Automatic analysis device and abnormality determination method therefor

Abstract

In order to provide an automatic analysis device capable of easily and accurately detecting an abnormality occurring during a dispensing operation of a liquid, the following configuration is provided. Provided are an automatic analysis device and an abnormality determination method therefor, the automatic analysis device being provided with: a probe that performs a dispensing operation including a suction and / or discharge step on a liquid; an injector used for generating a pressure fluctuation of dispensing the liquid by the probe; a flow path connecting the probe and the syringe; a sensor that measures the pressure in the flow path when the liquid is dispensed; a calculation unit that calculates the attenuation rate of the time-varying waveform of the pressure measured by the sensor after the predetermined operation of the syringe; and a determination unit that determines, on the basis of the attenuation rate calculated by the calculation unit, whether or not there is an abnormality in a step during liquid dispensing.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an automatic analysis device that performs qualitative / quantitative analysis of components in a biological sample such as blood or urine, and particularly relates to an automatic analysis device that can more accurately detect generation of a so-called air suction aliquot abnormality in which air is unintentionally sucked in during sample suction. BACKGROUND

[0002] An automatic analysis device is a device that causes a biological sample such as blood, a component to be measured in the sample, and an analysis reagent to react, and detects the reaction by an optical method, and automatically performs from detection of the component to be measured to output of a result.

[0003] An automatic analysis device is one of devices required for performing efficient analysis for a hospital, a clinic, a testing center that undertakes examination / testing of a sample, and other medical research facilities.

[0004] In a general automatic analysis device, a specimen dispensing mechanism for dispensing a sample that is a measurement target is provided. The specimen dispensing mechanism is provided with a dispensing probe (sometimes referred to as a dispensing nozzle. Hereinafter, referred to as a probe), a syringe connected to the dispensing probe, and a mechanism that moves the probe to a given position, and by driving the syringe in a state in which a tip of the probe is inserted into a liquid, a given amount of the liquid is sucked into the probe, and when the probe is positioned at an ejection position, the liquid in the probe is ejected by driving the syringe, and thus a liquid dispensing operation of transferring the liquid from a certain container to another container or the like is performed.

[0005] In order to prevent contamination in which different sucked liquids are mixed with each other, a disposable nozzle is sometimes attached to a tip of the probe, and a liquid dispensing operation is performed.

[0006] However, in the process of liquid handling in the dispensing operation, in a state in which the tip of the probe is positioned at a position higher than a liquid surface, the liquid is sucked, and in some cases, not the liquid that is a dispensing target is unintentionally sucked, but air or a bubble is sucked. In such a situation, in a case in which a given amount of the liquid cannot be sucked at the time of liquid suction, an accurate analysis result cannot be obtained.

[0007] Further, in a case in which the obtained analysis result is used for diagnosis without noticing such a situation, an accurate diagnosis can not be performed. Thus, it is important in a clinical examination to accurately determine whether or not such an abnormality occurs.

[0008] As a solution to this problem, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique that samples pressure fluctuations at regular intervals, triggered by backlash correction, a process used to eliminate play in the gears of the syringe's motor. The technique then calculates the integrated pressure value over a certain time interval and compares this value with a pre-set threshold for each dispensing volume, thereby distinguishing between normal aspiration and aspiration with air bubbles.

[0009] Prior art literature

[0010] Patent Literature

[0011] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-058318 Summary of the Invention

[0012] -Problems to be solved by the invention-

[0013] In the method of focusing on the pressure integral value of the time interval of the pressure in the dispensing flow path during liquid ejection as in Patent Document 1, although anomalies can be detected well when a relatively large difference is confirmed in the pressure waveform within the integral interval, due to the small amount of sample dispensed, it is sometimes difficult to detect anomalies when a large difference is not confirmed in the pressure waveform within the integral interval between normal and abnormal times.

[0014] Furthermore, assuming that the integration interval needs to be adjusted according to the dispensing amount, it is considered that there is a tendency for the calculation burden and the required time to increase due to an increase in parameters used for determination.

