Automatic analyzer and method for restart control

Abstract

To shorten the duration of time during which sample measurement cannot be performed by optimizing the management unit of measurement data.SOLUTION: One embodiment of the automatic analyzer according to the present invention includes: a control unit (210) for managing measurement data in association with a startup ID assigned for each startup unit of application software; and a restart control unit (211) for determining whether the analyzer is in a state capable of performing sample measurement when the application software is restarted for the purpose of updating the startup ID and permitting the start of sample measurement by the analyzer if it is determined that measurement can be performed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that measures the amount of a component contained in a sample, and a restart control method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, an automatic analyzer is known that includes an analyzer that measures the amount of components contained in a sample and a control device that manages the measurement results of the analyzer as measurement data. The control device operates based on notifications and requests from the analyzer, and if there is a delay in the arrival of these notifications and requests from the analyzer to the control device, problems such as inconsistency in the measurement data may occur.

[0003] To prevent such delays, the data used on the day of measurement is stored in the memory of the control device, thereby improving accessibility of the data to the analytical device. To store the data in memory, the measurement data recorded in the control device is managed by dividing it into units such as the activation ID of the application software that controls the analytical device running on the control device. The activation ID can be updated by, for example, restarting the application software that controls the analytical device.

[0004] However, because the memory area allocated for each activation ID is finite, if the analyzer is operated continuously for a long period of time and the amount of measurement data managed in association with the activation ID becomes large, it becomes difficult to save all of the measurement data. Therefore, it is preferable to restart the application software to change the activation ID periodically, such as when the measurement for the day is completed.

[0005] For example, in medical facilities such as hospitals, when the operation of an automatic analyzer comes to a lull, such as when outpatient treatment ends, the analyzer is restarted and the application software is restarted using a new activation ID, and the measurement data obtained after the restart is managed in association with the new activation ID.

[0006] On the other hand, the measurement of a sample by an analyzer must be started after the temperatures of the lamps used in the multi-wavelength photometer that measures the sample, the thermostatic bath, and other units have stabilized.

[0007] Therefore, even when the application software of the analyzer and the control device is restarted for the purpose of updating the activation ID, control may be performed to always generate an adjustment wait time for the temperature of each unit in the analyzer to stabilize. By performing such control, it is possible to reliably prevent sample measurement from being started when the temperature state of each unit of the analyzer is not stable.

[0008] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that control is performed to change the number of cleaning operations in the startup operation of the first measurement unit and the second measurement unit depending on the time elapsed since the previous shutdown completion time of the sample processing apparatus. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5208675 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] As described above, if control is performed that necessarily causes a temperature adjustment wait time for each unit of the analyzer after restarting the application software of the analyzer and control device, sample measurement cannot be performed during that adjustment wait time. Therefore, even if a request for measurement of an urgent sample is received during the adjustment wait time, the automatic analyzer cannot perform the measurement of the urgent sample. Patent Document 1 does not disclose a method for solving the problem of always having to wait for unit temperature adjustment after restarting the analyzer.

[0011] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above situation, and aims to provide an automatic analyzer and a restart control method that can shorten the length of time during which sample measurements cannot be performed, which occurs when the management unit of measurement data is optimized. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] An automated analyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an analyzer that measures the amounts of components contained in a sample, and a control device that manages sample measurement data obtained by measurement by the analyzer and includes application software that controls the analyzer. The control device of the automated analyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a control unit that manages an activation ID assigned each time the application software is activated, in association with the measurement data, and a restart control unit that, when the application software is restarted to update the activation ID, determines whether the analyzer is in a state where it can measure the sample, and, if it determines that it is in a state where it can measure the sample, allows the analyzer to start measuring the sample. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, an automatic analyzer and a restart control method are provided that can shorten the length of time during which sample measurements cannot be performed, which occurs when the management unit of measurement data is optimized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a termination process setting screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for a restart control process according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for a restart control process according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for a measurement enable state determination process according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing, components having substantially the same functions or configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0016] <Configuration of the automatic analyzer> First, an automatic analyzer 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The automatic analyzer 1 is a biochemical analyzer that automatically measures the amount of a specific component contained in a patient's biological sample, such as blood or urine. Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram that schematically shows the automatic analyzer 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic analyzer 1 includes an analyzer 100 and a control device 200. [Analyzer] The analytical device 100 includes a sample turntable 2, a dilution turntable 3, a first reagent turntable 4, a second reagent turntable 5, and a reaction turntable 6. The analytical device 100 also includes a sample dilution pipette 7, a sampling pipette 8, a dilution stirrer 9, a dilution washing device 11, a first reagent pipette 12, a second reagent pipette 13, a first reaction stirrer 14, a second reaction stirrer 15, a multi-wavelength photometer 16, a constant temperature bath 17, and a reaction vessel washing device 18.

[0018] The sample turntable 2 is formed in the shape of a substantially cylindrical container with one axial end open. This sample turntable 2 accommodates a plurality of specimen containers 21 and a plurality of diluent containers 22. The specimen containers 21 accommodate specimens (samples) such as blood and urine. The diluent containers 22 accommodate special diluents other than normal saline, as well as standard specimens, quality control specimens, cleaning fluids, and the like.

