Automatic analyzer and control method thereof

Abstract

Provided are: an automatic analysis device capable of suppressing the mixing in of a suspended matter in an upper layer sample to be dispensed from a specimen container to a reaction container; and a method for controlling the automatic analysis device. The automatic analysis device analyzes a specimen, said automatic analysis device being characterized by comprising: a specimen dispensing probe that dispenses the upper layer sample of a specimen which has been separated into the upper layer sample and a lower layer sample, from a specimen container containing the specimen to a reaction container; and a control unit that controls the operation of the specimen dispensing probe, wherein the control unit causes the specimen dispensing probe to remove part of the surface layer of the upper layer sample and / or apply vibrations to the surface layer of the upper layer sample and then dispense the upper layer sample from the specimen container to the reaction container for a specific test.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that analyzes samples such as blood and urine. [Background technology]

[0002] An automatic analyzer is a device that analyzes samples such as blood and urine provided by patients, and is used in hospitals and testing facilities. When the sample is blood, components such as plasma are separated from blood cell components and the like as an upper layer sample in a sample container by a centrifuge or the like, and the upper layer sample is dispensed by aspirating the upper layer sample from the sample container and discharging it into a reaction container by a sample dispensing probe, and is reacted with a reagent and then analyzed. A part of the blood cell components, which are the lower layer sample, floats on the surface of the upper layer sample in the sample container, and this floating matter adversely affects the measurement of certain test items, such as lactate dehydrogenase (LD), and causes abnormal values. Therefore, when dispensing the upper layer sample for a certain test item, it is desirable to prevent the floating matter from being mixed in.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic analyzer that controls the position where a specimen dispensing probe stops in an upper sample after centrifugation based on the analysis value of a component that is contained in the sample before centrifugation and affects a specific test item. That is, by setting the position where the specimen dispensing probe stops when the analysis value exceeds an upper limit lower than the position when the analysis value is equal to or less than the upper limit, contamination with components that float on the surface of the upper sample and affect a specific test item is suppressed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5931540 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in Patent Document 1, no consideration is given to the inclusion of floating matter adhering to the outer wall of the sample dispensing probe when the upper layer sample is aspirated from the sample container. Floating matter adhering to the outer wall of the sample dispensing probe may be mixed into the upper layer sample when the upper layer sample discharged into the reaction container wraps around the outer wall of the sample dispensing probe.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENTS Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer capable of suppressing the inclusion of suspended matter in an upper layer sample dispensed from a specimen container to a reaction container, and a method for controlling the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an automatic analyzer for analyzing a sample, comprising a sample dispensing probe that dispenses an upper layer sample from a sample container containing a sample separated into an upper layer sample and a lower layer sample to a reaction container, and a control unit that controls the operation of the sample dispensing probe, wherein the control unit causes the sample dispensing probe to remove a portion of the surface of the upper layer sample or to vibrate the surface of the upper layer sample, and then dispenses the upper layer sample from the sample container to the reaction container for a specific test item.

[0008] The present invention also relates to a method for controlling an automatic analyzer for analyzing a specimen, the method comprising the steps of: causing a specimen dispensing probe, which dispenses an upper layer sample from a specimen container containing a specimen separated into an upper layer sample and a lower layer sample, to remove a portion of the surface of the upper layer sample or impart vibration to the surface of the upper layer sample, and then dispensing the upper layer sample from the specimen container to the reaction container for a specific test item. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an automatic analyzer capable of suppressing the inclusion of suspended matter in an upper layer sample dispensed from a specimen container to a reaction container, and a method for controlling the same. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of an automatic analyzer. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a sample separated into an upper layer sample and a lower layer sample in a sample container. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow according to the second embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow according to the third embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for selecting the operation of a sample dispensing probe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an automatic analyzer and a control method thereof according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description and the accompanying drawings, components having the same functional configuration are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted. EXAMPLES

[0012] An example of the overall configuration of an automatic analyzer will be described with reference to Figure 1. The automatic analyzer is a device for analyzing samples such as blood and urine provided by patients, and includes transport paths 36, 37, sample dispensing mechanisms 11, 12, a reagent disk 9, reagent dispensing mechanisms 7, 8, a reaction disk 1, a spectrophotometer 4, and a control unit 20. Each component will be described below.

