Specimen transport device and specimen transport method

Abstract

A sample conveyance device is provided which can estimate the factors that lead to reduced sample conveyance speed. The sample conveyance device 1 is provided with: a conveyance container 11 which has a magnet 10 or a magnetic body and which houses a sample; a conveyance unit in which multiple magnetic poles 25 comprising a core 22 and a coil 21 are arranged and which moves the conveyance container 11 on a conveyance surface 12; and a control unit 40 which controls the voltage applied to the multiple electrodes 25 and which detects the position of the conveyance container 11 on the conveyance surface 12 and controls movement of the conveyance container 11. The control unit 40 detects the amplitude of current flowing through the coil 21 of each of multiple magnetic poles 25 when the conveyance container 11 approaches each of the magnetic poles 25, and determines deterioration of the conveyance surface 12 on the basis of the aforementioned amplitude of the detected current.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sample analyzer and a sample transport method for analyzing biological samples (hereinafter referred to as "samples") such as blood, plasma, serum, urine, and other body fluids. [Background technology]

[0002] A specimen analysis system for clinical testing performs tests for specified analysis items on specimens (samples) such as blood, plasma, serum, urine, and other body fluids.

[0003] This sample analysis system connects devices with multiple functions and automatically executes each process. In other words, to streamline laboratory operations, an analysis section (analysis process) that performs multiple analyses such as biochemistry and immunology, and a pre-processing section (pre-processing process) that performs multiple pre-processing steps required for these analyses are connected by a conveying line and used as a single sample analysis system.

[0004] In recent years, the importance of sample analysis has increased due to the sophistication of medical care and the aging of patients. Therefore, in order to improve the analytical processing capacity of sample analysis systems, there is a demand for high-speed sample transport, large-volume transport, simultaneous transport, and transport in multiple directions.

[0005] As a background technique in this technical field, there is Patent Document 1.

[0006] Patent Document 1 describes a laboratory sample delivery system that is very flexible and has a high transport performance. Patent Document 1 describes that the laboratory sample delivery system includes several container carriers, each of which is equipped with at least one magnetically active device, preferably at least one permanent magnet, and adapted to transport a sample container containing a sample, a transport device, and a control device, the transport device being adapted to transport a plurality of container carriers, and several electromagnetic actuators stationarily arranged below the transport path, the electromagnetic actuators being adapted to move the container carriers arranged above the transport plane by applying a magnetic force to the container carriers, and the control device being adapted to drive the electromagnetic actuators and to control the movement such that three or more container carriers can be moved simultaneously and independently of each other (see abstract).

[0007] Furthermore, Patent Document 1 describes that by comparing the scheduled position with the detected position, a gradual decrease in the conveying speed, for example caused by dirt on the conveying path resulting in an increase in frictional force, can be detected, and if a gradual decrease in the conveying speed is detected, the control device increases the magnetic force generated by the electromagnetic actuator and / or displays an error message if the conveying speed falls below a given threshold value (see paragraph

[0021] of Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-166890 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] Patent Document 1 describes detecting a decrease in conveying speed caused by contamination of the conveying plane by comparing the scheduled position of the container carrier with the detected position.

[0010] However, the laboratory sample delivery system described in Patent Document 1 does not disclose how to identify the cause of the decrease in the transport speed. The decrease in the transport speed may be caused by dirt on the transport plane, or deterioration of the transport plane, such as wear on the transport plane.

[0011] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, when the cause of the decrease in the conveying speed is deterioration of the conveying plane, it is not possible to estimate this, and it is not possible to take appropriate measures.

[0012] An object of the present invention is to provide a sample transport device and a sample transport method that are capable of estimating the cause of a decrease in the sample transport speed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows.

[0014] The sample transport device includes a transport container having a magnet or a magnetic body and accommodating a sample; The system comprises a transport unit having a plurality of magnetic poles each having a core and a coil, which moves the transport container on a transport plane, and a control unit which controls the voltage applied to the plurality of magnetic poles to detect the position of the transport container on the transport plane and control the movement of the transport container, wherein the control unit detects the amplitude of the current flowing through the coil of each of the plurality of magnetic poles when the transport container approaches each of the plurality of magnetic poles, and judges deterioration of the transport plane based on the detected amplitude of the current.

