Automatic analysis device

Abstract

The present invention comprises an analysis unit that analyzes a sample inside an area defined by partition walls, an inside environment control device that controls the state of the environment inside the analysis unit, an inside environment data acquisition device that measures the state of the environment inside the analysis unit, an outside environment data acquisition device that measures the state of the environment outside the analysis unit, a door that is provided in a partition wall between the inside and the outside of the analysis unit and allows access to the inside of the analysis unit from the outside, and a control device that controls whether the door can be opened / closed. The control device prohibits opening of the door when the analysis unit contains a sample that has not been completely analyzed, measurement results from the inside environment data acquisition device are within the range of predetermined inside environment specifications, and measurement results from the outside environment data acquisition unit are outside the range of predetermined outside environment specifications. The present invention thereby makes it possible to suppress the effects of the environment outside an inspection device on the environment inside the inspection device and to suppress reductions in the accuracy of inspection results due to changes in the environment inside the inspection device.

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] In the testing of biological samples, generally, samples (biological samples, specimens) such as blood, urine, feces, and cells taken from a living body are stored inside a testing device such as an automatic analyzer to obtain various data. Since the biological samples are stored inside the testing device and kept there for a certain period of time, accurate test results may not be obtained unless the environment inside the testing device, such as temperature, humidity, and brightness, is maintained appropriately.

[0003] For example, in bacterial testing, collected samples are dispensed into well plates coated with an antibiotic, and the plate is monitored to analyze the rate at which the bacteria multiply. If the temperature inside the testing device becomes higher than the specified level, cells die, and if the humidity becomes lower than the specified level, moisture evaporates, causing the rate at which the bacteria multiply differently from normal (normal) conditions. In other words, accurate test results cannot be obtained under such conditions. Therefore, it is important to properly manage the environment inside the testing device that stores the biological samples in accordance with predetermined specifications.

[0004] A known technology for temperature management of a reagent used in an inspection in an inspection device is described in, for example, Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic analyzer including a specimen container holding mechanism for holding a specimen container containing a specimen, a reagent container holding mechanism for holding a reagent container containing a reagent, a reaction container holding mechanism for holding a reaction container in which the specimen and the reagent are mixed and reacted, a detection mechanism for measuring a reaction solution contained in the reaction container, a reagent temperature measurement mechanism for measuring the temperature of the reagent contained in the reagent container, a reagent thermostat mechanism for holding the reagent container under a predetermined constant temperature environment, a reagent temperature control unit provided in the reagent thermostat mechanism for holding the reagent container under a changeable temperature environment, a reagent container transport mechanism for transporting the reagent container inside the reagent thermostat mechanism including the reagent temperature control unit, and a control device for controlling the temperature environment in which the reagent container is held in the reagent temperature control unit based on the measurement result of the reagent temperature measurement mechanism. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-190400 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, when loading new samples into the inspection device or unloading samples that have been inspected, it is necessary to open and close the door of the inspection device. At that time, air from outside the inspection device may flow into the inside of the inspection device, causing the environment inside the inspection device to become unsuitable, that is, the environment inside the inspection device to deviate from the range of specifications. In particular, if the environment outside the inspection device is outside the range of specifications, the environment inside the inspection device may change significantly when air from outside the inspection device flows into the inspection device, which may affect the inspection results.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide an automatic analyzer that can reduce the impact of the environment outside the testing device on the environment inside the testing device, and can reduce a decrease in the accuracy of the testing results due to changes in the environment inside the testing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present application includes multiple means for solving the above-mentioned problems, and one example is an automatic analysis device that analyzes a sample to be analyzed and acquires test data, comprising an analysis section that analyzes the sample within an area defined by a partition, an internal environment control device that controls the environmental condition inside the analysis section, an internal environment data acquisition device that measures the environmental condition inside the analysis section, an external environment data acquisition device that measures the environmental condition outside the analysis section, a door provided in the partition that separates the inside and outside of the analysis section and that allows access from outside the analysis section to the inside, and a control device that controls whether the door can be opened or closed, and the control device prohibits the door from being opened when the sample that has not been analyzed is present inside the analysis section, and the measurement result by the internal environment data acquisition device is within the range of a predetermined internal environment specification, and the measurement result by the external environment data acquisition device is outside the range of the predetermined external environment specification. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the influence of the environment outside the inspection device on the environment inside the inspection device, and to suppress a decrease in the accuracy of the inspection results due to changes in the environment inside the inspection device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic external view of an analysis unit which is a main part of an automatic analyzer. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of an analysis unit. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating the processing functions of the automatic analyzer. [Figure 4]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of a screen display device, showing a standard screen being displayed. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display on a screen display device, showing a screen displaying information that opening of a door is prohibited; [Figure 6] 5 is a flowchart showing the process of door open determination in the control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart showing the process of door open determination in a control device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart showing the process of door open determination in a control device according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] In this embodiment, an automatic analyzer that irradiates light onto a sample to obtain a measurement value is described as an example of an automatic analyzer that analyzes a sample, but the present invention is not limited to this and can also be applied to other automatic analyzers that perform analysis in an environment isolated from the outside.

