Automatic analysis device

Abstract

To provide an automatic analyzer capable of acquiring sufficient reaction process data regardless of the scale of the apparatus and ensuring a degree of freedom in the apparatus configuration. [Solution] The automatic analyzer 100 includes a reaction disk 1 that stores a plurality of reaction vessels 2, a measurement unit 4, and a cleaning mechanism 3 that is disposed in an area of ​​the reaction disk 1 that corresponds to two adjacent reaction vessels 2 and that cleans the reaction vessels 2 after measurement. When the number of reaction vessels 2 to be rotated is N, the reaction disk 1 rotates C (C > 1) times ±1 reaction vessel after B (B > 2) cycles, and the number of reaction vessels 2 that move in one cycle is A (N > A > N / B + 1), N and A are coprime, B and C are coprime, and the reaction disk 1 is driven and controlled so that the reaction vessels 2 move A times in the circumferential direction in one cycle so that the relationship A × B = N × C ± 1 holds, and the two adjacent reaction vessels 2 are washed.

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Automated analyzers that perform quantitative or qualitative analysis of specific components contained in biological samples such as blood and urine have become indispensable for modern diagnosis due to their reproducibility of analytical results, high processing speed, and other features. Measurement methods used by automated analyzers can be broadly divided into two types: colorimetric analysis, which uses a reagent that reacts with the analyte in the sample and changes the color of the reaction solution, and immunoassay, which uses a reagent in which a label is attached to a substance that specifically binds directly or indirectly to the target component and counts the label.

[0003] Generally, an automated analyzer that performs colorimetric analysis is configured to repeatedly rotate and stop multiple reaction vessels arranged in a circle on a rotatable disk, thereby continuously and cyclically analyzing the reactions between biological samples such as blood and urine and reagents. The cycle time in an automatic analyzer is generally defined as the time from dispensing a sample for measurement into one reaction vessel to dispensing the sample into the next reaction vessel.

[0004] For example, in Patent Document 1, when the number of a plurality of reaction detection tubes arranged circumferentially on a rotary table constituting an automatic analyzer is N, and the number of reaction detection tubes moved in one analysis cycle is M, N ± 1 = A × M (A is an integer of 2 or more), and there is no common factor other than 1 between N and M, and M < N / 2. It is disclosed that the movement of the reaction detection tubes is repeated to sequentially use all the reaction detection tubes for analysis. Specifically, when N = 15, A = 4, and M = 4, in 4 analysis cycles, the rotary table moves one full rotation + the distance corresponding to 1 reaction detection tube. By moving the rotary table one full rotation ± the distance corresponding to 1 reaction detection tube through a plurality of cycles in this way, it becomes possible to perform sample dispensing into the reaction detection tubes a plurality of times during that period, and without increasing the rotation speed of the rotary table, the number of samples that can be analyzed per unit time can be improved. Nevertheless, as a result, the reaction vessel moves one full rotation of the rotary table + the distance corresponding to 1 reaction detection tube from the original position even after a plurality of cycles. In the example where N = 15, A = 4, M = 4, and the rotary table moves one full rotation + the distance corresponding to 1 reaction detection tube in 4 analysis cycles, after 4 analysis cycles × 15 reaction detection tubes = 60 analysis cycles, any reaction detection tube will return to the sample discharge (dispensing) position after measurement and cleaning are completed. That is, although the interval at which the reaction detection tube can be measured by the photodetector is only once every 4 analysis cycles and there is a possibility that the process of the change in the absorbance of the required reaction solution cannot be obtained, the first reagent dispensing is carried out 1 analysis cycle after the sample dispensing, and the reagent can be dispensed to the position adjacent to the first reagent dispensing position, that is, the reaction detection tube 4 analysis cycles after the first reagent dispensing. By doing so, the first reagent dispensing position and the mechanism related to it can be separated from the sample dispensing position, and the time for stopping the reaction detection tube within 1 cycle can be shortened. Also, regarding the cleaning position of the reaction detection tube, since the reaction detection tubes that have completed the measurement of the reaction solution and are in a cleanable state will appear dispersedly and adjacently for the number of analysis cycles required for the rotary table to move one full rotation ± the distance corresponding to 1 reaction detection tube, it becomes possible to ensure the degree of freedom in arranging the cleaning mechanism.

[0005] Patent Document 2 discloses an automatic analyzer in which a first reagent injection position and a second injection position are set adjacent to each other, and a first stirring position and a second stirring position for stirring a reaction liquid, which is a mixture of a sample and a reagent, are set adjacent to each other, and an agitator is provided so as to be movable between the first stirring position and the second stirring position. It also discloses that out of a total of 221 reaction vessels, the agitator moves 112 reaction vessels in one analysis cycle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-164763 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-62429 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in the configuration of the automatic analyzer described in Patent Document 1, the number of reaction detection tubes that move in one analysis cycle is set to M < N / 2, that is, less than half. Generally, since the reaction detection tubes are arranged at equal intervals and spaced apart from each other on a rotating table, the moving distance of the rotating table in one analysis cycle is also less than half a rotation, which is advantageous for improving the processing capacity. Therefore, this method is used for large automatic analyzers with a processing capacity of 1000 tests / h or more per unit time. However, in this method, since the moving distance of the rotating table in one analysis cycle cannot be made half a rotation or more, the absorbance measurement of the reaction solution, which is a mixed solution of the sample and the reagent in the photodetector, can be carried out only approximately every two analysis cycles at most. Assuming that this method is applied to a small automatic analyzer with a processing capacity of 400 tests / h per unit time, performing 400 sample measurements per hour means that one cycle is 9 seconds. If the time from adding the sample and the reagent to a certain reaction detection tube until the measurement result is obtained is 10 minutes, since the movement of the rotating table in one analysis cycle remains less than half a rotation, the reaction measurement of the sample and the reagent in the photodetector for 10 minutes is less than 33 times, and the number of measurements is extremely reduced. If the movement of the rotating table per analysis cycle is even less than half a rotation, there is a risk that the necessary reaction process data cannot be obtained.

[0008] Also, in the configuration of the automatic analyzer described in Patent Document 2, although it is possible to integrate the reagent pipette and the stirring mechanism, since the rotating table moves for 112 reaction vessels in one analysis cycle for 221 reaction vessels, after two analysis cycles, the rotating table stops at a position where it has moved one rotation + the position for 3 reaction vessels. Thus, since there is a deviation of ±3 reaction vessels when the reaction vessels make one full circle, for the cleaning position of the reaction vessels as well, the reaction vessels that have become cleanable after the measurement of the reaction solution appear dispersed on the rotating table without adjacent ones. Therefore, it is necessary to occupy a large area on the rotating table as a cleaning area to perform a series of cleaning operations by the cleaning mechanism, which may reduce the design freedom of the automatic analyzer.

