Automatic analysis device and automatic analysis method

Abstract

The present invention is provided with: a sample dispensing mechanism (20) having a dispensing probe (21) for discharging a liquid into a reaction container (31); and an analysis control unit (2) that controls the operation of the sample dispensing mechanism (20), the analysis control unit (2) controlling the sample dispensing mechanism (20) such that the tip of the dispensing probe (21) is immersed in the liquid after the discharge of the second liquid is completed when the second liquid is further discharged in a state in which the first liquid is accommodated in the reaction container (31). As a result, provided are an automatic analysis device and an automatic analysis method that can reduce contamination caused by liquid adhesion on the tip surface of the probe compared to the prior art, and that can stabilize the amount of liquid discharged.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] As automatic analysis devices for analyzing components of a patient's blood, urine, spinal fluid, etc., there are biochemical automatic analysis devices that measure the amount of transmitted light or scattered light obtained by irradiating light onto a reaction solution between a specimen and a reagent, and immunological automatic analysis devices that allow a reagent to which a marker is attached to react with a specimen to measure the amount of luminescent light of the marker.

[0003] In these automatic analyzers, a technique for preventing the liquid from adhering to the surface of the distal end of a dispensing probe when the liquid sucked by the dispensing probe is ejected into a reaction container is disclosed (see Patent Document 1).

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 5222771 Summary of the Invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, the gap between the bottom of the reaction container and the tip of the probe is kept constant during sample dispensing, and the probe is raised while dispensing. This reduces sample adhesion to the side of the probe and improves dispensing accuracy.

[0009] On the other hand, in the technology of Patent Document 1, the tip of the probe is ejected without being immersed in the liquid surface. Therefore, if the specimen cannot be completely ejected, the probe can be raised with the probe, especially a part of its tip, attached. Therefore, it is clear that there is room for more accurate micro-injection.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analysis device and an automatic analysis method that can reduce contamination caused by liquid adhesion to the tip surface of a probe and stabilize the liquid discharge amount compared to conventional methods.

[0011] Means for solving problems

[0012] The present invention includes multiple means for solving the above-mentioned problems. One example is: a dispensing mechanism having a probe for spraying liquid into a container; and a control unit that controls the operation of the dispensing mechanism. When the container contains a first liquid and further sprays a second liquid, the control unit controls the dispensing mechanism so that the front end of the probe is immersed in the liquid after the spraying of the second liquid is completed.

[0013] Effects of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, compared with the prior art, contamination caused by liquid adhesion on the probe tip surface can be reduced, and the liquid discharge amount can be further stabilized. Other problems, structures, and effects than those described above will become clear from the following description of the embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

[0016] Figure 2 This is a block diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of the automatic analyzer of Example 1.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a diagram schematically showing the structure of a dispensing mechanism of the automatic analyzer of Example 1.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the flow of analysis operations in the automatic analyzer of Example 1.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the sample dispensing operation in the automatic analyzer of Example 1.

[0020] Figure 6 This is a diagram schematically showing the operation of the dispensing probe during the second stage of sample dispensing in the sample dispensing mechanism of the automatic analyzer of Example 1.

[0021] Figure 7 This is a diagram schematically showing the operation of the dispensing probe during the second stage of sample dispensing in the sample dispensing mechanism of the automatic analyzer of Example 1.

[0022] Figure 8 This is a diagram schematically showing the operation of the dispensing probe during the second stage of sample dispensing in the sample dispensing mechanism of the automatic analyzer of Example 1.

[0023] Figure 9 This is a diagram schematically showing the operation of the dispensing probe during the second stage of sample dispensing in the sample dispensing mechanism of the automatic analyzer of Example 1.

[0024] Figure 10 This is a diagram schematically showing the operation of the dispensing probe during the second stage of sample dispensing in the sample dispensing mechanism of the automatic analyzer of Example 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the automatic analysis device and the automatic analysis method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] In the drawings used in this specification, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions of these components may be omitted.

