Electrolyte analysis device and analysis method with electrolyte analysis device

Abstract

To provide an electrolyte analysis device capable of avoiding the effects of vibrations and electrical noises from mechanical operation parts located outside electrolyte measurement parts when increasing the measurement processing speed of the device.SOLUTION: The electrolyte analysis device includes: an electrolyte measure mechanism that measures the potential of specific ions in a sample by using an ion-selective electrode; a sample supply mechanism for supplying the sample to the ion-selective electrode; and a control mechanism that controls the operation of the sample supply mechanism. In the electrolyte analysis device, the control mechanism controls the operation of the sample supply mechanism so that a period during which the magnitude of mechanical vibration transmitted to the ion selective electrode due to the operation of the sample supply mechanism may be equal to or greater than a predetermined value does not overlap with the timing at which the potential of the specific ions is measured by the ion-selective electrode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrolyte analyzer and an analysis method for the electrolyte analyzer. [Background technology]

[0002] The most common electrolyte analysis, which analyzes the concentration of specific ions in samples such as blood and urine, is the ion selective electrode method, in which the concentration of an ion in a sample is calculated based on the potential difference between an ion selective electrode and a reference electrode.

[0003] It is known that in order to measure ion concentrations with good reproducibility using the ion selective electrode method, it is important to keep the measurement conditions, such as the electrode temperature, constant. For this reason, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a sample temperature control block is provided in the flow path from the sample suction nozzle to the electrode block, sensors for measuring the electrode block, the sample temperature control block, and the outside air temperature are installed in various locations, and the output of heaters installed in each block is controlled according to the outside air temperature so that the temperatures of the ion selective electrode, the reference electrode, the reference electrode internal liquid, the sample when they reach each electrode flow path, and the calibration liquid are the same, thereby eliminating the influence of the outside air temperature.

[0004] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for more precise temperature control, in which the temperature is measured based on the potential measured by an ion selective electrode, and the temperature is feedback-controlled or the measured potential value is corrected. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-093252 A [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-139848 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present inventors arrived at the present invention while studying how to increase the speed of ion concentration measurement using the ion selective electrode method. That is, they discovered that when an analysis operation cycle is started before one analysis cycle is completed in order to increase the speed, if the timing of the operation of the mechanism for dispensing the sample to be measured from the sample container and the timing of measuring the electromotive force with the ion selective electrode overlap, the variation in the ion concentration calculated based on the measured electromotive force becomes large.

[0007] After thorough investigation of the causes, the inventors have hypothesized that it is not only the temperature, as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, that affects ion concentration measurements using an ion selective electrode, but also that the overlapping of the two timings causes vibrations and electrical noise (including electromagnetic waves) generated by the operation of the sample dispensing mechanism to propagate to the electrolyte measurement unit, causing the measurement target to vibrate, or that electromagnetic waves may enter the electrolyte measurement unit and the board and wiring that perform concentration calculations as noise, thereby affecting the measurement results.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide an electrolyte analyzer using an ion selective electrode method capable of performing highly reliable measurements, and an analysis method for the electrolyte analyzer.

[0009] Incidentally, paragraph

[0024] of Patent Document 2 states that "When a mechanical part connected to the measurement flow path is driven, it affects the potential measurement, so a stable potential when the mechanism is not moving is appropriate." However, it is clear from the description in paragraph

[0043] of the same document that the "mechanical part" in question is an electromagnetic valve installed in the liquid delivery piping, "When introducing liquid, the electromagnetic valve is opened and closed to deliver the sample liquid or reference electrode solution, so the potential is disturbed," and we would like to add that the "effect of vibration on the ion selective electrode" that the present invention focuses on is not taken into consideration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows.