[0009] Therefore, the present invention provides an automatic analyzer that can obtain sufficient reaction process data regardless of the size of the apparatus and that can ensure a degree of freedom in the configuration of the apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, the automatic analyzer according to the present invention includes a reaction disk that stores a plurality of reaction vessels that can contain dispensed samples and reagents, the reaction vessels being spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval in a circular shape, a sample dispensing mechanism that dispenses a predetermined amount of sample into the reaction vessels, a reagent dispensing mechanism that dispenses a predetermined amount of reagent into the reaction vessels, a measurement unit that measures a reaction process of a mixture of the sample and the reagent in the reaction vessel and / or a reaction solution after the reaction, a cleaning mechanism that is disposed in an area of ​​the reaction disk that corresponds to two adjacent reaction vessels and that cleans the reaction vessels after the measurement, and a reaction disk that moves a distance of C (C>1) rotations of ±1 reaction vessel in one cycle, where N is the number of reaction vessels stored on the reaction disk, and B (B>2) cycles are performed by the reaction disk. a controller that drives and controls the reaction disk so that the reaction vessels move A units in the circumferential direction in one cycle and controls the cleaning mechanism so that the two adjacent reaction vessels are cleaned, so that when the number of vessels is A (N>A>N / B+1), N and A are mutually prime, B and C are mutually prime, and the relationship A×B=N×C±1 is established; and when the reaction disk is divided into B blocks, adjacent reaction vessel sets in each divided block exist in the reaction vessel rotation direction at intervals of B (B>2), and within each divided block, the reaction vessels after B cycles are located at a position C (C>1) rotations+1 or -1 of the reaction vessels in the first cycle along the rotation direction of the reaction disk. The cleaning mechanism is disposed at a position where the reaction vessel after B cycles is located at a position C (C>1) rotation+1 or −1 of the reaction vessel of any cycle along the rotation direction of the reaction disk in any block of each of the blocks. It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an automatic analyzer that can obtain sufficient reaction process data regardless of the scale of the apparatus and that can ensure a degree of freedom in the configuration of the apparatus. Problems, configurations and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall configuration of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of a plurality of reaction containers stored in a reaction disk constituting the automatic analyzer of Example 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a controller constituting the automatic analyzer of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an analysis process in the automatic analyzer of the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of a controller constituting an automatic analyzer of Example 2 according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of a plurality of reaction containers stored in a reaction disk constituting the automatic analyzer of the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of a plurality of reaction containers stored in a reaction disk constituting the automatic analyzer of the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of a controller constituting an automatic analyzer of Example 3 according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of a plurality of reaction containers stored in a reaction disk constituting the automatic analyzer of Example 3. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of a plurality of reaction containers stored in a reaction disk constituting the automatic analyzer of Example 3. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of a plurality of reaction containers stored in a reaction disk constituting the automatic analyzer of Example 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] In this specification, the term "sample" includes both blood, urine, etc. of hospitalized or outpatient patients, and biological samples such as blood or urine of subjects in health checkups and the like. An overall schematic diagram of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the automatic analyzer 100 is mainly composed of a rack 16 carrying a plurality of sample containers 15 that contain samples, a sample transport mechanism 17 that transports the rack 16 to a desired position, a reaction disk 1 that stores a plurality of reaction containers 2 at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction (circumferentially), a reagent disk 9 that stores a plurality of reagent bottles 10 that contain various reagents along the circumferential direction (circumferentially), a sample dispensing mechanism 11 that dispenses a predetermined amount of sample from the sample container 15 into the reaction container 2, a reagent dispensing mechanism 7 that dispenses a predetermined amount of reagent from the reagent bottle 10 into the reaction container 2, a stirring mechanism 5 that stirs and mixes the dispensed sample and reagent in the reaction container 2, a measurement unit 4 that measures the reaction process of the mixture of the sample and the reagent in the reaction container 2 and the reaction liquid after the reaction, a cleaning mechanism 3 that cleans the reaction container 2 after the measurement is completed, and a controller 21 that controls the operations of these components.

[0014] The reagent dispensing mechanism 7 installed between the reaction disk 1 and the reagent disk 9 includes a reagent nozzle 7a, and a reagent pump 18a is connected to the reagent nozzle 7a. Here, a syringe pump or the like is used as the reagent pump 18a. The sample dispensing mechanism 11 installed between the reaction disk 1 and the sample transport mechanism 17 and capable of rotating in an arc and moving up and down includes a sample dispensing nozzle 11a. A sample pump 18c is connected to the sample nozzle 11a, and the sample nozzle 11a moves while drawing an arc around the rotation axis of the sample dispensing mechanism 11 to suck up a sample from the sample container 15 or the reaction container 2, and discharges the sample into another reaction container 2 on the reaction disk 1, thereby dispensing the sample. Here, a syringe pump or the like is used as the sample pump 18c.

[0015] The measurement unit 4 includes a light source (not shown) disposed inside the reaction disk 1, and a spectrophotometer disposed opposite the light source so as to sandwich the reaction vessel 2, and detects the transmitted light of the irradiation light emitted from the light source (not shown) passing through the reaction liquid, which is a mixture of the sample and the reagent in the reaction vessel 2, and measures the absorbance. Note that the measurement unit 4 is not limited to measuring the absorbance using a spectrophotometer, and for example, a detector that detects transmitted light and scattered light may be used instead of the spectrophotometer. The stirring mechanism 5, for example, has a stirring blade or spatula-shaped rod (not shown) attached to the tip, and stirs the reaction liquid, which is a mixture of the sample and reagent in the reaction vessel 2, by immersing the stirring blade or spatula-shaped rod (not shown) in the reaction liquid and rotating it.

[0016] A washing pump 20 and a vacuum pump 22 are connected to the washing mechanism 3. In addition, a washing tank 13 for washing the reagent nozzle 7a of the reagent dispensing mechanism 7 is provided between the reaction disk 1 and the reagent disk 9. A washing tank 30 for washing the sample nozzle 11a of the sample dispensing mechanism 11 is provided between the reaction disk 1 and the sample transport mechanism 17, and a washing tank 32 for washing the stirring blade or spatula-shaped rod (not shown) of the stirring mechanism 5 is provided between the reaction disk 1 and the stirring mechanism 5 to prevent contamination.

