Autoanalyzer and dispensing probe cleaning method

Abstract

To efficiently clean the inner surface of a dispensing probe using a heated cleaning liquid by suppressing the heat dissipation of the heated cleaning liquid.SOLUTION: An autoanalyzer comprises: a dispensing probe; a special cleaning tank 27 that supplies a heated cleaning liquid 307; a syringe pump 205 that draws in a sample 303 and the heated cleaning liquid 307 into the dispensing probe; and a control unit that controls operation of the syringe pump 205. The control unit controls operation of the syringe pump 205 to, when drawing in the sample 303 into the dispensing probe, draw in segmented air 301 into the dispensing probe, draw in the sample 303 subsequently to the segmented air 301, and when drawing in the heated cleaning liquid 307 into the dispensing probe, draw in a larger amount of segmented air 306 than the segmented air 301 into the dispensing probe and draw in the heated cleaning liquid 307 subsequently to the segmented air 306.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an automated analyzer and a method for cleaning a dispensing probe. [Background technology]

[0002] In clinical chemistry analysis, automatic analyzers are widely used to analyze components such as inorganic ions, proteins, urea, sugar, lipids, enzymes, hormones, drugs, and tumor markers in biological samples such as blood and urine. In automatic analyzers, except for those using disposable tips, the sample dispensing probe and the reagent dispensing probe are washed by a washing mechanism and then reused. In this case, a method of washing the dispensing probe is known in which the inner surface of the dispensing probe is washed by passing a washing liquid, such as pure water, and the outer surface is washed by spraying a washing liquid, such as pure water. In addition, at the end of a day of analysis, it is possible to improve the washing effect by using physicochemical forces in combination with washing with the washing liquid. For example, washing by physical impact using ultrasonic waves or chemical washing with heated washing liquid are given as examples. In order to ensure the reliability of dispensing using the dispensing probe, it is important to wash the inner surface of the dispensing probe.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses "a biochemical analyzer equipped with a dispensing nozzle for sampling a reagent or serum, and an ultrasonic cleaning device for cleaning the dispensing nozzle." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 4-169850 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when cleaning a dispensing probe, particularly the inner surface of the dispensing probe, with a heated cleaning liquid, the temperature of the cleaning liquid drops when the heated cleaning liquid is aspirated into the dispensing probe due to heat dissipation from the aspirated cleaning liquid inside the dispensing probe, which can result in the desired cleaning effect not being obtained.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to efficiently clean the inner surface of a dispensing probe with heated cleaning liquid by suppressing heat dissipation from the heated cleaning liquid. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The automated analyzer of the present disclosure comprises a dispensing probe that aspirates liquid, a washing tank that supplies heated cleaning liquid, a pump that aspirates liquid and the heated cleaning liquid into the dispensing probe, and a control unit that controls the operation of the pump, and the control unit controls the operation of the pump so that, when aspirating liquid into the dispensing probe, first segmented air that separates the system liquid and the liquid filled in the dispensing probe is aspirated into the dispensing probe following the first segmented air, and when aspirating heated cleaning liquid into the dispensing probe, second segmented air greater than the amount of the first segmented air that separates the system liquid and the heated cleaning liquid filled in the dispensing probe is aspirated into the dispensing probe, and the heated cleaning liquid is aspirated into the dispensing probe following the second segmented air.

[0008] In addition, the method of cleaning a dispensing probe disclosed herein includes filling a dispensing probe that aspirates liquid with system liquid, aspirating first segmented air into the dispensing probe to separate the system liquid filled in the dispensing probe from the liquid, aspirating liquid into the dispensing probe following the first segmented air, discharging the liquid in the dispensing probe, aspirating second segmented air, greater than the amount of the first segmented air, into the dispensing probe to separate the system liquid filled in the dispensing probe from the heated cleaning liquid, and aspirating heated cleaning liquid into the dispensing probe following the second segmented air. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, by suppressing the heat dissipation of the heated cleaning liquid, the inner surface of the dispensing probe can be efficiently cleaned with the heated cleaning liquid. Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will be made clear in the description of the following embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram of an automatic analyzer [Figure 2A] Diagram of the washing flow path of the dispensing probe [Figure 2B] Hardware block diagram of the control unit [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 shows a method for washing the dispensing probe of Example 1. [Figure 4A] A diagram showing the results of a simulation study on the effect of segmented air volume on the heat dissipation of heated cleaning liquid. [Figure 4B] A diagram showing the results of a simulation study on the effect of segmented air volume on the heat dissipation of heated cleaning liquid. [Figure 4C] A diagram showing the results of a simulation study on the effect of segmented air volume on the heat dissipation of heated cleaning liquid. [Figure 4D] A diagram showing the results of a simulation study on the effect of segmented air volume on the heat dissipation of heated cleaning liquid. [Figure 4E] A diagram showing the results of a simulation study on the effect of segmented air volume on the heat dissipation of heated cleaning liquid. [Figure 4F] A diagram showing the results of a simulation study on the effect of segmented air volume on the heat dissipation of heated cleaning liquid. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 shows a method for washing the dispensing probe of Example 2. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 shows a method for washing the dispensing probe of Example 3. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 shows a method for washing the dispensing probe of Example 3. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 shows a method for washing the dispensing probe of Example 3. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 shows a method for washing the dispensing probe of Example 4. [Figure 10]FIG. 13 shows a method for washing the dispensing probe of Example 5. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 shows a method for washing the dispensing probe of Example 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the components (including element steps, etc.) are not necessarily essential unless otherwise specified or considered to be obviously essential in principle.