[0011] An electrolyte analyzer comprising an electrolyte measurement mechanism that measures the electric potential of a specific ion in a sample using an ion selective electrode, a sample supply mechanism that supplies the sample to the ion selective electrode, and a control mechanism that controls the operation of the sample supply mechanism, wherein the control mechanism controls the operation of the sample supply mechanism so that a period during which the operation of the sample supply mechanism may cause the magnitude of mechanical vibration transmitted to the ion selective electrode to exceed a predetermined value does not overlap with the timing of measuring the electric potential of the specific ion with the ion selective electrode. Effect of the Invention

[0012] An electrolyte analyzer using an ion selective electrode method capable of highly reliable measurement, and an analysis method for the electrolyte analyzer are provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1A] Overall schematic diagram of electrolyte analyzer (with rack rotor) [Figure 1B] Schematic diagram of the entire electrolyte analyzer (without rack rotor) [Diagram 2] Schematic diagram of the electrolyte analyzer measurement section [Figure 3A] General mechanism operating parameters (liquid level: high) [Figure 3B] General mechanism operating parameters (liquid level: medium) [Figure 3C] General mechanism operating parameters (liquid level: low) [Figure 4A] Mechanism operation parameters with increased measurement processing speed (liquid level: high) [Figure 4B] Mechanism operation parameters with increased measurement processing speed (liquid level: medium) [Figure 4C] Mechanism operation parameters with increased measurement processing speed (liquid level: low) [Figure 5A] Mechanism operation parameters that control the waiting time for lowering operation (liquid level: high) [Figure 5B]Mechanism operation parameters that control the waiting time for lowering operation (liquid level: medium) [Figure 5C] Mechanism operation parameters that control the waiting time for lowering operation (liquid level: low) [Figure 6] Control flow of lowering action waiting time (C1) [Figure 7A] Mechanism operating parameters that control the descent acceleration (liquid level: high) [Figure 7B] Mechanism operation parameters for controlling descent acceleration (liquid level: medium) [Figure 7C] Mechanism operating parameters that control the descent acceleration (liquid level: low) [Figure 8] Control flow for downward acceleration (C2) [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the magnitude of mechanical vibration transmitted to the ion-selective electrode by the operation of the sample supply mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] An embodiment of an electrolyte analyzer according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1A is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an electrolyte analyzer according to this embodiment.

[0015] The electrolyte analyzer 100 includes a sample loading section 1, a sample unloading section 2, a first sample transport section 3, a rack rotor 4, a second sample transport section 5, a liquid level measuring section 6, a sample dispensing mechanism 7, a dilution tank 8, a sample rack 9, and an electrolyte measuring section 50.

[0016] The sample loading section 1 is a device that transports a sample rack 9 on which a sample container 21 containing a sample is mounted to the first sample transport section 3. The sample referred to here is a general term for all measurement targets derived from urine or serum collected from a patient. It also includes measurement targets derived from animals as well as humans. It also includes control specimens.

[0017] The first sample transport section 3 is a device that transports the sample rack 9 transported from the sample loading section 1 to the inside of the rack rotor 4. It is also a device that transports the sample rack 9 after measurement has been completed from the inside of the rack rotor 4 to the sample unloading section 2.

[0018] The rack rotor 4 is provided with a disk-shaped mechanism for rotating clockwise / counterclockwise, and the direction of movement of the sample rack 9 can be changed by storing and rotating the sample rack 9 inside the rack rotor 4. The rack rotor 4 is a device that stores the sample rack 9 transported from the first sample transport unit 3, changes the direction of movement of the sample rack 9, and transports it to the second sample transport unit 5. The rack rotor 4 is also a device that stores the sample rack 9 transported from the second sample transport unit 5 after the measurement is completed, and then changes the direction of movement of the sample rack 9 and transports it to the first sample transport unit 3. At this time, the sample dispensing mechanism 7 may be operated on the first sample transport unit 3 without using the rack rotor 4, or the direction of the sample rack 9 may be changed by a rotating mechanism 4' that can hold one sample rack 9 as shown in FIG. 1B. Any form of transport method of the sample rack 9 may be used.

[0019] The second sample transport unit 5 is a device that transports the sample rack 9 transported from the rack rotor 4 to a sample suction position. It is also a device that transports the sample rack 9 to the rack rotor 4 after sample suction has been completed.

[0020] The liquid level measuring unit 6 is a device that measures the liquid level of the sample contained in the sample container 21 mounted on the sample rack 9 in the first sample transport unit 3 by capturing an image of the sample container from the side direction using a photographing function such as a small camera. The photographing function at this time may be performed using an imaging sensor such as a CCD or CMOS. Also, the image may be captured by the sample loading unit 1 or the second sample transport unit 5, etc., as long as it is before the sample dispensing mechanism 7 operates.