[0027] In addition, in the following embodiments, the structural elements (including element steps, etc.) are of course not essential unless otherwise specified or unless they are clearly considered to be essential in principle.

[0028] Furthermore, the embodiments described below are merely examples, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, features illustrated or described in one exemplary embodiment may be combined with features of other embodiments.

[0029] <Example 1>

[0030] use Figures 1 to 9 A description will be given of Example 1 of the automatic analysis device and the automatic analysis method of the present invention.

[0031] First, use Figures 1 to 3 The structure of the automatic analyzer will be described. Figure 1 This is a top view schematically showing the structure of the automatic analyzer. Figure 2 This is a block diagram schematically showing the overall structure of the automatic analyzer. Figure 3 This is a diagram schematically showing the structure of the dispensing mechanism.

[0032] like Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown, the automatic analyzer 10 of this embodiment mainly includes an analysis unit 1 that analyzes a liquid sample and an analysis control unit 2 that controls the operation of each mechanism of the analysis unit 1 .

[0033] The analysis unit 1 includes a sample dispensing mechanism 20 , a sample holding unit 12 , a reaction disk 34 , a reagent dispensing mechanism 40 , a reagent holding unit 42 , a measuring unit 39 , a cleaning mechanism 38 , and the like.

[0034] The specimen holding unit 12 is constructed to hold a plurality of specimen containers 11 in a circular pattern, each containing specimens to be analyzed during the analysis process. The specimen holding unit 12 is rotatable and has a disc-like shape. The specimen holding unit 12 rotates to transport the specimen containers 11 to be dispensed to the specimen aspiration position 13 of the specimen dispensing mechanism 20.

[0035] Furthermore, the specimen holding portion 12 can be configured so that two specimen holding portions 12 can be physically replaced for use. The two specimen holding portions 12 can be replaced alternately, or specimens can be added or replaced midway through a small window provided in the specimen holding portion 12. However, the apparatus does not need to be set up by the user, and may be transported using a transport mechanism or the like. Furthermore, the apparatus is not limited to a tray method in which specimen containers are transported by a rotational motion as shown in the figure, and may also be a rack method in which multiple specimen containers are transported collectively.

[0036] The reaction disk 34 holds a plurality of reaction containers 31 for performing reactions and measurements. The reaction disk 34 is rotatable and has a disc shape. The reaction containers 31 contain a mixed solution obtained by mixing and reacting a sample and a reagent.

[0037] The specimen dispensing mechanism 20 aspirates the specimen from the specimen container 11 transported to the specimen aspiration position 13 by the specimen holding portion 12 . The specimen dispensing mechanism 20 then dispenses the aspirated specimen into the reaction container 31 held on the reaction disk 34 .

[0038] like Figure 3 As shown, the sample dispensing mechanism 20 is composed of a dispensing probe 21 , a dispensing arm 22 , and a vertical rotation operation unit 23 .

[0039] The dispensing probe 21 is attached to one end of a dispensing arm 22 , and the dispensing arm 22 is connected to the dispensing probe 21 and the vertical rotation operation unit 23 .

[0040] The vertical rotation operation unit 23 has a two-axis moving mechanism for vertical movement (vertical direction) and rotation. The dispensing probe 21 can be moved up and down and rotated by the vertical rotation operation unit 23. Thus, the dispensing mechanism can move to the specimen container 11 at the specimen suction position to suck the specimen, and to the specimen discharge position provided with the reaction container 31 to discharge the sucked specimen. In addition, the dispensing mechanism cleaning unit 14 (see Figure 1 The movement of the vertical rotation operation unit 23 is controlled by the analysis control unit 2.

[0041] The dispensing passage 24 passes through the dispensing mechanism within the dispensing arm 22 and the vertical rotation unit 23. The dispensing probe 21 is connected to a cylinder 25 via the dispensing passage 24 located within the dispensing arm 22. The cylinder 25 includes a plunger 26 and a plunger drive unit 27, and is connected to a water supply pump 29 via a valve 28.