[0012] Example 1 1 is a configuration diagram of an automatic analyzer 10 of a first embodiment. The automatic analyzer 10 includes a reagent disk 12 on which a plurality of reagent containers 11 are mounted, a reaction disk 13 on which a plurality of cells 25 for reacting by mixing a reagent with a sample are mounted, a reagent dispensing probe 21 that aspirates and discharges the reagent, a reagent dispensing mechanism 14 that moves the reagent dispensing probe 21, a sample dispensing probe 22 that aspirates and discharges the sample, and a sample dispensing mechanism 15 that moves the sample dispensing probe 22. Hereinafter, the reagent dispensing probe 21 and the sample dispensing probe 22 will be collectively referred to as dispensing probes as appropriate. The reagent and the sample are examples of the liquid of the present invention.

[0013] The samples input into the automatic analyzer 10 are transported in a state in which they are contained in sample containers 23 and mounted on a sample rack 24. A plurality of sample containers 23 are mounted on the sample rack 24. Examples of the samples include blood-derived samples such as serum, blood cells, and whole blood, and urine.

[0014] The sample dispensing mechanism 15 moves the sample dispensing probe 22 to an aspirating position (sample aspirating position) where the sample is aspirated from the sample container 23, a dispensing position (sample dispensing position) where the sample is discharged into the cell 25, and a washing position where the tip of the sample dispensing probe 22 is washed by a washing tank 26. The sample dispensing mechanism 15 also moves the sample dispensing probe 22 to a special washing position where the tip of the sample dispensing probe 22 is washed more strongly than in the washing tank 26 in a special washing tank 27 where physicochemical washing such as ultrasonic waves or heating is performed.

[0015] Furthermore, the sample dispensing mechanism 15 raises and lowers the sample dispensing probe 22 at the sample suction position, sample discharge position, washing position, and special washing position to match the respective heights of the sample container 23, cell 25, washing tank 26, and special washing tank 27.

[0016] Similarly, the reagent dispensing mechanism 14 moves the reagent dispensing probe 21 to an aspirating position (reagent aspirating position) where the reagent is aspirated from the reagent container 11, a dispensing position (reagent dispensing position) where the reagent is discharged into the cell 25, and a washing position where the tip of the reagent dispensing probe 21 is washed by a washing tank 26. The reagent dispensing mechanism 14 also moves the reagent dispensing probe 21 to a special washing position where the tip of the sample dispensing probe 22 is washed more strongly in a special washing tank 27 than in the washing tank 26.

[0017] Furthermore, the reagent dispensing mechanism 14 raises and lowers the reagent dispensing probe 21 to match the heights of the reagent container 11, cell 25, washing tank 26, and special washing tank 27 at the reagent suction position, reagent discharge position, washing position, and special washing position, respectively.

[0018] The special washing tank 27 supplies heated washing liquid for washing the dispensing probe. In the first embodiment, the washing tank 26 and the special washing tank 27 are provided for each of the two reagent dispensing probes 21 and the sample dispensing probe 22. The washing tank 26 and the special washing tank 27 may be a set of washing tank 26 and special washing tank 27 used in common by the two reagent dispensing probes 21 and the sample dispensing probe 22, or a set of washing tank 26 and special washing tank 27 used in common by the two reagent dispensing probes 21 and a set of washing tank 26 and special washing tank 27 used by the sample dispensing probe 22 may be provided separately.

[0019] The dispensing probe is equipped with a sensor (e.g., a sensor that utilizes changes in capacitance or pressure) that detects the liquid level, and the sensor signal confirms that the probe has come into contact with the solution to be dispensed (sample or reagent). By using this sensor, the contact area of ​​the outer surface of the dispensing probe can be limited so that it comes into contact with the solution to be dispensed only up to a specified height. In this way, by limiting the area of ​​contact with the solution to be dispensed, it is expected that the effect of suppressing dispensing variation can be suppressed.

[0020] Furthermore, when cleaning the outer surface of the dispensing probe, cleaning is performed on the area that covers the area that came into contact with the solution to be dispensed. This ensures that the solution to be dispensed that has adhered to the outer surface is removed. However, if the cleaning area is too large compared to the solution to be dispensed, adhesion of the cleaning solution becomes a problem. For this reason, it is desirable to control the cleaning area so that it is not too large compared to the area that comes into contact with the solution to be dispensed.

[0021] The automated analyzer 10 analyzes the concentration of a predetermined component in a sample, for example, in the following procedure. First, the sample container 23 transported by the sample rack 24 moves to a sample suction position. Next, the sample dispensing probe 22 is moved to the sample suction position by the sample dispensing mechanism 15 and aspirates the sample from the sample container 23. Thereafter, the sample dispensing probe 22 is moved to a sample discharge position by the sample dispensing mechanism 15 while holding the sample in the sample dispensing probe 22, and discharges the sample into the cell 25. Thereafter, the sample dispensing probe 22 is moved to a cleaning position in the cleaning tank 26 by the sample dispensing mechanism 15 and is washed.

