tank is cooled by water during a period from when the second clogging removal operation is performed to when the special cleaning is performed.

6. The automatic analysis device according to claim 5, characterized in that After the second cleaning tank is cooled by the water discharged from the sample dispensing probe, the water is replaced with the cleaning liquid at room temperature.

7. The automatic analysis device according to claim 5, characterized in that The second cleaning tank includes a liquid supply mechanism for supplying water and detergent liquid into the tank. After the water supplied into the second cleaning tank by the liquid supply mechanism is cooled, the water is replaced with the cleaning liquid at room temperature supplied into the tank by the liquid supply mechanism.

8. The automatic analysis device according to claim 5, characterized in that The second cleaning tank includes a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the cleaning liquid in the tank or the heater. After the sample dispensing probe completes dispensing of the second sample, if the temperature measured by the temperature sensor is lower than a predetermined threshold value, the second cleaning tank is not cooled.

9. A method for cleaning a probe, the probe being used for dispensing liquid, the method for cleaning the probe being characterized by: When the clogging detection unit detects clogging of the probe, the probe is cleaned with the temperature-controlled liquid.

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