[0019] The plurality of specimen containers 21 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the sample turntable 2. The rows of specimen containers 21 arranged in the circumferential direction of the sample turntable 2 are set in two rows at predetermined intervals in the radial direction of the sample turntable 2.

[0020] The plurality of diluent containers 22 are arranged radially inward of the row of the plurality of sample containers 21 on the sample turntable 2. Similar to the plurality of sample containers 21, the plurality of diluent containers 22 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the sample turntable 2. The rows of diluent containers 22 arranged in the circumferential direction of the sample turntable 2 are set in two rows at a predetermined interval in the radial direction of the sample turntable 2.

[0021] The arrangement of the plurality of specimen containers 21 and the plurality of diluent containers 22 is not limited to two rows, but may be one row, or three or more rows.

[0022] The sample turntable 2 is supported by a drive mechanism (not shown) so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction. The drive mechanism rotates the sample turntable 2 at a predetermined speed within a predetermined angular range in the circumferential direction. A dilution turntable 3 is arranged around the sample turntable 2.

[0023] Like the sample turntable 2, the dilution turntable 3, the first reagent turntable 4, the second reagent turntable 5, and the reaction turntable 6 are formed in the shape of a roughly cylindrical container with one axial end open. The dilution turntable 3 and the reaction turntable 6 are rotated at a predetermined speed within a predetermined angular range in the circumferential direction by a drive mechanism (not shown). The reaction turntable 6 is driven to rotate approximately 1 / 3 of a revolution for each operating cycle of the analyzer 100, for example.

[0024] The dilution turntable 3 accommodates a plurality of dilution containers 23 arranged in the circumferential direction of the dilution turntable 3. The dilution containers 23 accommodate samples (hereinafter referred to as "diluted samples") that have been aspirated from sample containers 21 arranged on the sample turntable 2 and diluted.

[0025] The first reagent turntable 4 accommodates a plurality of first reagent containers 24 arranged in the circumferential direction of the first reagent turntable 4. The second reagent turntable 5 accommodates a plurality of second reagent containers 25 arranged in the circumferential direction of the second reagent turntable 5. The first reagent containers 24 accommodate a first reagent, and the second reagent containers 25 accommodate a second reagent.

[0026] The temperatures of the first reagent turntable 4, the first reagent container 24, the second reagent turntable 5, and the second reagent container 25 are kept at predetermined temperatures by a cooling mechanism (not shown). As a result, the temperature of the first reagent contained in the first reagent container 24 and the temperature of the second reagent contained in the second reagent container 25 are also kept at predetermined temperatures.

[0027] The reaction turntable 6 is disposed between the dilution turntable 3 and the first and second reagent turntables 4 and 5. The reaction turntable 6 accommodates a plurality of reaction vessels 26 arranged in the circumferential direction of the reaction turntable 6. First, a first reagent sampled from a first reagent vessel 24 on the first reagent turntable 4 is dispensed into the reaction vessel 26, and then a diluted specimen sampled from a dilution vessel 23 on the dilution turntable 3 is dispensed. This causes a pre-reaction between the first reagent and the diluted specimen in the reaction vessel 26. Next, a second reagent sampled from a second reagent vessel 25 on the second reagent turntable 5 is dispensed into the reaction vessel 26 containing the first reagent and the diluted specimen. This initiates a reaction (main reaction) between the diluted specimen that has pre-reacted with the first reagent and the second reagent in the reaction vessel 26.

[0028] The sample dilution pipette 7 is arranged around the sample turntable 2 and the dilution turntable 3. The sample dilution pipette 7 is supported by a dilution pipette drive mechanism (not shown) so that it can move in the axial direction of the sample turntable 2 and the dilution turntable 3 (for example, up and down). The sample dilution pipette 7 is also supported by the dilution pipette drive mechanism so that it can rotate along a horizontal direction that is approximately parallel to the openings of the sample turntable 2 and the dilution turntable 3. The sample dilution pipette 7 moves back and forth between the sample turntable 2 and the dilution turntable 3 by rotating along the horizontal direction.

[0029] The sample dilution pipette 7 is inserted into a specimen container 21 on the sample turntable 2 and aspirates a predetermined amount of specimen. The sample dilution pipette 7 then dispenses the aspirated specimen into a dilution container 23 on the dilution turntable 3. The physiological saline solution inside the sample dilution pipette 7 or the diluent in the diluent container 22 on the sample turntable 2 is also dispensed into the dilution container 23. When the sample dilution pipette 7 moves between the sample turntable 2 and the dilution turntable 3, the sample dilution pipette 7 passes through a cleaning device (not shown).

[0030] The sampling pipette 8 is disposed between the dilution turntable 3 and the reaction turntable 6. The sampling pipette 8 is supported by a sampling pipette drive mechanism (not shown) so as to be movable and rotatable in the axial direction (vertical direction) and horizontal direction of the dilution turntable 3, similar to the sample dilution pipette 7. The sampling pipette 8 then moves back and forth between the dilution turntable 3 and the reaction turntable 6.

[0031] The sampling pipette 8 is inserted into the dilution container 23 on the dilution turntable 3 and aspirates a predetermined amount of diluted sample. The sampling pipette 8 then dispenses the aspirated diluted sample into the reaction container 26 on the reaction turntable 6.