[0015] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analysis device capable of detecting dispensing abnormalities simply and accurately.

[0016] -Methods for solving the problem-

[0017] The structure of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is as follows.

[0018] The automatic analyzing device comprises: a probe that performs a dispensing action on a liquid including a suction and / or ejection process; a syringe that is used to generate pressure fluctuations when dispensing the liquid by the probe; a flow path that connects the probe and the syringe; a sensor that measures the pressure in the flow path during liquid dispensing; a calculating unit that calculates the attenuation rate of a time-varying waveform of the pressure measured by the sensor after a given action of the syringe; and a determining unit that determines whether there is an abnormality in the process during liquid dispensing based on the attenuation rate calculated by the calculating unit.

[0019] Here, the so-called liquid, reagent, sample (test sample) is a representative example, but as long as a given amount of liquid needs to be dispensed, the present application can be applied to any liquid.

[0020] The so-called probe is any mechanism that has the function of temporarily holding a given amount of liquid and transferring the liquid from one container to another container. The term is not limited in interpretation. For example, depending on the device, sometimes the term such as a pipette nozzle is used, but this is also included in the concept of the probe.

[0021] The so-called syringe is a pressure generating source that drives a piston-like mechanical component via a gear using a motor or the like as a representative example, but regardless of the name, as long as pressure variation can be generated, any pump such as a gear pump, a rotary pump, or the like can be used.

[0022] -Effects of the Invention-

[0023] According to the present application, an automatic analysis device that can easily and accurately detect dispensing abnormality detection can be provided. The effects in each embodiment are intended to be referred to the description in each example. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 is a schematic view of an automatic analysis device.

[0025] Figure 2 is a schematic view of a sample dispensing mechanism of an automatic analysis device.

[0026] Figure 3 is a view showing the movement of fluid in a sample probe from liquid suction action to backlash ejection action, Figure 3 (a) of is when normally suctioned, Figure 3 (b) of is when air suctioned, Figure 3 (c) of is when liquid and air are suctioned.

[0027] Figure 4 (a) of is a view showing pressure variation in a dispensing flow path when a sample is suctioned, Figure 4 (b) of is a view showing pressure variation in a dispensing flow path when backlash is ejected.

[0028] Figure 5 is a view showing a pressure waveform and a decay rate calculation when backlash is ejected, Figure 5 (a) of is a view showing a maximum value, a minimum value, and a period, Figure 5 (b) of is a view showing a baseline and an amplitude.

[0029] Figure 6 is a view showing a decay rate calculation result with respect to a liquid suction amount.

[0030] Figure 7 is a diagram showing a flow of the dispensing operation and pressure determination.

[0031] Figure 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between the ratio of the actual suction amount to the set suction amount and the decay rate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present application will be described using the drawings and the like. The following description shows specific examples of the content of the present application, and the present application is not limited to these descriptions, and various modifications and corrections can be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical idea disclosed in the present specification. Furthermore, in all the drawings for describing the present application, the same parts having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the repeated description thereof is sometimes omitted.

[0033] Example 1

[0034] Figure 1 is an example of the structure of an automatic analysis device of the present application.

[0035] The specimen containers 103 are arranged in a ring shape in the specimen disk 102 in the automatic analysis device 101. At the time of specimen dispensing, the disk is rotated clockwise / counterclockwise, and the specimen containers 103 are moved toward the access position of the specimen dispensing mechanism 104.

[0036] In the specimen containers 103, a bar code for identification is sometimes attached for the purpose of facilitating the management of the specimen. The bar code records information associated with the specimen ID, the type of specimen such as serum, urine, and the like. The bar code attached to the specimen containers 103 is read by the bar code reader 120.

[0037] The specimen dispensing mechanism 104 is composed of a rotary drive mechanism, an up-down drive mechanism, and a dispensing probe. The dispensing probe is moved between the specimen suction position and the specimen ejection position by the rotary drive mechanism and the up-down drive mechanism.

