Automatic analysis device

Abstract

Provided is an automated analysis device obviating the need to manage a remaining amount of an accuracy control sample. This automated analysis device comprises: a loading part in which is loaded a vessel accommodating a specimen or an accuracy control sample; an ID reader for reading an ID given to the vessel; a control unit for allocating a measurement item to the ID and controlling various parts; and an analysis part for dispensing the specimen or the accuracy control sample from the vessel and conducting analysis on the basis of the measurement item. When there is not an adequate amount of liquid in a first vessel accommodating the accuracy control sample, the control unit allocates, to the ID of a second vessel accommodating the accuracy control sample, any pending measurement items from among the measurement items allocated to the ID of the first vessel, and causes the analysis part to conduct analysis.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer. [Background technology]

[0002] An automated analyzer is a device that automatically performs qualitative or quantitative analysis of specific components contained in samples such as blood and urine. To maintain analytical accuracy, an automated analyzer measures a quality control sample, which is a sample with a known concentration, multiple times to confirm that the average and standard deviation of the measured values ​​are within the acceptable range. Since the quality control sample is measured periodically, it is important to manage the remaining amount of the quality control sample.

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses an automatic analyzer that stores the number of times a quality control sample can be measured in order to automatically manage the remaining amount of the quality control sample, compares the stored number of times that can be measured with the number of measurements requested, and displays the difference. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3727481 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in Patent Document 1, the remaining amount of quality control sample is managed for each automatic analyzer, so when the quality control sample is shared among multiple automatic analyzers, an error may occur between the number of measurements stored for each automatic analyzer and the number of measurements that can actually be made, and it may not be possible to measure the quality control sample.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer that does not require management of the remaining amount of quality control samples. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an automatic analyzer comprising an input section into which containers holding specimens or quality control samples are input, an ID reader that reads IDs given to the containers, a control section that assigns measurement items to the IDs and controls each section, and an analysis section that dispenses the specimen or quality control sample from the container based on the measurement items to perform analysis, wherein when the amount of liquid in a first container holding the quality control sample is insufficient, the control section assigns unperformed measurement items among the measurement items assigned to the ID of the first container to the ID of a second container holding the quality control sample, and has the analysis section perform the measurement items. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an automatic analyzer that does not require management of the remaining amount of quality control samples. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an automatic analyzer. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a process flow of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an automatic analyzer according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. EXAMPLES

[0011] An example of the configuration of an automatic analyzer will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The automatic analyzer includes an input unit 101, an ID reader 102, a transport line 103, a waiting unit 104, an analyzing unit 105, a collecting unit 109, and a control unit 106. Note that a plurality of analyzing units 105 are provided. Each unit will be described below.

[0012] Containers containing specimens or quality control samples are loaded into the loading section 101. The containers containing specimens or quality control samples are placed on a holder that holds a single container or a rack that holds multiple containers and loaded into the loading section 101. The rack or holder loaded into the loading section 101 is transported by the transport line 103 to the ID reader 102, waiting section 104, analysis section 105, and recovery section 109.

[0013] The ID reader 102 is a device that reads an ID, which is an identifier given to a container or a rack, and is, for example, a barcode reader or an RFID reader. The ID read by the ID reader 102 is assigned a measurement item set for the specimen or quality control sample.

[0014] Containers with IDs before a measurement item is assigned and containers with IDs for which the assigned measurement item has not been completed wait in the standby section 104. The standby section 104 also includes a cooler 107 for storing containers containing specimens and quality control samples that require cooling. The containers waiting in the standby section 104 are held in racks or holders.

[0015] In the analysis units 105, analysis of specimens and quality control samples is carried out based on the measurement items. Each of the analysis units 105 is provided with a dispensing probe 108 that dispenses specimens and quality control samples from containers held in racks or holders transported by the transport line 103. The dispensing probe 108 may be provided with a liquid level detection mechanism.

[0016] Racks and holders holding containers into which specimens or quality control samples have been dispensed are transported by transport line 103 to waiting section 104 or recovery section 109. Racks and holders holding containers with IDs for which assigned measurement items have not been completed are transported to waiting section 104, and racks and holders holding only containers with IDs for which assigned measurement items have been completed are transported to recovery section 109. In recovery section 109, the containers held by the transported racks and holders are recovered.

[0017] The control unit 106 is a device, such as a computer, that controls each unit of the automatic analyzer and executes processes related to analysis. In the control unit 106, the operator sets measurement items for specimens and quality control samples. The set measurement items are assigned to the IDs read by the ID reader 102. Based on the set measurement items, a destination for the container having the read ID is selected.

[0018] When performing a measurement item for maintaining the analytical accuracy of an automatic analyzer, if the amount of liquid of the quality control sample contained in the container is insufficient, the measurement item cannot be performed, and in some cases, the operation of the automatic analyzer may stop. In the first embodiment, in order to avoid the operation of the automatic analyzer being stopped because the measurement item for maintaining the analytical accuracy cannot be performed, the process flow illustrated in FIG. 2 is executed.