[0042] The sample dispensing mechanism 20 performs suction and ejection operations by the up-and-down (reciprocating) motion of a plunger 26 fixed to a cylinder 25. Working fluid (e.g., pure water, also known as system water) is supplied from the tip of the dispensing probe 21 to the cylinder 25 and the water supply pump 29 via the dispensing flow path 24.

[0043] Furthermore, the sample dispensing mechanism 20 is not limited to the configuration in which it approaches each position by a rotational motion as shown in the figure, but may also be a configuration in which it approaches each position by a linear motion.

[0044] The dispensing mechanism cleaning unit 14 is used to clean the inner and outer walls of the tip of the dispensing probe 21 of the sample dispensing mechanism 20. It includes a nozzle for supplying cleaning liquid to clean the outer wall of the dispensing probe 21 and a flow path for discarding the cleaning water. A vacuum tank is also located nearby for vacuum drying the wetted tip of the probe.

[0045] The reagent holder 42 stores multiple reagent containers 41 containing reagents used in the analysis process, reacting in the reaction vessel 31. The reagent holder 42 includes a reagent tray and a reagent container holder (both omitted for ease of illustration). The reagent holder 42 has a cooling function to improve the stability of the reagents on board. Each reagent container 41 is filled with reagents for mixing and reacting with the specimen, as well as reagents and detergents required for pre-analysis treatment.

[0046] In the case of a disk type, the reagent holding unit 42 rotates before reagent dispensing to transport the appropriate reagent container to the reagent aspiration position, thereby allowing the reagent dispensing mechanism 40 to aspirate the reagent required for analysis. The reagent container 41 may also be composed of a plurality of different reagent bottles.

[0047] The reagent dispensing mechanism 40 dispenses the reagent or detergent filled in the reagent container 41 into the reaction container 31 held on the reaction disk 34. The reagent dispensing mechanism 40 dispenses the reagent or detergent at predetermined timings during the analysis, pretreatment, and cleaning steps. Its structure is substantially the same as that of the sample dispensing mechanism 20.

[0048] The measuring unit 39 measures the concentration of the substance being measured from the mixture of the sample and reagent in the reaction vessel 31, either in progress or after completion of the reaction. The measurement method may involve measuring transmitted light or measuring luminescence intensity, depending on the substance being measured. The number of measurement methods is not limited to one, and may be two or more.

[0049] The cleaning mechanism 38 is composed of a spray nozzle for spraying cleaning water and detergent, a suction nozzle for sucking the reaction liquid, etc. The cleaning mechanism 38 cleans the reaction container 31 with cleaning water and detergent.

[0050] The analysis control unit 2 is electrically connected to the various mechanisms of the analysis unit 1 and controls the operation of the various mechanisms of the analysis unit 1, including the sample dispensing mechanism 20. The analysis control unit 2 can be configured, for example, by a computer having a display device 3 such as a liquid crystal display, a memory 4 such as a hard disk or external memory, an A / D converter 5, an interface 6, an input device such as a keyboard 7, a CPU 8, and the like. The analysis control unit 2 can be configured by a single computer or by other computers without particular limitation.

[0051] In this embodiment, the analysis control unit 2 controls the operation of the sample dispensing mechanism 20 so that when the second liquid is further ejected in a state where the first liquid is contained in the reaction container 31, the front end of the dispensing probe 21 is immersed in the liquid after the ejection of the second liquid is completed. In addition, the sample dispensing mechanism 20 can be controlled so that when the ejection of the second liquid starts, the front end of the dispensing probe 21 ejects the second liquid from a position vertically above the liquid surface. Furthermore, when the first liquid is ejected into the reaction container 31, the sample dispensing mechanism 20 can be controlled so that after the ejection of the first liquid is completed, the front end of the dispensing probe 21 is immersed in the liquid. The details will be described later.

[0052] The CPU 8 transmits commands to the analysis control unit 2 and other components, controlling the operation of each mechanism. Furthermore, the A / D-converted data (photometric values) obtained from the analysis unit 1 via the A / D converter 5 is retrieved by the CPU 8. The CPU 8 performs computations using the retrieved data (photometric values). In other words, the CPU 8 can control the various mechanisms of the analysis unit 1 via the analysis control unit 2 and perform computations on the data.