[0022] Next, the cell 25 is moved by the reaction disk 13 to a reagent discharge position of the reagent dispensing probe 21. The reagent container 11 is moved by the reagent disk 12 to a reagent suction position. After this, the reagent dispensing probe 21 is moved by the reagent dispensing mechanism 14 to a reagent suction position of the reagent container 11 and aspirates the reagent from the reagent container 11. The reagent dispensing probe 21 is moved by the reagent dispensing mechanism 14 to a reagent discharge position while holding the reagent in the reagent dispensing probe 21, and discharges the reagent into the cell 25 into which the sample has already been discharged. The cell 25 into which the sample and reagent have been discharged is rotated by the reaction disk 13, and the stirring mechanism 28 moves to a stirring position where the stirring mechanism 28 can stir the solution in the cell 25. The mixture of the sample and reagent in the cell 25 is stirred by the stirring mechanism 28, which promotes the reaction between the sample and the reagent in the cell 25. The reaction liquid of the sample and the reagent is measured using a light source 29 and a photometer 30, and the concentration of a predetermined component in the sample can be analyzed.

[0023] FIG. 2A shows an example of the configuration of a flow path for washing the sample dispensing probe 22 and the reagent dispensing probe 21.

[0024] The washing liquid is supplied from a tank 201. The washing liquid is pumped up from the tank 201 through a tube 206 by a pump 202. An external washing solenoid valve 203 for washing the outer surface of the dispensing probe (hereinafter may be referred to as external washing), an internal washing solenoid valve 204 for washing the inner surface of the dispensing probe (hereinafter may be referred to as internal washing), and a syringe pump 205 for quantitatively sucking and discharging a sample or reagent, washing liquid, etc., with the dispensing probe are installed ahead of the pump 202. A washing tank 26 is installed ahead of the external washing solenoid valve 203, and when the external washing solenoid valve 203 is opened, the washing liquid pumped up by the pump 202 is sprayed onto the outer surface of the dispensing probe through a washing nozzle 207 of the washing tank 26. The washing liquid discharged from the dispensing probe and the washing liquid sprayed onto the outer surface of the dispensing probe are drained into a waste liquid tank 208.

[0025] Furthermore, when the internal washing solenoid valve 204 is opened, the washing liquid is pumped up from the tank 201 by the pump 202 through the syringe pump 205 and the tube 206, and is supplied to the dispensing probe. This cleans the inner surface of the dispensing probe. If the material or diameter of the dispensing probe is different from that of the tube, they may be connected by providing a junction 209. Although FIG. 2A shows a case where there is one junction 209, multiple junctions may be provided to connect multiple tubes.

[0026] In order to reduce the effects on samples and reagents during normal cleaning, it is desirable to use a cleaning solution such as pure water or pure water to which a surfactant that has little interaction with samples and reagents has been added (hereinafter, this cleaning solution will be referred to as the system solution).

[0027] The syringe pump 205 can suck heated washing liquid and / or separated air, which will be described later, supplied from the special washing tank 27 into the dispensing probe. The syringe pump 205 is an example of the pump of the present invention.

[0028] 2B is a hardware block diagram of the control unit. The control unit 250 controls the operations of the pump 202, the outer washing solenoid valve 203, the inner washing solenoid valve 204, and the syringe pump 205. The control unit 250 also controls the operations of the reagent dispensing mechanism 14 and the sample dispensing mechanism 15.

[0029] The control unit 250 includes a processor 251, a main memory unit 252, an auxiliary memory unit 253, and an interface 254. The processor 251 is a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an ASIC, or the like. The main memory unit 252 is a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or the like, and is used as a working area for the processor 251. The auxiliary memory unit 253 is a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a combination thereof, or the like, and stores various programs and various data. The interface 254 is a device controller or the like that controls the operations of peripheral devices (the pump 202, the external washing solenoid valve 203, the internal washing solenoid valve 204, the syringe pump 205, the reagent dispensing mechanism 14, and the sample dispensing mechanism 15) connected to the control unit 250.

[0030] The control unit 250 controls the operation of the syringe pump 205 to aspirate a first segmented air (segmented air 301 in FIG. 3) that separates the system liquid and the liquid filling the dispensing probe when aspirating a liquid (sample or reagent) into the dispensing probe, and aspirates the liquid into the dispensing probe following the first segmented air. The control unit 250 also controls the operation of the syringe pump 205 to aspirate a second segmented air (segmented air 306 in FIG. 3) that is greater than the amount of the first segmented air and separates the system liquid and the heated cleaning liquid filling the dispensing probe when aspirating a heated cleaning liquid into the dispensing probe, and aspirates the heated cleaning liquid into the dispensing probe following the second segmented air.

[0031] Next, the operation of the device when aspirating and dispensing the sample, reagent, and cleaning solution will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Below, a method for cleaning the dispensing probe will be described using the sample dispensing probe 22 as an example. The method for cleaning the reagent dispensing probe 21 is substantially the same as that for the sample dispensing probe 22, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0032] First, the inside of the sample dispensing probe 22 and the inside of the tube 206 are filled with the cleaning liquid (system liquid) made of pure water or pure water with added surfactant as described above. It is desirable that the sample dispensing probe 22 is filled with the system liquid 302 up to the tip. At this time, the internal cleaning solenoid valve 204 is in a closed state.

[0033] From this state, air shown as 301 is sucked in by syringe pump 205 (FIG. 3(a)). This air is called segmented air 301. The segmented air 301 is an example of the first segmented air of the present invention.