[0017] The reaction disk 1 is rotated by, for example, a stepping motor or pulse motor (not shown). The controller 21, which will be described later in detail, outputs a control signal (control command) to a stepping motor or pulse motor (not shown) to rotate the reaction disk 1 so that, when the total number of reaction containers 2 stored in the reaction disk 1 is N, the reaction disk 1 moves C (C>1) rotations ±1 reaction containers after B (B>2) cycles, and the number of reaction containers 2 moved in one cycle is A (N>A>N / B+1), the relationship A×B=N×C±1 is satisfied, in other words, the pitch number for each cycle is A, and drives the reaction disk 1 to rotate. Note that the total number N of reaction containers 2 and the number A of reaction containers 2 moved in one cycle are mutually prime, and B and C are mutually prime.

[0018] In the following, as shown in Fig. 1, an example will be described in which the automatic analyzer includes a rack 16 carrying a plurality of sample containers 15 that contain samples, and a sample transport mechanism 17 that transports the rack 16 to a desired position, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration in which a plurality of sample containers 15 are stored circumferentially (circumferentially) on a sample disk may be used, or a configuration in which a sample disk is provided that stores a plurality of sample containers 15 concentrically on the inner and outer circumferential sides. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. EXAMPLES

[0019] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of a plurality of reaction vessels stored in a reaction disk constituting an automatic analyzer of Example 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the controller 21 shown in FIG. 1 described above is omitted. As shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 2, in the automatic analyzer 100 of this embodiment, 28 reaction vessels 2-1 to 2-28 are stored in the reaction disk 1 so as to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval along the circumferential direction (circumferentially). As shown by the arrow, the reaction disk 1 rotates and stops clockwise for 17 reaction vessels 2 in one cycle, and the reaction vessels 2 are rotated for 17×5=85 in 5 cycles, that is, the total number of reaction vessels 2 is 28×3 rotations+1 reaction vessel 2=85, and after 5 cycles, the reaction disk 1 stops at a position where it has moved 3 rotations+1 reaction vessel 2. Note that in this specification, when referring to a specific reaction vessel stored in the reaction disk 1, any of the reaction vessels 2-1 to 2-28 is referred to, and when referring to any reaction vessel or reaction vessels collectively, it is referred to as the reaction vessel 2. Moreover, one cycle is defined as the time from when the sample dispenser 11 dispenses a sample for measurement from the sample container 15 to one reaction container 2 until the reaction disk 1 rotates and stops and dispenses the sample to the next reaction container 2. Therefore, in the example shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 2, the position where the sample dispenser 11 dispenses the sample from the sample container 15 to the reaction container 2 is the sample discharge position 41, so that after five cycles, the sample for measurement is dispensed from the sample container 15 to the reaction container 2-1, reaction container 2-12, reaction container 2-23, reaction container 2-6, and reaction container 2-17 by the sample dispenser 11. By repeating the above operation, the reaction container returns to the same position in 28 cycles. The total number of reaction containers 2, 28, and the number of reaction containers 2 that move in one cycle, 17, are mutually prime, and the number of cycles 5 until the reaction container 2 is shifted by ±1 from the original position and the number of revolutions (number of revolutions) 3 of the reaction disk 1 that rotates until this time are also mutually prime. In other words, the total number N of reaction vessels 2 stored on the above-mentioned reaction disk 1 is 28, the number A (N>A>N / B+1) of reaction vessels 2 moved in one cycle is 17, and after B (B>2) cycles (after 5 cycles), they move C (C>1) rotations (3 rotations) ±1 reaction vessel, satisfying the above-mentioned relationship A×B=N×C±1, where N and A are mutually prime, and B and C are mutually prime.

[0020] In the upper diagram of Fig. 2, the numbers in parentheses on the outer periphery of the reaction disk 1, i.e., [1] to

[28] , indicate the position at which the reaction vessel 2-1 stops in cycles [1] to

[28] when the reaction vessel 2-1 to which the sample has been dispensed at the sample dispensing position 41 by the sample dispensing mechanism 11 is regarded as the reaction vessel of cycle [1]. The sample aspirating position 42 is the position at which the pretreated sample is aspirated from the reaction vessel 2 by the sample dispensing mechanism 11, and there are also arranged a first reagent dispensing position 43 by the reagent dispensing mechanism 7, a second reagent dispensing position 44 by the reagent dispensing mechanism 7, a first stirring position 45 at which the stirring mechanism 5 stirs the reaction liquid, which is a mixture of the sample and the first reagent in the reaction vessel 2 after the first reagent is dispensed, a second stirring position 46 at which the stirring mechanism 5 stirs the reaction liquid, which is a mixture of the sample, the first reagent, and the second reagent in the reaction vessel 2 after the second reagent is dispensed, and an absorbance measurement position 47 by a spectrophotometer as the measurement unit 4 for measuring the absorbance of the reaction liquid. In addition, the lower diagram of Figure 2 shows an outline of the reaction disk 1 in the upper diagram of Figure 2, where the reaction vessel position number is 1 when the sample dispensing (discharging) position is 1, and [1] shows the reaction cycle when the sample dispensing (discharging) position is 1, indicating that this is the first cycle.

[0021] As shown in the upper and lower diagrams of FIG. 2, when focusing on the reaction vessel 2-1, in the first cycle (cycle [1]), the sample dispensing mechanism 11 dispenses a predetermined amount of sample from the sample vessel 15 into the reaction vessel 2-1. Next, in the second cycle (cycle [2]), the reagent dispensing mechanism 7 dispenses a predetermined amount of the first reagent into the reaction vessel 2-1 to which the predetermined amount of sample has already been dispensed. In the third cycle (cycle [3]), while the reaction vessel 2-1 containing the reaction liquid, which is a mixture of the sample and the first reagent, moves to the first mixing position 45, the reaction vessel 2-1 passes through the absorbance measurement position 47. At this time, the absorbance at the absorbance measurement position 47 is measured by the spectrophotometer as the measurement unit 4. At the first mixing position 45, the reaction liquid, which is a mixture of the sample and the first reagent in the reaction vessel 2-1, is mixed by the mixing mechanism 5, and then the reaction vessel 2-1 moves to the fourth cycle (cycle [4]). At this time, when reaction vessel 2-1 passes absorbance measurement position 47, the absorbance at absorbance measurement position 47 is measured by the spectrophotometer serving as measurement unit 4. In the sixth cycle (cycle [6]), reaction vessel 2-1 moves to sample suction position 42 and stops there. During this time, the absorbance at absorbance measurement position 47 is measured by the spectrophotometer serving as measurement unit 4. After that, reaction vessel 2-1 moves sequentially until the 28th cycle (cycle

[28] ), in which reaction vessel 2-1 is washed by washing mechanism 3, and then reaction vessel 2-1 moves again to sample discharge position 41, which is the first cycle (cycle [1]).

