Automatic analyzer and cleaning method

Abstract

A method for cleaning a nozzle of an automatic analysis device provided with: a reaction container for accommodating a mixed solution of a specimen to be analyzed and a reagent for the analysis; and a nozzle that sucks in the mixed liquid of the reaction container, the method for cleaning the nozzle comprising: a preparation step of dispensing the cleaning liquid of the nozzle into the reaction container; and a cleaning step of sucking and discharging the cleaning liquid in the reaction container through the nozzle. As a result, it is possible to suppress maintenance complexity, cost, and increase in size and complexity of the device, and to more reliably clean the nozzle by a simpler method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic analyzing device and a cleaning method. Background Art

[0002] Automatic analyzers react blood, urine, or other biological samples (specimens) with analytical reagents that react specifically with the target component in the sample and quantitatively detect the complex generated by the reaction, thereby automatically performing the entire process from measurement of the target component to output of the result.

[0003] In such an automatic analyzer, it is necessary to clean each part. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses the following cleaning method: after the measurement, the detection liquid in the reaction container is sucked out using a nozzle and discharged. Thereafter, detergent and cleaning water are injected into and sucked out of the reaction container using a nozzle, thereby cleaning the reaction container.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-066108 Summary of the Invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] In automatic analyzers, for example, components of the sample may remain in the nozzle that sucks / ejects the sample. In addition, when magnetic particles are used in the pretreatment of the sample, the magnetic particles may adhere to the nozzle and remain. Therefore, automatic analyzers are generally provided with a mechanism for cleaning the nozzle. In most cases, such nozzle cleaning is performed with water such as distilled water. However, there are cases where the residues in the nozzle cannot be fully removed by cleaning with water due to chemical properties such as hydrophilicity / hydrophobicity, physical adhesion to the uneven parts of the nozzle surface, etc.

[0009] Foreign matter trapped in the nozzle reduces analytical accuracy, so it must be thoroughly removed. However, requiring the user to regularly clean or replace the nozzle to address this problem complicates maintenance and increases operating costs. Alternatively, a separate mechanism could be added to the cleaning mechanism to automatically clean the nozzle, such as a cleaning solution containing an organic solvent. However, this would increase the size and complexity of the device, further increasing costs.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer and a cleaning method capable of more reliably cleaning a nozzle in a simpler manner.

[0011] Means for solving problems

[0012] The present application includes multiple means for solving the above-mentioned problems. As an example, a method for cleaning the nozzle of an automatic analysis device is provided. The automatic analysis device comprises: a reaction container, which contains a mixture of a specimen to be analyzed and a reagent used for the analysis; and a nozzle, which aspirates the mixture in the reaction container. The method for cleaning the nozzle comprises: a preparation step, which dispenses the cleaning liquid of the nozzle into the reaction container; and a cleaning step, which aspirates and ejects the cleaning liquid from the reaction container through the nozzle.

[0013] Effects of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, the nozzle can be cleaned more reliably using a simpler method. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 It is a plan view schematically showing the overall structure of the automatic analyzer.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a diagram schematically showing the processing contents of the magnetic particle processing unit.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing an example of analyzing the difference in operation between the pre-processing and the nozzle cleaning process.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the nozzle cleaning operation according to the first embodiment.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing changes in the amount of liquid in the nozzle due to suction and discharge of the cleaning reagent in the nozzle cleaning operation of the first embodiment.

[0020] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the nozzle cleaning operation according to the second embodiment.

[0021] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing changes in the amount of liquid in the nozzle due to suction and discharge of the cleaning reagent in the nozzle cleaning operation of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. While this embodiment exemplifies an automatic analyzer comprising a pre-processing unit and an analysis unit, the present invention is applicable to any device that aspirates and ejects a liquid associated with analysis through a nozzle, regardless of the type of analysis, such as biochemical analysis or immunoassay.

[0023] <First embodiment>

[0024] Reference Figures 1 to 5A first embodiment will be described.