[0034] After aspirating the particulate air 301, the sample dispensing probe 22 is moved to a sample aspirating position by the sample dispensing mechanism 15 and aspirates the sample 303 from the sample container 23 (FIG. 3(b)).

[0035] Thereafter, the sample dispensing probe 22 moves while holding the sample 303 therein, and dispenses it into the cell 25 (FIG. 3(c)). When dispensing the sample 303, the entire sample 303 may be dispensed, or the dispensing may be completed with only a portion of the sample 303 held within the sample dispensing probe 22.

[0036] Thereafter, the sample dispensing probe 22 is moved by the sample dispensing mechanism 15 to the washing tank 26 and washed (FIG. 3(d)). At this time, the outer surface is washed using washing liquid 305 over the area that covers the area that came into contact with the solution to be dispensed (sample). This ensures that the solution to be dispensed and its components that have adhered to the outer surface are removed. However, if the washing area is too large compared to the solution to be dispensed, adhesion of the washing liquid 305 becomes a problem. For this reason, it is desirable to control the washing area so that it is not too large compared to the area that comes into contact with the solution to be dispensed.

[0037] Next, the operation of the device when washing the sample dispensing probe 22 in the special washing tank 27 for washing the sample dispensing probe 22 more strongly than the normal washing tank 26 will be described. Here, a washing tank that supplies heated washing liquid is considered as the special washing tank 27. The heated washing liquid may be the previously described pure water or a washing liquid in which a surfactant has been added to pure water, or it may be an alkaline or acidic washing liquid, or a washing liquid in which a surfactant has been added to any of these.

[0038] As before, the sample dispensing probe 22 and the tube 206 are filled with the system liquid in the tank 201. At this time, it is desirable that the sample dispensing probe 22 is filled with the system liquid in the tank 201 up to the tip. Also, the internal washing solenoid valve 204 is in a closed state. From this state, the sample dispensing probe 22 sucks in segmented air 306 by the syringe pump 205 (FIG. 3(e)). The segmented air 306 is an example of the second segmented air of the present invention. The amount of segmented air 306 is greater than the amount of segmented air 301.

[0039] After aspirating the segmented air 306, the sample dispensing probe 22 is moved to the special washing tank 27 by the sample dispensing mechanism 15. Heated washing liquid 307 is supplied from the special washing tank 27. The sample dispensing probe 22 is immersed in the heated washing liquid in the special washing tank 27, and the heated washing liquid 307 is aspirated by the syringe pump 205 with the internal washing solenoid valve 204 closed (FIG. 3(f)).

[0040] At this time, the outer surface of the sample dispensing probe 22 is also washed at the same time in the area immersed in the heated washing liquid. As with the washing in the washing tank 26 described above, the washing range is the range that covers the area that came into contact with the solution to be dispensed (sample 303). This ensures that the solution to be dispensed and its components that have adhered to the outer surface are removed. However, if the washing range is too large compared to the solution to be dispensed, adhesion of the washing liquid becomes a problem. For this reason, it is desirable to control the washing range so that it is not too large compared to the area that comes into contact with the solution to be dispensed.

[0041] In the first embodiment, a case is shown in which the cleaning range A of the inner surface is wider than the cleaning range B of the outer surface. The cleaning range A of the inner surface is determined based on the expected maximum aspirated amount of sample or reagent, taking into consideration that an amount sufficient to cover it will be aspirated. The cleaning range A of the inner surface may also be determined based on the history of the amounts of sample or reagent aspirated in the past, taking into consideration that an amount sufficient to cover it will be aspirated based on the maximum aspirated amount among those amounts.

[0042] Thereafter, the sample dispensing probe 22 is moved to the washing tank 26 by the sample dispensing mechanism 15, and heated washing liquid 307 is quantitatively discharged by pushing out the heated washing liquid 307 by the syringe pump 205, and the sample dispensing probe 22 is washed with the washing liquid 305 (FIG. 3(g)). The heated washing liquid 307 may be discharged into the washing tank 26 or into the special washing tank 27.

[0043] Next, the sample dispensing probe 22 aspirates the segmented air 308 (FIG. 3(h)). The amount of the segmented air 308 is greater than the amount of the segmented air 301. The amount of the segmented air 308 may be greater or less than the amount of the segmented air 301. The amount of the segmented air 308 may be greater or less than the amount of the segmented air 306.

[0044] Thereafter, the sample dispensing probe 22 is again moved to the special washing tank 27 by the sample dispensing mechanism 15. As before, heated washing liquid 309 is supplied from the special washing tank 27. The sample dispensing probe 22 is immersed in the heated washing liquid 309, and the heated washing liquid 309 is aspirated by the syringe pump 205 while the internal washing solenoid valve 204 is closed (FIG. 3(i)). The heated washing liquid 309 is generally the same washing liquid as the heated washing liquid 307 aspirated earlier, but may be a different washing liquid. Also, in Example 1, the heated washing liquid was aspirated and discharged twice, but the heated washing liquid may be aspirated and discharged once, or three or more times.

[0045] Thereafter, the sample dispensing probe 22 is moved to the washing tank 26 by the sample dispensing mechanism 15, and washed with the washing liquid 305 in the same manner as before (FIG. 3(j)). This washing in the washing tank 26 may be performed once or repeatedly.