[0022] Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram of the controller 21 constituting the automatic analyzer 100, and Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the analysis steps in the automatic analyzer 100. In Fig. 4, the horizontal axis represents cycles [1] to

[28] , and the analysis steps performed in each cycle are shown. First, as shown in FIG. 3, the controller 21 includes an input section 211, an input I / F 212, a measurement value acquisition section 213, a sample dispensing mechanism control section 214, a reagent dispensing mechanism control section 215, a memory section 216, a sample transport mechanism control section 217, a reaction disk rotation control section 218, a stirring mechanism control section 219, a cleaning mechanism control section 220, an analysis item concentration calculation section 221, an output section 222, and an output I / F 223, which are interconnected via an internal bus 224. The measurement value acquisition unit 213, the sample dispensing mechanism control unit 214, the reagent dispensing mechanism control unit 215, the sample transport mechanism control unit 217, the reaction disk rotation control unit 218, the stirring mechanism control unit 219, the cleaning mechanism control unit 220, and the analysis item concentration calculation unit 221 are realized by, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) not shown, a ROM for storing various programs, a RAM for temporarily storing data in the calculation process, and a storage device such as an external storage device, and the processor such as a CPU reads out and executes various programs stored in the ROM, and stores the execution results, which are the calculation results, in the RAM or the external storage device. In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the measurement value acquisition unit 213, the sample dispensing mechanism control unit 214, the reagent dispensing mechanism control unit 215, the sample transport mechanism control unit 217, the reaction disk rotation control unit 218, the stirring mechanism control unit 219, the cleaning mechanism control unit 220, and the analysis item concentration calculation unit 221 are shown by different function blocks, but any combination of these may be used as a function block as a control unit, and the control unit may be configured to execute multiple programs for realizing each function.

[0023] The input unit 211 is composed of, for example, a pointing device, a keyboard, a tablet, etc. Parameters such as the type of sample, the analysis item, the dispensing amount (liquid amount) of the sample and the reagent according to the analysis item, the number A (N>A>N / B+1) of the reaction containers 2 to be moved in one cycle or the cycle B (B>2) described above are set in advance by a higher-level controller (not shown) and stored in a predetermined storage area of ​​the storage unit 216. The parameters stored in the storage unit 216 can also be changed by a user (a laboratory technician) via the input unit 211. In this case, when the input unit 211 accepts the change of the above-mentioned parameters, the changed parameters are stored in a predetermined storage area of ​​the storage unit 216 via the input I / F 212 and the internal bus 224. The number A (N>A>N / B+1) of the reaction containers 2 to be moved in one cycle or the cycle B (B>2) are transferred to the reaction disk rotation control unit 218 via the internal bus 224.

[0024] The reaction disk rotation control unit 218 obtains C and A or B that satisfy the relationship A×B=N×C±1, N and A are mutually prime, and B and C are mutually prime, based on the number A (N>A>N / B+1) of reaction containers 2 moving in one cycle or cycle B (B>2) transferred via the internal bus 224 and the total number N of reaction containers 2 stored in the known reaction disk 1. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the total number N of reaction containers 2 stored in the reaction disk 1 is obtained as 28, the number A (N>A>N / B+1) of reaction containers 2 moving in one cycle is obtained as 17, the number of cycles B (B>2) is obtained as 5 cycles, and the number of rotations C (C>1) is obtained as 3 rotations. The reaction disk rotation control unit 218 stores the number A of reaction containers 2 moving in one cycle, the number of cycles B, and the number of rotations C obtained in the memory unit 216. In addition, the reaction disk rotation control unit 218 outputs a control signal (control command) corresponding to the number A of reaction vessels 2 moving in one cycle (N>A>N / B+1), which is 17, i.e., the pitch number 17, to the stepping motor or pulse motor that rotates the reaction disk 1 every cycle via the output I / F 223.

[0025] The measurement value acquisition unit 213 acquires the measurement value of absorbance measured by a spectrophotometer as the measurement unit 4, performs processing such as AD conversion and / or smoothing (noise removal), and stores it in a specified memory area of ​​the memory unit 216 via the internal bus 224. The memory unit 216 stores the above-mentioned sample type, analysis item, dispensing amount (liquid volume) of sample and reagent according to the analysis item, the number A of reaction vessels 2 moving in one cycle, the number of cycles B and the number of rotations C determined by the reaction disk rotation control unit 218, and the measured value of absorbance after processing such as AD conversion and / or smoothing (noise removal) by the measurement value acquisition unit 213, as well as a calibration curve showing the relationship between a preset absorbance and the concentration value of the analysis item.

[0026] The sample transport mechanism control unit 217 outputs a control signal (control command) to the sample transport mechanism 17 via the output I / F 223, and transports the rack 16 carrying multiple sample containers 15 containing samples to a position (desired position) where aspirating by the sample dispensing mechanism 11 is possible. The sample dispensing mechanism control unit 214 accesses the memory unit 216, reads out the type of sample, the analysis item, and the dispensing amount (liquid amount) of the sample corresponding to the analysis item, and outputs the stroke amount of the syringe pump corresponding to the dispensing amount (liquid amount) of the sample as a control signal (control command) via the output I / F 223 to the sample pump 18c connected to the sample dispensing mechanism 11. The sample dispensing mechanism control unit 214 also controls the sample nozzle 11a constituting the sample dispensing mechanism 11 to move in an arc toward the sample container 15 to aspirate a predetermined amount of sample, and then to move in an arc toward the reaction container 2 to discharge the sample.

[0027] The reagent dispensing mechanism control unit 215 accesses the memory unit 216, reads out the dispensing amounts (liquid amounts) of the first and second reagents corresponding to the analysis items, and outputs the stroke amounts of the syringe pump corresponding to the dispensing amounts (liquid amounts) of the first and second reagents as a control signal (control command) to the reagent pump 18a connected to the reagent dispensing mechanism 7 via the output I / F 223. In addition, the reagent dispensing mechanism control unit 215 controls the reagent nozzle 7a constituting the reagent dispensing mechanism 7 to move in an arc toward the reagent bottle 10 to aspirate a predetermined amount of the first or second reagent, and then controls the reagent nozzle 7a to move in an arc toward the reaction vessel 2 located at the first reagent dispensing position 43 to dispense the first reagent, and controls the reagent nozzle 7a to dispense the second reagent into the reaction vessel 2 located at the second reagent dispensing position 44.