[0053] The memory 4 as a recording device and the keyboard 7 for inputting operation instructions etc. are connected to the interface 6. The memory 4 records information such as analysis parameters, analysis item requests, calibration results, and analysis results.

[0054] Analysis and control unit 2 controls the operation of each device according to various programs stored in the storage device. Furthermore, the control processing of the operations performed by analysis and control unit 2 may be integrated into a single program, divided into multiple programs, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, a program may be partially or entirely implemented using dedicated hardware or modularized.

[0055] The display device 3 includes a user interface such as a touch panel display, and receives information output to the user and various inputs from the user.

[0056] The above is the configuration of the automatic analyzer 10 according to this embodiment.

[0057] In such an automatic analyzer 10 , the measuring unit 39 measures coloration, luminescence, etc. caused by the reaction between the target component in the sample and the reagent, and the analysis control unit 2 calculates the concentration of the target component in the sample through arithmetic processing.

[0058] In addition, the structure of the automatic analyzer 10 is not limited to Figure 2 The single analysis module configuration shown above may be configured such that two or more analysis modules capable of measuring various identical or different analysis items and pre-processing modules that perform pre-processing are connected by a transport device.

[0059] Next, use Figure 4 The following drawings illustrate the characteristic structure and operation of this embodiment.

[0060] In the following description, the case where both the first liquid and the second liquid are the specimen is described, but one or more of the first liquid and the second liquid may be a different liquid than the specimen. Furthermore, the case where the ejection amount of the first liquid and the second liquid is the same is described, but the ejection amount of either liquid may be greater than the other.

[0061] First, use Figure 4 A series of analysis operations (operations of dispensing a sample, mixing reagents, reacting them, measuring absorbance, and determining concentration) in the automatic analyzer 10 described above will be described.

[0062] The user puts a sample into a sample container 11 such as a test tube and places it in the sample holding portion 12. The user instructs the user to perform an analysis on the sample through the keyboard 7 and starts the measurement.

[0063] ( Figure 4 : Step S01: Preparatory action)

[0064] Upon receiving an analysis start command signal from the CPU 8 via the interface 6 , the analysis control unit 2 rotates the sample holder 12 in the analysis unit 1 to transport the sample container 11 to a proximity position (sample aspiration position 13 ) of the sample dispensing mechanism 20 .

[0065] ( Figure 4 : Step S02: Sample aliquoting)

[0066] Next, the analysis control unit 2 moves the sample dispensing mechanism 20 to the sample aspiration position 13 through rotational and vertical movement, aspirating the sample from the sample container 11 into the dispensing probe 21. After the sample is aspirated, the analysis control unit 2 moves the sample dispensing mechanism 20 to the reaction container 31 set at the sample discharge position through vertical and rotational movement, dispensing a predetermined amount of the sample. Details of this operation will be described later.

[0067] ( Figure 4 : Step S03: Reagent injection and stirring)

[0068] The analysis control unit 2 rotates and moves the reaction container 31, after dispensing a predetermined amount of sample, to the reagent dispensing position. Furthermore, the analysis control unit 2 controls the reagent dispensing mechanism 40 to aspirate a predetermined amount of reagent from the reagent container 41 and dispense it into the reaction container 31. Multiple reagents are dispensed depending on the measurement item. In this case, this reagent dispensing operation is repeated as appropriate. The sample and reagent then react within the reaction container 31.

[0069] ( Figure 4 : Step S04: measurement and discard)

[0070] After stirring the reaction solution, the measurement unit 39 measures the color and luminescence signal values ​​of the mixed solution in the reaction vessel 31 at a predetermined position and timing within the automated analyzer 10. The measured signal values ​​are then processed within the analysis control unit 2 to calculate the concentration of the target component as the measurement result. Furthermore, the analysis control unit 2 uses the cleaning mechanism 38 to clean the reaction vessel 31 after the measurement, as needed, in preparation for the next analysis.