[0019] The flow of the process executed in the first embodiment will be described step by step with reference to FIG.

[0020] (S201) A first container and a second container, which contain quality control samples, are placed in the same rack and placed in the loading section 101. An ID is assigned to each of the first container and the second container. The rack placed in the loading section 101 is transported to the ID reader 102 by the transport line 103.

[0021] (S202) The ID reader 102 reads the ID of the first container held in the rack. The read ID is sent to the control unit 106, which assigns the measurement item set for the quality control sample. The control unit 106 also selects a destination of the rack holding the first container from among multiple analysis units 105 based on the assigned measurement item.

[0022] (S203) The control unit 106 transports the rack holding the first container and the second container to the analysis unit 105, which is the destination selected in S202.

[0023] (S204) In the analysis unit 105, it is determined whether the amount of liquid of the quality control sample contained in the first container is sufficient or not. For example, a liquid level detection mechanism provided in the dispensing probe 108 is used to determine the amount of liquid, and the amount of liquid measured by the liquid level detection mechanism is compared with a predetermined threshold value. When the dispensing probe 108 is provided with a liquid level detection mechanism, the amount of liquid is measured in accordance with the dispensing operation by the dispensing probe 108, so that the time required for dispensing can be shortened. Note that the amount of liquid of the quality control sample contained in the first container may be measured by another measuring device without being limited to the liquid level detection mechanism provided in the dispensing probe 108. If the amount of liquid is equal to or greater than the threshold, i.e., sufficient, the process proceeds to S205, and if the amount of liquid is insufficient, the process proceeds to S206.

[0024] (S205) In the analysis unit 105, the quality control sample contained in the first container is dispensed by the dispensing probe 108, and the measurement item assigned to the ID of the first container is performed. After the assigned measurement item is performed, the process proceeds to S210.

[0025] (S206) The control unit 106 transports the rack holding the first and second containers to the ID reader 102 without carrying out the measurement item assigned to the ID of the first container.

[0026] (S207) The ID reader 102 reads the ID of the second container held in the rack. The read ID is transmitted to the control unit 106, and the measurement item not yet performed on the first container is assigned. The control unit 106 also sets the destination selected in S202 for the ID of the second container.

[0027] (S208) The control unit 106 transports the rack holding the first container and the second container to the analysis unit 105, which is the destination set in S207. Note that while the processes from S206 to S208 are being executed, the analysis unit 105 performs measurement items of specimens other than the quality control sample.

[0028] (S209) In the analysis section 105, the quality control sample contained in the second container is dispensed by the dispensing probe 108, and the measurement item assigned to the ID of the second container is carried out.

[0029] (S210) The control unit 106 causes the rack holding the first container and the second container to be transported to the waiting unit 104 .

[0030] The above-described process flow makes it possible to eliminate the need to manage the remaining amount of the quality control sample. That is, if the amount of the quality control sample contained in the first container is sufficient, the measurement item for maintaining analytical accuracy is performed using the first container, and even if the amount of the sample is insufficient, the measurement item is performed using the second container that contains the quality control sample. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation where the measurement item for maintaining analytical accuracy cannot be performed or the operation of the automatic analyzer is stopped due to an insufficient amount of the quality control sample.

[0031] In addition, samples other than the quality control sample are analyzed from the time when it is determined in S204 that the amount of liquid in the quality control sample is insufficient until the measurement item for maintaining analytical accuracy is performed using the second container in S209. Therefore, the processing capacity of the automatic analyzer, i.e., the number of samples that the automatic analyzer analyzes per unit time, is maintained.

[0032] Furthermore, when it is determined in S204 that the amount of the quality control sample contained in the first container is insufficient, a message may be displayed to prompt the operator to insert a new container containing the quality control sample. By inserting a new container in accordance with the message, it is possible to avoid the inability to perform measurement items for maintaining analytical accuracy or the stop of operation of the automatic analyzer even when the amount of the quality control sample contained in the second container is insufficient. EXAMPLES

[0033] In the first embodiment, a case where the first container and the second container in which the quality control sample is stored are held in the same rack is described. In the second embodiment, a case where the first container and the second container are held in separate racks is described. Note that the configuration of the automatic analyzer in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment, and therefore the description is omitted.

[0034] The flow of the process executed in the second embodiment will be described step by step with reference to Fig. 3. Note that the description of the process common to the first embodiment will be simplified.

[0035] (S301) A first container and a second container containing quality control samples are loaded into the loading section 101 while each container is held in a separate rack. An ID is assigned to each of the first container and the second container. The rack loaded into the loading section 101 moves to the transport line 103, the rack of the first container is transported to the ID reader 102, and the rack of the second container is transported to the cooler 107 in the waiting section 104. Since the second container is stored in the cooler 107, changes in the concentration of the quality control sample can be suppressed.