[0028] The stirring mechanism control unit 219 outputs a control signal (control command) to the stirring mechanism 5 via the output I / F 223 so as to stir the reaction liquid, which is a mixture of the sample and the first reagent in the reaction container 2 located at the first stirring position 45 or the second stirring position 46, or the reaction liquid, which is a mixture of the sample, the first reagent, and the second reagent, at a predetermined stirring intensity.

[0029] The analysis item concentration calculation unit 221 accesses the memory unit 216, calculates the concentration value of the analysis item of the sample based on the absorbance measurement value and the calibration curve, and outputs the calculated concentration value of the analysis item of the sample to the output unit 222 consisting of a display device or printer. The cleaning mechanism control unit 220 outputs a drive command as a control signal to the cleaning pump 20 and the vacuum pump 22 connected to the cleaning mechanism 3 via the output I / F 223, and causes the reaction liquid in the reaction vessel 2 containing the reaction liquid after the measurement to be sucked out by the vacuum pump 22, and the reaction vessel 2 to be cleaned by the cleaning pump 20.

[0030] Next, the analysis steps performed in each cycle will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, in the first cycle (cycle [1]), the sample dispensing mechanism 11 dispenses the type of sample, the analysis item, and the dispensing amount (liquid volume) of the sample according to the analysis item from the sample dispensing mechanism control unit 214 (FIG. 3) constituting the controller 21 into the reaction vessel 2 stopped at the sample discharge position 41, for example, the reaction vessel 2-1 in FIG. 2. After the sample dispensing is completed, the reaction disk 1 moves clockwise by 17 reaction vessels 2 based on a control signal (control command) from the reaction disk rotation control unit 218 (FIG. 3) constituting the controller 21, and stops at the first reagent discharge position 43. In cycle [2] (second cycle), the reagent dispensing mechanism 7 aspirates the dispensing amount (liquid volume) of the first reagent according to the analysis item from the reagent dispensing mechanism control unit 215 (FIG. 3) constituting the controller 21, from the reagent bottle 10 stored in the reagent disk 9. Then, the reagent dispensing mechanism 7 discharges the first reagent into the reaction vessel 2-1 located at the first reagent discharge position 43. After discharging the reagent, the reaction disk 1 moves clockwise by the distance of 17 reaction vessels 2 based on a control signal (control command) from the reaction disk rotation control unit 218 (FIG. 3) and stops at the first reagent mixing position 45. At this time, the reaction vessel 2-1 passes the absorbance measurement position 47 where a spectrophotometer as the measurement unit 4 is installed, and the absorbance of the reaction liquid which is a mixture of the sample and the first reagent is measured, and the measured value of the absorbance is stored in a predetermined storage area of ​​the storage unit 216 constituting the controller 21. In the subsequent cycles, the measured value of the absorbance of the reaction liquid which is a mixture of the sample and the first reagent is stored in the storage unit 216 of the controller 21 every time the reaction vessel 2-1 passes the absorbance measurement position 47.

[0031] In cycle [3] (third cycle), the sample and the first reagent contained in the reaction vessel 2-1 stopped at the first stirring position 45 are stirred based on a predetermined stirring intensity from the stirring mechanism control unit 219 constituting the controller 21, and after stirring, the reaction disk 1 moves clockwise by 17 reaction vessels 2 based on a control signal (control command) from the reaction disk rotation control unit 218 (FIG. 3). The reaction disk 1 repeats rotation and stopping, and in cycle [6] (sixth cycle), the reaction vessel 2-1 stops at the sample suction position 42 adjacent to the sample discharge position 41. If the analysis item is an analysis item that requires pretreatment of blood cells before measurement, such as hemoglobin A1c measurement, the sample dispensing mechanism 11 aspirates the pretreated sample from the sample suction position 42 and discharges the pretreated sample into the reaction vessel 2-28 stopped at the adjacent sample discharge position 41, and the pretreated sample can be analyzed. For an analysis item requiring the addition of a second reagent to a sample that does not require pretreatment, in cycle

[12] (12th cycle), the reaction vessel 2-1 stops at the second reagent discharge position 44. The reagent dispensing mechanism 7 aspirates the dispensed amount (liquid volume) of the second reagent from the reagent dispensing mechanism control unit 215 from the reagent bottle 10 stored in the reagent disk 9, and discharges the second reagent into the reaction vessel 2-1 located at the second reagent discharge position 44. After discharging the second reagent, in cycle

[13] (13th cycle), the reaction disk 1 moves clockwise by the distance of 17 reaction vessels 2 based on a control signal (control command) from the reaction disk rotation control unit 218 (FIG. 3), and stops at the second stirring position 46. The stirring mechanism 5 stirs the sample, the first reagent, and the second reagent contained in the reaction vessel 2-1 located at the second stirring position 46 based on a predetermined stirring intensity from the stirring mechanism control unit 219, and after stirring, the reaction disk 1 moves clockwise by the distance of 17 reaction vessels 2 based on a control signal (control command) from the reaction disk rotation control unit 218 (FIG. 3). The analysis ends in cycle

[18] (18th cycle), and from cycle

[19] (19th cycle) onwards, no measurement is performed by the spectrophotometer as the measurement unit 4, and the automatic analyzer 100 becomes able to wash the reaction vessel 2-1.

[0032] As shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 2, when the distribution of, for example, the reaction vessel 2-1 on the reaction disk 1 is seen, it is divided into B divisions based on the stopping position of the reaction vessel 2-1 in cycles [1] to [5] (1st cycle to 5th cycle), and in this embodiment, it is divided into 5 divisions because the number of cycles B is 5, and it can be seen that the reaction vessels 2 are arranged adjacent to each other in the clockwise direction from the reaction vessel 2-1 in cycles [1] to [5] (1st cycle to 5th cycle), with a skip of B cycles (5 cycles in this embodiment). For example, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 2, in the rotation direction (clockwise direction) of the reaction disk 1, the cycle [6] where the reaction vessel 2-1 is located 5 cycles later is adjacent to the position one before the cycle [1] (1st cycle) where the reaction vessel 2-1 is located, and the cycle

[11] 5 cycles later is adjacent to the position one before the position where the reaction vessel 2-1 is located in cycle [6]. Similarly, in the rotation direction (clockwise) of the reaction disk 1, the cycle [8] in which the reaction vessel 2-1 is located five cycles later is adjacent to the cycle [3] (first cycle) in which the reaction vessel 2-1 is located, and the cycle