[0025] Figure 1 It is a plan view schematically showing the overall structure of the automatic analyzer.

[0026] exist Figure 1 In FIG, the automatic analyzer 100 is an apparatus for analyzing specific components contained in a sample such as blood or urine provided by a patient, and is roughly composed of a pre-processing unit 101 and an analyzing unit 102 .

[0027] The pretreatment unit 101 is a functional unit for pretreatment of samples such as removal of coexisting components using magnetic particles, and comprises: a specimen container transport mechanism 110 for transporting a sample rack 31 carrying a plurality of sample containers 3 containing specimens to be analyzed; a reagent disk 120 for storing a plurality of reagent containers 4 containing reagents for analysis of the specimens; a reaction container storage unit 130 for storing unused reaction containers 1 for analysis of the specimens; a disk-type incubator 140 for managing the temperature of a mixture of the specimen and the reagent contained in the reaction container 1 to promote the reaction; a reaction container transport mechanism 131 for transferring the reaction container from the reaction container storage unit 130 to the reaction container storage unit 1 of the incubator 140. 41 transports the reaction container 1; a sample dispensing mechanism 150, which dispenses the specimen from the sample container 3 transported by the specimen container transporting mechanism 110 to the specimen dispensing position (specimen container transporting mechanism side) to the reaction container 1 loaded on the incubator 140 and transported to the specimen dispensing position (incubator side); a reagent dispensing mechanism 160, which dispenses the reagent from the reagent container 4 transported by the reagent disk 120 to the reagent dispensing position (reagent disk side) to the reaction container 1 loaded on the incubator 140 and transported to the reagent dispensing position (incubator side); and a magnetic particle processing unit 180, which processes the contents of the reaction container 1 transported by the reaction container transporting mechanism 131 and transports it to the analysis unit 102.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a diagram schematically showing the processing contents of the magnetic particle processing unit.

[0029] like Figure 2 As shown, the magnetic particle processing unit 180 serves as a mechanism for transferring a solution (mixed solution, etc.) containing a measurement object contained in a reaction container 1 to an analysis unit 102, and comprises: a magnetic particle washing mechanism 181, which performs a washing process (BW: Beads Wash) for washing the magnetic particles 10 contained in the solution contained in the reaction container 1; an elution mechanism 182, which performs an elution process (Elu: Elution) for separating the measurement object from the magnetic particles; and an SN dispensing mechanism 183, which transfers only a solution containing a measurement object (SN: Supernatant) to other reaction containers.

[0030] The magnetic particle washing mechanism 181, the elution mechanism 182, and the SN dispensing mechanism 183 each include a magnetic separator 2 for separating magnetic particles in the reaction vessel 1. The magnetic separator 2 has magnets arranged around a holding portion in which the reaction vessel 1 is placed. By placing the reaction vessel in the magnetic separator, the magnetic particles 10 in the solution contained in the reaction vessel 1 can be adsorbed and held on the inner wall of the reaction vessel 1.

[0031] In the analysis pretreatment of the pretreatment unit 101, first, the sample dispensing mechanism 150 is used to dispense the specimen from the sample container 3 into the empty reaction container 1 of the incubator 140. Next, the reagent dispensing mechanism 160 is used to draw the reaction reagent from the reagent container 4 mounted on the reagent disk 120 and eject it into the reaction container of the incubator 140 into which the specimen has been dispensed. The reaction reagent has various functions, such as the function of freeing the measurement object in the mixed solution with the specimen and the function of promoting the adsorption of the measurement object to the magnetic particles. Thereafter, the magnetic particles 10 are dispensed into the same reaction container 1 by the reagent dispensing mechanism 160. In the dispensing process so far, the reaction container 1 is kept on the incubator 140 whose temperature is controlled to be constant, so as to promote the reaction of the measurement object in the reaction container 1.