[0032] The first reagent pipette 12 is disposed between the reaction turntable 6 and the first reagent turntable 4, and the second reagent pipette 13 is disposed between the reaction turntable 6 and the second reagent turntable 5. The first reagent pipette 12 is supported by a first reagent pipette drive mechanism (not shown) so as to be movable and rotatable in the axial direction (vertical direction) and horizontal direction of the reaction turntable 6. The first reagent pipette 12 then moves back and forth between the first reagent turntable 4 and the reaction turntable 6.

[0033] The first reagent pipette 12 is inserted into a first reagent container 24 on the first reagent turntable 4 and aspirates a predetermined amount of the first reagent. The first reagent pipette 12 then dispenses the aspirated first reagent into a reaction container 26 on the reaction turntable 6.

[0034] Similarly to the first reagent pipette 12, the second reagent pipette 13 is supported by a second reagent pipette drive mechanism (not shown) so as to be movable and rotatable in the axial direction (vertical direction) and horizontal direction of the reaction turntable 6. The second reagent pipette 13 then moves back and forth between the second reagent turntable 5 and the reaction turntable 6.

[0035] The second reagent pipette 13 is inserted into the second reagent container 25 on the second reagent turntable 5 and aspirates a predetermined amount of the second reagent. Then, the second reagent pipette 13 dispenses the aspirated second reagent into the reaction container 26 on the reaction turntable 6.

[0036] The dilution stirrer 9 and the dilution washing device 11 are arranged around the dilution turntable 3. The dilution stirrer 9 inserts a stirring bar (not shown) into the dilution container 23 to stir the specimen and diluent in the dilution container 23. The specimen and diluent in the dilution container 23 are stirred to prepare a diluted specimen.

[0037] The dilution and washing device 11 is a device that washes the dilution container 23 that contains the diluted sample after the diluted sample has been dispensed by the sampling pipette 8 and analysis has been completed. The dilution and washing device 11 has multiple dilution container washing nozzles. The multiple dilution container washing nozzles are connected to a waste liquid pump (not shown) and a detergent pump (not shown). The dilution and washing device 11 inserts the dilution container washing nozzle into the dilution container 23 and drives the waste liquid pump to suck in the diluted sample remaining in the dilution container 23 using the inserted dilution container washing nozzle. The dilution and washing device 11 then discharges the sucked-in diluted sample into a waste liquid tank (not shown).

[0038] Thereafter, the dilution washing device 11 supplies detergent from the detergent pump to the dilution container washing nozzle and discharges the detergent from the dilution container washing nozzle into the dilution container 23. The dilution washing device 11 then uses this detergent to clean the inside of the dilution container 23. Thereafter, the dilution washing device 11 sucks the detergent through the dilution container washing nozzle and dries the inside of the dilution container 23.

[0039] The first reaction stirrer 14, the second reaction stirrer 15, and the reaction vessel washing device 18 are arranged around the reaction turntable 6. The first reaction stirrer 14 inserts a stirrer (not shown) into the reaction vessel 26 and stirs the diluted specimen and the first reagent in the reaction vessel 26. This allows the reaction between the diluted specimen and the first reagent to occur uniformly and quickly. The configuration of the first reaction stirrer 14 is the same as that of the dilution stirrer 9, so a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0040] The second reaction stirrer 15 inserts a stirrer (not shown) into the reaction vessel 26 and stirs the diluted specimen, the first reagent, and the second reagent in the reaction vessel 26. This allows the reaction between the diluted specimen, the first reagent, and the second reagent in the reaction vessel 26 to occur uniformly and quickly. Note that the configuration of the second reaction stirrer 15 is the same as that of the dilution stirrer 9, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0041] The reaction vessel cleaning device 18 is a device that cleans the inside of the reaction vessel 26 after the inspection. This reaction vessel cleaning device 18 has a plurality of reaction vessel cleaning nozzles. Like the dilution vessel cleaning nozzles, the reaction vessel cleaning nozzles are connected to a waste liquid pump (not shown) and a detergent pump (not shown). The cleaning process in the reaction vessel cleaning device 18 is the same as that of the dilution vessel cleaning device 11 described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0042] The multi-wavelength photometer 16 (an example of a photometer) is disposed around the reaction turntable 6 so as to face the outer wall of the reaction turntable 6. The multi-wavelength photometer 16 measures the absorbance of the reaction liquid between the diluted sample and the reagent in the reaction vessel 26 irradiated with light from a lamp (not shown), and outputs the measured absorbance as photometric data to the control device 200 (described later). The multi-wavelength photometer 16 measures the absorbance of the reaction liquid in one reaction vessel 26 at multiple wavelengths at once.

[0043] A thermostatic bath 17 is arranged around the reaction turntable 6. The thermostatic bath 17 keeps the temperature of the reaction vessel 26 provided on the reaction turntable 6 constant at all times.

[0044] <Control device configuration> Next, a configuration example of the control device 200 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration example of the control device 200. The control device 200 includes a control unit 210, a storage unit 220, an input unit 230, an output unit 240, and a communication unit 250. The units constituting the control device 200 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a system bus (not shown).

