Automatic analyzer and photometer temperature adjustment method

Abstract

Provided is an automatic analysis device comprising an analysis module that performs an analysis operation of a specimen, and a control device that controls the analysis module, the analysis module being provided with: a light source that emits light; a photometer that measures light from the light source that has passed through a reaction solution of the specimen and the reagent; a photometer temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the photometer; the environment temperature sensor is arranged in the shell of the analysis module and is used for measuring the environment temperature of the outer side of the shell; and a heater that heats the photometer, the control device calculates the stable temperature of the photometer from the ambient temperature measured by the ambient temperature sensor on the basis of the correlation between the stable temperature of the photometer and the ambient temperature, and calculates the stable temperature of the photometer from the ambient temperature measured by the ambient temperature sensor. The heater is controlled for a predetermined period of time using the stable temperature as a target value of the photometer temperature measured by the photometer temperature sensor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an automatic analyzing device and a photometer temperature adjusting method. Background Art

[0002] In automated analyzers for samples like blood, the light source is a crucial component in determining analytical performance. Light emitted from the light source passes through a reaction solution containing a mixture of reagents and the sample, where it is split into a specific number of wavelengths by a spectrometer and measured by a photometer. To analyze target components through photometry, ensuring the stability of the light received by the photometer is crucial for ensuring analytical accuracy.

[0003] It is known that the optical system of a photometer in an automated analyzer is affected by the ambient temperature of the analyzer and the temperature of the photometer. When the analyzer is powered off, for example, heat generated by its components can cause temperature fluctuations within the analyzer housing, which houses these components. To prevent these temperature fluctuations from affecting photometry, it is important to quickly stabilize the photometer's temperature.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a method for controlling the temperature of a photometer to a constant predetermined temperature set by the user by feedback controlling a heater based on the measured temperature of the photometer. Patent Document 2 discloses a method for storing the temperature at which the optical axis in a spectroscopic chamber stabilizes as a predetermined temperature and heating the photometer to the predetermined temperature.

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-48176

[0008] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent No. 5825349 Summary of the Invention

[0009] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0010] In the techniques of Patent Documents 1 and 2, after the automatic analyzer is activated and shifted to an operating state in which photometry is repeatedly performed, the temperature control of the photometer using a heater is continued to maintain the temperature of the photometer at a predetermined temperature during photometry. However, the temperature of the photometer, which naturally converges during the operation of the automatic analyzer (hereinafter referred to as the stable temperature), varies depending on the ambient temperature of the automatic analyzer, that is, the room temperature of the room in which the automatic analyzer is installed (hereinafter referred to as the ambient temperature). Furthermore, the stable temperature also varies depending on the length of time the automatic analyzer was continuously stopped before activation.

[0011] In the techniques of Patent Documents 1 and 2, when the difference between the set temperature and the stable temperature is large, the heater is repeatedly driven, either continuously or intermittently, to control the temperature of the photometer to a set temperature different from the stable temperature of the photometer in the automatic analyzer. This increases power consumption. Furthermore, heating the photometer by driving the heater during photometry also causes optical noise. Furthermore, due to fluctuations in ambient temperature, it is difficult to stabilize the photometer temperature at the set temperature.

[0012] An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer and a method for adjusting the temperature of a photometer, which are capable of automatically controlling the temperature of a photometer to a stable temperature corresponding to a fluctuating ambient temperature.

[0013] Means for solving problems

[0014] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides an automatic analysis device, which has an analysis module that performs analysis actions on a specimen and a control device that controls the analysis module, wherein the analysis module has: a light source that emits light; a photometer that measures light from the light source that passes through a reaction solution of the specimen and a reagent; a photometer temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the photometer; an ambient temperature sensor that is arranged in a housing of the analysis module and measures the ambient temperature outside the housing; and a heater that heats the photometer, the control device calculates the stable temperature of the photometer according to the ambient temperature measured by the ambient temperature sensor based on the correlation between the stable temperature of the photometer and the ambient temperature, the control device uses the stable temperature as a target value of the photometer temperature measured by the photometer temperature sensor, and controls the heater within a predetermined predetermined period.

[0015] Effects of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, the temperature of the photometer can be automatically controlled to a stable temperature corresponding to a fluctuating ambient temperature. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram showing the overall structure of an automatic analyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an optical system and peripheral equipment of an automatic analyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the layout of environmental temperature sensors in the automatic analyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4This is a block diagram schematically showing a temperature adjustment function of a photometer of a control device included in the automatic analyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a timing chart of temperature adjustment of the photometer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing a temperature adjustment procedure of a photometer by a control device included in the automatic analyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing an example of the correlation between the stable temperature used for temperature adjustment control of the photometer of the automatic analyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention and the ambient temperature.

[0024] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the effect of the temperature adjustment function of the photometer of the automatic analyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described using the drawings.

[0026] Automatic Analyzer

[0027] Figure 1 Schematic diagram showing the overall structure of an automatic analyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 The illustrated automatic analyzing device 1 is configured to include an analyzing module 100 and a control device 200 .