[0046] As described above, when the sample dispensing probe 22 is washed in the special washing tank 27 using the heated washing solutions 307 and 309, it is important to maintain the temperature of the heated washing solutions 307 and 309 as high as possible in order to improve the washing effect, that is, to prevent the temperature from decreasing due to heat dissipation.

[0047] The amount of the segmented air 306 and 308 when the heated cleaning liquids 307 and 309 are aspirated is preferably larger than the amount of the segmented air 301 when the sample 303 is aspirated. This is because the greater the amount of segmented air, the more the heated cleaning liquids 307 and 309 can be prevented from contacting the system liquid 302 filling the inside of the dispensing probe. It may be difficult to control the temperature of the system liquid 302 supplied from the tank 201. In such a case, the temperature of the system liquid 302 is strongly affected by the outside air temperature. Therefore, when the outside air temperature is low, the heated cleaning liquids 307 and 309 may dissipate heat by contacting the system liquid 302. In addition, when the system liquid 302 supplied from the tank 201 moves on the inner surface of the dispensing probe, a small amount of the system liquid may adhere to the inner wall surface of the dispensing probe and remain there. As a result, the cleaning liquid adhering to the inner wall surface of the dispensing probe and the heated cleaning liquid may be mixed, causing the temperature of the heated cleaning liquid to drop.

[0048] The results of a simulation study of the effect of the volume of distributing air on heat dissipation are shown in Figures 4A to 4F. Figures 4A to 4F show the temperature change on the inner wall surface of the dispensing probe when the heated cleaning liquid is aspirated by the dispensing probe. Figures 4A to 4F show the results of monitoring the temperature at different height positions of the dispensing probe. The height positions at which the temperature was monitored are closer to the tip of the dispensing probe in the order of Figures 4A to 4F. That is, Figure 4A shows the results of monitoring at the position closest to the tip of the dispensing probe, and Figure 4F shows the results of monitoring at the position furthest from the tip of the dispensing probe.

[0049] In this simulation, evaluation was performed for two cases: when the segmented air volume was 0, and when the inside of the dispensing probe was completely filled with air. In Figures 4A to 4F, the dashed line shows the temperature change when the segmented air volume was 0, and the solid line shows the temperature change when the inside of the dispensing probe was completely filled with air.

[0050] 4A to 4F, it can be seen that the temperature indicated by the solid line (when the inside of the dispensing probe is completely filled with air) is higher than the temperature indicated by the dashed line (when the amount of segmented air is 0). This is believed to be because, as described above, by adjusting the amount of segmented air, the effect of heat dissipation can be reduced by preventing the heated cleaning liquid from coming into contact with the low-temperature system liquid 302 supplied from the tank 201.

[0051] As shown in Figures 4A to 4F, by increasing the amount of segmented air 306 and 308 when aspirating heated cleaning liquids 307 and 309 relative to the amount of segmented air 301 when aspirating sample 303, the insulating effect can be improved and the temperatures of heated cleaning liquids 307 and 309 can be kept high.

[0052] Example 2 Also, it is desirable to make the amount of segmented air large enough to cover the cleaning range of the inner surface of the dispensing probe. An example of this case is shown in Figure 5. The device configuration of Example 2 is similar to that of Example 1, so their description will be omitted. Also, Figures 5(a) to 5(d) are similar to Figures 3(a) to 3(d) of Example 1, so their description will be omitted.

[0053] The sample dispensing probe 22 aspirates the segmented air 306 so as to fill the cleaning area A on the inner surface of the sample dispensing probe 22 (FIG. 5(e)).

[0054] Thereafter, the sample dispensing probe 22 is moved to the special washing tank 27 by the sample dispensing mechanism 15. Here, the sample dispensing probe 22 aspirates the heated washing liquid 307 so as to fill the washing area A of the inner surface of the sample dispensing probe 22 (FIG. 5(f)). The inner surface of the sample dispensing probe 22 is washed with the heated washing liquid 307.

[0055] Thereafter, the sample dispensing probe 22 is moved to the washing tank 26 by the sample dispensing mechanism 15. Here, the sample dispensing probe 22 quantitatively discharges the heated washing liquid 307 by pushing it out with the syringe pump 205 (FIG. 5(g)). By operating in this manner, the segmented air 306 fills the washing range A on the inner surface again, and the system liquid 302 does not come into contact with the inner surface of the sample dispensing probe 22 in the washing range A. This makes it possible to prevent a drop in temperature of the washing range A on the inner surface. Also, in Example 1, the sample dispensing probe 22 was subjected to internal and external washing at this point. However, from the viewpoint of preventing contact with the system liquid 302, it is possible not to perform the internal and external washing.

[0056] Next, the sample dispensing probe 22 is moved to the special washing tank 27 by the sample dispensing mechanism 15. The sample dispensing probe 22 again aspirates and dispenses the heated washing liquid 309 (FIG. 5(h)).

[0057] Thereafter, the sample dispensing probe 22 is rotated by the sample dispensing mechanism 15 to the washing tank 26, where internal and external washing is performed (FIGS. 5(i) and 5(j)). At this time, the internal and external washing in the washing tank 26 may be repeated multiple times to reduce the amount of the heated washing solutions 307 and 309 remaining on the sample dispensing probe 22.

