Analysis device

Abstract

To improve workability when a worker reads an information sign of a container.SOLUTION: The analysis device has a device body including an analysis part for analyzing a component in a sample, and a reading member held by the device body and capable of reading an information mark of a container storing the test paper.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an analytical device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an analyzer that includes a measurement unit that measures the color state of a test paper under certain conditions, a main body that includes the measurement unit, and an operation unit that is detachable from the main body.

[0003] Patent Document 2 describes an analyzer that includes a main body that includes a measurement unit that measures components in a sample, and an operation unit that is detachable from the main body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-40022 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-63658 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In an analyzer for analyzing the components of a sample, an information label (so-called barcode, etc.) related to information on the test paper is attached to the container, such as a bottle, that contains the test paper, and the information label may be read using a barcode reading component. In this case, if an operator holds the reading component in one hand and the container in the other, both hands of the operator are occupied, making it difficult to perform other tasks and reducing work efficiency.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to improve the workability when an operator reads an information mark on a container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The technology disclosed herein is an analytical device having a device main body including an analytical section that analyzes components in a sample, and a reading member that is held by the device main body and is capable of reading an information label on a container that contains a test paper. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The technology of the present disclosure improves the workability when a worker reads the information label on a container. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the analysis device of the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the analysis device of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing the hardware configuration of the analysis device of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the analyzer of the first embodiment in a barcode reading state. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the analyzer of the first embodiment in a barcode reading state. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the analysis device of the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the analysis device of the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing the hardware configuration of the analysis device of the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the analyzer of the second embodiment in a barcode reading state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An example of an embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that components and processes that perform the same operations, actions, and functions are given the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and duplicated descriptions may be omitted as appropriate. Each drawing is merely a schematic illustration to allow a sufficient understanding of the technology of the present disclosure. Therefore, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to the illustrated examples. Furthermore, in this embodiment, descriptions of configurations that are not directly related to the present disclosure or well-known configurations may be omitted.

[0011] 1 shows an analyzer 12 of the first embodiment and a bottle 20 containing test strips used in this analyzer 12. In the drawing, the width, depth, and height directions of the analyzer 12 are indicated by arrows W, D, and H, respectively. The analyzer 12 is used in an orientation in which the width and depth directions are horizontal.

[0012] The analyzer 12 is a device that aspirates a sample liquid (e.g., urine) contained in a sample container 14 using a nozzle (not shown) and analyzes the sample liquid. The sample container 14 is, for example, cylindrical overall, with a diameter that gradually decreases in a conical manner from the middle to the bottom in the longitudinal direction. A sample container of this shape is sometimes called a Spitz tube. The sample container is not limited to a Spitz tube and may be any container that can accommodate a sample. The analyzer 12 performs analysis of the sample liquid, for example, while placed on a work table WT on which the analysis work is performed.

[0013] The bottle 20 is cylindrical overall, and has a barcode 22 attached to its outer periphery. The barcode 22 corresponds to information about the test strip contained in the bottle 20. As will be described later, information about the test strip can be obtained by reading the barcode 22 with the camera 48 of the tablet terminal 18. The bottle 20 is an example of a container of the disclosed technology, and the barcode 22 is an example of an information mark of the disclosed technology.

[0014] The analysis device 12 includes a device main body 16 and a tablet terminal 18 .

[0015] The tablet terminal 18 is an example of a reading member of the disclosed technology. The tablet terminal 18 is detachable from the device main body 16. When the tablet terminal 18 is attached to the device main body 16, it can also be said that the tablet terminal 18 is held by the device main body 16.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, an accommodating recess 24 is formed on the outer surface of the device main body 16 (the front surface 16F in the example of FIG. 2). The accommodating recess 24 is formed by partially recessing the front surface 16F rearward in a shape corresponding to the tablet terminal 18. The tablet terminal 18 can be accommodated in this accommodating recess 24. By accommodating the tablet terminal 18 in the accommodating recess 24, the tablet terminal 18 can be attached to the device main body 16 in a predetermined position. Furthermore, when the tablet terminal 18 is accommodated in the accommodating recess 24, the protrusion of the tablet terminal 18 from the front surface 16F can be reduced.

[0017] An engagement piece (not shown) is provided in the storage recess 24. The engagement piece, for example, engages with a part of the tablet terminal 18 (such as an edge or an engagement recess) to prevent the tablet terminal 18 from falling out of the storage recess 24. The tablet terminal 18 can be removed from the storage recess 24 by, for example, sliding the tablet terminal 18 left and right or up and down or by deforming the engagement piece to release the engagement.