[0032] like Figure 2 As shown, in the processing of the magnetic particle processing unit 180, first, the reaction container 1 is moved to the magnetic separator 2 of the magnetic particle cleaning mechanism 181. Then, the suction nozzle 51 of the magnetic particle cleaning mechanism 181 attracts the solution 11 of the reaction container 1 and discards it into the cleaning tank 6 (removal of coexisting components). At this time, due to the function of the magnetic separator 2, the magnetic particles 10 remain in the reaction container 1. Then, the system cleaning liquid 12 is sprayed into the reaction container 1 using a spray nozzle 71 different from the suction nozzle 51 (magnetic particle cleaning). In this way, the coexisting components that are not adsorbed on the magnetic particles 10 can be removed from the reaction container 1. Thereafter, the suction nozzle 51 is moved to the cleaning tank 6, and the inside and outside are cleaned with pure water 61 (nozzle cleaning).

[0033] Next, the reaction vessel 1 is moved from the magnetic particle cleaning mechanism 181 to the magnetic separator 2 of the elution mechanism 182. Next, the suction nozzle 52, which is different from the suction nozzle 51 of the magnetic particle cleaning mechanism 181, sucks the system cleaning liquid 12 inside the reaction vessel 1 and discards it into the cleaning tank 6 during nozzle cleaning (removal of coexisting components). At this time, due to the function of the magnetic separator 2, the magnetic particles 10 remain in the reaction vessel 1. Next, the system reagent 13 is ejected (eluted) into the reaction vessel 1 using the ejection nozzle 72, which is different from the ejection nozzle 71 of the magnetic particle cleaning mechanism 181. As a result, the magnetic particles 10 are separated from the measurement object in the solution in the reaction vessel 1. In addition, when the coexisting components are removed, the suction nozzle 52 is moved to the cleaning tank 6 and cleaned inside and outside with pure water 61 (nozzle cleaning).

[0034] Next, the reaction vessel 1 is transferred from the elution mechanism 182 to the magnetic separator 2 of the SN dispensing mechanism 183. The SN nozzle 53 then draws the solution (system reagent 13) containing the analyte from the reaction vessel 1 and ejects it into another reaction vessel 1a housed in the reaction vessel storage section 8 of the SN dispensing mechanism 183 (magnetic particle removal). At this time, the magnetic particles 10 remain within the reaction vessel 1 due to the function of the magnetic separator 2. This results in a solution 14 containing the analyte, from which coexisting components and magnetic particles 10 have been removed. The solution 14 containing the analyte is then transferred from the reaction vessel 1a to the analysis section 102 via the transfer nozzle 73 (component separation). The reaction vessel 1 is then transferred to the reaction vessel disposal box 132 by the reaction vessel transport mechanism 131 and discarded. After ejecting the solution 14 into the reaction vessel 1 in the reaction vessel storage section 8, the SN nozzle 53 moves to the cleaning tank 6 where the interior and exterior are cleaned with pure water 61 (nozzle cleaning).

[0035] Here, nozzle cleaning in this embodiment will be described.

[0036] Some components and magnetic particles in the specimen are hydrophobic, and it is believed that such components and magnetic particles cannot be fully removed by water-based nozzle cleaning. In particular, the suction nozzles 51, 52 and the SN nozzle 53 are used in situations where substances and magnetic particles in the reaction vessel 1 are easily attached. Therefore, in this embodiment, when cleaning the suction nozzles 51, 52, and the SN nozzle 53, a special cleaning liquid containing a liquid with a high affinity for components and magnetic particles remaining in the nozzles, such as an organic solvent, is used to perform the nozzle cleaning process.

[0037] Figure 3 : is a diagram showing an example of the difference between the analysis pre-processing and the nozzle cleaning process. Figure 3 In the figure, the analysis pre-processing operation is simplified to facilitate comparison with the nozzle cleaning operation.