[0036] (S302) As in S202, the ID of the first container is read by the ID reader 102, the measurement item set for the quality control sample is assigned to the read ID, and the destination of the rack holding the first container is selected from among multiple analysis units 105.

[0037] (S303) As in S203, the rack holding the first container is transported to the analysis unit 105, which is the destination selected in S302.

[0038] (S304) As in S204, it is determined whether the liquid volume of the quality control sample contained in the first container is sufficient. If it is sufficient, the process proceeds to S305, and if the liquid volume is insufficient, the process proceeds to S306.

[0039] (S305) As in S205, the quality control sample contained in the first container is dispensed by the dispensing probe 108, and the measurement item assigned to the ID of the first container is performed.

[0040] (S306) The control unit 106 transports the rack holding the first container to the waiting unit 104 without performing the measurement item assigned to the ID of the first container, and transports the rack holding the second container containing the quality control sample from the cooler 107 to the ID reader 102.

[0041] (S307) As in S207, the ID of the second container is read by the ID reader 102, the measurement items not yet performed on the first container are assigned to the ID of the second container, and the destination selected in S302 is set for the ID of the second container.

[0042] (S308) The control unit 106 transports the rack holding the second container to the analysis unit 105, which is the destination set in S307. Note that while the processes from S306 to S308 are being executed, the analysis unit 105 performs measurement items of specimens other than the quality control sample.

[0043] (S309) As in S209, the quality control sample contained in the second container is dispensed by the dispensing probe 108, and the measurement item assigned to the ID of the second container is performed.

[0044] (S310) The control unit 106 transports the rack holding the first container or the rack holding the second container to the waiting unit 104.

[0045] The above-described process flow makes it possible to eliminate the need to manage the remaining amount of the quality control sample. That is, if the amount of the quality control sample contained in the first container is sufficient, the measurement item for maintaining analytical accuracy is performed using the first container, and even if the amount of the sample is insufficient, the measurement item is performed using the second container that contains the quality control sample. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation where the measurement item for maintaining analytical accuracy cannot be performed or the operation of the automatic analyzer is stopped due to an insufficient amount of the quality control sample.

[0046] In addition, in the second embodiment, the rack holding the second container is transported toward the analysis unit 105 immediately after it is determined that the amount of liquid of the quality control sample held in the first container is insufficient, so that the time required to perform the measurement items for maintaining the analytical accuracy can be shortened compared to the first embodiment. That is, the transport distance is shorter in the second embodiment, in which the rack holding the second container is transported from the cooler 107 to the analysis unit 105 via the ID reader 102, than in the first embodiment, in which the rack is transported from the analysis unit 105 to the analysis unit 105 again via the ID reader 102, so that the time can be shortened. Note that in the first embodiment, the cooler 107 does not need to be operated, so that the control can be simplified compared to the second embodiment.

[0047] The above describes the embodiments of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and the components may be modified without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, the components disclosed in the above embodiments may be appropriately combined. Furthermore, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the above embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 101: input section, 102: ID reader, 103: transport line, 104: standby section, 105: analysis section, 106: control section, 107: cooler, 108: dispensing probe, 109: recovery section

Claims

1. an input section into which a container containing a specimen or a quality control sample is input; an ID reader that reads an ID given to the container; A control unit that assigns measurement items to the IDs and controls each unit; An automatic analyzer including an analysis unit that performs an analysis by dispensing the specimen or the quality control sample from the container based on the measurement item, The control unit is characterized in that, when the amount of liquid in the first container in which the quality control sample is held is insufficient, it assigns unperformed measurement items among the measurement items assigned to the ID of the first container to the ID of the second container in which the quality control sample is held, and causes the analysis unit to perform the measurement items.

2. The automated analyzer according to claim 1 , The first container and the second container are held on the same rack; The control unit is characterized in that when the amount of liquid in the first container is insufficient, the control unit transports the rack to the ID reader and assigns unperformed measurement items among the measurement items assigned to the ID of the first container to the ID of the second container.

3. The automated analyzer according to claim 2, The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the analysis unit to perform measurement items other than the measurement items of the quality control sample while the rack is being transported to the ID reader.

4. The automated analyzer according to claim 1 , The first container and the second container are held on separate racks; The control unit is characterized in that when the amount of liquid in the first container is insufficient, the control unit transports the rack holding the second container to the ID reader, and assigns unperformed measurement items among the measurement items assigned to the ID of the first container to the ID of the second container.

5. The automated analyzer according to claim 4, An automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein a rack for holding the second container is stored in a refrigerator for keeping the quality control sample cool.

6. The automated analyzer according to claim 1 , the analysis unit has a dispensing probe that dispenses the specimen or the quality control sample, The automatic analyzer is characterized in that the dispensing probe is provided with a liquid level detection mechanism.

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