[0028] The analysis module 100 is a mechanical part that performs the analysis of the sample and is equipped with various devices for performing the analysis. The light source 101 that emits light is one of the devices equipped in the analysis module 100 and is used to emit light to the reaction container 103 ( Figure 2 ) projected light. Light source 101 is configured using, for example, LED elements. There is no limit to the number of LED elements that can comprise light source 101; for example, light source 101 may include multiple LED elements having different central wavelengths. When light source 101 utilizes multiple LED elements, the amount of supplied current is individually set for each LED element.

[0029] The control device 200 is a computer that controls the analysis module 100 and includes a CPU and other computational control devices, as well as RAM, ROM, and other memories. In this embodiment, the control device 200 includes a control device 201 installed in the analysis module 100 and a control device 202 communicating with the control device 202. In addition to a monitor 203, an input device 204, such as a keyboard or mouse, is connected to the control device 202. The monitor 203 can display the processing and measurement results performed by the automatic analyzer 1. Furthermore, by operating the input device 204, the conditions for the analysis performed by the automatic analyzer 1 can be input.

[0030] For example, the control device 200 outputs an operation instruction from the control device 202 to the control device 201 based on input from the input device 204. In accordance with this operation instruction, the control device 201 controls the various devices constituting the analysis module 100, executes analysis operations in the analysis module 100, and calculates measurement data. The measurement data calculated by the analysis module 100 is transmitted to the control device 202 via the control device 201 and displayed on the monitor 203.

[0031] However, the functional division of the control devices 201 and 202 can be modified in design. In addition, a configuration can be made in which three or more control devices are connected in a communicative manner, or functions can be concentrated in a single control device. In addition, the control device 200 can include a server.

[0032] - Photometer -

[0033] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the optical system and its peripheral devices of the automatic analyzer 1. The analysis module 100 includes a photometer 110, an absorbance calculation unit 250, a photometer temperature sensor 120, an ambient temperature sensor 130, and a heater 140.

[0034] The photometer 110 is a measuring instrument that measures the light from the light source 101 that has passed through the reaction solution of the patient's specimen such as blood and urine and the reagent. The photometer 110 has, for example, a spectroscopic element 111 such as a diffraction grating, a light receiving element 112 such as a photoelectric converter, and a spectroscopic chamber 113 surrounding these spectroscopic elements 111 and light receiving elements 112. During the operation of the analysis module 100, light is irradiated from the light source 101 toward the photometer 110. For example, the light source 101 is arranged in an area radially outside the annular reaction tank 102a filled with reaction tank water (constant temperature medium), the photometer 110 is arranged in an area radially inside the annular reaction tank 102a, and the reaction tank 205 is between the light source 101 and the photometer 110. The rotating reaction disk 102 ( Figure 1) moves in the reaction tank water of the annular reaction tank 205. A reaction solution of a specimen and a reagent is placed in the reaction container 103, and light emitted from the light source 101 passes through the reaction solution and enters the photometer 110.

[0035] In the reaction solution within reaction vessel 103, the analyte's components react with the reagents, producing or consuming the photometric target substance in proportion to the concentration of the analyte's components. Of the light incident on the reaction solution, light with a wavelength corresponding to the absorption range of the photometric target substance is absorbed by the photometric target substance. Furthermore, the light that is not absorbed by the photometric target substance and passes through the reaction solution enters the concave diffraction grating, or spectrometer 111, of photometer 110. The light entering spectrometer 111 is then split into different wavelengths and enters light receiving element 112. Light receiving element 112 converts the received light into an electrical signal and outputs the electrical signal, whose intensity corresponds to the amount of received light, to absorbance calculation unit 250.

[0036] In the absorbance calculation unit 250, the absorbance is calculated based on the electrical signal input from the light receiving element 112, and the calculated absorbance is output to the control device 200 (control device 201 in this embodiment). In the control device 200, colorimetric analysis is performed based on the absorbance input from the absorbance calculation unit 250. At this time, the memory of the control device 200 stores the data of the cell blank measurement, which is obtained by dispensing cell blank water and measuring the absorbance at each wavelength of 340 to 800 nm for all reaction vessels 103 currently set on the reaction disk 102, as cell blank values. When performing the colorimetric analysis, the control device 200 compares the cell blank value with the absorbance of the reaction solution to be analyzed to correct the absorbance. The corrected absorbance is then calculated as measurement data and output to, for example, the user interface (such as the screen displayed on the monitor 203).

[0037] The photometer temperature sensor 120 is a thermometer that measures the temperature of the photometer 110. In this embodiment, the photometer temperature sensor 120 is provided inside the box-shaped spectroscopic chamber 113, for example, on the inner wall of the spectroscopic chamber 113. The temperature of the photometer 110 measured by the photometer temperature sensor 120 is output to the control device 200.

[0038] The ambient temperature sensor 130 is a thermometer installed inside the housing 107 of the analysis module 100. It measures the ambient temperature outside the housing 107, that is, the room temperature of the room in which the analysis module 100 is installed. The ambient temperature measured by the ambient temperature sensor 130 is output to the control device 200, which then calculates the stable temperature of the photometer 110 based on the ambient temperature measured by the ambient temperature sensor 130.