[0058] Example 3 Furthermore, when the heated cleaning liquid 307 is discharged, by leaving a part of the heated cleaning liquid 307 in the sample dispensing probe 22, it is possible to prevent contact with the outside air and reduce a temperature drop due to heat radiation. An example of a method for cleaning the dispensing probe of Example 3 is shown in Figs. 6 and 7. The device configuration of Example 3 is similar to that of Example 1, so the description thereof is omitted. Also, Figs. 6(a) to 6(e) and Figs. 7(a) to 7(f) are similar to Figs. 5(a) to 5(f) of Example 2, so the description thereof is omitted. The amount of segmented air 306 sucked into the dispensing probe in Example 3 may be similar to that of Example 1.

[0059] The process up to the suction operation of heated cleaning liquid 307 (FIGS. 6(a) to 6(f) and 7(a) to 7(f)) is the same as that of FIGS. 5(a) to 5(f). When suctioning heated cleaning liquid 307, it is sufficient that the cleaning range A of the inner surface is filled with heated cleaning liquid 307, or an amount of heated cleaning liquid 307 exceeding this amount may be suctioned. An example of a case where an amount of heated cleaning liquid exceeding the cleaning range of the inner surface is suctioned is shown in FIG. 7 (FIG. 7(f)).

[0060] Thereafter, the sample dispensing probe 22 is moved to the washing tank 26 by the sample dispensing mechanism 15. Here, the sample dispensing probe 22 quantitatively discharges the heated washing liquid 307 by pushing it out by the syringe pump 205 (FIGS. 6(g) and 7(g)). In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5, all the heated washing liquid 307 is discharged outside the sample dispensing probe 22, but in the third embodiment, a part of the heated washing liquid 307, that is, a heated washing liquid 310, is left remaining inside the sample dispensing probe 22. That is, the control unit 250 controls the operation of the syringe pump to discharge the remaining heated washing liquid while leaving a part of the heated washing liquid inside the dispensing probe inside the dispensing probe. This makes it possible to prevent the inner surface of the sample dispensing probe 22 from coming into contact with the outside air, and to keep the inside of the sample dispensing probe 22 warm.

[0061] Thereafter, the sample dispensing probe 22 is rotated by the sample dispensing mechanism 15 and moves to the special washing tank 27. Here, the sample dispensing probe 22 aspirates the heated washing liquid 309 (FIGS. 6(h) and 7(h)). As in the previous case, when aspirating the heated washing liquid 309, it is sufficient that the heated washing liquid 309 fills the washing range A of the inner surface, and an amount of heated washing liquid 307 exceeding this may be aspirated. An example of this is shown in FIG. 7(h).

[0062] Then, after washing again, the sample dispensing probe 22 is moved to the washing tank 26 by the sample dispensing mechanism 15, where internal and external washing is performed (FIGS. 6(i) and (j), FIG. 7(i) and (j)).

[0063] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, by allowing the amount of heated cleaning liquid 310 remaining inside the sample dispensing probe 22 to fill the cleaning area A on the inner surface (Figure 8 (g)), the heated cleaning liquid 310 is always in contact with the cleaning area A on the inner surface, which is expected to further improve the cleaning efficiency.

[0064] Example 4 9, the inside of the sample dispensing probe 22 is preliminarily heated by aspirating the heated cleaning solution in multiple stages. This makes it possible to remove the system solution 302 remaining on the inner wall surface, and is expected to result in more efficient cleaning.

[0065] The process up to the point where the sample dispensing probe 22 aspirates the segmented air 306 (FIGS. 9(a) to 9(e)) is the same as that shown in FIG. 3(a) to FIG. 3(e) of the first embodiment. Thereafter, the sample dispensing probe 22 is moved to the special washing tank 27 by the sample dispensing mechanism 15. Here, the sample dispensing probe 22 aspirates the heated washing liquid 311 (FIG. 9(f)).

[0066] Thereafter, the sample dispensing probe 22 is moved to the washing tank 26 by the sample dispensing mechanism 15 and sucks in the segmented air 312 (FIG. 9(g)). The segmented air 312 is an example of the third segmented air of the present invention. At this time, by making the amount of the segmented air 312 greater than the difference between the cleaning range A of the inner surface and the heated cleaning liquid 313, it is possible to make the heated cleaning liquid 313 pass through the cleaning range A of the inner surface. This makes it possible to remove the system liquid 302 remaining on the inner wall surface of the sample dispensing probe 22 and to heat the sample dispensing probe 22 itself.

[0067] Thereafter, the sample dispensing probe 22 is moved to the special cleaning tank 27 by the sample dispensing mechanism 15. Here, the sample dispensing probe 22 aspirates the heated cleaning liquid 313 so as to fill the cleaning range A of the inner surface (FIG. 9(h)). Because the inner surface of the sample dispensing probe 22 has been preheated by the heated cleaning liquid 313 and the system liquid 302 has been removed, heat radiation from the heated cleaning liquid 313 can be prevented, and cleaning can be performed more efficiently.

[0068] Then, the sample dispensing probe 22 discharges heated cleaning liquid 313 (FIG. 9(i)) and aspirates partitioned air 314 (FIG. 9(j)). Furthermore, the sample dispensing probe 22 aspirates new heated cleaning liquid 315 (FIG. 9(k)).

[0069] Then, the sample dispensing probe 22 is moved to the washing tank 26 by the sample dispensing mechanism 15, and heated washing solutions 311 and 315 are discharged (FIG. 9(l)), and internal and external washing is performed (FIGS. 9(m) and (n)).