[0021] The sample dispensing mechanism 7 equipped with the dispensing probe 7a is installed outside the electrolyte measuring unit 50, and is equipped with a mechanism for rotating around a rotation axis in the vertical direction and clockwise / counterclockwise directions, and is an apparatus for aspirating a sample from a sample container 21 containing the sample with the dispensing probe 7a and discharging the sample into the dilution tank 8. First, the sample rack 9 moves to above the sample aspirating position of the second sample transport unit 5. Then, the dispensing probe 7a moves down and stops at a predetermined height (a state in which the tip of the probe 7a is immersed in the liquid to some extent) so that the change in capacitance when the dispensing probe 7a comes into contact with or approaches the sample liquid surface can be detected and the sample in the sample container can be aspirated. The liquid surface detection at this time may be performed by a capacitance type or an electrical current type.

[0022] Next, the main part of the electrolyte analysis will be explained with reference to Fig. 2. By lowering the plunger in the sample syringe 19, the system water in the flow path flows into the syringe. The negative pressure at this time is used to aspirate the sample contained in the sample container 21. After aspirating the sample, the dispensing probe 7a rises and moves to the top of the dilution tank 8, and then opens the solenoid valve 31 to raise the plunger in the sample syringe 19, thereby discharging the sample into the dilution tank 8.

[0023] The electrolyte measurement unit 50 shown in Fig. 2 is a flow type that uses an ion-selective electrode. Fig. 2 shows four main mechanisms of the dispensing unit and electrolyte measurement unit 50: an electrode unit, a reagent unit, a mechanism unit, and a waste liquid unit, as well as a device that controls these mechanisms and calculates the electrolyte concentration from the measurement results.

[0024] The electrode section is equipped with a dilution tank 8, a shipper nozzle 20, a diluent nozzle 33, an internal standard nozzle 34, an ion selective electrode 10, a reference electrode 11, a pinch valve 32, a voltmeter 36, and an amplifier 37. The sample sucked by the sample dispensing mechanism 7 of the dispensing section is discharged into the dilution tank 8, and the solenoid valve 23 is opened, causing the plunger in the diluent syringe 17 to rise, discharging the diluent from the diluent nozzle 33 and diluting and stirring in the dilution tank 8.

[0025] The shipper nozzle 20 is connected to the ion selective electrode 10 via a flow path, and the diluted sample solution sucked from the dilution tank 8 is delivered to the ion selective electrode 10 by opening the solenoid valve 27 and pinch valve 32 and lowering the plunger in the shipper syringe 18. On the other hand, the reference electrode solution contained in the reference electrode solution bottle 14 is delivered to the reference electrode 11 via the flow path by lowering the plunger in the shipper syringe 18 with the pinch valve 32 closed.

[0026] The diluted sample solution sent to the flow path of the ion selective electrode comes into contact with the reference electrode solution sent to the flow path of the reference electrode, thereby electrically conducting the ion selective electrode 10 and the reference electrode 11. The electrode unit measures the concentration of a specific electrolyte contained in the sample based on the potential difference between the ion selective electrode 10 and the reference electrode 11.

[0027] The reagent section supplies the reagents required for measurement from a suction nozzle 15 that sucks the reagents from a reagent container. When performing electrolyte measurements, three types of reagents are used: an internal standard solution, a diluent, and a reference electrode solution, and an internal standard solution bottle 12 that contains the internal standard solution, a diluent solution bottle 13 that contains the diluent, and a reference electrode solution bottle 14 that contains the reference electrode solution are installed in the reagent section. Figure 2 shows this state. Also, when cleaning the device, a cleaning solution bottle that stores cleaning solution is installed in the reagent section.

[0028] The internal standard bottle 12 and the diluent bottle 13 are connected to an internal standard nozzle 34 and a diluent nozzle 33 through flow paths, respectively, and each nozzle is installed with its tip inserted into the dilution tank 8. In addition, the reference electrode solution bottle 14 is connected to the reference electrode 11 through a flow path.

[0029] The mechanism section includes an internal standard syringe 16, a diluent syringe 17, a shipper syringe 18, and solenoid valves 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30, and is responsible for operations such as liquid transfer within each mechanism or between each mechanism. For example, the internal standard and diluent are transferred to the dilution tank 8 by the operation of the internal standard syringe 16 and the diluent syringe 17, respectively, and the solenoid valves provided in the flow paths.