[0013] The transport paths 36, 37 transport the specimen storage rack 16, on which a plurality of specimen containers 15 containing specimens are mounted, to a position accessible to the specimen dispensing mechanisms 11, 12. The specimens contained in the specimen containers 15 are dispensed by the specimen dispensing mechanisms 11, 12 into the reaction containers 2 held on the reaction disk 1.

[0014] The specimen dispensing mechanisms 11 and 12 have specimen dispensing probes 11a and 12a connected to a specimen syringe 18, and are capable of rotational movement in a horizontal plane and vertical movement up and down. The specimen contained in the specimen container 15 is aspirated by the specimen dispensing probes 11a and 12a when the specimen syringe 18 is actuated, and dispensed by discharging the specimen into the reaction container 2. After dispensing the specimen, the specimen dispensing probes 11a and 12a are washed in washing tanks 13 and 14 arranged within the movable range of the specimen dispensing mechanisms 11 and 12.

[0015] The reagent disk 9 stores a plurality of reagent containers 10 that contain reagents. The inside of the reagent disk 9 is kept at a temperature lower than room temperature to reduce deterioration of the reagents. The reagents contained in the reagent containers 10 are dispensed by reagent dispensing mechanisms 7 and 8 into the reaction containers 2 into which the specimens have been dispensed.

[0016] The reagent dispensing mechanisms 7, 8 have reagent dispensing probes 7a, 8a connected to a reagent syringe 17, and are capable of rotational movement in a horizontal plane and up and down movement in a vertical direction. The reagent contained in the reagent container 10 transferred to a predetermined position by the rotation of the reagent disk 9 is sucked up by the reagent dispensing probes 7a, 8a when the reagent syringe 17 is actuated, and dispensed by being discharged into the reaction container 2. After dispensing the reagent, the reagent dispensing probes 7a, 8a are washed in washing tanks 32, 33 arranged within the movable range of the reagent dispensing mechanisms 7, 8.

[0017] The reaction disk 1 holds a number of reaction vessels 2 that contain a mixture of specimens and reagents, and is kept at a predetermined temperature range. The mixture contained in the reaction vessels 2 is stirred by stirring mechanisms 5 and 6, and the reaction disk 1 is kept at a predetermined temperature, so that the reaction proceeds and becomes a reaction liquid to be used for analysis. After stirring the mixture by the stirring mechanisms 5 and 6, the mixture is washed in washing tanks 30 and 31 that are arranged within the movable range of the stirring mechanisms 5 and 6. The reaction vessels 2 arranged along the outer periphery of the reaction disk 1, which has a circular shape, are transported to positions where specimens and reagents are dispensed by the rotation of the reaction disk 1.

[0018] The spectrophotometer 4 is used to analyze the reaction liquid contained in the reaction vessel 2. When the reaction vessel 2 containing the reaction liquid to be analyzed is irradiated with light from a light source (not shown), the transmitted light and scattered light of the reaction liquid are detected by the spectrophotometer 4 and transmitted to the control unit 20. Data on the detected transmitted light and scattered light is used to calculate the concentration of a predetermined component contained in the sample, and the calculated concentration is output as the analysis result of the sample. After the analysis, the reaction vessel 2 containing the reaction liquid is washed by a washing mechanism 3 connected to a washing pump 19.

[0019] The control unit 20 controls the operation of each unit, accepts input of data necessary for analysis, calculates the concentration of a predetermined component, and outputs data such as the calculated concentration. The control unit 20 may be dedicated hardware composed of an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or may be a computer equipped with an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit) that executes software. The data accepted by the control unit 20 is input via an input device such as a keyboard, mouse, or touch panel. The data output by the control unit 20 is displayed on a display device such as a liquid crystal display or a touch panel, or stored in a storage device such as a hard disk.