[0070] Example 5 In the fifth embodiment, as shown in Fig. 10, the system liquid 302 at the tip of the sample dispensing probe 22 is heated in the special washing tank 27, and segmented air and heated washing liquid are aspirated. That is, the control unit 250 controls the operation of the syringe pump 205 to heat the system liquid in the dispensing probe in the special washing tank 27, and then aspirate the second segmented air (segmented air 312) into the dispensing probe, and then aspirate the heated washing liquid 313. This is expected to enable efficient heating and washing.

[0071] The sample dispensing probe 22 aspirates segmented air 301 (Figure 10(a)), aspirates and discharges sample 303 (Figures 10(b) and (c)), and performs internal and external washing (Figure 10(d)), which is the same as Figures 5(a) to (d) of Example 2.

[0072] Thereafter, the sample dispensing probe 22 is filled with the system liquid 302 up to the tip thereof without sucking in any particulate air (FIG. 10(e)).

[0073] Then, the sample dispensing probe 22 is moved to the special washing tank 27 by the sample dispensing mechanism 15. Here, the system liquid 302 in the sample dispensing probe 22 is heated by contact with the heated washing liquid in the special washing tank 27 (FIG. 10(f)).

[0074] The sample dispensing probe 22 is moved by the sample dispensing mechanism 15 and aspirates the segmented air 312 (FIG. 10(g)). At this time, the amount of the segmented air 312 is greater than the amount of the segmented air 301 during sample aspira- tion, and may be an amount sufficient to fill the cleaning range A of the inner surface, if possible.

[0075] Thereafter, the sample dispensing probe 22 is moved by the sample dispensing mechanism 15 to the special washing tank 27, where it aspirates the heated washing liquid 313 (FIG. 10(h)). Thereafter, the sample dispensing probe 22 is moved by the sample dispensing mechanism 15 to the washing tank 26, where it discharges the heated washing liquid 313 (FIG. 10(i)), and performs internal and external washing (FIGS. 10(j) and (k)).

[0076] 10 shows an example in which the system liquid 302 is heated in the special washing tank 27 without aspirating segmented air. However, in the fifth embodiment, a method may be used in which segmented air is aspirated, and then segmented air and system liquid 302 are discharged in the special washing tank 27, and the tip of the sample dispensing probe 22 is filled with system liquid, and then the system liquid 302 is heated in the special washing tank 27. This makes it possible to prevent liquid from dripping from the tip of the sample dispensing probe 22 when the sample dispensing probe 22 moves to the special washing tank 27.

[0077] Example 6 In the above-mentioned Examples 1 to 5, the case where the height of the cleaning range of the outer surface is smaller than the cleaning range of the inner surface is described. However, in reality, there are also cases where the cleaning range B of the outer surface is larger than the cleaning range A of the inner surface. An example of such a case is shown in FIG.

[0078] In the sixth embodiment, the control unit 250 controls the operation of the syringe pump 205 to suck in the second segmented air (segmented air 306) to a region higher than the height of the cleaning range B on the outer surface. Thus, in the sixth embodiment, the sample dispensing probe 22 is expected to perform cleaning with higher cleaning efficiency by sucking in an amount greater than the range that fills the cleaning range A on the inner surface, i.e., the segmented air 306 that fills the cleaning range B on the outer surface (FIG. 11(e)). In the sixth embodiment, cleaning with a heated cleaning solution is repeatedly performed (FIGS. 11(e), (f), (g) and (h)), and internal and external cleaning is performed (FIGS. 11(i) and (j)).

[0079] (Modification) The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, but includes various modified examples. The above-mentioned embodiment has been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and is not necessarily limited to those having all of the configurations described. It is also possible to replace a part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. It is also possible to add, delete, or replace a part of the configuration of each embodiment with another configuration.

[0080] For example, the control unit 250 may control the operation of the syringe pump 205 to adjust the amount of the second segmented air (segmented air 306) so that the heated cleaning solution 307 does not exceed the junction 209 connecting the dispensing probe and the tube 206.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the method for cleaning the sample dispensing probe 22 has been described, but the cleaning method of the present invention can also be applied to the reagent dispensing probe 21.

[0082] The control unit 250 may also control the operation of the syringe pump 205 by referring to a parameter X indicating the amount of segmented air 301 and a parameter Y indicating the amount of segmented air 306 (where Y is a number greater than X). The control unit 250 may also control the operation of the syringe pump 205 by referring to a parameter X indicating the amount of segmented air 301 and a parameter (X+α) indicating the amount of segmented air 306 (where α is a positive number). [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 10 Automatic analyzer 11 Reagent containers 12 Reagent Disk 13 Reaction Disc 14 Reagent dispensing mechanism 15 Sample dispensing mechanism 21 Reagent dispensing probe 22 Sample dispensing probe 23 Sample Container 24 Sample Rack 25 cells 26 Cleaning tank 27 Special cleaning tank 28 Stirring mechanism 29 Light source 30 photometer 201 Tank 202 Pump 203 External washing solenoid valve 204 Internal cleaning solenoid valve 205 Syringe Pump 206 Tube 207 Cleaning nozzle 208 Waste liquid tank 209 Junction 250 Control section 251 processor 252 Main memory 253 Auxiliary storage 254 Interface 301 Segmented Air 302 System Fluid 303 Sample 305 Cleaning fluid 306 Segmented Air 307 Heated cleaning fluid 308 Segmented Air 309 Heated cleaning solution 310 Heated cleaning solution 311 Heated cleaning fluid 312 Segmented Air 313 Heated cleaning fluid 314 Segmented Air 315 Heated cleaning fluid