[0030] The waste liquid mechanism includes a first waste liquid nozzle 35, a second waste liquid nozzle 41, a vacuum bottle 39, a waste liquid receiver 40, a vacuum pump 38, and solenoid valves 28 and 29. The first waste liquid nozzle 35 descends into the dilution tank 8, and opens the solenoid valve 29 above the vacuum bottle 39, which has been depressurized by the vacuum pump 38, thereby sucking in the sample solution remaining in the dilution tank 8 and the reaction liquid remaining in the flow path of the electrode unit. The solution accumulated in the vacuum bottle is discharged outside the device as waste liquid by opening the solenoid valve 30 at regular intervals.

[0031] The control unit 43 is connected to the electrolyte measurement unit 50, the sample dispensing mechanism 7, the liquid level measurement unit 6, etc., via a wired or wireless network line, and controls the operation within the electrolyte analyzer 100. The control unit 43 also performs calculations using the potential of the ion selective electrode 10 measured for the sample solution to calculate the electrolyte concentration in the sample. At this time, the measurement is performed based on the ion selective electrode potential measured for the internal standard solution. This control unit 43 can be configured as a computer equipped with a CPU, RAM, a storage unit, and an I / O port, and the RAM, storage unit, and I / O port are configured to be able to exchange data with the CPU via a relay board or the like. The I / O port is connected to each of the above-mentioned mechanisms and controls their operation. The operation control is performed by loading a program stored in the storage unit into the RAM and executing it with the CPU. An input / output device is also connected to the control unit 43, allowing input from the user and displaying the measurement results.

[0032] Next, a description will be given of the operation of measuring the electrolyte concentration by the electrolyte measuring device shown in Fig. 2. The measurement operation is controlled by control unit 43.

[0033] First, the sample dispensed from the sample container 21 by the sample dispensing mechanism 7 is discharged into the dilution tank 8 of the electrode section. After the sample is dispensed into the dilution tank 8, the solenoid valve 25 opens and the plunger in the dilution syringe 17 descends, so that the dilution liquid in the dilution bottle 13 is sent to the dilution syringe 17. Next, the solenoid valve 25 is closed, the solenoid valve 23 is opened, and the plunger in the dilution syringe 17 is raised, so that the dilution liquid is discharged from the dilution nozzle 33 into the dilution tank 8, and the sample is diluted. The diluted sample solution is sucked into the ion selective electrode 10 by the shipper nozzle 20, which moves up and down, descending into the dilution tank 8, the solenoid valve 27 is opened, and the plunger in the shipper syringe 18 descending.

[0034] On the other hand, the pinch valve 32 closes and the plunger in the syringe 18 descends, thereby sending the reference electrode solution from the reference electrode solution bottle 14 into the reference electrode 11. The reference electrode solution is, for example, a potassium chloride (KCl) aqueous solution of a predetermined concentration, and when the sample solution and the reference electrode solution come into contact with each other, electrical conduction is established between the ion selective electrode 10 and the reference electrode 11. The ion selective electrode potential based on the reference electrode potential is measured using a voltmeter 36 and an amplifier 37. The above is a general measurement operation.

[0035] Using Figures 3A to 3C, the mechanism operation parameters of one sample dispensing operation of the sample dispensing mechanism 7 and concentration calculation during a general electrolyte measurement will be described. In Figures 3A to 3C, the rotational operation indicates the operation state when the sample dispensing mechanism 7 rotates in an arc as shown in Figure 1. Initially, the sample dispensing mechanism is stopped above the dilution tank 8 in Figure 1. Since the sample dispensing mechanism is not moving, the lines indicating the operation in Figure 3 extend horizontally at the reference position (0 level). The line rising diagonally upward at S1 indicates that the sample dispensing mechanism has started to rotate clockwise at a constant acceleration. Next, the line extending horizontally at a constant height indicates that the rotational speed of the sample dispensing mechanism has reached a predetermined speed, so that it has stopped accelerating and is rotating clockwise at a constant speed. Next, the line descending diagonally downward indicates that the sample dispensing mechanism is rotating clockwise with reverse acceleration (as if braking to decelerate) to stop the sample dispensing mechanism at the sample suction position. After that, the line extends horizontally again at the reference position, indicating that the sample dispensing mechanism has stopped at the sample suction position. Next, at S2, the line moves diagonally downward in the opposite direction to S1, indicating that the sample dispensing mechanism has started to move in the opposite direction (counterclockwise) to S1. The same applies to S1 below. Moreover, up-and-down movement indicates the state in which the sample dispensing mechanism moves in the up-and-down direction. In S3, the line extends diagonally downward from the reference position (0 level) indicating that the sample dispensing mechanism is descending at a constant acceleration, then the line extends horizontally with a constant value indicating that it is descending at a constant speed, and then the line extends diagonally upward indicating that the brakes are being applied to stop the sample dispensing mechanism at a specified height. After that, the line extends horizontally again at the reference position indicating that the sample dispensing mechanism has stopped at a specified sample suction height. Next, in S4, the line moves diagonally upward in the opposite direction to S3 indicating that the sample dispensing mechanism has started to move in the opposite direction to S3 (the upward direction). The rest is the same as for S3.