[0039] Heater 140 is provided in spectroscopic chamber 113 and heats, for example, the wall surface of spectroscopic chamber 113, thereby heating the entire photometer 110, including the interior of spectroscopic chamber 113. Control device 200 uses the stable temperature calculated based on the ambient temperature as the target temperature and controls heater 140 so that the temperature of photometer 110, which is subsequently measured by photometer temperature sensor 120 at any time, reaches the stable temperature.

[0040] - Ambient temperature sensor -

[0041] Figure 3 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the layout of the ambient temperature sensor 130 .

[0042] The housing 107, which forms the outer shell of the analysis module 100, is constructed to include a frame comprising multiple (e.g., four) pillars 108, and an exterior cover 109, which forms the outer wall of the analysis module 100 and is attached to the frame to block the gaps between the frames. The pillars 108 are metal pillars of the housing 107. The exterior cover 109 is a metal or resin plate-shaped member that covers the various components of the automatic analyzer 1. Both the pillars 108 and the exterior cover 109, which constitute the housing 107, are in contact with the atmosphere outside the automatic analyzer 1 and also with the atmosphere inside the housing 107.

[0043] Here, in Figure 3 In the illustrated structure, the housing 107 includes reagent cold-keeping units 104A and 104B for keeping the reagent mixed with the specimen cold and storing it; a specimen dispensing mechanism 105 for dispensing the specimen into the reaction vessel 103; and reagent dispensing mechanisms 106A and 106B for dispensing the reagent into the reaction vessel 103. Cooling water, cooled by a cooling unit, circulates through the reagent cold-keeping units 104A and 104B to keep the reagent cold. Therefore, water flows into the interior of the housing 107 from the cooling water flow paths of the reagent cold-keeping units 104A and 104B and the cold-keeping unit for storing the reagent. Furthermore, the specimen dispensing mechanism 105 and the reagent dispensing mechanisms 106A and 106B are operated by stepping motors. The stepping motors are in a standby state while energized, and therefore, generate heat during operation of the automatic analyzer 1. This heat flows from the stepping motors into the surrounding space within the housing 107. Furthermore, the presence of the exterior cover 109 isolates the temperature of the atmosphere inside the housing 107 from the atmosphere outside the automated analyzer 1, allowing the aforementioned cold air and heat to mix to create a specific temperature environment. Furthermore, the lamp holder 101a, which houses the light source 101, is mounted on the photometer 110. The reaction tank water circulating in the reaction tank 205 also circulates within the lamp holder 101a.

[0044] As the automatic analyzer 1 continues to operate, the photometer 110, located inside the housing 107, is affected by the cool air from the cooling water, the heat generated by operating components such as the stepping motor, and, further, the ambient temperature, thereby converging to the ambient temperature inside the housing 107, which exhibits complex behavior, and reaching a stable temperature. Therefore, while the stable temperature of the photometer 110 tends to be higher than the ambient temperature, it sometimes varies depending on factors such as the ambient temperature and the base temperature of the photometer 110. The base temperature of the photometer 110 varies depending on the temperature inside the housing 107 when the automatic analyzer 1 is activated. In other words, the stable temperature also varies depending on the time that power to the stepping motor and cooling unit is deactivated, that is, the length of time the automatic analyzer 1 is continuously deactivated before activation.

[0045] Therefore, the ambient temperature sensor 130 is disposed on the inner wall of the housing 107, and particularly in this embodiment, on the inner wall of the support 108 that constitutes the frame of the housing 107. The housing 107 has multiple support pillars 108, and the ambient temperature sensor 130 is disposed on the support pillar 108 closest to the photometer 110. The height position of the ambient temperature sensor 130 relative to the support pillars 108 is preferably set to correspond to the height of the photometer 110. Furthermore, the ambient temperature sensor 130 is positioned so as not to contact the photometer 110, and is positioned away from the photometer temperature sensor 120 disposed in the spectroscopic chamber 113 of the photometer 110, clearly distinguishing the measurement purpose from the photometer temperature sensor 120. Essentially, the ambient temperature sensor 130 is disposed at a location where the internal temperature of the housing 107 changes depending on the ambient temperature (i.e., a location significantly affected by the ambient temperature). In addition to the inner wall of the support pillars 108, the inner wall of the exterior cover 109 is also an example. However, the exterior cover 109 is opened, closed, or removed during maintenance of the automatic analyzer 1 , and thus the support 108 as a fixing member is preferably used as a component for installing the ambient temperature sensor 130 from the viewpoint of ease of wiring.

[0046] The outer wall of housing 107, including support pillars 108, is exposed to the atmosphere outside of automatic analyzer 1 and therefore reaches a temperature close to the ambient temperature. Therefore, although ambient temperature sensor 130 is located inside housing 107, housing 107 measures a temperature based on the ambient temperature. Furthermore, since ambient temperature sensor 130 is already located inside housing 107, the value measured by ambient temperature sensor 130 also reflects the ambient temperature inside housing 107. This allows for temperature measurement based on both fluctuations in the ambient temperature and fluctuations in the temperature within housing 107.