Claims

1. A dispensing probe for aspirating liquid; A cleaning tank for supplying a heated cleaning liquid; a pump for aspirating the liquid and the heated cleaning liquid into the dispensing probe; A control unit for controlling the operation of the pump, The control unit controls the operation of the pump, When the liquid is aspirated into the dispensing probe, a first segmented air that separates the system liquid filled in the dispensing probe from the liquid is aspirated into the dispensing probe, and the liquid is aspirated into the dispensing probe following the first segmented air; When the heated cleaning liquid is aspirated into the dispensing probe, the system liquid filled in the dispensing probe and the heated cleaning liquid are separated. A second segmented air having an amount greater than the first segmented air is aspirated into the dispensing probe, and the heated cleaning liquid is aspirated into the dispensing probe following the second segmented air. An automatic analyzer characterized by:

2. The amount of the second air drawn into the dispensing probe is equal to or larger than the cleaning area of ​​the inner surface of the dispensing probe.

2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 .

3. The control unit controls the operation of the pump, The remaining heated cleaning liquid is discharged while leaving a part of the heated cleaning liquid in the dispensing probe in the dispensing probe.

2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 .

4. The amount of the portion of the heated cleaning liquid remaining in the dispensing probe is equal to or larger than the cleaning range of the inner surface of the dispensing probe.

4. The automatic analyzer according to claim 3.

5. The control unit controls the operation of the pump, When an additional heated cleaning liquid different from the heated cleaning liquid is aspirated into the dispensing probe, a third segmented air that separates the heated cleaning liquid and the additional heated cleaning liquid in the dispensing probe is aspirated into the dispensing probe, and the additional heated cleaning liquid is aspirated into the dispensing probe following the third segmented air.

2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 .

6. The amount of the additional heated cleaning liquid is equal to or greater than the cleaning area of ​​the inner surface of the dispensing probe.

6. The automatic analyzer according to claim 5.

7. The control unit controls the operation of the pump, After the system liquid in the dispensing probe is heated in the washing tank, the second segmented air is sucked into the dispensing probe, and the heated washing liquid is sucked into the dispensing probe following the second segmented air.

2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 .

8. When the height of the cleaning range of the outer surface of the dispensing probe is higher than the height of the cleaning range of the inner surface, the control unit controls the operation of the pump to suck the second segmented air to a region higher than the height of the cleaning range of the outer surface.

2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 .

9. The control unit controls the operation of the pump to adjust the amount of the second dispensing air so that the heated cleaning liquid does not exceed a junction connecting the dispensing probe and a tube that supplies the system liquid to the dispensing probe.

2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 .

10. The amount of the heated cleaning liquid to be aspirated is determined according to the history of the amount of the liquid aspirated in the past.

2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 .

11. Filling a dispensing probe with system liquid; Aspirating a first partition air into the dispensing probe to partition the system liquid and the liquid contained in the dispensing probe; aspirating the liquid into the dispensing probe following the first air segment; Dispensing the liquid in the dispensing probe; Aspirating a second amount of air into the dispense probe, the second amount of air being greater than the first amount of air, which separates the system liquid and the heated cleaning liquid filled in the dispense probe; and aspirating the heated wash solution into the dispense probe following the second air split. A method for cleaning a dispensing probe comprising the steps of:

12. The amount of the second air drawn into the dispensing probe is equal to or larger than the cleaning area of ​​the inner surface of the dispensing probe. The method for washing a dispensing probe according to claim 11.

13. and discharging the remaining heated cleaning liquid while leaving a portion of the heated cleaning liquid in the dispensing probe in the dispensing probe. The method for washing a dispensing probe according to claim 11.

14. The amount of the portion of the heated cleaning liquid remaining in the dispensing probe is equal to or larger than the cleaning range of the inner surface of the dispensing probe. The method for washing a dispensing probe according to claim 13.

15. Suctioning a third air segment into the dispensing probe to separate the heated cleaning fluid from additional heated cleaning fluid in the dispensing probe; and and aspirating the additional heated wash fluid into the dispense probe following the third air split. The method for washing a dispensing probe according to claim 11.

16. The amount of the additional heated cleaning liquid is equal to or greater than the cleaning area of ​​the inner surface of the dispensing probe. The method for washing a dispensing probe according to claim 15.

17. After dispensing the liquid in the dispensing probe, the system liquid in the dispensing probe is heated in a washing tank that supplies the heated washing liquid. The method for washing a dispensing probe according to claim 11.

18. When the height of the cleaning range of the outer surface of the dispensing probe is higher than the height of the cleaning range of the inner surface, sucking the second segmented air into the dispensing probe means sucking the second segmented air to a region higher than the height of the cleaning range of the outer surface. The method for washing a dispensing probe according to claim 11.

19. and adjusting the amount of the second air so that the heated cleaning fluid does not overflow a junction connecting the dispensing probe and a tube that supplies the system fluid to the dispensing probe. The method for washing a dispensing probe according to claim 11.

20. The amount of the heated cleaning liquid to be suctioned is determined according to a history of the amount of the liquid to be suctioned in the past. The method for washing a dispensing probe according to claim 11.

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