[0036] Figure 3A shows an example when the liquid level of the sample contained in the sample container 21 is high, Figure 3B shows an example when the liquid level of the sample contained in the sample container 21 is medium, and Figure 3C shows an example when the liquid level of the sample contained in the sample container 21 is low.

[0037] First, to aspirate the sample, the sample dispensing mechanism 7 moves horizontally (S1) from the dilution tank 8 to above the sample aspirating position of the second sample transport unit 5. After stopping above the sample aspirating position, it performs a descending operation (S3) and is stopped (S7) using the liquid level detection function described above. At this time, the time required for the operation (S3) to descend at a constant speed varies depending on the liquid level of the sample contained in the sample container 21. As can be seen from the figures, the time required for descent is as follows: Figure 3A < Figure 3B < Figure 3C (Premise: The acceleration until a constant speed is reached is the same in all of Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C).

[0038] After the sample dispensing mechanism 7 stops and aspirates the sample, it performs an upward movement (S4). After the upward movement stops, it moves horizontally (S2) from the sample aspirating position to the dilution tank 8. After it stops at the top of the dilution tank 8, it performs a downward movement (S5) to lower the sample dispensing mechanism 7 into the dilution tank 8 and dispense the sample. After the sample is dispensed, it performs an upward movement (S6) to complete dispensing. After dispensing is completed, a certain time later, a potential measurement (S8) of a specific ion concentration is performed to calculate the ion concentration.

[0039] When the sample dispensing mechanism moves up and down during the above flow (S3), the vibrations experienced by the ion selective electrode are shown in Figure 9. It can be seen that while the sample dispensing mechanism is descending at a constant speed, the vibrations are small, but when the mechanism is suddenly decelerated to stop it, large vibrations are generated.

[0040] In a general method of controlling mechanism operation parameters, as shown in Figs. 3A to 3C, after all mechanism operation parameters for a first sample are completed, operation parameters for a second sample are executed.

[0041] In order to increase the measurement processing speed, there is a method of starting the mechanism operation cycle for the second sample before the mechanism operation cycle for the first sample ends, as shown in Figures 4A to 4C. As in Figure 3, Figure 4A shows an example in which the liquid level of the sample contained in the sample container 21 is high, Figure 4B shows an example in which the liquid level of the sample contained in the sample container 21 is medium, and Figure 4C shows an example in which the liquid level of the sample contained in the sample container 21 is low. When this method is used, there is a possibility that the timing of the concentration calculation (S8) for the first sample and the timing of the speed change of the lowering operation (S3) for the second sample may overlap (see S8 in Figure 4B).

[0042] In this embodiment, only the overlap of the speed change timing of the lowering operation (S3) and the potential measurement timing (S8) for the concentration calculation is illustrated, but the speed change timing of any mechanism operation parameter may overlap with the potential measurement timing (S8) for the concentration calculation. If the speed change timing of this mechanism operation and the potential measurement timing (S8) for the concentration calculation overlap, as explained above with reference to FIG. 9, vibrations generated at the speed change timing may propagate to the electrolyte measuring unit 50 during the concentration calculation timing, thereby affecting the concentration calculation result. Although not explained in the figure, it is considered that in addition to vibrations, electrical noise may occur during sudden deceleration, and this noise may affect the potential measurement at the ion selective electrode. In addition, by miniaturizing the device, the distance between the electrolyte measuring unit 50 and other mechanisms is shortened, so that the impact on the concentration calculation result described above may be greater.