[0045] The control unit 210 is configured with a central processing unit (CPU), random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), etc. (not shown), and controls the operation of each unit in the analyzer 100 (see FIG. 1 ). For example, the control unit 210 calculates the concentration of a measurement item by applying photometric data transmitted from the multi-wavelength photometer 16 of the analyzer 100 to a calibration curve. The control unit 210 also controls the storage unit 220 to store the concentration and information associated with the concentration as measurement data of a sample (in this embodiment, a diluted sample) in association with an activation ID at the time the concentration is calculated. The activation ID is an ID assigned at the time of activation of application software (hereinafter also referred to as the system of the control device 200) that operates on the control device 200 and controls the analyzer 100. The activation ID is updated to a new ID each time the system of the control device 200 is restarted.

[0046] The control unit 210 also includes a restart control unit 211 and a display control unit 212. The restart control unit 211 turns off the firmware and power supply of the analysis device 100 and the system and power supply of the control device 200 and then turns them on again, i.e., performs control to restart the device, based on instructions input by the user via the input unit 230. If the instruction input via the input unit 230 is made by selecting the "Update startup date" option on a termination process setting screen Sc (see FIG. 3), which will be described later, the restart control unit 211 restarts the system of the control device 200 using a new startup ID. In other words, it performs a process to change the startup ID associated with the measurement data obtained after the restart to the new startup ID.

[0047] Furthermore, when the system of the control device 200 is restarted, the restart control unit 211 determines whether the analyzer 100 is in a state where measurement can be performed, and if it is determined that the analyzer 100 is in a state where measurement can be performed, it permits measurement (analysis) of a sample by the multi-wavelength photometer 16. The restart control unit 211 determines that the analyzer 100 is in a state where measurement can be performed if the temperature of the lamp of the analyzer 100 is stable and the temperature of the thermostatic bath 17 is within a predetermined threshold range. Note that when the device power OFF selection unit 523 is selected on the termination process setting screen Sc (see FIG. 3 ), which will be described later, the restart control unit 211 determines that the analyzer 100 is in a state where measurement can be performed if the temperature of the lamp of the analyzer 100 is stable, the temperature of the thermostatic bath 17 is within a predetermined threshold range, and the power OFF duration is less than a predetermined time. Here, the power OFF duration refers to the time for which the power of the analyzer 100 is OFF when the analyzer 100 is restarted together with the system of the control device 200.

[0048] Each time the power of the analysis device 100 is turned on, the control unit 210 stores the time when the power was turned on in the memory unit 220, and each time the power of the analysis device 100 is turned off, the control unit 210 stores the time when the power was turned off in the memory unit 220. The restart control unit 211 determines whether the temperature of the lamp is stable based on the time for which the power of the analysis device 100 was turned on before the system of the control device 200 was restarted (hereinafter also referred to as the "power-on duration"). Specifically, the restart control unit 211 calculates the time for which the power of the analysis device 100 was turned on before the system of the control device 200 was restarted based on the power-on times and / or power-off times stored in the memory unit 220, and determines that the temperature of the lamp is stable if the calculated power-on time of the analysis device 100 is equal to or longer than a predetermined threshold time. In other words, the threshold time set for the power-on duration of the analysis device 100 is set to the time required for the lamp temperature to enter a predetermined temperature range and stabilize after the power of the analysis device 100 is turned on. Furthermore, the restart control unit 211 calculates the time that the power of the analyzer 100 was turned off before the analyzer 100 was restarted together with the system of the control device 200, based on the time that the power was turned off stored in the memory unit 220, and determines whether the calculated time that the power of the analyzer 100 was turned off is less than a predetermined threshold time. The threshold time set for this power-off duration is set to the time required for the temperature of either the lamp or the thermostatic bath 17 to drop to a temperature at which sample measurement cannot be performed when the analyzer 100 is turned off, from a state in which the temperatures of the lamp and the thermostatic bath 17 are stable within their respective predetermined temperature ranges.

[0049] On the other hand, if it is determined that the analytical device 100 is not in a state where measurement can be performed, the restart control unit 211 controls the analytical device 100 to transition to a state where measurement can be performed. That is, the restart control unit 211 waits until the temperatures of the lamps and the thermostatic bath 17 of the analytical device 100 stabilize. Information on the temperature of the thermostatic bath 17 is periodically transmitted to the control unit 210 from a temperature sensor (not shown) that measures the temperature of the thermostatic bath 17. Therefore, the restart control unit 211 determines that the temperature of the thermostatic bath 17 has stabilized when the temperature of the thermostatic bath 17 output from the temperature sensor is within a predetermined threshold range. Regarding the temperature of the lamp, the restart control unit 211 determines that the temperature of the lamp has stabilized when the time required for the temperature of the lamp to stabilize has elapsed since the analytical device 100 was powered on.

[0050] Then, when the restart control unit 211 has confirmed that the lamp temperature and the temperature of the thermostatic bath 17 have stabilized, it permits the start of measurement of the sample by the multi-wavelength photometer 16. The procedure of the restart control process by the restart control unit 211 will be described in detail below with reference to Figs. 4 to 6.

[0051] The display control unit 212 controls the display of a screen such as a termination process setting screen Sc (see FIG. 3) on the output unit 240, which will be described later. The display control unit 212 also supplies various instructions and information input via operations on the screen such as the termination process setting screen Sc to the restart control unit 211. The configuration of the termination process setting screen Sc will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3, which will be described later.