[0020] 2, a specimen separated into an upper layer specimen and a lower layer specimen in specimen container 15 will be described. When the specimen is blood, upper layer specimen A containing plasma, serum, etc. is separated from lower layer specimen C containing blood cells, platelets, etc. in the specimen container by a centrifuge or the like. Depending on the type of specimen container 15, a separating agent B may be formed between upper layer specimen A and lower layer specimen C.

[0021] The surface of the upper sample layer contains floating matter D. Floating matter D is blood cells and platelets contained in the lower sample layer C, or a mixture of blood components and a coating agent applied to the inner wall of the specimen container 15, and is often found floating within a depth of 2 mm from the top surface of the upper sample layer A. Furthermore, floating matter D adversely affects the measurement of certain test items, such as LD and alkaline phosphatase (ALP).

[0022] Therefore, in the first embodiment, a part of the surface layer of the upper layer sample A on which the floating matter D floats is removed, and then the upper layer sample A is dispensed for a specific test item. The part of the surface layer of the upper layer sample A removed prior to dispensing for the specific test item may be, for example, aspirated by the sample dispensing probes 11a, 12a and then discarded, or may be used for a test item other than the specific test item. In other words, if there is a test item that is not adversely affected by the floating matter D among a plurality of test items using the upper layer sample A separated from the lower layer sample C, the upper layer sample A mixed with the floating matter D may be used for that test item. By using the upper layer sample A mixed with the floating matter D for a test item that is not adversely affected by the floating matter D, it is possible to save specimens provided by patients.

[0023] An example of the process flow of the first embodiment will be described step by step with reference to FIG.

[0024] (S301) The control unit 20 determines whether or not a specific test item, such as measurement of LD or ALP, that is adversely affected by suspended matter D is included among the multiple test items that use the upper layer sample A separated from the lower layer sample C. If the specific test item is included among the multiple test items, the process proceeds to S302, and if not, the process proceeds to S307.

[0025] (S302) The control unit 20 operates the specimen dispensing probes 11a and 12a to dispense the upper layer sample A from the specimen container 15 to the reaction container 2 for any test item other than the specific test item. The specimen dispensing probes 11a and 12a may be washed in the washing tanks 13 and 14 every time the upper layer sample A is dispensed into the reaction container 2.

[0026] (S303) The control unit 20 calculates the total amount of upper layer sample A dispensed up to S303, and judges whether the calculated total exceeds a threshold value. The calculated total may include the dummy aspirated amount at the first dispense. If the total amount dispensed exceeds the threshold value, the process proceeds to S306, and if not, the process proceeds to S304.

[0027] The threshold value is determined based on the range in which the suspended matter D floats on the surface of the upper layer sample A. For example, when the suspended matter D floats within a range of 2 mm deep from the top surface of the upper layer sample A in a specimen container 15 with an inner diameter of 11 mm, the threshold value is determined to be 190 μL (≒π×5.5^2×2), which is the specimen amount for a depth of 2 mm. The threshold value may be stored in advance in a storage device and read out as necessary, or may be input via an input device.

[0028] (S304) The control unit 20 determines whether or not the upper layer sample A has been dispensed for all test items other than the specific test item. If dispensing for all test items other than the specific test item has been completed, the process proceeds to S305, and if not, the process returns to S302.

[0029] (S305) The control unit 20 operates the sample dispensing probes 11a and 12a to discharge the upper layer sample A outside the sample container 15, for example, into the washing tanks 13 and 14. The amount of upper layer sample A discharged outside the sample container 15 is set by subtracting the total calculated in S303 from a threshold. That is, in S305, an amount of upper layer sample A exceeding the threshold, including the amount of upper layer sample A dispensed up to S303, is removed from the sample container 15.