[0015] Also, a sample transport method is provided which includes a transport container having a magnet or magnetic material and containing a sample, and a transport unit having a plurality of magnetic poles each having a core and a coil, and which moves the transport container on a transport plane, and which controls the voltage applied to the plurality of magnetic poles to detect the position of the transport container on the transport plane and control the movement of the transport container, and which detects the amplitude of the current flowing through the coil of each of the plurality of magnetic poles when the transport container approaches each of the plurality of magnetic poles, and judges deterioration of the transport plane based on the detected amplitude of the current. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sample transport device and a sample transport method capable of estimating the cause of a decrease in the sample transport speed.

[0017] Problems, configurations and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a specimen transport device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a cross section of the specimen transportation device according to the first embodiment and current amplitude in time series. FIG. [Diagram 3] 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a cross section of the specimen transportation device according to the first embodiment and current amplitude in time series. FIG. [Figure 4] 13 is a flowchart showing a flow from transport path calculation to abnormality determination in the sample transport device according to the second embodiment. [Diagram 5] 13 is a flowchart showing a flow from determining that there is an abnormality in a transport path of a sample transport device according to a third embodiment to issuing an alarm. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart showing the flow from determining that there is no abnormality in the transport path of the sample transport device according to the fourth embodiment to issuing an alarm. [Figure 7]13 is a flowchart showing a flow from a determination that there is no abnormality in a conveying path of a conveying device according to a fifth embodiment to an alarm being issued. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. EXAMPLES

[0020] Example 1 First, a schematic configuration of a sample transport device 1 according to a first embodiment will be described.

[0021] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a schematic configuration of a sample transport device 1 according to a first embodiment.

[0022] The sample transport device 1 according to the first embodiment includes a transport plane 12 (shown in FIG. 2) of a transport path that includes a permanent magnet (or magnetic body) 10 and transports a transport container 11 containing a sample by moving it on its upper surface, a position detection unit 30 that detects the position of the transport container 11 including the permanent magnet 10 on the transport plane 12, a magnetic pole 25 that is disposed below the transport plane 12 and includes a core 22 that is a magnetic body and a coil 21 that is a winding wound around the outer periphery of the core 22, a drive unit (drive device that drives the transport container 11) 50 that applies a voltage to the coil 21 of the magnetic pole 25, and a control unit (control device that controls the drive unit) 40 that controls the drive unit 50. The transport container 11, the magnetic pole 25 including the core 22 and the coil 21, and the transport plane 12 constitute a transport unit.

[0023] The control unit 40 has a calculation unit 41 that calculates the transfer path of the transfer container 11, a travel time calculation unit 42 that calculates the time required for transfer from information on the transfer path, and a memory unit 43 that holds the calculated transfer time. The control unit 40 is connected to a display unit 60.

[0024] The magnetic pole 25 and the permanent magnet 10 are disposed facing each other across the conveying plane 12. The permanent magnet 10 moves relatively above the magnetic pole 25. That is, the permanent magnet 10 moves above the magnetic pole 25 via the conveying plane 12. In this manner, the conveying plane 12 is disposed between the magnetic pole 25 and the permanent magnet 10, and the permanent magnet 10 moves in a sliding manner on the conveying plane 12.

[0025] The permanent magnet 10 is placed in a transfer container 11. For example, a permanent magnet 10 made of neodymium, ferrite, or the like is used. Note that in the first embodiment, the permanent magnet 10 is used for explanation, but other magnets or soft magnetic materials may be used instead of the permanent magnet 10. Also, instead of the permanent magnet 10, a combination of the permanent magnet 10 and a soft magnetic material may be used.

[0026] The term "magnetic material" refers to the permanent magnet 10, other magnets, soft magnetic materials, or a combination of the permanent magnet 10 and a soft magnetic material, etc. In the first embodiment, the permanent magnet 10 will be used as a representative example for explanation.