[0047] - Control device -

[0048] Figure 4This is a block diagram schematically illustrating the temperature adjustment function of the photometer 110 of the control device 200. As a first function, the control device 200 (e.g., the control device 201) stores the correlation between the stable temperature of the photometer 110 and the ambient temperature in a memory and, based on this correlation, calculates the stable temperature of the photometer 110 from the ambient temperature measured by the ambient temperature sensor 130 (stable temperature calculation function 210). Furthermore, as a second function, the control device 200 (e.g., the control device 201) uses the stable temperature calculated based on the ambient temperature as the target value for the temperature of the photometer 110 measured by the photometer temperature sensor 120 and controls the heater 140 for a predetermined period (heater control function 220).

[0049] This control is performed when the automatic analyzer 1 is started up from a shutdown state (power off). As described above, the temperature measured by the ambient temperature sensor 130 is affected by both the temperature of the atmosphere inside the housing 107 and the ambient temperature. For example, if the automatic analyzer 1 is left in the shutdown state for a long time, the temperature of the atmosphere inside the housing 107 of the automatic analyzer 1 converges to the ambient temperature, and the temperature measured by the ambient temperature sensor 130 is approximately equal to the ambient temperature. In contrast, when the automatic analyzer 1 is in operation (power on), the temperature inside the housing 107 fluctuates due to exhaust heat from various devices and cold air from the cooling unit. Using the temperature at startup as the base temperature, the temperature gradually rises over time immediately after startup, then stabilizes at a temperature higher than the ambient temperature after, for example, several hours have passed since the automatic analyzer 1 was started up. If the shutdown state of the automatic analyzer 1 was short before startup and the temperature inside the housing 107 has not yet converged to the ambient temperature, the temperature measured by the ambient temperature sensor 130 is measured as higher than the ambient temperature to stabilize temperature calculations.

[0050] When the automatic analyzer 1 is activated, the ambient temperature sensor 130 operates, for example, measuring the ambient temperature only once. "Only once" refers to a single occasion, meaning that the output of the ambient temperature sensor 130 is not subsequently used or reused for purposes such as feedback control. For example, this does not preclude the output of multiple measured temperatures, or their average or median value, from being output to the control device 200 during a single occasion. Upon receiving input from the ambient temperature sensor 130, the control device 200 automatically calculates the stable temperature of the photometer 110 corresponding to the temperature measured by the ambient temperature sensor 130. The photometer temperature sensor 120 then begins temperature measurement, periodically measuring the temperature of the photometer 110. The measured temperature is then input to the control device 200 at regular intervals. The control device 200 compares the temperature of the photometer 110 input from the photometer temperature sensor 120 with the stable temperature calculated based on the ambient temperature. If the temperature of the photometer temperature sensor 120 is lower than the stable temperature, the control device 200 activates the heater 140 to heat the photometer 110. If the temperature of the photometer temperature sensor 120 is higher than the stable temperature, the control device 200 deactivates the heater 140. The heater 140 is repeatedly turned on and off for a predetermined period.

[0051] - Timing diagram -

[0052] Figure 5 This is a timing chart of the temperature adjustment control of the photometer 110 by the control device 200 .

[0053] In the automatic analyzer 1 of this embodiment, the states from the off state to the state of repeatedly performing analysis operations are roughly divided into five types: "on", "off", "initialization", "standby", and "operation". "Off" is the state in which the power of the automatic analyzer 1 is off. "On" is the state in which the power of the automatic analyzer 1 is on. "Initialization" is the state in which the control device 200 is activated to confirm whether the photometer 110 can measure light. "Standby" is the standby state until the start of light measurement. "Operation" is the state in which the analysis module 100 repeatedly performs analysis operations on the specimen.

[0054] The predetermined period during which the control device 200 controls the heater 140 is a predetermined period, which is the period from the start of the analysis module 100 to the transition to the operational state. In other words, the period during which the temperature adjustment of the photometer 110 is executed is set to be completed before the transition to the operational state and does not overlap with the operational period. Figure 4 The stable temperature calculation function 210 and the heater control function 220 described above are not executed during the photometry of the photometer 110 or during the repeated photometry.

[0055] The start time of the predetermined period is the time when the control device 200 confirms that the ambient temperature sensor 130 is operating normally after startup. Specifically, after the automatic analyzer 1 transitions to the initialized state, the photometer 110's stable temperature is calculated and heater 140 control is initiated at the time when the ambient temperature sensor 130 is confirmed to be operating normally. While this depends on the order in which the abnormal / normal status of the ambient temperature sensor 130 is confirmed, it is preferred that the status of the ambient temperature sensor 130 be confirmed at the time the automatic analyzer 1 transitions to the initialized state, and heater 140 control be initiated at the time when the transition to the initialized state is substantial.