[0043] In FIG. 5, the liquid level measured by the liquid level measuring unit 6 is stored in advance in the control unit 43, and the time (standby time) until the lowering operation (S3) is started is calculated. The lowering operation (S3) is delayed by the calculated standby time (C1), and the speed change of the lowering operation (S3) and the potential measurement (S8) for the concentration calculation are controlled to have different timings. Also, FIG. 5A shows an example in which the liquid level of the sample contained in the sample container 21 is high, FIG. 5B shows an example in which the liquid level of the sample contained in the sample container 21 is medium, and FIG. 5C shows an example in which the liquid level of the sample contained in the sample container 21 is low. In this embodiment, the lowering operation (S3) is controlled, but the standby time (C1) may be placed before the rotation operation (S1). The rotation operation (S1) may be controlled to be slow to adjust the standby time (C1). This control makes it possible to prevent vibrations and electromagnetic waves generated by the sample dispensing mechanism from propagating to the electrolyte measurement unit during the concentration calculation timing.

[0044] The flow of the above-mentioned standby time control will be described with reference to FIG. The liquid level of the sample contained in the sample container 21 mounted on the sample rack 9 is measured in advance by the liquid level measuring unit 6 in the first sample transport unit 3 (F1). The measured value is output to a memory unit in the control unit 43 (F2). The control unit 43 calculates (F3) the waiting time using the previously stored arithmetic formula 1 and the measured value output by (F2), and outputs the calculation result to the control unit 43 (F4) to control the descent waiting time (F5). Thereafter, the sample dispensing mechanism 7 is executed (F6).

[0045] [Equation 1] T 1 =t 1 -(mx) / vt 2 -t 3 T 1 :Descent operation standby time (sec) t 1 :Descent operation time (sec) t 2 :Required acceleration time (sec) t 3 : Time required for deceleration (sec) m: Maximum descending amount (mm) v: Speed ​​when moving at constant speed (mm / sec) x: Measured liquid level (mm) The constants t1, t2, t3, m, and v required for the calculation are stored in advance in the control unit 43. In this embodiment, an arithmetic formula is used to derive the waiting time, but the waiting time corresponding to each liquid level height may be stored in advance in the storage unit. Based on the calculated waiting time, the control unit 43 controls the waiting time (C1) of the lowering operation (S3) of the sample dispensing mechanism 7. This allows the speed change of the lowering operation (S3) of the sample dispensing mechanism 7 and the potential measurement (S8) for concentration calculation to be performed at different timings regardless of the sample level height.

[0046] In Fig. 5A to Fig. 5C and Fig. 6, the waiting time of the descending operation (S3) is controlled to avoid overlapping of the timing of the speed change of the descending operation (S3) and the potential measurement (S8) for the concentration calculation. In Fig. 7A to Fig. 7C, the liquid level measured in advance by the liquid level measurement unit 6 is stored in the control unit 43, and the acceleration during the acceleration of the descending operation (S3) is calculated. The calculated acceleration (C2) is executed during the acceleration of the descending operation (S3), and the speed change of the descending operation (S3) and the potential measurement (S8) for the concentration calculation are controlled to have different timings. Fig. 7A shows an example when the liquid level of the sample contained in the sample container 21 is high, Fig. 7B shows an example when the liquid level of the sample contained in the sample container 21 is medium, and Fig. 7C shows an example when the liquid level of the sample contained in the sample container 21 is low. In this embodiment, the descending operation (S3) is controlled, but in this embodiment, the descending operation (S3) is controlled, but a waiting time (C1) may be placed before the rotation operation (S1). The rotation speed of the rotation operation (S1) may be controlled to be slower to adjust the waiting time (C1). This control makes it possible to prevent vibrations and electromagnetic waves generated from the sample dispensing mechanism from being transmitted to the electrolyte measuring unit during the concentration calculation timing.