[0052] The storage unit 220 is configured by a recording device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), and stores measurement data of the sample and the like.

[0053] The input unit 230 is configured by, for example, a mouse, a keyboard, and the like, and receives operation inputs made by a user to the analysis device 100, and outputs operation signals corresponding to the operation inputs to the control unit 210.

[0054] The output unit 240 is configured by, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and displays sample measurement data, errors, a termination process setting screen Sc (see FIG. 3), etc., based on the control of the display control unit 212 of the control unit 210. The input unit 230 and the output unit 240 may be integrally formed as a touch panel.

[0055] The communication unit 250 is connected to the analytical device 100 or an external device (not shown), and controls the sending and receiving of control signals, photometric data, and other data between the analytical device 100 and the external device (not shown).

[0056] <Shutdown process setting screen> Next, the termination process setting screen Sc will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The termination process setting screen Sc is a screen on which the user instructs the process to be performed when shutting down (including restarting) the analysis device 100 and / or the control device 200. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the termination process setting screen Sc. As shown in Fig. 3, the termination process setting screen Sc includes a target set selection section 51, a basic setting selection section 52, a detailed setting selection section 53, an automatic startup standby setting section 54, a start button 55, and a cancel button 56. Note that the termination process setting screen Sc may include components other than these selection sections, setting sections, and buttons.

[0057] The message "Please select the instruction target and set number" is displayed in the upper left of the termination process setting screen Sc, and below that is a target set selection section 51. The target set selection section 51 is a UI (User Interface) that allows selection of a set to be the target of termination process settings. "Set" indicates a combination (set) of "Basic Settings" and "Advanced Settings" displayed to the right of the target set selection section 51.

[0058] "Set 1" to "Set N" (N is an integer of 2 or more, "Set" is not shown) are managed in association with each combination of the setting contents of "Basic Settings" and "Advanced Settings." By selecting the desired set number in the target set selection unit 51, the user can determine the combination of setting contents of "Basic Settings" and "Advanced Settings" that will be the target of the termination process settings. The user can also customize the combination of setting contents of "Basic Settings" and "Advanced Settings" on a setting screen (not shown).

[0059] The basic setting selection section 52 is a UI for selecting the setting contents of the "basic setting", and includes a system shutdown option selection section 521, a backup enable / disable selection section 522, and a device power OFF enable / disable selection section 523.

[0060] The system shutdown option selection unit 521 is a UI that allows the user to select the type of system shutdown option for the analytical device 100 and the control device 200. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the "Update Startup Date" option (an example of a setting item), which will be described later, is selected in the system shutdown option selection unit 521. In addition to "Update Startup Date," options that can be selected in the system shutdown option selection unit 521 include, for example, "System Logoff" which shuts down the system of the control device 200, "System Shutdown" which shuts down the system of the control device 200 and turns off the power of the control device 200, and "System Sleep" (all of which are not shown) which shuts down the system of the control device 200 and puts the control device 200 into a sleep state (power-saving state). The "system" here refers to the application software in the control device 200 that controls the analytical device 100.

[0061] The automated analyzer 1 according to this embodiment is characterized by having an "Update startup date" option on the shutdown process setting screen Sc. The "Update startup date" option is associated with the execution of the processes shown in (1) to (4) below. That is, by selecting the "Update startup date" option in the system shutdown option selection section 521, the user can execute the operations shown in (1) to (4) below.

[0062] (1) Final maintenance operations of the analyzer 100, such as cleaning operations by the dilution and cleaning device 11 and reaction vessel cleaning device 18 of the analyzer 100, based on the settings of the detailed setting selection unit 53 described later. (2) An operation of storing the temperature status information of the thermostatic chamber 17 in the memory unit 220 (see FIG. 2) etc. If the option "Device Power OFF" described later is selected, an additional operation of turning off the power of the analytical device 100 is also performed. (3) An operation to shut down the system of the control device 200, and an operation to immediately start up the system of the control device 200 using a new start-up ID (i.e., an operation to restart the system of the control device 200). If the power supply of the analysis device 100 is turned off in (2) above, an operation to turn on the power supply of the analysis device 100 is also executed. (4) An operation of determining whether the analyzer 100 is in a state where it can perform measurement, and permitting the analyzer 100 to start measuring the sample if it is determined that it is in a state where it can perform measurement.

[0063] If the "Device Power OFF" option described below has not been selected, the restart control unit 211 determines that the analytical device 100 is in a state where it can perform measurement if it determines that the temperature indicated in the temperature state information of the thermostatic chamber 17 acquired in (2) above is within a predetermined threshold temperature range and that the lamp temperature is stable. Also, if the "Device Power OFF" option described below has been selected, the restart control unit 211 determines that the temperature indicated in the temperature state information of the thermostatic chamber 17 acquired in (2) above is within a predetermined threshold temperature range and that the lamp temperature is stable, and if the duration of the analytical device 100 being powered off is less than a predetermined threshold time, it determines that the analytical device 100 is in a state where it can perform measurement.