[0027] A permanent magnet 10 is placed in a transport container 11 such as a container carrier. The transport container 11 may be a specimen holder (not shown) or a specimen rack (not shown) that holds a plurality of specimen holders. Usually, one specimen container that contains a specimen is placed in the transport container 11. The specimen container is transported to a desired position as the permanent magnet 10 moves. That is, the transport container 11 has the permanent magnet 10 and the specimen container, and is transported on a transport plane 12.

[0028] The specimen transport device 1 generates an electromagnetic force in the core 22 by applying a voltage to the coil 21 of the magnetic pole 25, and moves the permanent magnet 10 placed in the transport container 11 between the multiple magnetic poles 25 (between the magnetic poles 25). In order to efficiently apply the electromagnetic force to the permanent magnet 10, and to move the permanent magnet 10 in a desired direction, relative position information between the permanent magnet 10 and the magnetic pole 25 is required.

[0029] For example, consider a case where the permanent magnet 10 is located above (directly above) one of the two magnetic poles 25. Even if a voltage is applied to the magnetic pole 25 (coil 21) directly below the permanent magnet 10, no force (thrust) in the conveying direction is generated in the permanent magnet 10. On the other hand, when a voltage is applied to the magnetic pole 25 (coil 21) that is not above (directly above) the permanent magnet 10, a force is generated in the permanent magnet 10 that attracts it to the magnetic pole 25, and a force (thrust) in the conveying direction is generated.

[0030] That is, by applying a voltage to a desired magnetic pole 25 (coil 21), it is possible to efficiently generate a force in the transport direction in the permanent magnet 10. Then, by selecting a magnetic pole 25 (coil 21) to which a voltage is to be applied among the multiple magnetic poles 25 (coils 21), it is possible to control the direction of the force in the transport direction.

[0031] Furthermore, the position detection unit 30 detects the position on the transfer plane 12 of the transfer container 11 equipped with the permanent magnet 10. A pulse voltage is applied to the magnetic pole 25 (coil 21), and the current amplitude is acquired after a certain period of time has elapsed. The current amplitude changes depending on the distance between the magnetic pole 25 (coil 21) and the permanent magnet 10. Specifically, as the distance between the magnetic pole 25 (coil 21) and the permanent magnet 10 decreases, the inductance of the magnetic pole 25 (coil 21) decreases. As the inductance decreases, the current rises faster and the amplitude increases. When the inductance is large, the current rises slower and the amplitude decreases.

[0032] That is, the position detection unit 30 can estimate the distance of the permanent magnet 10 from the magnetic pole 25 (coil 21) by detecting a change in current when a voltage is applied to the magnetic pole 25 (coil 21).

[0033] In the specimen transport device 1 in the first embodiment, the thickness of the transport plane 12 is constant so that the thrust generated by the magnetic pole 25 (coil 21) is optimal for transport. However, it is considered that the friction between the transport container 11 and the upper surface of the transport plane 12 may cause deterioration such as scraping of the upper surface of the transport plane 12.

[0034] If the upper surface of the conveying plane 12 is worn away, problems may occur, such as a change in the frictional force acting between the conveying container 11 and the conveying plane 12, the upper surface of the conveying plane 12 becoming tilted, a change in the distance between the magnetic pole 25 (coil 21) and the permanent magnet 10, and a change in the thrust force from the optimal state.

[0035] The position detection of the transport container 11 by the position detection unit 30 waits a certain time after starting to apply a voltage to the magnetic pole 25 (coil 21), starts to acquire the current amplitude, and is completed when the current amplitude exceeds a threshold value. If the thickness of the upper surface of the transport plane 12 is constant, it is estimated that the amplitude from when acquisition of the current amplitude starts until the current amplitude exceeds the threshold value will be a uniform value regardless of the position of the magnetic pole 25 (coil 21).