[0013] <First embodiment> A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0014] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the outline of the appearance of an analysis unit, which is a main part of an automatic analyzer, Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the outline of the internal configuration of the analysis unit, and Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the outline of the processing functions of the automatic analyzer.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the automatic analysis device 100 has an analysis section 101 that analyzes samples within an area defined by a partition 101a, an external environment data acquisition device 102 that measures the environmental conditions outside the analysis section 101, an internal environment data acquisition device 105 (arranged inside the analysis section 101) that measures the environmental conditions inside the analysis section 101, a door 112 provided in the partition 101a that separates the inside and outside of the analysis section 101 and that allows access from the outside to the inside of the analysis section 101, and a screen display device 111 which is an input / output interface having a function of presenting information to an operator via a screen or the like and a function of inputting information via a touch panel or the like.

[0016] The analytical unit 101 is configured such that the inside and outside of the analytical unit 101 are separated by covering the area where the sample is analyzed with a partition wall 101a, thereby suppressing the influence of the external environmental condition on the internal environmental condition of the analytical unit 101. By separating the inside and outside of the analytical unit 101, the partition wall 101a suppresses the influence of the external environment on the internal environment of the analytical unit 101, and serves to maintain the sample holding environment and analysis environment inside the analytical unit 101, and has a heat insulating function, a light blocking function, a sealing function, etc.

[0017] The external environment data acquisition device 102 is a sensor that measures, for example, temperature, humidity, air pressure, brightness (luminosity), etc., as the environmental condition outside the analysis unit 101 (partition wall 101a). The external environment data acquisition device 102 is composed of a circuit board, software, etc. If the external environment data acquisition device 102 is a resistance thermometer that measures temperature, it has a resistance temperature detector or a thermistor. If the external environment data acquisition device 102 is a non-contact thermometer, it has a thermograph, etc. If the external environment data acquisition device 102 is a radiation thermometer, it has an irradiation unit or a light receiving unit. If the external environment data acquisition device 102 is a hygrometer that measures humidity, it has a moisture-sensitive film or a moisture-sensitive material, etc. If the external environment data acquisition device 102 is an illuminometer that measures illuminance, it has a photodiode or an optical filter, etc. If the external environment data acquisition device 102 is a barometer that measures air pressure, it has a semiconductor or a chamber. The external environment data acquisition device 102 may be configured to acquire data on one type of environmental condition, or may be configured to acquire data on multiple types of environmental conditions, or multiple external environment data acquisition devices 102 that acquire data on different types of environmental conditions may be provided.