[0071] Figure 5 Yes Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating a more detailed flow of sample aliquoting in step S02.

[0072] ( Figure 5 : Step S0201: Probe cleaning and drying)

[0073] Before entering the sample dispensing, the analysis control unit 2 uses rotational motion and up and down motion to move the sample dispensing mechanism 20 to the dispensing mechanism cleaning unit 14, and uses cleaning water to clean the inner and outer walls of the dispensing probe 21. After cleaning, in order to dry the cleaning water attached to the inner and outer walls of the dispensing probe 21, vacuum drying is performed. At this time, the analysis control unit 2 uses the sample dispensing mechanism 20 to suck air in the air, forming an air layer at the front end of the dispensing probe 21. This air layer is to prevent the system water 201 in the dispensing flow path from being filled from the front end of the dispensing probe 21 (refer to Figure 6 etc.) is mixed with the specimen subsequently sucked from the specimen container 11 in the dispensing probe 21.

[0074] ( Figure 5 : Step S0202: Suction of specimen (first stage)

[0075] When the analysis control unit 2 moves the sample dispensing mechanism 20 to the sample suction position 13 by rotating and moving up and down, a predetermined amount of sample is sucked from the sample container 11 into the dispensing probe 21. At this time, the sample, air layer and system water 201 are maintained in the dispensing probe 21. Figure 6 As shown, the liquids in the dispensing probes 21 have a positional relationship of a specimen, an air layer, and system water 201 in this order from the distal end side of the dispensing probes 21 toward the upper side in the vertical direction.

[0076] ( Figure 5 : Step S0203: Ejecting the specimen (first stage)

[0077] After the sample is aspirated, the analysis control unit 2 moves the sample dispensing mechanism 20 to the reaction container 31 positioned at the sample dispensing position through vertical and rotational motion, dispensing a predetermined amount of the sample. If the dispensed sample volume meets the analytical requirements, the process proceeds to step S0206, which involves cleaning and drying the probe.

[0078] On the other hand, when the set sample volume exceeds the volume that can be ejected at one time by the dispensing probe 21 and does not satisfy the sample volume required for analysis, the process proceeds to the second stage of sample aspiration in step S0204.

[0079] ( Figure 5 : Step S0204: Suction of specimen (second stage)

[0080] The analysis control unit 2 moves the sample dispensing mechanism 20 again to the same sample aspirating position as in the first stage, and aspirates the remaining amount of the sample from the sample container into the dispensing probe 21 .

[0081] ( Figure 5 : Step S0205: Ejecting the specimen (second stage)

[0082] After the sample is aspirated, the analysis control unit 2 moves the sample dispensing mechanism 20 to the reaction container 31 in the same manner as in the first-stage sample discharge, and discharges the remaining amount of the sample.

[0083] ( Figure 5 : Step S0206: Probe cleaning and drying)

[0084] After the sample is ejected, the analysis control unit 2 moves the sample dispensing mechanism 20 to the dispensing mechanism cleaning unit 14 by rotation and vertical motion, and cleans and dries the inner and outer walls of the distal end of the dispensing probe 21 in the same manner as step S0201.

[0085] Figures 6 to 9 This is a diagram schematically showing the operation of the dispensing probe 21 when the sample dispensing mechanism 20 performs the second stage of sample dispensing in the first embodiment. Figures 6 to 9 right Figure 5 The operation of the dispensing probe 21 in steps S0205 to S0206 will be described. Figures 6 to 91 and 2 sequentially show the temporal flow of the operation during the ejection, and each diagram schematically shows the state of the ejection at each elapsed time.

[0086] like Figure 6 As shown, the analysis control unit 2 lowers the dispensing probe 21 into the reaction container 31. The height of the dispensing probe 21 when it is lowered in this embodiment can be either a height where it is immersed in the specimen solution ejected in the first stage in the reaction container 31, or a height where it is not immersed in the specimen solution ejected in the first stage in the reaction container 31, but it is necessary to control the specimen dispensing mechanism 20 so that the front end of the dispensing probe 21 is immersed in the specimen after the specimen is ejected. At this time, it is preferred to control the specimen dispensing mechanism 20 so that the immersion depth Da from the start of the specimen ejection to the completion of the ejection is shorter than a specified length. The specified length can be set to a length Db that can be cleaned by the dispensing mechanism cleaning unit 14 (cleaning range Db, refer to the later-described Figure 9 )short.