[0036] As the upper surface of the transport plane 12 is worn down, the distance between the magnetic pole 25 (coil 21) and the permanent magnet 10 decreases, and the current amplitude increases. Therefore, when the thickness of the upper surface of the transport plane 12 decreases due to deterioration, the amplitude at the timing when acquisition of the current amplitude starts becomes larger than when the upper surface of the transport plane 12 has a constant thickness.

[0037] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a schematic cross section of the sample transportation device 1 in the first embodiment and current amplitude in a time series.

[0038] In FIG. 2, in the sample transport device 1 in the first embodiment, for example, the permanent magnet 10 moves relatively to the four magnetic poles 25a, 25b, 25c, and 25d.

[0039] At time ta, magnetic pole 25a is excited, at time tb, magnetic pole 25b is excited, at time tc, magnetic pole 25c is excited, and at time td, magnetic pole 25d is excited, generating a thrust force on permanent magnet 10. Each of magnetic poles 25a, 25b, 25c, and 25d is equipped with a position detection unit 30.

[0040] At time ta, when the driving unit 50 applies a voltage to the magnetic pole 25a and excites the magnetic pole 25a, the permanent magnet 10 is attracted to the magnetic pole 25a. The position detection unit 30 acquires the current amplitude a certain time after the start of excitation. The current amplitude increases as the permanent magnet 10 approaches the magnetic pole 25a. When the current amplitude exceeds the threshold value Th, the driving unit 50 stops applying the voltage to the magnetic pole 25a and starts applying the voltage to the magnetic pole 25b.

[0041] The position detection unit 30 and the drive unit 50 execute the above process for the magnetic poles 25b, 25c, and 25d until the current amplitude of the magnetic pole 25d exceeds the threshold. When the current amplitude of the magnetic pole 25d exceeds the threshold, the drive unit 50 excites the magnetic pole 25d until the permanent magnet 10 stops directly above the magnetic pole 25d. In the above series of controls, the amplitude at the timing when the position detection unit 30 starts to acquire the current amplitude has the same value for each of the magnetic poles 25a, 25b, 25c, and 25d.

[0042] 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a schematic cross section of the specimen transport device 1 and current amplitude in a time series in Example 1. The upper surface of the transport plane 12 shown in FIG. 2 has a constant thickness, whereas the example shown in FIG. 3 has positions where the thickness of the upper surface of the transport plane 12 is different.

[0043] In the example of FIG. 3, similarly to the example shown in FIG. 2, the magnetic pole 25a attracts the permanent magnet 10 at the time ta.

[0044] At time tb, when magnetic pole 25b attracts permanent magnet 10, the distance between permanent magnet 10 and magnetic pole 25b becomes shorter due to the smaller thickness of the upper surface of conveyance plane 12. When position detection unit 30 starts acquiring the current amplitude in a state in which the distance between permanent magnet 10 and magnetic pole 25b is short, the value of the current amplitude becomes larger than that in the case of magnetic pole 25a.

[0045] At time tc, the distance of magnetic pole 25c to permanent magnet 10 is farther than magnetic pole 25b but closer than magnetic pole 25a, so the amplitude at the start of current amplitude acquisition is smaller than that of magnetic pole 25b and larger than the current amplitude of magnetic pole 25a.

[0046] The current amplitude at the timing of position detection of each magnetic pole 25a, 25b, 25c, and 25d is stored in the memory unit 43 of the control unit 40, and is compared by the calculation unit 41 to detect changes in condition due to, for example, scraping of the upper surface of the conveying plane 12.

[0047] That is, the conveying device 1 in the first embodiment can detect an abnormality in the conveying device 1 caused by a change in the state of the upper surface of the conveying plane 12 from the value of the current amplitude at the timing when position detection is started.