[0056] In addition, the predetermined period is a single period. That is, after the analysis module 100 is activated and before the analysis module 100 is switched to the operating state, the control device 200 drives the heater 140 only during the predetermined period, and does not drive the heater 140 in the operating state.

[0057] exist Figure 5 , an example is shown in which the control device 200 turns on the temperature adjustment function of the photometer 110 when the automatic analyzer 1 transitions to the initialization state and turns off the temperature adjustment function when the automatic analyzer 1 transitions to the operational state. Specifically, in the startup sequence of the automatic analyzer 1, the combined initialization and standby periods are set as a predetermined period for executing the temperature adjustment function of the photometer 110. However, this is not limiting. Alternatively, a configuration may be employed in which a predetermined period (e.g., 30 minutes, 1 hour, etc.) shorter than the combined initialization and standby periods is set as the predetermined period, and control of the heater 140 is completed at a timing prior to the transition of the automatic analyzer 1 to the operational state.

[0058] In addition, as described above, the control device 200 controls the heater 140 to be turned on and off during a predetermined period. Figure 5As shown, if the temperature of photometer 110 measured by photometer temperature sensor 120 is lower than the stable temperature calculated based on the ambient temperature, control device 200 turns on heater 140 to heat photometer 110. If the temperature measured by photometer temperature sensor 120 is higher than the stable temperature, heater 140 is turned off to stop heating photometer 110. Therefore, during a predetermined period, heater 140 remains on until the temperature measured by photometer temperature sensor 120 reaches the stable temperature. Once the temperature measured by photometer temperature sensor 120 reaches the stable temperature, heater 140 is turned off. When heater 140 is operating, heat is applied to photometer temperature sensor 120 and its surrounding areas. Heat from heater 140 causes the temperature of photometer temperature sensor 120 to rise, and when the temperature of photometer 110 exceeds the stable temperature, heater 140 is turned off. However, by turning off heater 140, while the temperature around photometer 110 is lower than the stable temperature of photometer 110, the heat supplied to photometer 110 diffuses to the surroundings and is transferred to the metal components supporting photometer 110. As a result, the temperature of photometer temperature sensor 120 decreases, and when it falls below the stable temperature, heater 140 is turned on again.

[0059] While the temperature adjustment function of the control device 200 is on, the heater 140 is turned on whenever the temperature of the photometer temperature sensor 120 is lower than the stable temperature, and is turned off whenever the temperature is higher than the stable temperature. Figure 5 As shown, it is assumed that heater 140 is repeatedly turned on and off. During this period, the temperature of the photometer 110 increases due to the heat dissipation from the photometer 110 and the heat generated by other equipment as the temperature of the photometer 110 rises, making it difficult for the temperature of the photometer 110 to decrease. Therefore, as the temperature of the photometer 110 converges to a stable temperature towards the end of the predetermined period, the operating interval of heater 140 may become longer.

[0060] Furthermore, while the control system turns off heater 140 when the temperature measured by photometer temperature sensor 120 reaches a stable temperature, in reality, a response delay occurs during temperature changes due to the large heat capacity of photometer 110 and heat transfer to the metal components supporting photometer 110. Therefore, the temperature of photometer 110 rises slightly even after heater 140 is turned off, then begins to decrease from a temperature slightly above the stable temperature.

[0061] -flow chart-

[0062] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing the temperature adjustment procedure of the photometer 110 by the control device 200. The control device 200 starts when the automatic analyzer 1 starts. Figure 6 process.

[0063] Step S11

[0064] When to start Figure 5 , the control device 200 first determines whether the temperature adjustment of the photometer 110 can be performed. Here, it is confirmed whether the hardware related to the temperature adjustment function of the photometer 110 is in a state where the temperature adjustment can be performed. For example, as a confirmation item, it is confirmed whether the temperature measured by the photometer temperature sensor 120 can be obtained normally (whether the input from the photometer temperature sensor 120 can be recognized), or whether the temperature measured by the photometer temperature sensor 120 is within a predetermined normal temperature range. Assume that, in the case where the input from the photometer temperature sensor 120 is not recognized, or in the case where the measured temperature input from the photometer temperature sensor 120 deviates from the normal range, Figure 6 The process cannot be executed, and the control device 200 does not execute the control of the heater 140 and ends Figure 6 In this case, the photometer 110 does not naturally converge to a stable temperature by active heating by the heater 140.

[0065] Step S12

[0066] After confirming the normal state of the photometer temperature sensor 120 in step S11 , the control device 200 inputs the measured temperature of the ambient temperature sensor 130 and calculates the stable temperature of the photometer 110 based on the input measured temperature (stable temperature calculation function 210 ).