[0030] (S306) The control unit 20 operates the specimen dispensing probes 11a, 12a to dispense the upper layer sample A for a specific test item from the specimen container 15 to the reaction container 2. Prior to dispensing the upper layer sample A for a specific test item, the specimen dispensing probes 11a, 12a are washed in the washing tanks 13, 14 to remove floating matter D adhering to the outer walls.

[0031] (S307) The control unit 20 determines whether the upper layer sample A has been dispensed for all the test items. If dispensing for all the test items has been completed, the process flow ends, and if there is a test item for which the upper layer sample A has not been dispensed, the process returns to S308.

[0032] (S308) The control unit 20 operates the specimen dispensing probes 11a and 12a to dispense the upper layer sample A from the specimen container 15 to the reaction container 2 for any test item other than the specific test item. The specimen dispensing probes 11a and 12a may be washed in the washing tanks 13 and 14 every time the upper layer sample A is dispensed into the reaction container 2. According to the process flow described above, a part of the surface of the upper layer sample A is removed prior to dispensing a specimen for a specific test item, so that adhesion of floating matter D to the outer walls of the specimen dispensing probes 11a, 12a is suppressed, and mixing of floating matter D into the dispensed upper layer sample A is suppressed. As a result, occurrence of abnormal values ​​in the measurement of a specific test item, for example, LD or ALP, can be prevented. In addition, since the part of the upper layer sample A removed prior to dispensing a specimen for a specific test item is used for test items other than the specific test item, consumption of the specimen can be suppressed. EXAMPLES

[0033] In the first embodiment, a part of the surface layer of the upper sample A is removed prior to dispensing a specimen for a specific test item. In order to prevent adhesion of floating matter D to the outer walls of the specimen dispensing probes 11a and 12a, the floating matter D floating on the surface layer of the upper sample A may be allowed to settle before dispensing a specimen for a specific test item. In the second embodiment, a vibration is applied to the surface layer of the upper sample A to cause the floating matter D to settle prior to dispensing a specimen for a specific test item. The difference from the first embodiment is the flow of the process, and therefore other explanations will be omitted.

[0034] An example of the process flow of the second embodiment will be described step by step with reference to Fig. 4. Note that the description of S301 to S304 and S306 to S308, which are the same processes as those of the first embodiment, will be omitted, and only S405, which replaces S305 in the first embodiment, will be described.

[0035] (S405) The control unit 20 operates the specimen dispensing probes 11a and 12a to repeatedly aspirate and discharge the upper layer sample A in the specimen container 15. The aspirated upper layer sample A is the surface layer on which floating matter D floats. By repeatedly aspirating and discharging the surface layer of the upper layer sample A in the specimen container 15, vibrations are imparted to the surface layer of the upper layer sample A, causing the floating matter D on the surface layer to settle.

[0036] The number of repetitions of suction and discharge and the amount of aspirated may be stored in advance in a storage device and read out as necessary, or may be input via an input device. The number of repetitions and the amount of aspirated may be set based on the amount of vibration applied to the surface of upper layer sample A and the time required for S405. For example, in order to shorten the time required for S405, the number of repetitions may be reduced and the amount of aspirated may be increased. However, the amount of aspirated is set to an extent that the lower layer sample C and separating agent B are not mixed into the upper layer sample A.

[0037] According to the process flow described above, before dispensing a specimen for a specific test item, vibration is applied to the surface of the upper layer sample A to cause floating matter D to settle, and therefore adhesion of floating matter D to the outer walls of the specimen dispensing probes 11a and 12a is suppressed. As a result, mixing of floating matter D into the dispensed upper layer sample A is suppressed, and occurrence of abnormal values ​​in the specific test item can be prevented. Furthermore, even if the amount used for test items other than the specific test item does not exceed the threshold, the upper layer sample A is not discharged into the washing tanks 13 and 14, etc., and thus the consumption of the specimen can be further suppressed. Note that, since the floating matter D can be caused to settle by applying vibration to the surface of the upper layer sample A, S301 to S304 in FIG. 4 are not essential. EXAMPLES