[0048] Therefore, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide a sample transport device and a sample transport method capable of estimating the cause of a decrease in the sample transport speed. Example 2 Next, a sample transport device 1 in Example 2 will be described. Example 2 is an example in which a transport time of a transport container 11 transported on the upper surface of a transport plane 12 is calculated, and whether or not there is a scratch on the transport plane 12 is determined. The overall configuration of the sample transport device 1 is the same as that of Example 1, and therefore illustrations and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0049] The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0050] Fig. 4 is an operation flowchart of the control unit 40. In Fig. 4, the calculation unit 41 sets the current position of the transfer container 11 as the transfer origin and calculates a transfer route to the transfer destination (step 101). Furthermore, the calculation unit 41 calculates an estimated transfer time required for transfer by using the moving distance of the transfer route and the theoretical transfer speed of the transfer container 11, and stores the estimated transfer time in the memory unit 43 (step 102).

[0051] The control unit 40 applies a voltage to the magnetic pole 25 (coil 21) of the transfer unit, and starts transferring the transfer container 11 (step 103). The movement time calculation unit 42 acquires the time when the transfer instruction is sent from the control unit 40 to the magnetic pole 25 (coil 21) of the transfer unit, and the time when the transfer container 11 is detected by the position detection unit 30 at the set transfer destination (step 104), and acquires the time actually required for the transfer.

[0052] When the transportation of the transport container 11 is completed (step 105), the calculation unit 41 performs a transport time determination process (step 106) to compare whether the transport time calculated by the travel time calculation unit 42 is shorter than the transport time calculated in step 102 and stored in the memory unit 43. In step 106, if the transport time calculated by the travel time calculation unit 42 is shorter than the transport time calculated in step 102, the calculation unit 41 determines that there is no abnormality in the transport (step 107) and calculates the next transport route (step 114).

[0053] In step 106, if the transport time calculated by the movement time calculation unit 42 is longer than the transport time calculated in step 102, the calculation unit 41 refers to the current amplitude of the magnetic pole 25 (coil 21) used for the transport, and performs abnormality detection (deterioration determination) of the upper surface of the transport plane 12 as described in Example 1 (step 108).

[0054] In step 108, the calculation unit 41 determines whether or not the current amplitude of the coil on the transport path was within the threshold value within a time period in which it should be within the threshold value.

[0055] If the current amplitude of the coil on the transport path is within the threshold value within the time period in which it should be within the threshold value, the calculation unit 41 determines that there is no chipping on the upper surface of the transport plane 12 (step 109).

[0056] In step 108, if the current amplitude of the coil on the conveying path is not within the threshold value within the time period in which it should be within the threshold value, it is determined that there is chipping on the upper surface of the conveying plane 12 (step 110).

[0057] Similarly to the first embodiment, the second embodiment can provide a sample transport device and a sample transport method capable of estimating the cause of a decrease in the sample transport speed.

[0058] Example 3 Next, a sample transport device 1 in Example 3 will be described. Example 3 is an example in which the sample transport device 1 executes a process when it is determined that there is an abnormality on the upper surface of the transport plane 12. The overall configuration of the sample transport device 1 is similar to that of Example 1, and therefore illustrations and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0059] The third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0060] Fig. 5 is an operation flowchart of the control unit 40. In the third embodiment, the process when it is determined that step 108 is No is different from the example shown in Fig. 4, but the other steps are the same. Therefore, the steps when it is determined that step 108 is No will be described.

[0061] In step 108, if the current amplitude of the coil 21 of the magnetic pole 25 on the transport path exceeds the threshold value and an abnormality is detected on the upper surface of the transport plane 12 (if judged as No), the calculation unit 41 judges whether the transport path used for transport includes any path that cannot be excluded (step 111). In the transport unit, there are transport paths that have specific functions in the system. For example, there are transport paths on which a sensor that reads the ID of the transport container 11 is arranged, and transport paths that serve as entrances and exits for an analytical device or the system itself. These transport paths cannot bypass the transport container 11.

[0062] The calculation unit 41 registers these transport routes in the storage unit 43 as routes that cannot be excluded. If it is determined in step 111 that a route that cannot be excluded is included, the transport route is not excluded, and an alarm indicating that the transport route cannot be excluded is displayed on the display unit 60 to notify the user (step 118). Then, the next transport route is calculated (step 116).