[13] five cycles later is adjacent to the position before the position of the reaction vessel 2-1 in the cycle [8]. This is not limited to the reaction vessel 2-1, but is similar for the reaction vessels 2-2 to 2-28. In addition, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 2, it can be seen that the reaction vessels that can be cleaned after cycle

[19] (the 19th cycle) (shown as black circles in the diagram) are also arranged in five divided blocks. Specifically, assuming that two cycles are required to clean the reaction vessel 2 by the cleaning mechanism 3, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 2, it is possible to arrange the cleaning mechanism 3 in a position that is easy to layout from among the adjacent cycles

[21] and

[26] in the first block, the adjacent cycles

[23] and

[28] in the third block, the cycles

[20] and

[25] in the fifth block, the adjacent cycles

[22] and

[27] in the second block, and the adjacent cycles

[19] and

[24] in the fourth block. In other words, the positions of the reaction vessels of the two cycles that are adjacent to each other and can be cleaned by the cleaning mechanism 3 every five cycles are almost evenly distributed in the B position (five positions), so that the option of the B position (five positions) can be obtained as the installation position of the cleaning mechanism 3, which is very advantageous in considering the optimal layout. In this embodiment, as shown in the upper diagram of Figure 2 and Figure 4, the cleaning mechanism 3 is placed at the cycle

[23] position where the reaction vessel 2-1 is located in the 23rd cycle, and at the cycle

[28] position where the reaction vessel 2-1 is located in the 28th cycle, and cleaning of the reaction vessel 2-1 is performed.

[0033] As described above, by using the automatic analyzer 100 of this embodiment, the rotation angle of the reaction disk 1 in one analysis cycle (one cycle), i.e., the number of reaction vessels 2 moved in one cycle A (N>A>N / B+1), can be freely set according to the scale of the automatic analyzer, so that the total number of reaction vessels 2 stored in the reaction disk 1 is N, the reaction disk 1 moves C (C>1) rotations ±1 reaction vessels after B (B>2) cycles, the relationship of A×B=N×C±1 is satisfied, the total number of reaction vessels 2 N and the number of reaction vessels 2 moved in one cycle A are mutually prime, and B and C are mutually prime. In this embodiment, only one combination of N=28, A=17, B=5, and C=3 is shown as a combination that satisfies the above-mentioned relationship of A×B=N×C±1, N and A are mutually prime, and B and C are mutually prime, but this is not limited to this. For example, if N=128, A=77, B=5, C=3, then A×B=385 and N×C+1=385, which satisfies the relationship A×B=N×C±1. If N=128, A=51, B=5, C=2, then A×B=255 and N×C-1=255, which satisfies the relationship A×B=N×C±1. If N=28, A=11, B=5, C=2, then A×B=55 and N×C-1=55, which satisfies the relationship A×B=N×C±1. If N=55, A=41, B=4, C=3, then A×B=164 and N×C-1=164, which satisfies the relationship A×B=N×C±1. In this way, the number of reaction vessels 2 moved in one cycle, A (N>A>N / B+1), is the total number of reaction vessels 2 stored on the reaction disk 1, N, and after B (B>2) cycles, the reaction disk 1 rotates C (C>1) times to move ±1 reaction vessel, satisfying the relationship A×B=N×C±1, and there are countless combinations in which the total number of reaction vessels 2, N, and the number of reaction vessels 2 moved in one cycle, A, are mutually prime, and B and C are mutually prime. Also, as mentioned above, a certain reaction vessel will always be adjacent to a reaction vessel in ±B cycles.As a result, even after the analysis is completed, the reaction vessels for each B cycle appear adjacent to each other, and this row of continuous washable reaction vessels appears almost evenly distributed at point B on the reaction disk. This makes it possible to select point B as the location for installing the washing mechanism, which is extremely advantageous in considering the optimal layout.

[0034] In the example shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, one reagent dispensing mechanism 7 and one stirring mechanism 5 are installed from the viewpoint of using the unit for a small automatic analyzer. In this case, while the reaction disk 1 is stopped, the reagent dispensing mechanism 7 must discharge both the first and second reagents into the reaction container 2 stopped at the first reagent dispensing position 43 and the second reagent dispensing position 44, respectively. Similarly, the stirring mechanism 5 must stir the reaction liquid contained in the reaction container 2 stopped at the first stirring position 45 and the second stirring position 46 while the reaction disk 1 is stopped. Therefore, in order to improve the processing capacity, it is effective to use multiple reagent dispensing mechanisms and stirring mechanisms to shorten the time during which the reaction disk 1 is stopped. As for the sample dispensing mechanism 11, for example, it is also possible to respond to high processing capacity by dividing the sample dispensing mechanism into two different samples, such as whole blood, which has a relatively high viscosity and requires a long time to aspirate, and normal serum, etc.

[0035] Even in terms of re-dispensing a sample that requires pre-treatment into another reaction vessel, in the conventional method in which the reaction disk rotates once in one cycle and moves by ±1 reaction vessel, the pre-treated sample moves away from the sample discharge position 41 by one reaction vessel in each cycle, making it difficult for a single sample dispensing mechanism 11 to access both the sample discharge position 41 and the sample suction position 42 in order to ensure that the reagent and sample mix and the pre-treatment stabilize.

[0036] In contrast, according to the automatic analyzer 100 of this embodiment, since the other reaction vessels 2 are arranged continuously from the sample discharge position 41 every B cycles, it is suitable for sucking the pretreated sample from the reaction vessel 2 near the sample discharge position 41 at an appropriate timing. This is disclosed in the conventional Patent Document 1. When the number of a plurality of reaction detection tubes is N and the number of reaction detection tubes moving in one analysis cycle is M, N±1 = A×M (A is an integer of 2 or more), and there is no common factor other than 1 between N and M, and M < N / 2. Although it is also possible to realize by repeating the movement of the reaction detection tube, the rotation of the reaction disk per analysis cycle is less than 1 / 2, and the time interval measurable by the spectrophotometer as the measurement unit 4 for the reaction liquid in the reaction vessel becomes long, which impairs the analysis performance. In contrast, according to the automatic analyzer 100 of this embodiment, since the rotation angle of the reaction disk 1 per cycle can be freely set, without increasing the rotation angle of the reaction disk 1 in one rotation and one cycle, that is, the measurable time interval by the spectrophotometer as the measurement unit 4, it is possible to arrange the sample suction position 42 for collecting the pretreated sample near the sample discharge position 41.