[0018] 3, the device main body 16 includes an analysis unit 26, a processor 30, a memory 32, a storage 34, an operation control unit 36, an external communication device 38, and an internal communication device 40. These elements in the device main body 16 are connected to each other via a bus 42 so that they can communicate with each other.

[0019] The storage 34 stores an analysis program for executing the analysis process of the sample by the analyzer 12. The storage 34 also stores the operation history of the analyzer 12 and data on past analysis results of the sample.

[0020] The processor 30 is capable of executing various programs and controlling each element in the device main body 16. Specifically, the processor 30 reads a program from the storage 34 and executes the program using the memory 32 as a work area. That is, the processor 30 controls each element in the device main body 16 and performs various arithmetic processing in accordance with the program stored in the storage 34.

[0021] The memory 32 can temporarily store programs and various data as a work area.

[0022] The storage 34 is, for example, a read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), or a solid state drive (SDD), and stores various programs and data. These programs include not only application programs such as the measurement support program described above, but also an operating system.

[0023] The external communication device 38 is a device that communicates with devices external to the analytical device 12. For communication, standards for wired connections such as Ethernet (registered trademark) and FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface) and wireless connections such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (registered trademark) are used.

[0024] The internal communication device 40 is a device that communicates with the communication device 58 in the tablet terminal 18. In this embodiment, wireless connection standards such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (registered trademark) are used for communication.

[0025] The analysis unit 26 is the part that actually analyzes the sample liquid applied to the test strip. The operation control unit 36 ​​receives instructions from the processor 30 and controls the operations of various devices inside the device main body 16. For example, the analysis operation performed by the analysis unit 26 is controlled by the operation control unit 36.

[0026] The tablet terminal 18 has a display 44, a touch panel 46, a camera 48, a processor 50, a memory 52, a storage 54, and a communication device 58. These elements of the tablet terminal 18 are connected to each other via a bus 62 so that they can communicate with each other.

[0027] The display 44 is a device that visually displays various types of information in the analysis device 12. In particular, with the technology of the present disclosure, as will be described later, the camera 48 of the tablet terminal 18 is used to read the barcode 22 on the bottle 20, and in this case, the tablet terminal 18 can display information such as that it is in a state where it can read the barcode 22. The touch panel 46 is a panel that accepts various inputs from the operator to the analysis device 12 by the operator's touch operation (contact operation). In practice, the display 44 also serves as the touch panel 46.

[0028] The camera 48 is a device that captures images of objects around the tablet terminal 18 as subjects. The camera 48 is provided on the same surface of the tablet terminal 18 as the display 44. Therefore, when the tablet terminal 18 is held in the device body 16, both the display 44 and the camera 48 face forward, i.e., toward the operator performing the analysis work. The tablet terminal 18 thus equipped with the camera 18 is an example of a reading member of the disclosed technology.

[0029] 1, a corrective lens 56 is detachably attached to the camera 48. The tip of the corrective lens 56 of the camera 48 is exposed from the tablet terminal 18. For example, a barcode reading mode is set in the tablet terminal 18, and in this barcode reading mode, the barcode 22 can be read simply by holding the barcode 22 over the camera 48 with the corrective lens 56 attached.

[0030] The storage 54 stores operating programs for the tablet terminal 18 to execute various processes. The storage 54 also stores data of images captured by the camera 48. Furthermore, the storage 54 also stores various data transmitted from the device main body 16.

[0031] The processor 50 is capable of executing various programs and controlling each element in the tablet terminal 18. Specifically, the processor 50 reads a program from the storage 54 and executes the program using the memory 52 as a work area. That is, the processor 50 controls each element in the device main body 16 and performs various arithmetic processing in accordance with the program stored in the storage 54.

[0032] In particular, in this embodiment, the processor 50 in the tablet terminal 18 is capable of executing various processes in synchronization with the processor 30 in the device main body 16, but is also capable of executing processes asynchronously that are different from those of the processor 30.

[0033] The memory 52 can temporarily store programs and various data as a work area.

[0034] The storage 54 is, for example, a ROM, HDD, or SDD, and stores various programs and various data. These programs include not only application programs such as the measurement support program described above, but also an operating system.

[0035] The communication device 58 is a device that communicates with the internal communication device 40 of the device main body 16. Furthermore, the communication device 58 is capable of connecting to a carrier line provided by a mobile phone carrier or the like.

[0036] A corrective lens 56 is detachably attached to the camera 48 of the tablet terminal 18. The corrective lens 56 corrects the optical performance of the camera 48 so that it is suitable for reading a barcode 22, which will be described later.