[0018] The internal environment data acquisition device 105 is a sensor that measures, for example, temperature, humidity, air pressure, brightness (luminosity), etc., as the environmental condition inside the analysis unit 101 (partition wall 101a). The internal environment data acquisition device 105 is composed of a circuit board, software, etc. If the internal environment data acquisition device 105 is a resistance thermometer that measures temperature, it has a resistance temperature detector or a thermistor. If the internal environment data acquisition device 105 is a non-contact thermometer, it has a thermograph, etc. If the internal environment data acquisition device 105 is a radiation thermometer, it has an irradiation unit or a light receiving unit. If the internal environment data acquisition device 105 is a hygrometer that measures humidity, it has a moisture-sensitive film or a moisture-sensitive material, etc. If the internal environment data acquisition device 105 is an illuminometer that measures illuminance, it has a photodiode or an optical filter, etc. If the internal environment data acquisition device 105 is a barometer that measures air pressure, it has a semiconductor or a chamber. The internal environment data acquisition device 105 may be configured to acquire data on one type of environmental condition, or may be configured to acquire data on multiple types of environmental conditions, or multiple internal environment data acquisition devices 105 that acquire data on different types of environmental conditions may be provided.

[0019] The door 112 is provided with a light 117 for notifying an operator of information such as an abnormality, and a button 118 that the operator can press to open the door 112 when the door 112 is permitted to open (described later). When the operator presses the button 118 of the door 112, a door-opening determination process (described later) is performed to determine whether the door 112 may be opened or not, and if the door is permitted to open, the door 112 is unlocked and opened, and if the door is not permitted to open (prohibited), the door 112 is locked and not opened, and the operator is notified of this by turning on the light 117, etc. The door 112 has a heat insulating function, a light blocking function, a sealing function, etc., similar to the partition wall 101a of the analysis unit 101, and when the door 112 is in a closed state, the heat insulating function, light blocking function, sealing function, etc. of the entire analysis unit 101 are maintained.

[0020] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, inside the analysis unit 101, there are arranged a sample management unit 109 that holds and manages multiple sample containers 11 containing one or more samples to be analyzed, a sample installation unit 108 that holds the sample containers 11 transported from the sample management unit 109 by a transport device not shown in the figure at a measurement position, a light source 14 that irradiates measurement light onto the sample 12 in the sample container 11 held in the sample installation unit 108, a camera 15 that measures the observation light (transmitted light, reflected light, scattered light, luminescence, etc.) obtained from the sample 12 by irradiating it with measurement light from the light source 14, a control device 106 that controls the overall operation of the automatic analysis device 100 including the analysis unit 101, an internal environment control device 104 that controls the environmental condition inside the analysis unit, for example, to be within a predetermined range of internal environment specifications, an internal environment data acquisition device 105, and a door control device 110 that controls whether the door can be opened or closed.

[0021] The sample management unit 109 has, for example, a laser scanner as a function of detecting whether or not a sample container 11 containing a sample 12 (biological sample) to be analyzed is placed in the sample management unit 109. When the sample management unit 109 has a laser scanner as a function of detecting the sample container 11, it has a laser output unit, a lens, and the like as related components for detecting the presence or absence of an object.

[0022] The sample setting unit 108 has, for example, a laser scanner or the like as a function of detecting whether or not the sample container 11 containing the sample 12 (biological sample) to be analyzed is set in the sample setting unit 108. When the sample setting unit 108 has a laser scanner as a function of detecting the sample container 11, it has a laser output unit, a lens, and the like as related components for detecting the presence or absence of an object.

[0023] The sample management unit 109 and the sample setting unit 108 may share the function of detecting whether or not the sample container 11 is set in the sample setting unit 108 .

[0024] The sample management section 109 does not need to be inside the analysis section 101, but may be configured independently outside the analysis section 101 (or outside the automatic analysis device 100).

[0025] The light source 14 is, for example, a light-emitting diode or other light-emitting body. The camera 15 receives light using an image sensor constituted by, for example, a photodiode, and measures the amount of received light as a luminance value. The camera 15 may be, for example, a one-dimensional optical sensor, or may be configured to capture an image using an image sensor such as a CMOS having a lens, a filter, etc.