[0087] Preferably, the analysis control unit 2 controls the sample dispensing mechanism 20 so that, when the sample is discharged, the tip of the dispensing probe 21 discharges the sample vertically above the liquid level of the previously discharged sample.

[0088] like Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 2 , the analysis control unit 2 then starts the dispensing operation. The sample is discharged from the tip of the dispensing probe 21 .

[0089] For example, the tip of the dispensing probe 21 is immersed in the sample solution after discharge, and the dispensing probe 21 is lowered in advance in operation (a) so that its depth Da is shorter than the cleaning range Db of the dispensing probe 21. Preferably, Da is shorter than Db by at least 1 mm.

[0090] like Figure 8 As shown, the analysis control unit 2 raises the sample dispensing mechanism 20 after sample dispensing has finished, allowing the tip of the dispensing probe 21 to clear the liquid surface. At the end of sample dispensing, the tip of the dispensing probe 21 rises from its position immersed in the liquid surface, allowing any sample adhering to the tip of the dispensing probe 21 to remain in the liquid within the reaction vessel 31, improving liquid separation compared to conventional methods. This allows for more stable liquid dispensing compared to conventional methods.

[0091] like Figure 9 As shown, the analysis control unit 2 then moves the sample dispensing mechanism 20 to the dispensing mechanism cleaning unit 14, and cleans the sample adhering to the inner wall of the front end of the dispensing probe 21 by squeezing out the system water inside the dispensing probe 21. The cleaning water supplied from the dispensing mechanism cleaning unit 14 is ejected so as to fall within the cleaning range Db, thereby cleaning the sample adhering to the outer wall of the front end of the dispensing probe 21.

[0092] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0093] The automatic analysis device 10 of the above-mentioned embodiment 1 of the present invention has: a sample dispensing mechanism 20, which has a dispensing probe 21 that sprays liquid into the reaction container 31; and an analysis control unit 2, which controls the operation of the sample dispensing mechanism 20. The analysis control unit 2 further sprays the second liquid when the reaction container 31 contains the first liquid. In this case, the sample dispensing mechanism 20 is controlled so that the front end of the dispensing probe 21 is immersed in the liquid after the spraying of the second liquid is completed.

[0094] This prevents residual solution from being ejected, thereby stabilizing the amount of solution ejected and reducing contamination of the distal end surface of the dispensing probe 21 by the solution. This control achieves greater benefits as the diameter of the dispensing probe 21 is smaller, since the amount of liquid sucked in decreases, i.e., the effect of residual liquid on the surface increases.

[0095] In addition, the analysis control unit 2 also has: a dispensing mechanism cleaning unit 14, which controls the specimen dispensing mechanism 20 so that the immersion depth Da from the start of the ejection of the second liquid to the completion of the ejection is shorter than the specified length. More specifically, it cleans the outside of the dispensing probe 21, and the specified length is set to be shorter than the length Db that can be cleaned by the dispensing mechanism cleaning unit 14. Therefore, there is no need to worry about cleaning residues, and the problem of crossing over the specimen can be more reliably suppressed.

[0096] In addition, the analysis control unit 2 controls the sample dispensing mechanism 20 so that when the second liquid starts to be ejected, the front end of the dispensing probe 21 ejects the second liquid from a position vertically above the liquid surface. In this way, the possibility of the first liquid contacting the dispensing probe 21 when the second liquid is ejected can be minimized.

[0097] In addition, when the analysis control unit 2 sprays the first liquid into the reaction container 31, it controls the sample dispensing mechanism 20 so that the front end of the dispensing probe 21 is immersed in the first liquid after the spraying of the first liquid is completed. This can also prevent the sprayed solution from remaining, thereby stabilizing the solution spraying amount and reducing the contamination of the front end surface of the dispensing probe 21 caused by the solution.