[0037] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0038] The analysis device 12 of the first embodiment includes an apparatus main body 16 and a tablet terminal 18. The apparatus main body 16 includes an analysis unit 26, and is capable of analyzing the components of a specimen, which is a sample.

[0039] The tablet terminal 18 is capable of communicating with the device main body 16 and has a display 44 and a touch panel 46. The tablet terminal 18 receives analysis data of the sample components and the operating status of the device main body 16 from the device main body 16, and displays the data on the display 44. The tablet terminal 18 also transmits information input by the operator via the touch panel 46 to the device main body 16. The device main body 16 performs various processes and operations based on the input method transmitted from the tablet terminal 18.

[0040] The analytical device 12 uses test strips contained in a bottle 20. Before the test strips are set in the device body 16 of the analytical device 12, the information on the barcode 22 of the bottle 20 is transmitted to the analytical device 12.

[0041] In the analyzer 12 of the first embodiment, the tablet terminal 18 has a camera 48. The tablet terminal 18 is held in the device main body 16. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4 , by holding the barcode 22 of the bottle 20 in front of the camera 48 while the tablet terminal 18 is held in the device main body 16, the barcode 22 can be read by the camera 48. In this case, since the tablet terminal 18 is held in the device main body 16, the operator does not need to hold the tablet terminal 18. The operator only needs to hold the bottle 20 in one hand and hold the barcode 22 over the camera 48, and can perform other tasks with the hand not holding the bottle 20. This improves the operator's operability when reading the barcode 22 of the bottle 20.

[0042] A corrective lens 56 can be attached to and detached from the camera 48. With the corrective lens 56 attached, the optical performance of the camera 48 becomes suitable for reading the barcode 22. Therefore, the barcode 22 can be accurately read using the camera 48. For example, even if a camera provided in a typical tablet terminal is not suitable for reading the barcode 22, the analyzer 12 of the first embodiment can accurately read the barcode 22 by attaching the corrective lens 56 to the camera 48. Of course, as long as the camera 48 can read the barcode 22 even without the corrective lens 56 attached, the corrective lens 56 may be removed.

[0043] Moreover, the correcting lens 56 is detachable from the camera 48. Therefore, by removing the correcting lens 56 from the camera 48, the camera 48 can be set to a state suitable for photographing an object other than the barcode 22.

[0044] In the analyzer 12 of the first embodiment, the barcode 22 on the bottle 20 can also be read by the camera 48 of the tablet terminal 18 using the barcode reading method shown in FIG.

[0045] 5, the tablet terminal 18 is removed from the storage recess 24 and placed against the device main body 16 on the work table WT. This also eliminates the need for the analysis worker to hold the tablet terminal 18, and allows the worker to hold the bottle 20 in one hand and hold the barcode 22 over the camera 48. This allows the worker to perform other tasks with the hand not holding the bottle 20, improving the workability when reading the barcode 22 on the bottle 20.

[0046] In the analyzer 12 of the first embodiment, the tablet terminal 18 does not need to be detachable from the device main body 16, and may be held in an undetachable manner relative to the device main body 16. That is, even with this configuration, when the barcode 22 is read by the camera 48 of the tablet terminal 18 held in the device main body 16, it is possible to perform other tasks with the hand that is not holding the bottle 20.

[0047] Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the same elements, members, etc. as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 6, an analyzer 72 of the second embodiment has a barcode reader 74. The barcode reader 74 is configured to include a gripping portion 76 and a reading portion 78. The gripping portion 76 is a portion that can be held by an operator with one hand. The reading portion 78 is provided with a reading surface 78R on the side opposite the gripping portion 76, and the barcode 22 of the bottle 20 can be read by holding the barcode 22 over this reading surface 78R. In the second embodiment, the barcode reader 74 is an example of a reading member of the disclosed technology.

[0049] A holding member 80 is provided on the device body 16. The holding member 80 is a member that holds the barcode reader 74 on the device body 16. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the holding member 80 is configured to surround and hold the grip portion 76 of the barcode reader 74 on the upper surface 16U of the device body 16.

[0050] As shown in Fig. 7, the barcode reader 74 is connected to the internal communication device 40 of the device main body 16, and is capable of transmitting and receiving information. Although Fig. 7 shows an example in which the barcode reader 74 is connected to the internal communication device 40 of the device main body 16 by wire, it may also be connected wirelessly.