[0037] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an automatic analyzer that can acquire sufficient reaction process data regardless of the scale of the apparatus and can ensure the degree of freedom of the apparatus configuration. Further, according to this embodiment, for the reaction vessels after the analysis is completed, the reaction vessels every B cycles also appear adjacent to each other, and this continuous row of washable reaction vessels appears almost evenly dispersed at B locations on the reaction disk. Therefore, B options can be obtained as the installation positions of the cleaning mechanism, which is very advantageous in considering the optimal layout.

[0038] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the rotation angle of the reaction disk 1 per cycle can be freely set, without increasing the rotation angle of the reaction disk 1 in one rotation and one cycle, that is, the measurable time interval by the spectrophotometer as the measurement unit 4, it is possible to arrange the sample suction position 42 for collecting the pretreated sample near the sample discharge position 41.

Example

[0039] Fig. 5 is a functional block diagram of a controller constituting an automatic analyzer of Example 2 according to another embodiment of the present invention, and Figs. 6 and 7 are diagrams for explaining the arrangement of a plurality of reaction containers stored in a reaction disk constituting the automatic analyzer of this example. This example is different from Example 1 in that the reaction disk rotation control unit 218a of the controller 21a constituting the automatic analyzer 100a controls the reaction disk 1 so that the reaction disk 1 stops once when it moves the number A of reaction containers 2 that move in one cycle. The other configurations are the same as those of Example 1, and the same reference numerals are used for the same components as those of Example 1.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 5, the controller 21a of this embodiment includes an input section 211, an input I / F 212, a measurement value acquisition section 213, a sample dispensing mechanism control section 214, a reagent dispensing mechanism control section 215, a memory section 216, a sample transport mechanism control section 217, a reaction disk rotation control section 218a, a stirring mechanism control section 219, a cleaning mechanism control section 220, an analysis item concentration calculation section 221, an output section 222, and an output I / F 223, which are interconnected via an internal bus 224. The measurement value acquisition unit 213, the sample dispensing mechanism control unit 214, the reagent dispensing mechanism control unit 215, the sample transport mechanism control unit 217, the reaction disk rotation control unit 218a, the stirring mechanism control unit 219, the cleaning mechanism control unit 220, and the analysis item concentration calculation unit 221 are realized by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) not shown, a ROM for storing various programs, a RAM for temporarily storing data in the calculation process, a storage device such as an external storage device, and the processor such as a CPU reads out and executes various programs stored in the ROM, and stores the calculation results, which are the execution results, in the RAM or the external storage device. In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the measurement value acquisition unit 213, the sample dispensing mechanism control unit 214, the reagent dispensing mechanism control unit 215, the sample transport mechanism control unit 217, the reaction disk rotation control unit 218, the stirring mechanism control unit 219, the cleaning mechanism control unit 220, and the analysis item concentration calculation unit 221 are shown by different function blocks, but any combination of these may be used as a function block as a control unit, and the control unit may be configured to execute multiple programs for realizing each function.

[0041] The input unit 211 is composed of, for example, a pointing device, a keyboard, a tablet, etc. Parameters such as the type of sample, the analysis item, the dispensing amount (liquid amount) of the sample and the reagent according to the analysis item, the number A (N>A>N / B+1) of the reaction containers 2 to be moved in one cycle or the cycle B (B>2) are set in advance by a higher-level controller (not shown) and stored in a predetermined storage area of ​​the storage unit 216. The parameters stored in the storage unit 216 can also be changed by a user (a laboratory technician) via the input unit 211. In this case, when the input unit 211 accepts the change of the above-mentioned parameters, the changed parameters are stored in a predetermined storage area of ​​the storage unit 216 via the input I / F 212 and the internal bus 224. The number A (N>A>N / B+1) of the reaction containers 2 to be moved in one cycle or the cycle B (B>2) are transferred to the reaction disk rotation control unit 218a via the internal bus 224.

[0042] The reaction disk rotation control unit 218a obtains C and A or B that satisfy the relationship A×B=N×C±1, N and A are mutually prime, and B and C are mutually prime, based on the number A (N>A>N / B+1) of reaction containers 2 moving in one cycle or cycle B (B>2) transferred via the internal bus 224 and the total number N of reaction containers 2 stored in the known reaction disk 1. Here, as in the first embodiment, as an example, the total number N of reaction containers 2 stored in the reaction disk 1 is obtained as 28, the number A (N>A>N / B+1) of reaction containers 2 moving in one cycle is obtained as 17, the number of cycles B (B>2) is obtained as 5 cycles, and the number of rotations C (C>1) is obtained as 3 rotations. In addition, the reaction disk rotation control unit 218a divides the number A of reaction containers 2 moving in one cycle into two, setting the number A (N>A>N / B+1) of reaction containers 2 moving in one cycle as A1+A2. In the following, an example will be described in which A1=9 and A2=8. The reaction disk rotation control unit 218a stores the number A (A=A1+A2) of reaction containers 2 moving in one cycle, the number of cycles B, and the number of rotations C in the memory unit 216. The reaction disk rotation control unit 218a also outputs a control signal (control command) corresponding to 9 and 8, which are obtained by dividing the number A (N>A>N / B+1) of reaction containers 2 moving in one cycle, i.e., the pitch number 9, to a stepping motor or pulse motor that rotates the reaction disk 1 via the output I / F 223, and then outputs a control signal (control command) corresponding to the pitch number 8 to a stepping motor or pulse motor that rotates the reaction disk 1 via the output I / F 223.

[0043] The measurement value acquisition unit 213 acquires the measurement value of absorbance measured by a spectrophotometer as the measurement unit 4, performs processing such as AD conversion and / or smoothing (noise removal), and stores it in a specified memory area of ​​the memory unit 216 via the internal bus 224. The memory unit 216 stores the above-mentioned sample type, analysis item, dispensing amount (liquid volume) of sample and reagent according to the analysis item, the number A (A=A1+A2) of reaction vessels 2 moving in one cycle, the number of cycles B and the number of rotations C calculated by the reaction disk rotation control unit 218a, and the measured value of absorbance after processing such as AD conversion and / or smoothing (noise removal) by the measurement value acquisition unit 213, as well as a calibration curve showing the relationship between a preset absorbance and the concentration value of the analysis item.