[0026] The control device 106 is composed of a circuit board, software, etc., and controls the amount of light emitted by the light source 14 and the exposure time of the camera 15, while calculating the light transmittance, amount of scattered light, frequency (color of the specimen), and amount of light emitted by fluorescent substances contained in the sample 12 from the observation light measured by the camera 15, and stores these measurement results in a memory unit 106a, etc.

[0027] The storage unit 106a stores the luminance value acquired by the camera 103 and the control values ​​obtained by controlling the amount of light emitted by the light source and the exposure time of the camera by the control device 106. Note that the storage unit 106a does not need to be provided inside the analysis unit 101 (or the control device 106) and may be connected to an external system connected via a network, a universal serial bus (USB), or the like.

[0028] The internal environment control device 104 controls the internal environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity, brightness, air pressure, etc.) of the analysis unit 101, and has various functions such as a heating / cooling mechanism, a humidification / dehumidification mechanism, a brightness (illuminance) adjustment mechanism, and a pressurization / depressurization mechanism.

[0029] The door control device 110 is configured with a circuit board, software, etc., and permits or prohibits the opening of the door 112 based on the judgment result of the control device 106. When the opening of the door 112 is prohibited, the door 112 is locked in the closed state by a locking mechanism (not shown), and when the opening of the door is permitted, the locking mechanism is unlocked and the door 112 can be opened. The function of the door control device 110 may be provided in the door 112.

[0030] Here, the light source 14 and the camera 15 constitute a sample data acquisition unit 107 that analyzes a sample to be analyzed and acquires inspection data. The control unit 106 and the door control unit 110 constitute a control unit that prohibits the door 112 from opening when a sample 12 (sample container 11) that has not yet been analyzed by the sample data acquisition unit 107 is present in the sample installation unit 108 inside the analysis unit 101, the measurement result by the internal environment data acquisition device 105 is within the range of the predetermined internal environment specifications, and the measurement result by the external environment data acquisition device 102 is outside the range of the predetermined external environment specifications.

[0031] 4 and 5 are diagrams showing examples of displays on a screen display device, with FIG. 4 showing a standard screen being displayed, and FIG. 5 showing a screen showing information that opening the door is prohibited.

[0032] 4, in a normal state, for example, the screen display device 111 displays sample information indicating information on the sample to be analyzed, acquired data information indicating information on the analysis result, a power button for managing the power supply of the automatic analyzer 100, a door unlock button 111a for instructing unlocking to open the door, etc. In this state, when the operator presses the door unlock button 111a (or the button 118 of the door 112), the control device 106 executes a door open determination process (described later) for determining whether or not the door 112 may be opened, and if opening is permitted, the door 112 is unlocked and opened, and if opening is not permitted (prohibited), the door 112 is locked and not opened, and a dialogue screen indicating information that opening the door is prohibited, for example, is displayed (see FIG. 5).

[0033] As shown in FIG. 5, when a dialogue screen showing information that opening of the door 112 is prohibited is displayed on the screen display device 111, the reason why the door 112 cannot be opened may also be displayed.

[0034] Here, the door open determination process performed by the control devices (control device 106 and door control device 110) will be described.

[0035] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the process of determining whether the door is open in the control device.

[0036] In FIG. 6, when the door unlock button 111a (or button 118 on the door 112) is pressed by the operator, the control device 106 first determines, based on information from the sample installation section 108, whether or not there is a sample 12 (sample container 11) being analyzed inside the analysis section 101 (step S201).

[0037] If the determination result in step S201 is YES, it is then determined whether or not the internal environmental conditions of the analysis unit 101 are within a predetermined internal specification range (step S202). The environmental conditions here are, for example, at least one of temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, brightness, etc. The internal specification range indicates the conditions of the environmental conditions for obtaining stable and accurate analysis results by the sample data acquisition unit 107, and is, for example, a range that is experimentally determined in advance.