[0064] On the other hand, if the restart control unit 211 determines that the analysis device 100 is not in a state where measurement can be performed, it waits until the analysis device 100 is in a state where measurement can be performed, and if it determines that the analysis device 100 is in a state where measurement can be performed, it allows the analysis device 100 to start measuring the sample.

[0065] When the "Update startup date" option is selected in the system shutdown option selection section 521, the analyzer 100 is immediately turned on even if it has been turned off, so it is assumed that the temperature of the thermostatic bath 17, the temperature of the lamp, etc. will be maintained at a stable temperature. Therefore, according to this embodiment, even when the analyzer 100 or the control device 200 system is restarted for the purpose of assigning a new startup ID, sample measurement can be started immediately without requiring a wait time for the temperature of the thermostatic bath 17, the lamp, etc. to stabilize.

[0066] The backup / non-backup selection section 522 of the basic setting selection section 52 is a check button that accepts the selection of whether or not to perform a backup operation of the data stored in the memory section 220 when the system of the analysis device 100 and / or the control device 200 is shut down. When the check button of the backup / non-backup selection section 522 is checked, the measurement data of the automatic analyzer 1 stored in the memory section 220, etc., is backed up to a backup sub-storage or the like (not shown).

[0067] Device power-off selection section 523 is a check button that accepts the selection of whether or not to power off the analytical device 100 when executing shutdown processing of analytical device 100 and / or control device 200. When the check button is checked, restart control section 211 determines that the "device power-off" option has been selected, and turns off the power of analytical device 100 when executing shutdown processing based on the option selected in the system shutdown options.

[0068] The advanced setting selection unit 53 is a UI that accepts the selection of the type of termination maintenance operation to be performed by the analyzer 100 when an instruction to perform shutdown processing of the analyzer 100 and / or the control device 200 is received. The advanced setting selection unit 53 includes a PRIME setting unit 531 that accepts a setting for whether or not to perform priming (purging), and a cleaning setting selection unit 532 that accepts a setting for the type of cleaning operation. Priming is an operation that expels air bubbles from within each of the paths connected to the sample dilution pipette 7, sampling pipette 8, first reagent pipette 12, second reagent pipette 13 (see FIG. 1), dilution container cleaning nozzle, and reaction container cleaning nozzle (all not shown) of the analyzer 100. If "No" is selected in the PRIME setting unit 531, priming is not performed, and if "Yes" is selected, priming is performed.

[0069] The cleaning setting selection section 532 is an item that accepts the selection of one of the following operations: cleaning of an ISE (Ion Selective Electrode) electrode, WASH-A to WASH-C, and ISE termination operation. WASH-A to WASH-C indicate the type of cleaning target and cleaning method, respectively.

[0070] The start button 55 is a button for instructing the start of the termination process based on the settings of the termination process set via the termination process setting screen Sc. The cancel button 56 is a button for issuing an instruction to cancel the settings of the termination process set via the termination process setting screen Sc.

[0071] <Restart control process> Next, the restart control process of the automatic analyzer 1 according to this embodiment will be described. Figures 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing an example of the procedure for the restart control process. Figures 4 and 5 show the procedure for the restart control process when the "Update startup date" option is selected on the termination process setting screen Sc (see Figure 3).

[0072] First, the control unit 210 of the control device 200 accepts selection of the "Update startup date" option on the shutdown process setting screen Sc via an operation on the input unit 230 (step S1). Next, the control unit 210 accepts an instruction to execute the shutdown process via an operation on the input unit 230 (step S2). The instruction to execute the shutdown process is issued when the user presses the start button 55 on the shutdown process setting screen Sc.

[0073] Next, a control signal is sent from the control device 200 to the analyzer 100, causing the analyzer 100 to perform a final maintenance operation (step S3). Specifically, the final maintenance operation selected in the detailed setting selection section 53 of the final processing setting screen Sc is performed. If a request for measurement of an urgent sample is received while final maintenance is being performed, the analyzer 100 will stop the final maintenance and perform measurement of the urgent sample.

[0074] Next, the restart control unit 211 of the control device 200 acquires the temperature state information of the thermostatic bath 17 of the analysis device 100 and stores it in the storage unit 220 (see FIG. 2) or the like (step S4).

[0075] Next, the reset control unit 211 determines whether or not an instruction to power off the analytical device 100 has been issued (step S5). Specifically, the reset control unit 211 determines whether or not a check button in the device power-off selection unit 523 on the termination process setting screen Sc has been checked, i.e., whether or not the "device power-off" option has been selected. If it is determined in step S5 that an instruction to power off the analytical device 100 has been issued (the check button in the device power-off selection unit 523 has been checked, i.e., the "device power-off" option has been selected) (if the determination in step S5 is YES), the reset control unit 211 powers off the analytical device 100 (step S6). At this time, the control unit 210 stores the time when the analytical device 100 was powered off in the memory unit 220. If it is determined in step S5 that no instruction has been given to power off the analytical device 100 (the check button in the device power-off selection unit 523 has not been checked, i.e., the "device power-off" option has not been selected) (if step S5 is determined to be NO), or after processing step S6, the restart control unit 211 restarts the system of the control device 200 using a new start-up ID (step S7 in Figure 5).