[0038] like Figure 3 As shown, in the analysis pre-processing, first, in the sample dispensing step, a specimen 32 is dispensed into the reaction vessel 1. Then, in the reagent dispensing step, a reaction reagent is dispensed to form a mixed solution 33. The reaction of the mixed solution 33 is then accelerated in the incubator 140. Next, the reaction vessel 1 containing the reaction-accelerated mixed solution 33 (solution 11) is transferred to the magnetic particle processing unit 180. After the processing steps of the magnetic particle cleaning mechanism 181, the elution mechanism 182, and the SN dispensing mechanism 183, the reaction vessel 1 is transferred to the magnetic separator 2. A series of processes related to the analysis pre-processing are performed, including the aspiration of the solution 11, the system cleaning solution 12, and the system reagent 13 by the suction nozzles 51 and 52 and the SN nozzle 53. The suction nozzles 51 and 52 and the SN nozzle 53 are then moved to the cleaning tank 6, where the interior and exterior are cleaned with pure water 61. Simultaneously, the reaction vessel 1 used for analysis is discarded, and the solution 14 containing the analyte is transferred from the reaction vessel 1a to the analysis unit 102 via the transfer nozzle 73.

[0039] For the analysis preprocessing as described above, in the nozzle cleaning process, first, the analysis-related liquid (for example, specimen, other analytical reagents, magnetic particles, etc.) is not dispensed into the reaction container 1 and the process is kept on standby. In the process equivalent to reagent dispensing, only the cleaning liquid (cleaning reagent, cleaning fluid, etc.: hereinafter referred to as cleaning reagent 34) is dispensed into the reaction container 1.

[0040] Methods for dispensing the cleaning reagent 34 into the reaction container 1 include, for example, a method in which the cleaning reagent 34 filled in the sample container 3 is dispensed into the reaction container 1 by the sample dispensing mechanism 150 , and a method in which the cleaning reagent 34 filled in the reagent container 4 is dispensed into the reaction container 1 by the reagent dispensing mechanism 160 .

[0041] When the sample dispensing mechanism 150 is used to supply the cleaning reagent 34, the sample container 3 is pre-filled with the cleaning reagent 34 suitable for cleaning the nozzles 51, 52, and 53, loaded onto the sample rack 31, and supplied to the pretreatment unit 101 of the automatic analyzer 100 via the specimen container transport mechanism 110. The automatic analyzer 100 can identify the sample container 3 containing the cleaning reagent 34 by utilizing functions commonly used in the automatic analyzer 100, such as a method using a barcode affixed to the sample container 3 or a method using a dedicated device for storing the sample container 3 containing the cleaning reagent 34 as a sample rack 31 for supplying the sample container 3. Specifically, when the automatic analyzer 100 identifies that the sample container 3 contains the cleaning reagent 34, it treats the liquid in the sample container 3 as the cleaning reagent 34, omitting other analytical steps such as reagent dispensing and using the liquid in the sample container 3 for the nozzle cleaning process.

[0042] Furthermore, when the reagent dispensing mechanism 160 is used to supply the cleaning reagent 34, the reagent container 4 is pre-filled with the cleaning reagent 34 suitable for cleaning the nozzles 51, 52, and 53 and loaded onto the reagent disk 120. The reagent container 4 containing the cleaning reagent 34 is identified in the automatic analyzer 100 using, for example, an RFID tag or a barcode for identifying the type of reagent container. Specifically, when nozzle cleaning is required, the automatic analyzer 100 uses the reagent dispensing mechanism 160 to dispense the cleaning reagent 34 into the reaction container 1, omitting subsequent steps for the reaction container 1 and performing the nozzle cleaning.

[0043] As the cleaning reagent 34, a reagent dedicated to the cleaning target can be used, or some reagents used for measurement can be used in conjunction with the cleaning reagent. For example, a special cleaning liquid dedicated to the cleaning target, such as an organic solvent, containing a liquid with a high affinity for components / magnetic particles remaining in the nozzle can be used as the cleaning reagent 34. Alternatively, a reagent with properties suitable for nozzle cleaning (such as a high affinity for components / magnetic particles remaining in the nozzle) can be used in conjunction with the cleaning reagent 34 from among the reagents used for specimen analysis. Specifically, an organic solvent such as acetonitrile is sometimes used as a measurement reagent, and this measurement reagent can also be used in conjunction with the nozzle cleaning reagent 34.