[0038] If the determination result in step S202 is YES, it is then determined whether or not the environmental condition outside the analysis unit 101 is within a predetermined external specification range (step S203). The environmental condition here is, for example, temperature, humidity, air pressure, brightness, etc., and corresponds to the same types of environmental conditions referred to in the determination in step S202. Note that the external specification range may be set to the same range as the internal specification range, but a range obtained experimentally in advance may also be set, taking into account the effect on the internal environmental condition when the door 112 is opened.

[0039] If the determination result in step S203 is NO, the control device 106 prohibits the door 112 from being opened. At this time, the door control device 110 locks the door 112, and displays on the screen display device 111 that opening of the door 112 is prohibited. In addition, as reasons why opening of the door is prohibited, the fact that the environmental condition outside the analysis unit 101 is out of the specification range and the type of the environmental condition of the target that is out of the specification range are displayed.

[0040] As described above, the control device (control device 106 and door control device 110) prohibits the door 112 from being opened when the judgment results of steps S201 and S202 are YES and the judgment result of step S203 is NO, i.e., when there is a sample 12 inside the analysis section 101 that has not yet been analyzed, and the measurement results of the internal environment data acquisition device 105 are within the range of the predetermined internal environment specifications, and the measurement results of the external environment data acquisition device 102 are outside the range of the predetermined external environment specifications.

[0041] If the determination result in either step S201 or S202 is NO, or if the determination result in step S203 is YES, the door control device 110 then permits the opening of the door 112. At this time, the door control device 110 unlocks the door 112 and displays on the screen display device 111 that the door 112 can be opened.

[0042] The effects of the present embodiment configured as above will be described.

[0043] When loading new samples into a testing device such as an automatic analyzer or removing samples that have already been tested, the door of the testing device must be opened and closed. When this is done, air from outside the testing device may flow into the testing device, causing the environment inside the testing device to become unsuitable, that is, the environment inside the testing device to fall outside the range of specifications. In particular, if the environment outside the testing device is outside the range of specifications, the environment inside the testing device may change significantly when air from outside the testing device flows into the testing device, which may affect the test results.

[0044] In contrast, in this embodiment, an automatic analysis device analyzes a sample to be analyzed and acquires test data, and is equipped with an analysis section that analyzes the sample within an area defined by a partition, an internal environment control device that controls the environmental state inside the analysis section, an internal environment data acquisition device that measures the environmental state inside the analysis section, an external environment data acquisition device that measures the environmental state outside the analysis section, a door provided in the partition separating the inside and outside of the analysis section and allowing access from outside to the inside of the analysis section, and a control device that controls whether the door can be opened or closed.The control device is configured to prohibit the door from being opened when there is a sample that has not been analyzed inside the analysis section, and the measurement result by the internal environment data acquisition device is within the predetermined internal environment specification range and the measurement result by the external environment data acquisition device is outside the predetermined external environment specification range, thereby suppressing the effect of the environment outside the inspection device on the environment inside the inspection device and suppressing a decrease in the accuracy of the test results due to changes in the environment inside the inspection device.

[0045] That is, according to this embodiment, if the environment outside the apparatus falls outside the specification range during sample inspection, the door of the apparatus is prohibited from being opened, and it is possible to prevent the air outside the apparatus from flowing into the inside of the apparatus. That is, it is possible to reduce the influence of the outside of the apparatus on the inside of the apparatus and to keep the environment inside the apparatus within the specification range. This reduces the risk of re-inspecting the sample or readjusting the sample, and as a result, it is possible to prevent the loss of the sample and loss of time.

[0046] 6, after the door 112 is permitted to open, a limit may be set on the time that the door 112 is open. This has the effect of preventing the environment inside the apparatus from falling outside the specification range due to air outside the apparatus flowing into the inside of the apparatus for a long period of time.

[0047] In addition, after the door 112 is opened or closed once, it may be possible to prohibit the door 112 from being opened for a certain period of time, or to shorten the time that the door 112 can be opened. By controlling in this way, it is possible to suppress the possibility that the environment inside the device will go outside the specification range due to frequent opening and closing of the door.