[0076] Next, the reset control unit 211 determines whether the power of the analysis device 100 has been turned off after the execution of the final maintenance of the analysis device 100 (step S8). If it is determined in step S8 that the power of the analysis device 100 has been turned off (if the determination in step S8 is YES), the reset control unit 211 turns on the power of the analysis device 100 (step S9). At this time, the control unit 210 stores in the memory unit 220 the time when the power of the analysis device 100 was turned on.

[0077] If step S8 returns NO (if it is determined that the power of the analyzer 100 is not turned off), or after step S9, the restart control unit 211 performs a measurement enable state determination process (step S10). The measurement enable state determination process will be described in detail with reference to the following FIG. 6. Next, the restart control unit 211 determines whether or not it has been determined that the measurement enable state is in the measurement enable state determination process of step S10 (step S11).

[0078] If it is determined in step S11 that the analyzer 100 is in a state where measurement can be performed (if step S11 is judged YES), the restart control unit 211 permits the analyzer 100 to start measuring the sample (step S12). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S11 that the analyzer 100 is not in a state where measurement execution has started (if step S11 is judged NO), the restart control unit 211 controls the analyzer 100 to transition to a state where measurement can be performed (step S13). That is, the analyzer 100 waits until the temperature of the thermostatic bath 17 and the temperature of the lamp become stable.

[0079] After the process of step S13, the restart control unit 211 performs the process of step S12. That is, it permits the start of sample measurement by the analyzer 100. After the process of step S12, the restart control process of the automatic analyzer 1 ends.

[0080] [Measurement enablement status determination process] Next, a description will be given of the measurement enable state determination process executed in step S10 of Fig. 5. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the measurement enable state determination process.

[0081] First, restart control unit 211 of control device 200 determines whether the temperature of the lamp of analytical device 100 was stable immediately before the system of control device 200 was restarted in step S7 of Fig. 5 (step S21). Specifically, restart control unit 211 determines whether the time that analytical device 100 was powered on before the system of control device 200 was restarted, i.e., the "power-on duration," is equal to or longer than a predetermined threshold time. If it is determined in step S8 of Fig. 5 that analytical device 100 has been powered off, the power-on duration determined in step S21 is the duration that the power was on before it was turned off.

[0082] If it is determined in step S21 that the power-on duration is equal to or longer than the predetermined threshold time (if the judgment in step S21 is YES), the restart control unit 211 determines whether the temperature indicated in the temperature state information of the thermostatic chamber 17 of the analytical device 100 acquired in step S4 of FIG. 4 is within a predetermined threshold temperature range (step S22). If it is determined in step S22 that the temperature of the thermostatic chamber 17 is within the predetermined threshold temperature range (if the judgment in step S22 is YES), the restart control unit 211 determines whether the power to the analytical device 100 was turned off in step S8 of FIG. 4 (step S23). If it is determined in step S23 that the power to the analytical device 100 was turned off in step S8 of FIG. 4 (if the judgment in step S23 is YES), the restart control unit 211 determines whether the power-off duration of the analytical device 100 at the time of restarting the analytical device 100 is less than a predetermined threshold time (step S24). Specifically, the restart control unit 211 calculates the time that the power of the analysis device 100 was turned off, i.e., the duration of the power outage, based on the time when the power of the analysis device 100 was turned off, which was stored in the memory unit 220 in step S8 of Figure 4, and the time when the power of the analysis device 100 was turned on, which was stored in the memory unit 220 in step S11 of Figure 5, and determines whether the calculated duration of the power outage is less than a predetermined threshold time.

[0083] If it is determined in step S24 that the duration of the power-off is less than the predetermined threshold time (if step S24 is a YES determination), or if step S23 is a NO determination (if it is determined in step S8 of FIG. 4 that the power of the analytical device 100 was not turned off), the reset control unit 211 determines that the analytical device 100 is in a state where it can enter a measurement state (step S25). On the other hand, if step S21, step S22, or step S24 is a NO determination, the reset control unit 211 determines that the analytical device 100 is not in a state where it can enter a measurement state (step S26). After processing step S25 or step S26, the determination of step S11 of FIG. 5 is made.

[0084] In the above-described embodiment, when the system of the control device 200 is restarted for the purpose of updating the activation ID, the restart control unit 211 of the control device 200 determines whether the analyzer is in a state where it can measure a sample (a state where measurement is possible). The system of the control device 200 is restarted for the purpose of updating the activation ID when the "Update activation date" option is selected on the termination process setting screen Sc (see FIG. 3). Then, if the restart control unit 211 determines that it is in a state where measurement can be performed, it allows the analyzer 100 to start measuring a sample. In this case, no waiting time is required for the temperature of the thermostatic bath 17 and the lamp temperature to stabilize. Therefore, according to this embodiment, an automatic analyzer and a restart control method are provided that can shorten the length of time during which sample measurement cannot be performed, which occurs when the management unit of measurement data is optimized.

[0085] <Modification> It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various other modifications and applications are possible as long as they do not deviate from the gist of the claims.

[0086] For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example was given in which the specimen is diluted with a diluent in the dilution container 23, but the present invention is not limited to this. An undiluted specimen may also be dispensed into the dilution container 23.

[0087] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example was given in which the analyzer 100 was provided with a dilution turntable 3 (dilution mechanism), but the present invention is not limited to this. The automated analyzer of the present invention may also be applied to a biochemical analyzer that does not have a dilution mechanism and in which the original sample is directly dispensed into the reaction vessel 26.