[0051] In the analyzer 72 of the second embodiment, the barcode reader 74 is held in the device body 16 as described above. The barcode reader 74 has a reading unit 78. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8 , with the barcode reader 74 held in the device body 16, the barcode 22 on the bottle 20 can be read by holding the barcode 22 in front of the reading surface 78R. In this case, since the barcode reader 74 is held in the device body 16, the operator does not need to hold the barcode reader 74. The operator simply holds the bottle 20 in one hand and holds the barcode 22 over the reading surface 78R, allowing the operator to perform other tasks with the hand not holding the bottle 20. This improves the operator's operability when reading the barcode 22 on the bottle 20.

[0052] In the analyzer 72 of the second embodiment, the barcode 22 on the bottle 20 can also be read by the reading unit 78 of the barcode reader 74 using the barcode reading method shown in FIG.

[0053] This barcode reading method uses a stand 82. The stand 82 has a stand main body 84 and a holding member 80. The stand main body 84 can be placed on the work table WT and can support the grip portion 76 of the barcode reader 74. The holding member 80 is provided on the upper part of the stand main body 84 and holds the grip portion 76 of the barcode reader 74 supported by the stand main body 84.

[0054] 9, the barcode reader 74 is removed from the holding member 80 of the device main body 16 and held on a stand 82 placed on the work table WT. This eliminates the need for the analysis worker to hold the barcode reader 74, and allows the worker to hold the bottle 20 in one hand and hold the barcode 22 over the reading surface 78R of the barcode reader 74. This allows the worker to perform other tasks with the hand not holding the bottle 20, improving workability when reading the barcode 22 of the bottle 20.

[0055] In the analyzer 72 of the second embodiment, the barcode reader 74 does not need to be detachable from the device body 16, and may be held in an undetachable manner relative to the device body 16. That is, even with this configuration, when the barcode 22 is read by the reading surface 78R of the barcode reader 74 held in the device body 16, it is possible to perform other tasks with the hand that is not holding the bottle 20.

[0056] In the technology of the present disclosure, in both the first and second embodiments, the device main body 16 has a processor 30, and further, the tablet terminal 18 also has a processor 50. In this way, by having multiple processors 50, different processes can be executed by each processor.

[0057] For example, the processor 30 of the device main body 16 can perform processes such as analyzing the sample liquid using the analysis unit 26 and preparing for the next analysis, while the tablet terminal 18 can perform processes such as displaying the analysis results on the display 44. In this case, since the tablet terminal 18 has a storage 34, it is possible to record the data of the analysis results to be displayed on the display 44 in the storage 34 by communicating with the device main body 16 before displaying them. This eliminates the need for the tablet terminal 18 to communicate with the device main body 16 while the analysis results are being displayed on the display 44, thereby reducing the processing load on the processor 30.

[0058] It is also possible for the processor 30 of the tablet terminal 18 to execute a process for changing the display method of the analysis results. For example, buttons for receiving inputs for searching, narrowing down, sorting, etc. of the analysis results can be set on the touch panel 46, and the display method can be changed in response to the input operation. Even in this case, the processor 30 of the tablet terminal 18 can execute the process for changing the display method without communicating with the device main body 16.

[0059] The information mark of the disclosed technology is not limited to the above-mentioned barcode 22. The information mark may be, for example, a two-dimensional barcode, letters, symbols, etc. Furthermore, the container of the disclosed technology is not limited to the above-mentioned bottle 20. The container may be a box-shaped member that contains test strips.

[0060] Furthermore, the following notes are disclosed: (Appendix 1) an apparatus main body including an analysis unit for analyzing components in a sample; a reading member that is held by the device body and that can read information labels on containers that contain test papers; An analytical device having: (Appendix 2) 2. The analytical device according to claim 1, wherein the reading member is detachable from the device body. (Appendix 3) 3. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein the reading member is a tablet terminal equipped with a camera and a display. (Appendix 4) 4. The analytical device according to claim 3, wherein a correction lens is removably attached to the camera of the reading member. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 12 Analyzer 14 Sample container 16 Device body 18 Tablet devices 20 bottles 22 Barcode 26 Analysis Department 44 Display 46 Touch Panel 48 Camera 50 processors 52 memory 54 Storage 56 Corrective Lenses 58 Communication Equipment 72 Analyzer 74 Barcode reader

Claims

1. an apparatus main body including an analysis unit for analyzing components in a sample; a reading member that is held by the device body and that can read information labels on containers that contain test papers; An analytical device having:

2. The analyzer according to claim 1 , wherein the reading member is detachable from the main body of the analyzer.

3. The analyzer according to claim 1 , wherein the reading member is a tablet terminal equipped with a camera and a display.

4. 4. The analyzer according to claim 3, wherein a correction lens is detachably attached to the camera of the reading member.

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