[0038] In the second embodiment, a description was given of applying vibration by repeatedly suctioning and discharging the surface layer of the upper sample A in order to cause floating matter D to settle prior to dispensing a specimen for a specific test item. To apply vibration to the surface layer of the upper sample A, the specimen dispensing probes 11a and 12a may be brought into contact with the surface layer of the upper sample A multiple times. In the third embodiment, a description will be given of applying vibration by bringing the specimen dispensing probes 11a and 12a into contact with the surface layer of the upper sample A multiple times in order to cause floating matter D to settle prior to dispensing a specimen for a specific test item. Note that the difference between the first and second embodiments is the flow of processing, and therefore other explanations will be omitted.

[0039] An example of a process flow of the third embodiment will be described step by step with reference to Fig. 5. Note that the description of S301 to S304 and S306 to S308, which are the same processes as those of the first embodiment, will be omitted, and only S505, which replaces S405 in the second embodiment, will be described.

[0040] (S505) The control unit 20 operates the specimen dispensing probes 11a, 12a to repeatedly ascend and descend within the specimen container 15, and to contact the surface of the upper sample A multiple times. The specimen dispensing probes 11a, 12a are not lowered below the surface where the floating matter D is floating. By contacting the specimen dispensing probes 11a, 12a multiple times with the surface of the upper sample A, vibrations are imparted to the surface of the upper sample A, causing the floating matter D floating on the surface to settle. The number of repeated descending and ascending movements may be stored in advance in a storage device and read out as necessary, or may be input via an input device.

[0041] According to the process flow described above, before dispensing a specimen for a specific test item, the surface of the upper sample A is vibrated to cause floating matter D to settle, and therefore adhesion of floating matter D to the outer wall of the sample dispensing probes 11a, 12a is suppressed. As a result, mixing of floating matter D into the dispensed upper sample A is suppressed, and occurrence of abnormal values ​​in a specific test item can be prevented. In addition, since this is a simple operation of merely bringing the sample dispensing probes 11a, 12a into contact with the surface of the upper sample A multiple times without suctioning and discharging the upper sample A, the time required for applying vibration can be shortened. Note that, since the floating matter D can be caused to settle by applying vibration to the surface of the upper sample A, S301 to S304 in FIG. 5 are not essential.

[0042] Three embodiments of the present invention have been described above. The three embodiments may be combined as appropriate. For example, the operator may be allowed to select one of the three embodiments from the screen.

[0043] An example of a screen for selecting an operation of the sample dispensing probe will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The screen illustrated in Fig. 6 has a test item selection section 601, an operation selection section 602, and a registration button 603. In the test item selection section 601, a specific test item is selected from a pull-down menu. Fig. 6 shows an example in which LD is selected as the specific test item.

[0044] In the operation selection unit 602, the operation of the sample dispensing probes 11a, 12a is selected from three operations: "discharge outside the sample container," "aspiration and discharge within the sample container," and "descending and ascending within the sample container." "Discharge outside the sample container" corresponds to Example 1, "aspiration and discharge within the sample container" corresponds to Example 2, and "descending and ascending within the sample container" corresponds to Example 3. FIG. 6 shows an example in which "discharge outside the sample container," i.e., Example 1, is selected as the operation of the sample dispensing probes 11a, 12a.

[0045] The operation selection unit 602 is provided with a repetition number setting unit 604, a sample suction volume setting unit 605, and a repetition number setting unit 606. The repetition number setting unit 604 sets the number of times the sample is suctioned and discharged in the sample container 15. FIG. 6 shows an example in which the repetition number is set to 20. The sample suction volume setting unit 605 sets the amount of sample to be aspirated. FIG. 6 shows an example in which the sample suction volume is set to 15 μL. The repetition number setting unit 606 sets the number of times the sample dispensing probes 11a, 12a are lowered and raised in the sample container 15. FIG. 6 shows an example in which the repetition number is set to 20.