[0063] In step 111, if the transport route that cannot be excluded is not included, among the magnetic poles 25 (coils 21) used in the transport, the magnetic poles 25 (coils 21) whose current amplitude exceeded the threshold and the magnetic poles 25 (coils 21) before that (upstream) are determined to be unusable as transport routes and are registered (stored in the memory unit 43) (step 112). In other words, the magnetic poles 25 (coils 21) arranged at a position corresponding to the transport plane 12 determined to be deteriorated and the magnetic poles 25 (coils 21) arranged upstream of that are excluded from the transport route of the transport container 11. The magnetic poles 25 (coils 21) whose current amplitude exceeded the threshold are the magnetic poles 25 (coils 21) arranged at a position corresponding to the transport plane 12 determined to be deteriorated.

[0064] The calculation unit 41 calculates the time required for transportation (estimated transportation time) in the same manner as in the second embodiment. In other words, the processing capacity of the transfer container 11 in the transfer unit can be calculated from the time required for transportation in one transfer container 11. The processing capacity of the transfer container 11 indicates the number of transfer containers 11 that one transfer unit can process per unit time. The processing capacity required of the transfer unit differs depending on the position of the transfer unit in the system.

[0065] In step 112, if a deteriorated transport route is registered as unusable, the calculation unit 41 calculates a transport route under a new restriction (restriction that excludes the deteriorated transport route). At that time, the calculation unit 41 calculates the processing capacity of the transport unit from the time required for transport. The calculation unit 41 judges whether the newly calculated transport processing capacity is equal to or greater than a threshold value required for the transport unit (step 113).

[0066] In step 113, if the transport processing capacity is equal to or greater than the threshold, the transport route can be changed to one that excludes the deteriorated transport plane 12, so the calculation unit 41 notifies the user by displaying a transport route change alarm on the display unit 60 (step 115). Then, the next transport route is calculated (step 116).

[0067] In step 113, if the conveying capacity is less than the threshold, the deteriorated upper surface of the conveying plane 12 needs to be replaced, so the calculation unit 41 notifies the user by displaying a replacement alarm on the display unit 60, indicating that the deteriorated upper surface of the conveying plane 12 of the conveying unit needs to be replaced (step 117). Then, the next conveying route is calculated (step 116).

[0068] As described above, according to the third embodiment, in addition to being able to obtain the same effects as the first embodiment, it is possible to provide a sample transport device and a sample transport method that are capable of notifying the user to change the transport path or replace the upper surface of the transport plane 12 if it is determined that there is an abnormality in the upper surface of the transport plane 12.

[0069] Example 4 Next, a sample transport device 1 in Example 4 will be described. Example 4 is an example in which the sample transport device 1 executes processing when the transport time of the transport container 11 exceeds the transport time calculated by the calculation unit 41 as described in Example 2, an abnormality is detected on the upper surface of the transport plane 12, and it is determined that there is no abnormality on the upper surface of the transport plane 12. The overall configuration of the sample transport device 1 is the same as that of Example 1, so illustrations and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0070] The fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0071] Fig. 6 is an operation flowchart of the control unit 40. In the fourth embodiment, the process when it is determined that step 108 is No is different from the example shown in Fig. 4, but the other steps are the same. Therefore, the steps when it is determined that step 108 is No will be described.

[0072] In step 108, if it is determined that the current amplitude of the coil 21 of the magnetic pole 25 on the conveying path is within the threshold value and there is no abnormality on the upper surface of the conveying plane 12, the calculation unit 41 determines whether the conveying paths used for the conveying include any paths that cannot be excluded (step 120).

[0073] If it is determined in step 120 that a route that cannot be excluded is included, the transport route is not excluded, and an alarm indicating that the transport route cannot be excluded is displayed on the display unit 60 to notify the user (step 123). Then, the next transport route is calculated (step 124).

[0074] In step 120, if the route that cannot be excluded is not included, it is determined that an obstacle exists on the conveying plane 12, and the entire conveying route that has been passed is registered in the storage unit 43 so as not to be used when calculating the conveying route (step 121). Also, an alarm is displayed on the display unit 60 to inform the user that the conveying route is to be changed due to an obstacle (step 122). Then, the next conveying route is calculated (step 124).