[0048] <Second embodiment> A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

[0049] In this embodiment, the environmental condition targeted for the door opening determination process is specifically temperature.

[0050] 7 is a flow chart showing the process of determining whether the door is open in the control device according to the present embodiment, in which the description of the same matters as those in the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0051] In FIG. 7, when the door unlock button 111a (or button 118 on the door 112) is pressed by the operator, the control device 106 first determines, based on information from the sample installation section 108, whether or not there is a sample 12 (sample container 11) being analyzed inside the analysis section 101 (step S301).

[0052] If the result of the determination in step S301 is YES, it is then determined whether or not the internal temperature of analysis unit 101 is within a predetermined internal specification range (step S302).

[0053] If the result of the determination in step S302 is YES, it is then determined whether or not the temperature outside the analysis unit 101 is within a predetermined external specification range (step S303).

[0054] If the determination result in step S303 is NO, the control device 106 prohibits the door 112 from being opened. At this time, the door control device 110 locks the door 112, and displays on the screen display device 111 that the door 112 is prohibited from being opened. In addition, the reason why the door is prohibited from being opened is displayed, for example, that the temperature outside the analysis unit 101 is outside the specification range.

[0055] As described above, the control device (control device 106 and door control device 110) prohibits the door 112 from being opened when the judgment results of steps S301 and S302 are YES and the judgment result of step S303 is NO, i.e., when there is a sample 12 inside the analysis section 101 whose analysis has not been completed, the temperature measurement result by the internal environment data acquisition device 105 is within the range of the predetermined internal environment specifications, and the temperature measurement result by the external environment data acquisition device 102 is outside the range of the predetermined external environment specifications.

[0056] If at least one of the determination results in steps S201 and S202 is NO, or if the determination result in step S203 is YES, then the door control device 110 permits the opening of the door 112. At this time, the door control device 110 unlocks the door 112 and displays on the screen display device 111 that the door 112 can be opened.

[0057] The other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment.

[0058] The present embodiment configured as above can also provide the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0059] <Third embodiment> A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

[0060] In this embodiment, the environmental conditions targeted for the door opening determination process are specifically temperature and humidity.

[0061] 8 is a flow chart showing the process of determining whether the door is open in the control device according to this embodiment, in which the description of the same matters as those in the first and second embodiments will be omitted as appropriate.

[0062] In FIG. 8, when the door unlock button 111a (or button 118 on the door 112) is pressed by the operator, the control device 106 first determines, based on information from the sample installation section 108, whether or not there is a sample 12 (sample container 11) being analyzed inside the analysis section 101 (step S401).

[0063] If the judgment result in step S401 is YES, then it is judged whether the temperature inside the analysis unit 101 is within a predetermined internal specification range (step S402), and whether the humidity inside the analysis unit 101 is within a predetermined internal specification range (step S403).

[0064] If the judgment results of steps S402 and S403 are YES, then it is judged whether the temperature outside the analysis unit 101 is within a predetermined external specification range (step S404), and whether the humidity outside the analysis unit 101 is within a predetermined external specification range (step S405).

[0065] If at least one of the determination results in steps S402 and S403 is NO, the control device 106 prohibits the door 112 from being opened. At this time, the door control device 110 locks the door 112, and displays on the screen display device 111 that opening of the door 112 is prohibited. In addition, as the reason why opening of the door is prohibited, the display device 111 displays that at least one of the temperature and humidity outside the analysis unit 101 is outside the specification range, etc.

[0066] As described above, the control device (control device 106 and door control device 110) prohibits the opening of the door 112 when the judgment results of steps S401 to S403 are YES and at least one of the judgment results of steps S404, S405 is NO, i.e., when there is a sample 12 inside the analysis section 101 for which analysis has not been completed, and the measurement results related to temperature and humidity by the internal environment data acquisition device 105 are within the range of the predetermined internal environment specifications, and at least one of the measurement results related to temperature and humidity by the external environment data acquisition device 102 is outside the range of the predetermined external environment specifications.