[0047] The flow of the above-mentioned standby time control will be described with reference to FIG. The liquid level of the sample contained in the sample container 21 mounted on the sample rack 9 is measured in advance by the liquid level measuring unit 6 in the first sample transport unit 3 (F7). The measured value is output to a memory unit in the control unit 43 (F8). The control unit 43 calculates the acceleration (F9) using the previously stored arithmetic formula 2 and the measured value output in (F2), and outputs the calculation result to the control unit 43 (F10) to control the acceleration (F11). Thereafter, the sample dispensing mechanism 7 is executed (F12). [Equation 2] a=v / {t 1 -(mx) / vt 3} a: Acceleration (mm / sec 2 ) t 1 :Descent operation time (sec) t 3 :Deceleration time (sec) m: Maximum descent amount (mm) v: Constant speed (mm / sec) x: Measured liquid level (mm) The constants t1, t3, m, and v required for the calculation are stored in advance in the control unit 43. In this embodiment, an arithmetic formula is used to derive the waiting time, but the acceleration corresponding to each liquid level height may be stored in advance in the storage unit.

[0048] Based on the calculated waiting time, the control unit 43 controls the acceleration (C2) during acceleration of the downward movement (S3) of the sample dispensing mechanism 7. This allows the speed change of the downward movement (S3) of the sample dispensing mechanism 7 and the potential measurement (S8) for concentration calculation to be performed at different timings regardless of the sample liquid level.

[0049] Although the above description has been given of the sample dispensing mechanism as an example of a vibration source, the same phenomenon occurs in mechanisms other than the sample dispensing mechanism as long as they are mechanisms that can apply vibration to the ion selective electrode. For example, the second sample transport unit 5 is a sample supply mechanism that can apply vibration and electrical noise to the ion selective electrode because it is provided near the electrolyte measurement unit 50. The second sample transport unit 5 is a mechanism that transports a sample rack on which multiple sample containers are placed, but since the sample rack is heavy, there is a possibility that vibration and electrical noise of the same degree as the sample dispensing mechanism will be generated when the rack is suddenly decelerated to stop.

[0050] In addition, in this embodiment, the downward movement of the sample dispensing mechanism 7 is described. However, if further improvements are made to the processing speed, it is conceivable that the concentration calculation process will overlap with the left and right movements. However, this technology can be applied to any mechanism operation by controlling the timing of each mechanism operation to be shifted, and is therefore not limited to only the downward movement.

[0051] In claim 1 of the present application, the mechanism that can cause such vibrations and noise to the ion selective electrode is expressed as "a sample supply mechanism that supplies the sample to the ion selective electrode." Also, in claim 1, as a factor that may affect the potential measurement with the ion selective electrode, only the magnitude of vibration (displacement) is specified, stating that "the operation of the sample supply mechanism may cause the magnitude of mechanical vibration transmitted to the ion selective electrode to exceed a predetermined value." This is because only the magnitude of vibration can be measured at present, and the magnitude of electrical noise cannot be measured, so only the magnitude of vibration is specified. If the magnitude of electrical noise can be measured, we believe that the magnitude of electrical noise can also be specified in the claim as a factor on a par with the factor of the magnitude of vibration. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1 sample loading section, 2 sample unloading section, 3 first sample transport section, 4 rack rotor, 5 second sample transport section, 6 liquid level measuring section, 7 sample dispensing mechanism, 7a dispensing probe, 8 dilution tank, 9 sample rack, 10 ion selective electrode, 11 reference electrode, 12 internal standard bottle, 13 dilution bottle, 14 reference electrode bottle, 15 suction nozzle, 16 internal standard syringe, 17 dilution syringe, 18 sipper syringe, 19 sample syringe, 20 sipper nozzle, 21 sample container, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 solenoid valve, 32 pinch valve, 33 dilution nozzle, 34 internal standard nozzle, 35 first waste nozzle, 36 voltmeter, 37 amplifier, 38 vacuum pump, 39 vacuum bottle, 40 waste liquid receiver, 41 second waste liquid nozzle, 42 water supply tank, 43 control unit, 50 electrolyte measurement unit, 100 electrolyte analyzer, S1 movement from dilution tank to sample dispensing position, S2 movement from sample dispensing position to dilution tank, S3 descent from sample dispensing position, S4 ascent from sample dispensing position, S5 descent from dilution tank, S6 ascent from dilution tank, S7 liquid level detection, S8 concentration calculation timing, C1 descent operation standby time control, C2 acceleration control