[0044] The cleaning reagent 34 dispensed into the reaction container 1 is temperature-controlled in the incubator 140 as needed before being transported to the magnetic particle processing unit 180. This allows the cleaning performance of the cleaning reagent 34 to be improved (optimized).

[0045] Next, the reaction vessel 1 containing the cleaning reagent 34 is moved to the magnetic separator 2 of the magnetic particle cleaning mechanism 181, elution mechanism 182, and SN dispensing mechanism 183 of the magnetic particle processing unit 180. A nozzle cleaning operation is performed, where the cleaning reagent 34 is sucked and ejected by the suction nozzles 51 and 52 and the SN nozzle 53. The suction nozzles 51, 52, and the SN nozzle 53 are then moved to the cleaning tank 6, where the interior and exterior are cleaned with pure water 61. Simultaneously, the reaction vessel 1 used in the nozzle cleaning operation is discarded along with the residual liquid 35 after cleaning.

[0046] In addition, as a method for dispensing the cleaning reagent 34 into the reaction container 1, in addition to the above-mentioned method, there is also a method using the magnetic particle cleaning mechanism 181. In the magnetic particle cleaning mechanism 181, the magnetic particles are cleaned with a system reagent or a mixed solution of the system reagent. The system reagent is a reagent commonly used in the device, and uses water, acidic or alkaline buffer, organic solvents such as methanol or acetonitrile, etc. Therefore, in the nozzle cleaning process, the specimen and reagent are not dispensed into the reaction container 1, but are kept empty and supplied to the magnetic particle cleaning mechanism 181, where the system reagent or its mixed solution is ejected as the cleaning reagent 34 for the nozzle. Afterwards, the process of removing the liquid inside the reaction container 1 in the magnetic particle cleaning process is omitted, and the reaction container 1 containing the cleaning reagent 34 is supplied to the position of the nozzle.

[0047] The nozzle cleaning operation in the nozzle cleaning process will be described.

[0048] Figure 4 : is a diagram showing the nozzle cleaning operation. Figure 5 This is a diagram showing changes in the amount of liquid in the nozzle due to suction and discharge of the cleaning detergent during the nozzle cleaning operation.

[0049] like Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 As shown, during the nozzle cleaning operation, the suction nozzles 51, 52, and SN nozzle 53 are inserted into and immersed in the cleaning reagent 34 in the reaction vessel 1 transported by the reaction vessel transport mechanism 131 to the magnetic separator 2 of the magnetic particle processing unit 180. The cleaning reagent 34 is then aspirated and ejected into the cleaning tank 6, thereby cleaning the nozzles 51, 52, and 53. Specifically, during the nozzle cleaning operation, the nozzles 51, 52, and 53 are immersed in / contacted with the cleaning reagent 34 in the reaction vessel 1 to clean the outer walls of the nozzles, and the cleaning reagent 34 is aspirated into the nozzles 51, 52, and 53 to clean the inner walls of the nozzles. The cleaning reagent 34 aspirated into the nozzles 51, 52, and 53 is ejected into the cleaning tank 6, and then the inner and outer walls of the nozzles are further cleaned with pure water 61. The cleaning reagent (residual liquid 35 after cleaning) remaining in the reaction vessel 1 after the nozzles 51, 52, and 53 are discarded along with the reaction vessel 1. Furthermore, the speed, timing, and nozzle movement (the amount of immersion in the cleaning reagent 34) of suctioning and ejecting the cleaning reagent 34 by the nozzles 51, 52, and 53 are appropriately changed according to the type and amount of attachments to be removed, and are controlled to achieve the best cleaning effect.

[0050] The effects of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

[0051] In automatic analyzers, for example, components of the sample may remain in the nozzle that sucks / ejects the sample. In addition, when magnetic particles are used in the pretreatment of the sample, the magnetic particles may adhere to the nozzle and remain. Therefore, a mechanism for cleaning the nozzle is generally provided in automatic analyzers. In most cases, such nozzle cleaning is performed using water such as distilled water. However, due to chemical properties such as hydrophilicity / hydrophobicity, physical adhesion to the uneven parts of the nozzle surface, etc., there are cases where water cleaning cannot fully remove the residue in the nozzle.