[0075] In step 108, if the current amplitude of the coil 21 of the magnetic pole 25 on the conveying path exceeds the threshold value, it is determined that there is a scraping abnormality in the conveying plane 12, and the process proceeds to step 119. In step 119, the fact that there is a scraping abnormality in the conveying plane 12 can be displayed on the display unit 60.

[0076] As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the first embodiment, and it is also possible to provide a sample transport device and a sample transport method that can notify the user to change or replace the transport path not only when it is determined that there is an abnormality in the transport plane 12, but also when an obstacle is present on the transport plane 12. Example 5 Next, a sample transport device 1 in embodiment 5 will be described. In embodiment 5, steps 106 and 107 in embodiment 2 are omitted, and the process proceeds from step 105 to step 108. If step 108 is judged as NO, steps 111 to 113 and 115 to 118 in embodiment 3 are executed. If step 108 is judged as YES, steps 120 to 123 in embodiment 4 are executed, and step 116 is executed.

[0077] The process contents at the step numbers in FIG. 7 are similar to the process contents at the step numbers shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0078] According to the fifth embodiment, the effects of the third and fourth embodiments can be obtained. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1... Sample transport device, 10... Permanent magnet, 11... Transport container, 12... Transport plane, 21... Coil, 22... Core, 25, 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d... Magnetic pole, 30... Position detection unit, 40... Control unit, 41... Calculation unit, 42... Travel time estimation unit, 43... Memory unit, 50... Driving unit, 60... Display unit, 101, 114, 116, 124... Transfer path calculation processing step, 102... Estimated transfer time calculation processing step, 103... Voltage application processing step to coils on the transfer path, 104... Current amplitude and time information acquisition processing step, 105... Transfer completion processing step, 106... Transfer time determination processing step, 107... Transfer unit normality determination processing step, 108... Current amplitude determination processing step, 109... No scraping on the top surface of the transfer unit determination processing step, 110, 119 113...Processing step of determining whether the upper surface of the transport section is chipped, 111...Processing step of determining whether the coil can be excluded, 112...Processing step of setting a transport route for deterioration abnormality, 113...Processing step of determining transport processing capacity, 115, 122...Processing step of notifying an alarm for changing the transport route, 117...Processing step of notifying an alarm for replacing the transport surface, 118, 123...Processing step of notifying an alarm for not being excluded, 120...Processing step of determining whether the transport route can be excluded, 121...Processing step of setting a transport route for obstacles, foreign objects, deterioration abnormalities

Claims

1. A transport container having a magnet or a magnetic body and accommodating a specimen; a conveying section including a plurality of magnetic poles each having a core and a coil, and configured to move the conveying container on a conveying plane; a control unit that controls a voltage applied to the plurality of magnetic poles to detect a position of the transport container on the transport plane and controls a movement of the transport container; Equipped with The control unit detects the amplitude of the current flowing in the coil of each of the multiple magnetic poles when the transport container approaches each of the multiple magnetic poles, and determines whether the value of the current amplitude at the timing when position detection of the transport container is started is within a threshold value to determine whether there is any deterioration in the transport plane.

2. (delete)

3. The specimen transport device according to claim 1, the control unit includes a calculation unit that calculates an estimated transport time according to a transport source, a transport destination, a transport path, and a transport distance of the transport container of the transport unit, and a travel time calculation unit that acquires a time required for an actual transport of the transport container, The calculation unit determines whether or not the transport plane has deteriorated, and if it determines that there is deterioration, determines that the transport plane determined to be deteriorated cannot be used, and removes it from the transport path of the transport container, and removes the magnetic pole located at a position corresponding to the transport plane determined to be deteriorated and the magnetic pole located upstream of it from the transport path of the transport container.