[0038] The reagent storage 105 has a reagent disk 106 and a reagent container holding portion 107. Generally, the reagent storage is provided with a refrigeration function for suppressing the deterioration of the reagent due to the passage of time. On the reagent disk 106, the reagent container holding portion 107 is arranged in a double ring shape, and a plurality of reagent bottles are held. The reagent disk 106 has a rotary drive mechanism, and each reagent bottle is moved to a given position on the circumferential portion by a rotary motion.

[0039] The automated analyzer of the present invention includes a reagent dispensing mechanism 108 for biochemical analysis. The reagent dispensing mechanism 108 consists of a rotational drive mechanism, a vertical drive mechanism, and a dispensing probe. The reagent dispensing mechanism rotates and descends toward a predetermined reagent bottle on the reagent disk 106, aspirating a predetermined amount of reagent. After aspirating the reagent, the dispensing mechanism ascends. Next, the mechanism rotates and descends toward the reagent dispensing target (a predetermined reaction unit on the reaction disk 109), dispensing the reagent.

[0040] The biochemical analysis process is explained in the order of processing (sample injection, reagent injection, reaction, and detection).

[0041] First, the sample dispensing mechanism 104 dispenses a predetermined amount of sample into a predetermined reaction unit on the reaction disk 109. Then, the reaction disk 109 rotates to move the reaction unit from which the sample was ejected to an access position of the reagent dispensing mechanism 108.

[0042] The reagent dispensing mechanism 108 dispenses a predetermined amount of reagent into the reaction cell where the sample was ejected. Next, the reaction disk 109 rotates, moving the reaction cell where the sample and reagent were ejected to the position where the stirring assembly 110 is positioned. The sample and reagent are then stirred by the stirring assembly 110. Furthermore, the reaction disk 109 is temperature-controlled to promote the reaction between the sample and the reagent.

[0043] Once the reaction between the sample and reagent on reaction disk 109 is complete, reaction disk 109 rotates, moving the reaction unit containing the completed reaction solution to the location where biochemical detection assembly 111 is located. The detection unit within biochemical detection assembly 111 then measures the reaction signal. After the signal is measured, the reaction solution is discharged from the reaction unit via reaction unit cleaning mechanism 112.

[0044] The above-described mechanism in the automatic analyzer is referred to as an analysis operation unit. In addition to the analysis operation unit, the automatic analyzer further includes a control unit 113 and an operation unit 114 for controlling the overall operation of the automatic analyzer.

[0045] The control unit 113 is composed of, for example, a hardware substrate and a computer, and is connected to a storage device 115 such as a hard disk. The operation unit 114 is composed of a display unit 117 (i.e., a display with a touch panel), a mouse 118, and input devices such as a keyboard 119. The storage device 115 stores, for example, analysis items for samples registered by the user. The control unit 113 can be composed of hardware such as a dedicated circuit substrate or software executed by a computer.

[0046] In the case of hardware, this can be achieved by integrating multiple computing units that perform processing onto a wiring substrate, or within a semiconductor chip or package. In the case of software, this can be achieved by having a computer equipped with a high-speed general-purpose CPU execute a program that performs the desired computing processing. Existing devices can also be upgraded using a recording medium containing this program. Furthermore, these devices, circuits, and computers are connected via a wired or wireless network to transmit and receive data as appropriate.

[0047] The following describes the operation of the sample dispensing mechanism in an automated analyzer related to the present invention. Furthermore, the reagent dispensing mechanism employs a similar structure to implement the present invention's liquid dispensing anomaly detection. Due to duplication, the description of the reagent dispensing mechanism is omitted.

[0048] Figure 2 2 is a schematic diagram of a sample dispensing mechanism. A sample probe 201 is connected to a sample syringe 203 via a flow path 202, and the interiors of these are filled with liquid.