[0067] Steps S13-S16

[0068] After calculating the stable temperature of the photometer 110, the control device 200 controls the heater 140 only for a predetermined period based on the stable temperature (heater control function 220). Specifically, the control device 200 first inputs the current temperature of the photometer 110 measured by the photometer temperature sensor 120, compares it with the stable temperature calculated in step S12, and determines whether the temperature of the photometer 110 is lower than the stable temperature (step S13). If the result of this determination is that the temperature of the photometer 110 is lower than the stable temperature, the control device 200 turns on the heater 140 to heat the photometer 110 (step S14). If the temperature of the photometer 110 is higher than the stable temperature, the heater 140 is turned off to stop heating the photometer 110 (step S15). During this period, the control device 200 determines whether the end of the predetermined period has arrived, that is, whether the transition period to operation has arrived, or whether the control device 200 has stopped heating the photometer 110 from the beginning. Figure 6 The control device 200 periodically executes the processing of steps S13-S16 repeatedly during a predetermined period, and ends the processing at the time point when the predetermined period has passed. Figure 6process.

[0069] -Stable temperature-

[0070] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing an example of the correlation between the stable temperature used for temperature adjustment control of the photometer 110 of the automatic analyzer 1 according to the present embodiment and the ambient temperature.

[0071] As described above, the control device 200 utilizes the correlation between the ambient temperature and the stable temperature to calculate the stable temperature based on the ambient temperature. Figure 7 The graph shown in FIG. 1 shows an example of the correlation between the ambient temperature and the stable temperature used by the control device 200 in calculating the stable temperature. The horizontal axis represents the ambient temperature measured by the ambient temperature sensor 130, and the vertical axis represents the stable temperature. The correlation between the stable temperature and the ambient temperature is assumed to be a relationship in which the stable temperature increases monotonically as the ambient temperature rises. Figure 7 2 shows an example in which the correlation between the ambient temperature and the stable temperature is set to a linear proportional relationship, but a curved relationship line can also be set.

[0072] exist Figure 6 In the process of step S12, the control device 200 applies the measured temperature of the ambient temperature sensor 130 to the predetermined temperature. Figure 7 The relationship between can be used to calculate the stable temperature. For example, Figure 7 As shown, when the ambient temperature is t°C, the stable temperature of the photometer 110 is calculated as a°C according to the relationship. If there are multiple analysis modules 100, this relationship can be shared by all analysis modules 100 or prepared separately for each analysis module 100. When a separate relationship is prepared for each analysis module 100, for example, during pre-shipment adjustment, the analysis module 100 can be started and stopped multiple times with varying ambient temperatures, and the output of the photometer temperature sensor 120 can be monitored to measure the stable temperature of the photometer 110. The stable temperature can then be calculated based on this measured data.

[0073] -Effect-

[0074] (1) According to this embodiment, based on the correlation between the stable temperature of the photometer 110 and the ambient temperature, the stable temperature of the photometer 110 is calculated according to the ambient temperature measured by the ambient temperature sensor 130, and the calculated stable temperature is used as the target value of the photometer temperature measured by the photometer temperature sensor 120, and the heater 140 is controlled within a predetermined period.

[0075] Figure 8 : is a diagram showing the effect of the temperature adjustment function of the photometer 110 of this embodiment. Figure 8In the graph, the horizontal axis represents time [h], and the vertical axis represents the temperature [°C] of the photometer 110. The solid line in the graph represents the temperature change of the photometer 110 when the heater 140 is controlled when the automatic analyzer 1 is turned off, that is, when the present embodiment is applied. The dashed line in the graph represents the temperature change of the photometer 110 when the heater 140 is not heated under the same conditions, that is, when the present embodiment is not applied.

[0076] Time 0 is the time when the automatic analyzer 1 transitions to the initialized state. Without this embodiment, as shown by the dotted line, the temperature of the photometer 110 gradually rises over time and eventually stabilizes (for example, after approximately three hours) to a stable temperature of b°C under these conditions.

[0077] In contrast, in this embodiment, a stable temperature of b°C is calculated based on the output of ambient temperature sensor 130, and heater 140 is continuously operated with this target. As a result, the temperature of photometer 110 rises at a steeper slope after time 0, as shown by the solid line in the graph, quickly reaching b°C. Subsequently, heater 140 is repeatedly turned on and off, causing the temperature measured by photometer temperature sensor 120 to fluctuate oscillatingly. However, the temperature fluctuation amplitude decreases over time, and the temperature of photometer 110 converges to the stable temperature of b°C earlier than shown by the dashed line (e.g., approximately one hour).

[0078] As described above, according to this embodiment, the temperature of the photometer 110 can be automatically controlled to a stable temperature corresponding to the fluctuating ambient temperature.

[0079] Furthermore, by controlling the temperature of the photometer 110 to a stable temperature corresponding to the ambient temperature, that is, a temperature that naturally converges with the passage of operating time of the automatic analyzer 1, temperature fluctuations in the photometer 110 can be suppressed even when the heater 140 is not subsequently operated. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to use the heater 140 to maintain the temperature of the photometer 110, and temperature fluctuations during photometry can be suppressed, ensuring photometry accuracy while also reducing energy consumption.

[0080] (2) Furthermore, the ambient temperature sensor 130 is provided within the housing 107 of the analysis module 100 at a location where the temperature varies depending on the ambient temperature, specifically, on the inner wall of the housing 107. Thus, the ambient temperature sensor 130 measures the ambient temperature via the housing 107, and the measured temperature also reflects the influence of the temperature of the atmosphere inside the housing 107. Therefore, it is possible to cope not only with the influence of the ambient temperature but also with fluctuations in the stable temperature caused by the length of time the analysis module is disconnected.