[0088] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example was given in which the automated analyzer according to the present invention is applied to an automated analyzer 1 that photometry the reaction of a sample and a reagent dispensed into a reaction vessel and measures the amount of components for each measurement item based on the absorbance, but the present invention is not limited to this. The automated analyzer according to the present invention may be any device that needs to store measurement data for multiple measurement items. For example, the automated analyzer according to the present invention may be applied to a biochemical analyzer that generates measurement data for each measurement item based on information about the potential difference output from an ion-selective electrode relative to a reference electrode. Alternatively, the automated analyzer according to the present invention may be applied to various analyzers, such as an immunoanalyzer or a urine analyzer.

[0089] In addition, in this specification, the processing steps (procedures) describing chronological processing include not only processing that is performed chronologically in the order described, but also processing that does not necessarily have to be performed chronologically and is performed in parallel or individually (for example, parallel processing or processing by objects).

[0090] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments have described in detail and specifically the configuration of the device (automatic analyzer 1) in order to clearly explain the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to devices that include all of the described configurations. Furthermore, the control lines and information lines shown by solid lines in Fig. 2 indicate those that are considered necessary for explanation, and do not necessarily represent all of the control lines and information lines in the actual product. In reality, it can be considered that almost all of the configurations are interconnected. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1...automated analyzer, 2...sample turntable, 3...dilution turntable, 4...first reagent turntable, 5...second reagent turntable, 6...reaction turntable, 7...sample dilution pipette, 8...sampling pipette, 9...dilution stirrer, 11...dilution washing device, 12...first reagent pipette, 13...second reagent pipette, 14...first reaction stirrer, 15...second reaction stirrer, 16...multi-wavelength photometer, 17...thermostat, 18...reaction vessel washing device, 21...sample container, 22...dilution solution container, 23...dilution container, 24...first reagent container, 25...second reagent container, 26...reaction vessel, 55...start button, 56...cancel button, 100...analyzer, 200...control device, 210...controller, 211...restart controller, 212...display controller, 220...memory unit, 521...system shutdown option selection unit, Sc...shutdown process setting screen

Claims

1. An automatic analyzer comprising: an analyzer for measuring the amount of a component contained in a specimen; and a control device having application software for managing measurement data of the specimen obtained by measurement by the analyzer and controlling the analyzer, The control device a control unit that manages an activation ID assigned to each activation unit of the application software in association with the measurement data; a restart control unit that, when the application software is restarted for the purpose of updating the start ID, determines whether the analyzer is in a state where it can measure the sample, and, if it determines that it is in a state where it can measure the sample, allows the analyzer to start measuring the sample. Automatic analyzer.

2. The restart control unit determines that the analyzer is in a state where it can measure the sample if the power-on duration for which the power of the analyzer was on before the restart of the application software was equal to or longer than a predetermined threshold time, and if, when the application software is terminated during the restart of the application software, the restart control unit acquires temperature status information of the thermostatic bath of the analyzer, and if, when the application software is restarted, the temperature indicated in the acquired temperature status information of the thermostatic bath is within a predetermined threshold temperature range. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 .

3. The predetermined threshold time set for the duration of time the power of the analyzer is on before restarting is set to the time required for the temperature of a lamp of a photometer used to measure the sample to stabilize. The automatic analyzer according to claim 2 .

4. If the power supply of the analytical device is turned off when the application software is restarted, the restart control unit calculates the duration of power off during which the power supply of the analytical device was turned off when the application software was restarted, and checks the duration of power off in addition to the duration of power on and the temperature state of the thermostatic chamber to determine whether the analytical device is in a state where it can measure the sample. The automatic analyzer according to claim 2 .

5. The restart control unit determines that the analyzer is in a state where it can measure the sample when the power-off duration is less than the predetermined threshold time, the power-on duration is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold time, and the temperature indicated in the temperature state information of the thermostatic bath is within a predetermined threshold temperature range. The automatic analyzer according to claim 4.

6. When the restart control unit determines that the analyzer is not in a state in which it can measure the sample, the restart control unit waits until the temperature of the thermostatic bath and the temperature of the lamp become stable, and then permits the analyzer to start measuring the sample. The automatic analyzer according to claim 3 .

7. The application software may further include a display control unit that displays, on a screen of a display unit of the control device, a setting item that can instruct a restart operation of the application software for the purpose of updating the activation ID. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 .

8. The setting items are also associated with instructions for maintenance operations, including cleaning of the analyzer, which are to be performed before restarting the application software for the purpose of updating the activation ID. The automatic analyzer according to claim 7 .

9. 1. A restart control method for an automatic analyzer including an analyzer that measures the amount of a component contained in a sample, and a control device that manages measurement data of the sample obtained by measurement by the analyzer and includes application software that controls the analyzer, a step in which a control unit of the control device manages an activation ID assigned at each activation of the application software in association with the measurement data; When the application software is restarted for the purpose of updating the start ID, a restart control unit of the control device determines whether the analyzer is in a state where it can measure the sample, and if it determines that it is in a state where it can measure the sample, allows the analyzer to start measuring the sample. Restart control method.

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