[0067] If at least one of the determination results in steps S401 to S403 is NO, or if the determination results in steps S404 and S404 are YES, then the door control device 110 permits the opening of the door 112. At this time, the door control device 110 unlocks the door 112 and displays on the screen display device 111 that the door 112 can be opened.

[0068] The other configurations are similar to those of the first and second embodiments.

[0069] The present embodiment configured as above can also provide the same effects as the first and second embodiments.

[0070] <Additional Notes> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but includes various modifications and combinations within the scope of the present invention.

[0071] For example, the magnitude of the difference between the environmental conditions inside and outside the analysis unit may be added to the conditions for determining whether or not to prohibit the door from opening, and the door may be configured to be prohibited from opening if there is an unanalyzed sample inside the analysis unit, the measurement results (temperature, humidity, etc.) from the internal environment data acquisition device are within the range of predetermined internal environment specifications, and the difference between the measurement results from the internal environment data acquisition device and the measurement results from the external environment data acquisition device is outside the range of predetermined differential environmental specifications.

[0072] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to those having all the configurations described in the above embodiments, and includes those in which some of the configurations are omitted. Furthermore, the above-mentioned configurations, functions, etc. may be realized in part or in whole by designing, for example, an integrated circuit. Furthermore, the above-mentioned configurations, functions, etc. may be realized in software by a processor interpreting and executing a program that realizes each function. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 11...sample container, 12...sample, 14...light source, 15...camera, 100...automatic analyzer, 101...analysis section, 101a...partition wall, 102...external environment data acquisition device, 103...camera, 104...internal environment control device, 105...internal environment data acquisition device, 106...control device, 106a...memory section, 107...sample data acquisition section, 108...sample installation section, 109...sample management section, 110...door control device, 111...screen display device, 111a...door unlock button, 112...door, 117...light, 118...button

Claims

1. An automatic analyzer that analyzes a sample to be analyzed and obtains test data, an analysis section for performing analysis of the sample within an area defined by the partition; an internal environment control device for controlling an internal environmental condition of the analysis unit; an internal environment data acquisition device that measures an internal environmental state of the analysis unit; An external environment data acquisition device that measures an external environmental condition of the analysis unit; a door provided in the partition wall separating the inside and the outside of the analysis unit, the door enabling access from the outside to the inside of the analysis unit; A control device for controlling whether the door is opened or closed, The control device is characterized in that it prohibits the door from being opened when there is a sample inside the analysis section whose analysis has not been completed, the measurement results of the internal environment data acquisition device are within the range of predetermined internal environment specifications, and the measurement results of the external environment data acquisition device are outside the range of predetermined external environment specifications.

2. 2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, When the control device prohibits the door from being opened, An automatic analysis apparatus characterized in that it allows the door to be opened in at least one of the following cases: when the environmental condition measured by the external environment data acquisition device falls within the range of the external environment specifications, when the environmental condition measured by the internal environment data acquisition device falls outside the range of the internal environment specifications, or when all testing of samples inside the analysis section has been completed.

3. 3. The automated analyzer according to claim 1, An automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the environmental conditions measured by the internal environment data acquisition device and the external environment data acquisition device are at least one of temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, and brightness.

4. 3. The automated analyzer according to claim 1, An automatic analyzer, characterized in that the same range is set for the internal environment specification and the external environment specification.

5. 3. The automated analyzer according to claim 1, The control device of this automatic analyzer is characterized in that it prohibits the door from being opened when there is a sample inside the analysis section whose analysis has not been completed, the measurement results by the internal environment data acquisition device are within the range of predetermined internal environment specifications, and the difference between the measurement results by the internal environment data acquisition device and the measurement results by the external environment data acquisition device is outside the range of predetermined differential environment specifications.

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