[0052] Foreign matter trapped in the nozzle reduces analytical accuracy, so it must be thoroughly removed. However, if nozzle residue is addressed by the user through regular cleaning and replacement, maintenance becomes complex and increases operating costs. It is also considered to incorporate a separate mechanism into the cleaning mechanism to supply a liquid, such as a cleaning solution containing an organic solvent, to automatically clean the nozzle. However, this would increase the size and complexity of the device, further increasing costs.

[0053] In contrast, in the present embodiment, a method for cleaning the nozzle of an automatic analyzer 100 is provided. The automatic analyzer 100 comprises: a reaction vessel 1 for accommodating a mixture of a specimen to be analyzed and a reagent used in the analysis; and nozzles 51, 52, 53 for sucking the mixture in the reaction vessel 1. The nozzle cleaning method is constructed to include: a preparation step for dispensing cleaning liquid from the nozzles 51, 52, 53 into the reaction vessel 1; and a cleaning step for sucking and ejecting the cleaning liquid from the reaction vessel 1 through the nozzles 51, 52, 53. Therefore, the complexity and cost of maintenance, the enlargement and complexity of the device, etc. can be suppressed, and the nozzle can be cleaned more reliably in a simpler way.

[0054] <Second embodiment>

[0055] Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 A second embodiment will be described.

[0056] In addition, in this embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same configurations as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is appropriately omitted.

[0057] This embodiment shows another example of the nozzle cleaning operation in the nozzle cleaning process.

[0058] Figure 6 : is a diagram showing the nozzle cleaning operation. Figure 7 This is a diagram showing changes in the amount of liquid in the nozzle due to suction and discharge of the cleaning detergent during the nozzle cleaning operation.

[0059] like Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 As shown, during the nozzle cleaning operation, the suction nozzles 51, 52, and the SN nozzle 53 are inserted into and immersed in the cleaning reagent 34 in the reaction vessel 1 transported by the reaction vessel transport mechanism 131 to the magnetic separator 2 of the magnetic particle processing unit 180. The cleaning reagent 34 is then aspirated and ejected into the cleaning tank 6, thereby cleaning the nozzles 51, 52, and 53. Specifically, during the nozzle cleaning operation, the nozzles 51, 52, and 53 are immersed in / contacted with the cleaning reagent 34 in the reaction vessel 1 to clean the outer walls of the nozzles. Furthermore, the inner walls of the nozzles are cleaned by repeatedly aspirating a predetermined amount of the cleaning reagent 34 into the nozzles 51, 52, and 53 and ejecting an amount less than the predetermined amount. Specifically, during the nozzle cleaning operation, the nozzles 51, 52, and 53 aspirate a minute amount of the cleaning reagent 34 and eject a smaller amount than the aspirated amount (aspirated amount > ejected amount). After repeating this aspirating and ejecting process a predetermined number of times, the nozzles 51, 52, and 53 are finally moved to the cleaning tank 6 with the cleaning reagent 34 aspirated. The cleaning reagent 34 drawn into the nozzles 51, 52, and 53 is ejected in the cleaning tank 6, and then the inner and outer walls of the nozzles are further cleaned with pure water 61. The cleaning reagent (residual liquid 35 after cleaning) remaining in the reaction vessel 1 after cleaning the nozzles 51, 52, and 53 is discarded together with the reaction vessel 1.

[0060] The other structures are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0061] In the present embodiment configured as described above, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0062] In addition, the flow direction of the cleaning reagent is frequently changed inside and outside the nozzle. Therefore, by generating turbulence in the cleaning reagent inside and outside the nozzle in the reaction vessel 1, it can be expected that the cleaning effect of the outer wall of the nozzle will be improved. In addition, since the apparent flow rate of the cleaning reagent inside the nozzle is greatly increased, it can be expected that the cleaning effect will be further improved.