[0049] The specimen syringe 203 is composed of a barrel 203a and a plunger 203b, and the plunger 203b is connected to a syringe drive unit 204. The syringe drive unit 204 drives the plunger 203b up and down relative to the barrel 203a, thereby aspirating and ejecting the specimen.

[0050] The specimen probe 201 is connected to a motor as a specimen probe driving unit 205, which can move the specimen probe in the vertical direction and the rotational direction to a predetermined position. In addition, the syringe driving unit 204 and the specimen probe driving unit 205 are controlled by the specimen probe control unit 206 (in Figure 2 Controlled by the control department (abbreviated as "control department" in the text).

[0051] When the sample 208 in the container 207 is aspirated, a predetermined amount of air (referred to as segmented air) is aspirated into the sample probe before the aspiration operation to prevent the liquid filled in the sample probe 201 and the sample 208 from mixing with each other.

[0052] Thereafter, the sample probe 201 is lowered by the sample probe driving unit 205 until it reaches the sample 208 , and further suction operation is performed.

[0053] Regarding the descent of the sample probe at this time, the change in electrostatic capacitance caused by the sample probe 201 reaching the liquid surface of the sample 208 is monitored, and the sample probe control unit 206 controls the sample probe driving unit 205 to determine the descent amount of the sample probe.

[0054] When the sample aspiration operation is completed, the sample syringe 203 performs a backlash discharge operation for sample discharge amount correction in the next discharge operation. Thereafter, the sample probe 201 moves to the sample discharge position, and the sample syringe 203 performs a discharge operation.

[0055] After the spraying, the water supply pump 209 sprays the cleaning water 211 in the water supply tank 210 at high pressure, thereby cleaning the specimen probe 201. The flow path to the water supply tank is opened and closed by the solenoid valve 212. The solenoid valve 212 is controlled by the specimen probe control unit 206.

[0056] The pressure sensor 213 for measuring the pressure in the flow channel 202 is connected to the flow channel system including the sample probe 201, the flow channel 202, and the sample syringe 203 via the branch block 214. Here, the pressure sensor 213 is preferably installed as close to the sample probe 201 as possible in order to measure the pressure fluctuation of the sample probe 201 with high sensitivity.

[0057] The output value of pressure sensor 213 is amplified by signal amplifier 215 and converted into a digital signal by A / D converter 216. The digitally converted signal is sent to calculation unit 218, which calculates a determination index for determining whether aspiration is normal (determining whether aspiration is empty) using the method described below. Determination unit 219 compares the determination index calculated by calculation unit 218 with a threshold value to determine whether the sample has been aspirated normally.

[0058] In the above-described dispensing operation, the operation timing of each mechanism is defined within a cycle of a predetermined time, and continuous dispensing is performed by repeatedly executing this cycle.

[0059] exist Figure 3 middle, Figure 3 (a) shows a case where the specimen dispensing mechanism normally aspirates the specimen 302 in the sample container 301. Figure 3 (b) shows the state where the specimen dispensing mechanism sucks the sample 302 in the sample container 301. Figure 3 (c) shows a state where the specimen dispensing mechanism sucks liquid and air into the sample 302 in the specimen container 301 .

[0060] As described above, in the automatic analyzer, the sample dispensing probe 304 detects the sample liquid surface based on the amount of change in electrostatic capacitance, and the sample dispensing probe 304 stops below the sample liquid surface.

[0061] After the sample is drawn in with segmented air 303 at the tip of the sample dispensing probe, intermittent ejection is performed. If the liquid level is misidentified due to bubbles 305 or other factors as the sample dispensing probe 304 descends, this may result in the suction of only air (dry suction) or a combination of liquid and air. In this case, the sample ejection volume may be less than expected, affecting analytical results.