[0081] For example, when measuring ambient temperature, one option is to install ambient temperature sensor 130 on the outer wall of housing 107 to directly measure the ambient temperature. However, in this case, the temperature measured by ambient temperature sensor 130 is roughly consistent with the ambient temperature regardless of the ambient temperature inside housing 107, making it difficult to factor in the ambient temperature inside housing 107 in the temperature measured by ambient temperature sensor 130. For example, if the analysis module 100 is activated after a short off-time, the ambient temperature inside housing 107 has not yet dropped to the ambient temperature, and the base temperature of photometer 110 has not decreased. Therefore, the stable temperature should be calculated higher, but this is not reflected, and the stable temperature is estimated to be lower than the appropriate value. Therefore, to calculate an appropriate stable temperature, it is necessary to install a temperature sensor that measures the internal temperature of housing 107 separately from ambient temperature sensor 130 and correct the stable temperature based on this measured value. However, as mentioned above, the behavior of the temperature inside housing 107 after operation is complex and difficult to predict, and constructing a stable temperature correction algorithm is also difficult.

[0082] In contrast, in this embodiment, the ambient temperature is measured under the influence of the temperature inside the shell 107, and the temperature inside the shell 107 is reflected in the measured ambient temperature. No complicated correction processing is required, and the stable temperature corresponding to both the ambient temperature and the disconnection time can be calculated extremely simply.

[0083] Furthermore, if the ambient temperature sensor 130 is provided on the outer wall of the housing 107, the ambient temperature sensor 130 protruding from the outer wall of the automatic analyzer 1 may function as an antenna and receive radio waves, potentially affecting the photometric results. In contrast, in this embodiment, the ambient temperature sensor 130 does not protrude from the outer wall of the housing 107, eliminating this concern.

[0084] (3) In addition to providing an ambient temperature sensor 130 on the inner wall of the housing 107 to measure the ambient temperature reflecting the internal temperature of the housing 107, it is also possible to provide the ambient temperature sensor 130 on the inner wall of the exterior cover 109. However, since the exterior cover 109 is opened, closed, or removed during maintenance of the analysis module 100, it is advantageous to provide the ambient temperature sensor 130 on the inner wall of the main frame portion of the housing 107, such as the support 108, as in the present embodiment, which serves as a fixed component, taking wiring into consideration. This also reduces the impact on maintenance work.

[0085] (4) As described above, the temperature adjustment of the photometer 110 based on the control of the heater 140 is completed before the automatic analyzer 1 is transferred to the operation. As a result, the spectrometer 111 and the light receiving element 112 of the photometer 110 will not be heated by the heater 140 during the photometry, and the influence of the heating of the heater 140 on the photometry results can be suppressed. For example, if the temperature of the light receiving element 112 rises, sometimes only the sensitivity of a specific wavelength increases. In addition, the spectrometer 111 needs to be precisely adjusted in position to ensure the spectral accuracy, but if the component supporting the spectrometer 111 expands due to the influence of the heating of the heater 140, the position of the spectrometer 111 may be offset. According to this embodiment, the temperature adjustment of the photometer 110 based on the control of the heater 140 is completed before the automatic analyzer 1 is transferred to the operation, and the heater 140 is not operated in the operation state, thereby suppressing the influence on the photometry accuracy.

[0086] (5) In addition, in this embodiment, the temperature adjustment of the photometer 110 based on the control of the heater 140 is started at the time when the ambient temperature sensor 130 is confirmed to be normal after the control device 200 is activated. In this way, by starting the temperature control immediately after confirming that the ambient temperature sensor 130 is normal, the temperature of the photometer 110 can be brought to a stable temperature as quickly as possible, and the reliability of maintaining the temperature of the photometer 110 at a stable temperature for a predetermined period can be improved.

[0087] (6) In this embodiment, after the analysis module 100 is started and before it shifts to the operating state, the temperature control of the photometer 110 using the heater 140 is performed only once ( Figure 6 By limiting the opportunity to control heater 140 to before an operation complicating the behavior of the internal temperature of housing 107, control can be simplified. Furthermore, as described above, based on the ambient temperature and the internal temperature of housing 107 at that point in time, even without heating using heater 140, it is possible to estimate the stable temperature of photometer 110, which has converged. Photometer 110 can then be heated to this stable temperature. Consequently, even after analysis module 100 transitions to an operational state, the temperature of photometer 110 can be stabilized without controlling heater 140. Temperature adjustment of photometer 110 using heater 140 only needs to be performed once, before the operation. Furthermore, heater 140 is not operated while analysis module 100 is in operation, thus reducing energy consumption as described above.