[0063] <Note>

[0064] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and includes various modifications and combinations within the scope not departing from the gist of the invention.

[0065] In other words, the number of nozzle cleaning operations during the nozzle cleaning process can be appropriately set based on the type and amount of debris attached to the nozzle. Thus, for example, a configuration can be employed in which the nozzle is re-immersed in the cleaning liquid within the same reaction vessel, repeating the nozzle cleaning operation. In this case, the amount of cleaning reagent 34 reduced by suction and discharge into the cleaning tank 6 is considered, and the amount of nozzle descent is increased.

[0066] Alternatively, the nozzle cleaning process may be performed using a plurality of reaction vessels 1 , and reaction vessels 1 into which the cleaning reagent 34 has been dispensed may be prepared according to a predetermined number of reaction vessels 1 .

[0067] Furthermore, the timing for executing the nozzle cleaning process can be arbitrarily set. Therefore, the nozzle cleaning process can be performed not only at startup and shutdown of the automatic analyzer, but also during analysis pre-processing. Alternatively, the automatic analyzer can be configured to automatically execute the nozzle cleaning process after a certain number of sample processing cycles have been performed.

[0068] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to all the structures described in the above embodiments, and also includes structures in which parts of the structures are deleted. Furthermore, the above structures and functions may be implemented in part or in whole, for example, by designing them in an integrated circuit. Furthermore, the above structures and functions may be implemented by software, such as by a processor interpreting and executing a program that implements each function.

[0069] Explanation of symbols

[0070] 1, 1a...Reaction vessel, 2...Magnetic separator, 3...Sample container, 4...Reagent container, 6...Washing tank, 8...Reaction vessel storage unit, 10...Magnetic particles, 11...Solution, 12...System cleaning solution, 13...System reagent, 14...Solution, 31...Sample rack, 32...Specimen, 33...Mixed solution, 34...Washing reagent, 35...Residual liquid, 51...Suction nozzle, 52...Suction nozzle, 53...SN nozzle, 61...Pure water, 71, 72...Dispensing nozzles, 73...Transfer nozzle, 1 00…automatic analyzer, 101…pretreatment unit, 102…analysis unit, 110…specimen container transport mechanism, 120…reagent disk, 130…reaction container storage unit, 131…reaction container transport mechanism, 132…reaction container waste box, 140…incubator, 141…reaction container storage unit, 150…sample dispensing mechanism, 160…reagent dispensing mechanism, 180…magnetic particle processing unit, 181…magnetic particle cleaning mechanism, 182…elution mechanism, 183…SN dispensing mechanism.

Claims

1. A method for cleaning a nozzle of an automatic analyzer, the automatic analyzer comprising: a reaction container containing a mixed solution of a specimen to be analyzed and a reagent used for the analysis; and a nozzle for sucking the mixed solution from the reaction container. The nozzle cleaning method is characterized by: a preparation step of dispensing the nozzle cleaning liquid into the reaction container; and In the cleaning step, the cleaning liquid is sucked and ejected from the reaction container through the nozzle.

2. The cleaning method according to claim 1, wherein The cleaning liquid dispensed into the reaction container in the preparation step is at least one of a plurality of reagents loaded on the automatic analyzer.

3. The cleaning method according to claim 1, wherein In the cleaning step, the cleaning liquid is gradually sucked by repeating suction of a predetermined amount of the cleaning liquid and discharge of an amount smaller than the predetermined amount by the nozzle.

4. An automatic analysis device, characterized in that have: a specimen container for containing the specimen; a plurality of reagent containers containing reagents used for analyzing the specimen; a reaction container for generating a mixed solution of the sample and the reagent; and a nozzle that draws the mixed liquid from the reaction container, The cleaning liquid of the nozzle is dispensed into the reaction container, and the cleaning liquid in the reaction container is sucked and ejected through the nozzle, thereby cleaning the nozzle.

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