[0062] exist Figure 4 middle, Figure 4 (a) shows the pressure waveform obtained when the sample is sucked in the sample dispensing unit provided with a pressure sensor. Figure 4 (b) shows the pressure waveform obtained when ejecting from the tooth gap in the specimen dispensing component equipped with a pressure sensor. In addition, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the pressure value in the dispensing flow path output by the pressure sensor. The pressure waveform changes in accordance with the movement of the specimen syringe. Here, the liquid to be sucked is assumed to be a sample, detergent, cleaning water, etc., but there is no special limitation. In addition, in the case of a reagent dispensing mechanism, it is assumed to be a reagent, detergent, cleaning water, etc., without special limitation.

[0063] L1 represents the pressure waveform when the sample is normally sucked, L2 represents the pressure waveform when empty suction occurs, and L3 represents the pressure waveform when liquid and air are sucked.

[0064] As is clear from this figure, the pressure during suction and the pressure during intermittent ejection rarely differ significantly in waveform between normal (L1) and abnormal (L2, L3) conditions. Furthermore, when the dispensing volume varies, the drive rate of the specimen syringe 203 varies, so the suction time depends on the dispensing volume.

[0065] When analyzing the pressure waveform, if the pressure waveform in the interval depending on the dispensing amount is used, it is necessary to generate a determination parameter according to the dispensing amount, which presumably complicates the calculation process.

[0066] On the other hand, the pressure waveform during intermittent ejection not only shows a greater difference than the pressure waveform during suction, but also operates at the same timing and with the same amount of action for any dispensed amount. Therefore, generating the judgment parameters used in pressure analysis during intermittent ejection is easier than analyzing the pressure waveform during suction.

[0067] Figure 5 The analysis method of the decay rate of the waveform when the backlash is used is shown ( Figure 5 (a) indicates the acquisition of maximum value, minimum value and period information. Figure 5 (b) shows the acquisition of baseline and amplitude information. The maximum value in a certain interval (time width α) near the time of backlash ejection is set as the initial maximum value P max0, set the minimum value to the initial minimum value P min0 . Will take the maximum value P max0 and the minimum value P min0 The time is set as t max0 and t min0 . max0 With t min0 The time difference is set as period T, and the time difference will be from t min0 The maximum value in the interval of the width of β as the central value after the period T is set as the first maximum value P max1 , set the time at this time as t max1 .

[0068] Next, we will start from t max1 The minimum value in the interval of the width of the central value γ after the period T is set as the first minimum value P min1 , set the time at this time as t min1 After that, the same steps can be repeated to obtain points with maximum and minimum values ​​greater than the maximum value or the minimum value. In addition, the method for obtaining the maximum and minimum values ​​is not limited to this method. For example, multiple time intervals can be determined, and the maximum value of each interval can be set as the maximum value, and the minimum value of each interval can be set as the minimum value.

[0069] Next, to determine the amplitude of the waveform, a baseline is determined. The vertical axis of the pressure waveform is pressure, and the horizontal axis is time, with the coordinates expressed in the form of (pressure, time). The midpoint M0 ((t max0 +t min0 ) / 2、(P max0 +P min0 ) / 2), and the midpoint M1 ((t max1 +t min1 ) / 2、(P max1 +P min1 ) / 2). The straight line connecting the midpoints M0 and M1 is determined as the baseline. The method for determining the baseline is not limited to this method; for example, a baseline may be a straight line horizontally on the time axis, and the pressure value may be any arbitrary pressure value.

[0070] Next, we need to find the amplitude. The time t at which the initial maximum value is taken max0 The initial maximum value P max0 The distance from the baseline is set as the initial amplitude A0. Next, the time t at which the first maximum value is obtained is set as max1 The first maximum value P max1The distance from the baseline is set as the first amplitude Al. Here, the method of calculating the amplitude is not limited to this method, and for example, the difference between the pressure value of the initial maximum value and the pressure value of the initial minimum value can be set as the initial amplitude, and the difference between the pressure value of the first maximum value and the pressure value of the first minimum value can be set as the first amplitude. Furthermore, with respect to the amplitude, a second amplitude A2 can be calculated thereafter.