[0088] (7) In addition, the heater 140 is controlled on / off. As described above, the ambient temperature inside the housing 107 is difficult to predict due to the mixture of cold air and exhaust heat and the influence of the ambient temperature. If the heater 140 is to be controlled with variable output, parameter setting is difficult. In this regard, the on / off control algorithm is simple and can stably converge the temperature of the photometer 110 to the target temperature. In addition, after the analysis module 100 is activated, the heater 140 first operates continuously until the temperature of the photometer 110 reaches the target stable temperature, so the temperature of the photometer 110 quickly reaches the stable temperature.

[0089] However, in addition to obtaining the above-mentioned essential effect (1), the heater 140 may be configured to perform variable output control based on the difference between the temperature measured by the photometer temperature sensor 120 and the stable temperature, for example, instead of the on / off control.

[0090] (8) A configuration is provided in which both the photometer temperature sensor 120 and the heater 140 are disposed within the spectroscopic chamber 113 of the photometer 110, measuring the overall temperature of the photometer 110 and heating the entire photometer 110. As described above, thermal fluctuations can have a complex impact not only on the sensitivity of the light-receiving element 11 but also on the accuracy of the optical path of the spectroscopic element 111 and other components. Therefore, it is preferable to monitor and adjust the overall temperature of the photometer 110 rather than measuring and adjusting the temperature of a specific component. This aspect can be addressed in accordance with the present embodiment.

[0091] - Modifications -

[0092] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can include various variations. For example, the above embodiments are described in detail to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not limited to having all the structures described. Part of the structure can be replaced with another structure. In addition, part of the structure of the embodiment can be deleted or other structures can be added.

[0093] For example, it is explained that Figure 6 The process is applied to the example of starting the analysis module 100, but for example, when there is a specific maintenance that needs to be performed in a state where the temperature of the photometer 110 is stable, it can also be applied during such maintenance. Figure 6 process.

[0094] Description of Reference Numerals

[0095] 1...automatic analyzer, 100...analyzing module, 101...light source, 107...housing, 108...column (frame), 110...photometer, 111...spectrometric element, 112...light receiving element, 113...spectrometric chamber, 120...photometer temperature sensor, 130...ambient temperature sensor, 140...heater, 200...control device.

Claims

1. An automatic analyzer comprising an analysis module for performing analysis of a sample and a control device for controlling the analysis module, wherein: The analysis module has: a light source, which emits light; a photometer for measuring light from the light source that has passed through the reaction solution of the specimen and the reagent; a photometer temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the photometer; an ambient temperature sensor, disposed in the housing of the analysis module, for measuring the ambient temperature outside the housing; as well as a heater for heating the photometer, The control device calculates the stable temperature of the photometer according to the ambient temperature measured by the ambient temperature sensor based on the correlation between the stable temperature of the photometer and the ambient temperature. The control device controls the heater within a predetermined period determined in advance, using the stable temperature as a target value of the photometer temperature measured by the photometer temperature sensor.

2. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that The ambient temperature sensor is arranged on the inner wall of the shell.

3. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that The ambient temperature sensor is provided on a frame constituting the housing.

4. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that The ambient temperature sensor is provided at a position where the temperature changes according to the ambient temperature.

5. The automatic analysis device according to claim 2, characterized in that The photometer temperature sensor is disposed in the spectroscopic chamber of the photometer and is separated from the ambient temperature sensor.

6. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that The predetermined period is a period from when the analysis module is activated until the analysis module transitions to an operating state in which the analysis module repeatedly performs the analysis operation of the sample.

7. The automatic analysis device according to claim 6, characterized in that The predetermined period is a period starting from the time when the normal operation of the ambient temperature sensor is confirmed after the control device is activated.

8. The automatic analysis device according to claim 6, characterized in that The predetermined period is a single period, The control device drives the heater only once for the predetermined period after the analysis module is activated and before shifting to the operating state.

9. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that The control device performs on-off control of the heater.

10. The automatic analysis device according to claim 9, characterized in that The control device turns on the heater if the temperature measured by the photometer temperature sensor is lower than the stable temperature, and turns off the heater if the temperature measured by the photometer temperature sensor is higher than the stable temperature.

11. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that The correlation between the stable temperature and the ambient temperature is a relationship in which the stable temperature increases monotonically as the ambient temperature rises.

12. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that The photometer comprises a spectroscopic element, a light receiving element and a spectroscopic chamber surrounding them. The photometer temperature sensor is disposed in the spectroscopic chamber.

13. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that The photometer comprises a spectroscopic element, a light receiving element and a spectroscopic chamber surrounding them. The heater is provided in the spectroscopic chamber and heats the spectroscopic chamber.

14. A method for adjusting the temperature of a photometer provided in an automatic analyzer, the automatic analyzer comprising an analysis module for performing an analysis operation on a specimen and a control device for controlling the analysis module, wherein: A heater is provided to heat the photometer. measuring the ambient temperature outside the housing of the analysis module within the housing, Based on the correlation between the stable temperature of the photometer and the ambient temperature, the stable temperature of the photometer is calculated according to the ambient temperature. The temperature of the photometer is adjusted by controlling the heater within a predetermined period determined in advance using the stable temperature as a target value.

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