4. The specimen transport device according to claim 1, the control unit includes a calculation unit that calculates an estimated transport time according to the transport origin, the transport destination, the transport path, and the transport distance of the transport container of the transport unit, a travel time calculation unit that acquires the time required for the actual transport of the transport container, and a display unit; The calculation unit determines whether the transport plane has deteriorated based on the amplitude of the detected current, and if it determines that there is no deterioration, determines whether the transport route whose moving time has become longer than the estimated transport time includes a transport route that cannot be excluded from the transport route for transporting the transport container, and if it includes a transport route that cannot be excluded, displays on the display unit that it cannot be excluded.

5. The specimen transport device according to claim 3, Further comprising a display unit, The calculation unit calculates a transport path for the transport container excluding the transport path determined to be deteriorated, calculates the processing capacity of the transport container according to the calculated transport path, determines whether the calculated processing capacity is equal to or greater than a threshold value, and if the processing capacity is equal to or greater than the threshold value, displays on the display unit that the transport path should be changed, and if the processing capacity is less than the threshold value, displays on the display unit that the upper surface of the transport plane of the transport path determined to be deteriorated should be replaced.

6. The specimen transport device according to claim 4, The calculation unit determines whether the transport plane has deteriorated based on the amplitude of the detected current, and if it determines that there is no deterioration, it determines whether the transport route whose moving time has become longer than the estimated transport time includes a transport route that cannot be excluded from the transport route for transporting the transport container, and if it does not include a transport route that cannot be excluded, it determines that an abnormality has occurred due to the presence of an obstacle on the transport plane, and displays on the display unit that the transport route should be changed.

7. A sample transport method comprising: a transport container having a magnet or a magnetic body and containing a sample; and a transport unit having a plurality of magnetic poles each having a core and a coil, which transports the transport container on a transport plane, the method controlling the movement of the transport container by detecting a position of the transport container on the transport plane by controlling a voltage applied to the plurality of magnetic poles, the method comprising: detecting an amplitude of a current flowing through the coil of each of the plurality of magnetic poles when the transfer container approaches each of the plurality of magnetic poles; A sample transport method, comprising determining whether the amplitude of the current at the timing when detection of the position of the transport container is started is within a threshold value, thereby determining whether the transport plane is chipped or deteriorated.

8. (delete)

9. The sample transport method according to claim 7, A sample transport method comprising the steps of: determining whether or not the transport plane has deteriorated; and, if it is determined that there is deterioration, determining that the transport plane determined to have deteriorated cannot be used; and excluding it from the transport path of the transport container; and excluding the magnetic pole located at a position corresponding to the transport plane determined to have deteriorated and the magnetic pole located upstream of it from the transport path of the transport container.

10. The sample transport method according to claim 7, A sample transport method characterized in that a deterioration judgment is performed on the transport plane based on the amplitude of the detected current, and if it is judged that there is no deterioration, it is judged whether the transport route whose moving time has become longer than the estimated transport time includes a transport route that cannot be excluded from the transport route for transporting the transport container, and if it includes a transport route that cannot be excluded, a display unit is displayed to indicate that it cannot be excluded.

11. The sample transport method according to claim 9, A sample transport method comprising the steps of: calculating a transport path for the transport container excluding the transport path determined to be deteriorated; calculating a processing capacity of the transport container using the calculated transport path; determining whether the calculated processing capacity is equal to or greater than a threshold value; and, if the processing capacity is equal to or greater than the threshold value, displaying on a display unit a message indicating that the transport path should be changed; and, if the processing capacity is less than the threshold value, displaying on the display unit a message indicating that the upper surface of the transport plane of the transport path determined to be deteriorated should be replaced.

12. The sample transport method according to claim 10, A sample transport method characterized in that a deterioration judgment is performed on the transport plane based on the amplitude of the detected current, and if it is judged that there is no deterioration, it is judged whether the transport route whose moving time has become longer than the estimated transport time includes a transport route that cannot be excluded from the transport route for transporting the transport container, and if it does not include a transport route that cannot be excluded, it is judged that an abnormality has occurred due to the presence of an obstacle on the transport plane, and a display unit is displayed indicating that the transport route should be changed.

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