[0098] In addition, it also has: a dispensing mechanism cleaning part 14, which cleans the outside of the dispensing probe 21. The analysis control part 2 controls the sample dispensing mechanism 20 so that the immersion depth from the start of the ejection of the first liquid to the completion of the ejection is shorter than the length Db that can be cleaned by the dispensing mechanism cleaning part 14. Therefore, there is no need to worry about cleaning residues, and the problem of crossing over the sample can be more reliably suppressed.

[0099] <Example 2>

[0100] use Figure 10An automatic analysis device and an automatic analysis method according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0101] In this embodiment, the analysis control unit 2 controls the dispensing probe 21 to descend a first distance from its initial position when the total volume of the first and second liquids is less than a first volume. When the total volume of the first and second liquids is greater than the first volume, the analysis control unit 2 controls the dispensing probe 21 to descend a second distance from its initial position that is less than the first distance. This is described in detail below.

[0102] During the second stage of sample discharge, the analysis control unit 2 controls the descending height of the dispensing probe 21 based on the sum of the sample amounts discharged in the first and second stages.

[0103] For example, Figure 10 As shown, when the sample 203 ejected in the first and second stages is less than the first amount, the analysis control unit 2 controls the dispensing probe 21 to descend by the first distance.

[0104] On the other hand, when the amount is greater than the first amount and less than the second amount, control is performed so that Figure 10 As shown, the dispensing probe 21 is lowered by a second distance shorter than the first distance.

[0105] Furthermore, when the amount of the specimen 203 ejected in the first and second stages is larger than the second amount, a multi-stage setting is also considered.

[0106] The other structures and operations are substantially the same as those of the automatic analysis device and the automatic analysis method of the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0107] The automatic analysis device and the automatic analysis method according to the second embodiment of the present invention can also achieve substantially the same effects as those of the automatic analysis device and the automatic analysis method according to the first embodiment.

[0108] Furthermore, when the sum of the volumes of the first and second liquids is less than the first volume, the analysis control unit 2 controls the dispensing probe 21 to descend a first distance from its initial position. When the sum of the volumes of the first and second liquids is greater than the first volume, the analysis control unit 2 controls the dispensing probe 21 to descend a second distance from its initial position that is less than the first distance. This prevents the dispensing probe 21 from being immersed in the sample to a depth exceeding the cleaning range, for example, when a large amount of sample is dispensed. Consequently, a wider range of dispensing volumes can be accommodated.

[0109] <Example 3>

[0110] An automatic analysis device and an automatic analysis method according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0111] In this embodiment, the analysis control unit 2 controls the sample dispensing mechanism 20 so as to raise the dispensing probe 21 during the period from the start of discharging the second liquid to the completion of discharging.

[0112] In this embodiment, Figure 5 During the sample ejection (second stage) of step S0205 , the analysis control unit 2 performs control so as to raise the dispensing probe 21 while the ejection operation is continued.

[0113] Specifically, the analysis control unit 2 controls the dispensing probe 21 so that the depth Da of the tip immersed in the solution does not increase over time as the liquid level rises due to sample discharge. However, the tip of the dispensing probe 21 remains immersed in the solution after discharge is completed.

[0114] In addition, Figure 5 During the specimen discharge in step S0203 (the first stage, from the start of specimen discharge to the completion of discharge), the specimen dispensing mechanism 20 can be controlled to raise the dispensing probe 21.

[0115] The other structures and operations are substantially the same as those of the automatic analysis apparatus and the automatic analysis method in the first or second embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0116] The automatic analysis device and the automatic analysis method according to the third embodiment of the present invention can also achieve substantially the same effects as those of the automatic analysis device and the automatic analysis method according to the first embodiment.

[0117] Furthermore, the analysis control unit 2 controls the sample dispensing mechanism 20 to raise the dispensing probe 21 from the start to the completion of the second liquid discharge, thereby minimizing the length of the tip of the dispensing probe 21 contaminated by the sample.