[0046] When the registration button 603 is pressed, the operation of the sample dispensing probes 11a, 12a is controlled according to the selection made in the operation selection unit 602. For example, when "discharge outside the sample container" is selected, the process flow illustrated in FIG. 3 is executed. When "aspiration and discharge in the sample container" is selected, the process flow illustrated in FIG. 4 is executed using the values ​​set in the repetition count setting unit 604 and the sample aspiration volume setting unit 605. When "descent and ascent in the sample container" is selected, the process flow illustrated in FIG. 5 is executed using the value set in the repetition count setting unit 606.

[0047] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the components may be modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the above-described embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1: reaction disk, 2: reaction container, 3: cleaning mechanism, 4: spectrophotometer, 5, 6: stirring mechanism, 7, 8: reagent dispensing mechanism, 7a, 8a: reagent dispensing probe, 9: reagent disk, 10: reagent container, 11, 12: sample dispensing mechanism, 11a, 12a: sample dispensing probe, 13, 14: cleaning tank, 15: sample container, 16: sample storage rack, 17: reagent syringe, 18: sample syringe, 19: cleaning pump, 20: control unit, 30, 31, 32, 33: cleaning tank, 36, 37: transport path, 601: test item selection unit, 602: operation selection unit, 603: registration button, 604: repetition number setting unit, 605: sample suction volume setting unit, 606: repetition number setting unit

Claims

1. An automated analyzer for analyzing a sample, comprising: a specimen dispensing probe for dispensing the upper layer specimen from a specimen container accommodating a specimen separated into an upper layer specimen and a lower layer specimen into a reaction container; A control unit for controlling the operation of the sample dispensing probe, The control unit of the automatic analyzer is characterized in that it causes the sample dispensing probe to remove a portion of the surface of the upper layer sample containing blood cells and platelets, and then dispenses the upper layer sample from the sample container to the reaction container for a specific test item.

2. The automated analyzer according to claim 1 , The control unit is characterized in that it causes the sample dispensing probe to remove an amount of the upper layer sample exceeding a threshold value from the surface layer, and then dispenses the upper layer sample for the specific test item.

3. The automated analyzer according to claim 2, The control unit sets the threshold value based on a depth at which suspended matter floats on the surface of the upper layer sample and an inner diameter of the specimen container.

4. The automated analyzer according to claim 2, The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the upper layer sample removed from the surface layer is used for a test item other than the specific test item.

5. The automated analyzer according to claim 1 , The specific test item is a measurement of lactate dehydrogenase or alkaline phosphatase.

6. An automated analyzer for analyzing a sample, comprising: a specimen dispensing probe for dispensing the upper layer specimen from a specimen container accommodating a specimen separated into an upper layer specimen and a lower layer specimen into a reaction container; A control unit for controlling the operation of the sample dispensing probe, The control unit of the automatic analyzer is characterized in that it causes the sample dispensing probe to repeatedly aspirate and discharge the upper layer sample from the surface of the upper layer, thereby vibrating the surface layer, and then dispenses the upper layer sample for a specific test item.

7. An automated analyzer for analyzing a sample, comprising: a specimen dispensing probe for dispensing the upper layer specimen from a specimen container accommodating a specimen separated into an upper layer specimen and a lower layer specimen into a reaction container; A control unit for controlling the operation of the sample dispensing probe, The control unit of the automatic analyzer is characterized in that it causes the sample dispensing probe to repeatedly lower and raise, thereby contacting the surface of the upper layer sample multiple times, thereby vibrating the surface, and then dispenses the upper layer sample for a specific test item.

8. A method for controlling an automatic analyzer for analyzing a sample, comprising: A method for controlling an automatic analyzer, comprising the steps of: causing a specimen dispensing probe, which dispenses an upper layer sample from a specimen container containing a specimen separated into an upper layer sample and a lower layer sample, to a reaction container, to remove a portion of a surface layer of the upper layer sample containing blood cells and platelets, and then dispensing the upper layer sample from the specimen container to the reaction container for a specific test item.

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