[0071] Next, the decay rate is calculated. The ratio of the initial amplitude A0 to the first amplitude Al is taken, and the decay rate D = Al / A0 is calculated. Here, the calculation of the decay rate can also use the second amplitude A2 and thereafter. Furthermore, the decay rate can be calculated for two or more.

[0072] A function can also be provided in which, in the case where there is a calculation abnormality in the process of calculating the decay rate, it is determined that there is a failure in the device. For example, a function can be installed in which, in the case where the syringe and the pressure sensor do not have a pressure change due to a failure, A0 = Al = 0, and the decay rate cannot be calculated, the decay rate calculation is interrupted, and the user is notified of a failure in the device.

[0073] Figure 6 is a graph in which the decay rate is compared between normal suction and air suction. Under each dispensing amount condition, the decay rate at the time of normal suction and the decay rate at the time of liquid suction can be polarized. The decay rate calculated by the calculation section 218 is compared with the threshold values T h , T i previously stored in the determination section 219, and if the decay rate is less than the threshold value T h , it is determined to be normal, if the decay rate is T h or more and T i or less, it is determined to be air suction, and if the decay rate is greater than T i , it is determined to be a failure in the device.

[0074] Here, the air suction determination can also be performed using two or more decay rates. Furthermore, instead of determining only the decay rate, determination can be performed in which the period T is combined as a determination parameter.

[0075] Furthermore, the threshold value T h may be variable in correspondence with the dispensing amount and the liquidity of the sample.

[0076] Figure 7 A processing flow indicating dispensing abnormality detection at the time of sample dispensing is shown. The sample dispensing mechanism performs a backlash operation following a sample suction operation (S701). The determination section 219 calculates the decay rate from the pressure value in the flow path at the time of the backlash operation (S702). A determination is performed as to whether the suction is normal suction or not based on the size relationship between the threshold value stored in the determination section 219 and the decay rate (S703).

[0077] In a case where the attenuation rate converges to the normal range, the sample dispensing is determined to be a normal suction (S704).

[0078] In a case where the attenuation rate does not enter the normal determination range, a determination is made as to whether the suction is a dry suction based on the size relationship between the threshold value stored in the determination section 219 and the attenuation rate (S705).

[0079] In a case where the attenuation rate converges to the dry suction determination range, the sample dispensing is determined to be a dry suction (S706). In a case where the attenuation rate does not enter the dry suction determination range, it is determined that a hardware abnormality has occurred during the sample dispensing (S707).

[0080] In addition, in the abnormality determination, a threshold value in a case of a complete dry suction and a threshold value in a case where both air and a sample are sucked can be set, and stages of degrees of abnormal suction can be divided. Further, the determination section 219 can estimate the cause based on the estimated degree of abnormality.

[0081] For example, in a case where it is determined that the suction is a complete dry suction, the cause is estimated to be an abnormality of the dispensing system such as a failure of the syringe, rather than a bubble on the surface of the sample. Further, the determination section 219 can not only determine the attenuation rate, but also make a determination in which a value calculated by the calculation section 218, for example, the period T, is combined as a determination parameter.

[0082] As in Embodiment 1, according to the present application, an automatic analysis device and an automatic analysis method in which a liquid dispensing abnormality can be detected simply and with high precision can be provided. Further, an automatic analysis device and an automatic analysis method in which the cause is estimated based on the degree of abnormality in the abnormality determination can be provided.

[0083] Embodiment 2

[0084] Figure 8 The graph indicates the relationship between the ratio of the actual suction amount to the set suction amount when a certain set suction amount is to be sucked and the attenuation rate. The attenuation rate in a case where air and a liquid are sucked deviates from the attenuation rate in a case where a liquid is sucked in accordance with the set value, and the degree of the deviation makes the amount of air sucked larger.