[0118] <Other>

[0119] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes various modifications. The above-described embodiments are examples described in detail to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to having all the described configurations.

[0120] Furthermore, a portion of the structure of one embodiment may be replaced with a structure of another embodiment, or a structure of another embodiment may be added to a structure of one embodiment. In addition, a portion of the structure of each embodiment may be added, deleted, or replaced with another structure.

[0121] Description of Reference Numerals

[0122] 1: Analysis Department

[0123] 2: Analysis and Control Department

[0124] 3: Display device

[0125] 4: Memory

[0126] 5: A / D converter

[0127] 6: Interface

[0128] 7: Keyboard

[0129] 8: CPU

[0130] 10: Automatic analysis device

[0131] 11: Sample container

[0132] 12: Sample holding unit

[0133] 13: Specimen suction position

[0134] 14: Dispensing mechanism cleaning part (cleaning tank)

[0135] 20: Sample dispensing mechanism

[0136] 21: Dispensing probe

[0137] 22: Dispensing arm

[0138] 23: Up and down rotation action part

[0139] 24: Dispensing flow path

[0140] 25: Cylinder

[0141] 26: Plunger

[0142] 27: Plunger drive unit

[0143] 28: Valve

[0144] 29: Water supply pump

[0145] 31: Reaction vessel (container)

[0146] 34: Reaction disk

[0147] 38: Cleaning mechanism

[0148] 39: Measurement Department

[0149] 40: Reagent dispensing mechanism

[0150] 41: Reagent container

[0151] 42: Reagent holding unit

[0152] 201: System Water

[0153] 203: Specimens ejected in the first and second stages.

Claims

1. An automatic analysis device, characterized in that have: a dispensing mechanism having a probe for ejecting liquid into the container; and a control unit that controls the operation of the dispensing mechanism; When the second liquid is further discharged while the first liquid is contained in the container, the control unit controls the dispensing mechanism so that the tip of the probe is immersed in the liquid after the discharge of the second liquid is completed.

2. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that The control unit controls the dispensing mechanism so that an immersion depth of the second liquid from the start of discharge to the completion of discharge is shorter than a predetermined length.

3. The automatic analysis device according to claim 2, characterized in that The automatic analyzer further comprises: a cleaning tank for cleaning the outer side of the probe; The predetermined length is set to be shorter than a length that can be cleaned in the cleaning tank.

4. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that The control unit controls the dispensing mechanism so that the tip of the probe discharges the second liquid from a position vertically above the liquid surface when discharge of the second liquid starts.

5. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that When the first liquid is discharged into the container, the control unit controls the dispensing mechanism so that the tip of the probe is immersed in the first liquid after the discharge of the first liquid is completed.

6. The automatic analysis device according to claim 5, characterized in that The automatic analyzer further comprises: a cleaning tank for cleaning the outer side of the probe; The control unit controls the dispensing mechanism so that the immersion depth of the first liquid from the start of discharge to the completion of discharge is shorter than a length that can be cleaned in the cleaning tank.

7. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that The control unit controls the probe to descend a first distance from its initial position when the sum of the liquid volumes of the first liquid and the second liquid is less than a first amount, and controls the probe to descend a second distance from its initial position that is smaller than the first distance when the sum of the liquid volumes of the first liquid and the second liquid is greater than the first amount.

8. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that The control unit controls the dispensing mechanism so as to raise the probe during a period from when discharge of the second liquid starts to when discharge is completed.

9. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that The first liquid and the second liquid are the same liquid.

10. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that The ejection amount of the first liquid and the ejection amount of the second liquid are the same amount.

11. An analysis method in an automatic analyzer comprising a probe for ejecting liquid into a container and a dispensing mechanism for moving the probe in a vertical direction, wherein: The analytical method has: the step of spraying a first liquid into the container; and a step of spraying a second liquid into the container while the first liquid is contained therein, After the discharge of the second liquid is completed, the tip of the probe is immersed in the liquid.

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