Claims

1. an electrolyte measurement mechanism that measures the potential of a specific ion in a sample using an ion-selective electrode; a sample supply mechanism that supplies the sample to the ion selective electrode; A control mechanism for controlling the operation of the sample supply mechanism; An electrolyte analyzer comprising: the control mechanism controls the operation of the sample supply mechanism so that a period during which the magnitude of mechanical vibration transmitted to the ion selective electrode due to the operation of the sample supply mechanism may become equal to or greater than a predetermined value does not overlap with a timing during which the potential of the specific ion is measured by the ion selective electrode. Electrolyte analysis apparatus characterized by:

2. 2. The electrolyte analyzer according to claim 1, The period during which the magnitude of the mechanical vibration transmitted to the ion selective electrode may be equal to or greater than a predetermined value is a period during which the sample supply mechanism decelerates to stop after moving at a constant speed. Electrolyte analysis apparatus characterized by:

3. 2. The electrolyte analyzer according to claim 1, The sample supply mechanism includes: A sample dispensing mechanism that aspirates and / or dispenses a sample from a sample container that contains the sample to be measured. Electrolyte analysis apparatus characterized by:

4. 4. The electrolyte analyzer according to claim 3, the control mechanism controls the sample dispensing mechanism to start an analysis operation cycle including a dispensing operation for analyzing a next sample before an analysis operation cycle for a first sample dispensed by the sample dispensing mechanism is completed; controlling the operation of the sample dispensing mechanism so that a period during which the operation of the sample dispensing mechanism is decelerated does not overlap with a timing at which the potential of the specific ion is measured by the ion selective electrode; Electrolyte analysis apparatus characterized by:

5. 5. The electrolyte analyzer according to claim 4, The electrolyte analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the control mechanism adjusts a timing for starting operation of the sample dispensing mechanism based on a liquid level of the sample in the sample container.

6. 5. The electrolyte analyzer according to claim 4, The electrolyte analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the control mechanism adjusts the acceleration of the operation of the sample dispensing mechanism based on the liquid level of the sample in the sample container.

7. an electrolyte measurement mechanism that measures the potential of a specific ion in a sample using an ion selective electrode; a sample supply mechanism that supplies the sample to the ion selective electrode; An analysis method for an electrolyte analyzer comprising: an operation of the sample supply mechanism is controlled so that a period during which the magnitude of mechanical vibration transmitted to the ion selective electrode due to the operation of the sample supply mechanism may become equal to or greater than a predetermined value does not overlap with a timing during which the potential of the specific ion is measured by the ion selective electrode; The present invention relates to an electrolyte analyzer and an analysis method thereof.

8. The analysis method of the electrolyte analyzer according to claim 7, the predetermined value is a value in which the displacement of the mechanical vibration transmitted to the ion selective electrode is at least twice the displacement of the mechanical vibration when the sample supply mechanism moves at a constant speed; The present invention relates to an electrolyte analyzer and an analysis method thereof.

9. The analysis method of the electrolyte analyzer according to claim 7, The period during which the magnitude of the mechanical vibration transmitted to the ion selective electrode may be equal to or greater than a predetermined value is a period during which the sample supply mechanism decelerates to stop after moving at a constant speed. The present invention relates to an electrolyte analyzer and an analysis method thereof.

10. The analysis method of the electrolyte analyzer according to claim 7, The sample supply mechanism includes: A sample dispensing mechanism that aspirates and / or dispenses a sample from a sample container that contains the sample to be measured. The present invention relates to an electrolyte analyzer and an analysis method thereof.

11. The analysis method of the electrolyte analyzer according to claim 10, controlling the sample dispensing mechanism to start an analysis operation cycle including a dispensing operation for analyzing a next sample before the analysis operation cycle for the first sample dispensed by the sample dispensing mechanism is completed; controlling the operation of the sample dispensing mechanism so that a period during which the operation of the sample dispensing mechanism is decelerated does not overlap with a timing at which the potential of the specific ion is measured by the ion selective electrode; The present invention relates to an electrolyte analyzer and an analysis method thereof.

12. The analysis method of the electrolyte analyzer according to claim 11, 2. An analysis method for an electrolyte analyzer, comprising: adjusting a timing for starting the operation of the sample dispensing mechanism based on a liquid level of the sample in the sample container.

13. The analysis method of the electrolyte analyzer according to claim 11, 4. An analysis method for an electrolyte analyzer, comprising adjusting the acceleration of the operation of the sample dispensing mechanism based on the liquid level of the sample in the sample container.

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