[0085] By previously obtaining the relationship between the ratio of the actual suction amount to the set suction amount at a plurality of points and the attenuation rate, an approximate curve for estimating the actual suction amount can be obtained. By previously storing the approximate curve for estimating the actual suction amount in the suction amount calculation section 220, the liquid suction amount at the time of the suction operation can be calculated at the time of the dry suction determination.

[0086] -Explanation of Symbols-

[0087] 101: Automatic analyzer, 102: Sample disk, 103: Sample container, 104: Sample dispensing mechanism, 105: Reagent storage, 106: Reagent disk, 107: Reagent container holding unit, 108: Reagent dispensing mechanism, 109: Reaction disk, 110: Stirring unit, 111: Biochemical detection unit, 112: Reaction unit cleaning mechanism, 113: Control unit, 114: Operation unit, 115: Storage device, 116: Control unit, 117: Display unit, 118: Mouse, 119: Keyboard, 120: Barcode reader, 201: Sample probe, 202: Flow path, 203: Sample syringe, 203 a: Cylinder, 203b: Plunger, 204: Syringe drive unit, 205: Specimen probe drive unit, 206: Specimen probe control unit, 207: Container, 208: Sample, 209: Water supply pump, 210: Water supply tank, 211: Washing water, 212: Solenoid valve, 213: Pressure sensor, 214: Branching block, 215: Signal amplifier, 216: A / D converter, 217: Specimen probe control device, 218: Calculation unit, 219: Determination unit, 220: Aspiration volume calculation unit, 301: Sample container, 302: Sample, 303: Segmented air, 304: Specimen dispensing probe, 305: Bubbles.

Claims

1. An automatic analysis device, characterized in that have: A probe that performs a dispensing operation on a liquid including a suction and / or ejection process; a syringe, which is used to generate pressure fluctuations for dispensing liquid from the probe; a flow path connecting the probe and the syringe; a sensor for measuring the pressure in the flow path during liquid dispensing; a calculation unit that calculates a decay rate of a waveform of a pressure change over time measured by the sensor after a predetermined operation of the syringe; and A determination unit determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the process of dispensing the liquid based on the attenuation rate calculated by the calculation unit.

2. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1, wherein The given action is backlash ejection for eliminating mechanical backlash of the syringe.

3. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1, wherein The calculation unit calculates the baseline of the pressure waveform based on the maximum and minimum values ​​in a given interval of the pressure waveform changing with time, and calculates the attenuation rate based on the change in the ratio of the difference between the baseline and the maximum value or the difference between the baseline and the minimum value.

4. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1, wherein The calculation unit further calculates a vibration period of the temporal waveform of the pressure, and the determination unit uses the vibration period in the determination.

5. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 or 4, wherein The determination unit makes the determination by comparing a predetermined threshold value with the attenuation rate and / or the vibration period. The automatic analysis device according to claim 5 , wherein: The threshold value is determined based on the attenuation rate and / or the vibration period when air is also sucked in during liquid suction.

7. The automatic analysis device according to claim 6, wherein The threshold value includes a plurality of threshold values ​​corresponding to the dispensing amount of the liquid.

8. The automatic analysis device according to claim 6, wherein The threshold value has a plurality of threshold values ​​corresponding to the liquid properties of the liquid sucked by the probe.

9. A method for determining abnormality in an automatic analyzing device, the automatic analyzing device comprising: A probe that performs a dispensing operation on a liquid including a suction and / or ejection process; a syringe, which is used to generate pressure fluctuations for dispensing liquid from the probe; a fluid path connecting the probe and the syringe; and a sensor for measuring the pressure in the flow path during liquid dispensing, The abnormality determination method of the automatic analyzer is characterized by at least comprising the following: a waveform acquisition step of acquiring a pressure waveform changing with time from the sensor after a given action of the syringe; a decay rate calculation step of calculating a decay rate of pressure based on the pressure waveform over time acquired in the waveform acquisition step; and The abnormality determination step determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the process of dispensing the liquid based on the decay rate calculated in the decay rate calculation step.

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