[0044] The sample transport mechanism control unit 217 outputs a control signal (control command) to the sample transport mechanism 17 via the output I / F 223, and transports the rack 16 carrying multiple sample containers 15 containing samples to a position (desired position) where aspirating by the sample dispensing mechanism 11 is possible. The sample dispensing mechanism control unit 214 accesses the memory unit 216, reads out the type of sample, the analysis item, and the dispensing amount (liquid amount) of the sample corresponding to the analysis item, and outputs the stroke amount of the syringe pump corresponding to the dispensing amount (liquid amount) of the sample as a control signal (control command) via the output I / F 223 to the sample pump 18c connected to the sample dispensing mechanism 11. The sample dispensing mechanism control unit 214 also controls the sample nozzle 11a constituting the sample dispensing mechanism 11 to move in an arc toward the sample container 15 to aspirate a predetermined amount of sample, and then to move in an arc toward the reaction container 2 to discharge the sample.

[0045] The reagent dispensing mechanism control unit 215 accesses the memory unit 216, reads out the dispensing amounts (liquid amounts) of the first and second reagents corresponding to the analysis items, and outputs the stroke amounts of the syringe pump corresponding to the dispensing amounts (liquid amounts) of the first and second reagents as a control signal (control command) to the reagent pump 18a connected to the reagent dispensing mechanism 7 via the output I / F 223. In addition, the reagent dispensing mechanism control unit 215 controls the reagent nozzle 7a constituting the reagent dispensing mechanism 7 to move in an arc toward the reagent bottle 10 to aspirate a predetermined amount of the first or second reagent, and then controls the reagent nozzle 7a to move in an arc toward the reaction vessel 2 located at the first reagent dispensing position 53 to dispense the first reagent, and controls the reagent nozzle 7a to dispense the second reagent into the reaction vessel 2 located at the second reagent dispensing position 54.

[0046] The stirring mechanism control unit 219 outputs a control signal (control command) to the stirring mechanism 5 via the output I / F 223 so as to stir the reaction liquid, which is a mixture of the sample and the first reagent in the reaction container 2 located at the first stirring position 55 or the second stirring position 56, or the reaction liquid, which is a mixture of the sample, the first reagent, and the second reagent, at a predetermined stirring intensity.

[0047] The analysis item concentration calculation unit 221 accesses the memory unit 216, calculates the concentration value of the analysis item of the sample based on the absorbance measurement value and the calibration curve, and outputs the calculated concentration value of the analysis item of the sample to the output unit 222 consisting of a display device or printer. The cleaning mechanism control unit 220 outputs a drive command as a control signal to the cleaning pump 20 and the vacuum pump 22 connected to the cleaning mechanism 3 via the output I / F 223, and causes the reaction liquid in the reaction vessel 2 containing the reaction liquid after the measurement to be sucked out by the vacuum pump 22, and the reaction vessel 2 to be cleaned by the cleaning pump 20.

[0048] Next, the operation of the automatic analyzer 100a of this embodiment will be described together with the arrangement of the multiple reaction containers 2 stored in the reaction disk 1. In FIG. 6, 28 reaction vessels 2-1 to 2-28 are stored on the reaction disk 1 so as to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval along the circumferential direction (circumferentially) in the same manner as in Example 1. As shown by the arrow, the reaction disk 1 rotates and stops clockwise for 17 reaction vessels 2 in one cycle, and 17×5=85 reaction vessels 2 are rotated in five cycles, i.e., the total number of reaction vessels 2 is 28×3 rotations+1 reaction vessel 2=85, and the reaction disk 1 stops at a position where it has moved three rotations+1 reaction vessel 2 after five cycles. However, the automatic analyzer 100a stops once after the reaction disk 1 moves clockwise for 9 reaction vessels (A1) from the state shown in FIG. 6, and this state is shown in FIG. 7. After that, it moves and stops for the remaining 8 reaction vessels (A2), completing one cycle of operation.

[0049] As shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 6, the sample dispensing mechanism 11 aspirates the sample type, analysis item, and dispensing amount (liquid volume) of the sample according to the analysis item from the sample dispensing mechanism control unit 214 (FIG. 5) constituting the controller 21a from the sample container 15 or the reaction container 2-2 located at the sample aspirating position 42. Then, while the sample dispensing mechanism 11 is discharging the sample to the reaction container 2-1 located (stopped) at the sample discharging position 41, the reagent dispensing mechanism 7 aspirates the reagent from the reagent bottle 10 stored in the reagent disk 9, and discharges the reagent to the reaction container 2-8 of the cycle [8] located at the first reagent discharging position 53 and / or the reaction container 2-9 of the cycle

[13] located at the second reagent discharging position 54. During this time, the stirring mechanism 5 stirs the reaction container 2-18 of the cycle [2] located at the first stirring position 55 and / or the reaction container 2-19 of the cycle [7] located (stopped) at the second stirring position 56 based on a predetermined stirring intensity from the stirring mechanism control unit 219 constituting the controller 21a. As shown in Fig. 4 in the above-mentioned embodiment 1, if the reaction vessel 2 can be cleaned by cycle

[19] , the cleaning mechanism 3 can be arranged at a position that is easy to layout from among cycle

[21] and cycle

[26] , cycle

[23] and cycle

[28] , cycle

[20] and cycle

[25] , cycle

[22] and cycle

[27] , and cycle

[19] and cycle

[24] , as shown by black circles in the lower diagram of Fig. 6. In other words, the positions of the reaction vessels of two cycles that are adjacent to each other and spaced apart by five cycles and that can be cleaned by the cleaning mechanism 3 are distributed almost evenly among B positions (five positions), so that the option of B positions (five positions) can be obtained as the installation position of the cleaning mechanism 3, which is very advantageous in considering the optimal layout. In this embodiment, as shown in the upper diagram of Figure 6, the cleaning mechanism 3 is placed at the position of reaction vessel 2-5 in cycle

[21] that is positioned (stopped) at cleaning position 61 and cleaning position 62, and reaction vessel 2-6 in cycle

[26] , and cleaning of reaction vessel 2-5 and reaction vessel 2-6 is performed.

[0050] 7 shows a state where the reaction disk 1 moves clockwise by nine (A1) reaction containers based on a control signal (control command) from the reaction disk rotation control unit 218a (FIG. 5) and stops when the sample dispensing mechanism 11, the reagent dispensing mechanism 7, the stirring mechanism 5, and the washing mechanism 3 finish dispensing and other processes for the reaction containers 2. In this embodiment, similar to the embodiment 1, the reaction containers 2 are continuously arranged in B blocks (blocks divided into 5) for each B cycle (5 cycles). Therefore, by stopping the reaction disk 1 midway, it is possible to provide new reaction containers 2 that can be dispensed, stirred, and washed around the sample dispensing mechanism 11, the reagent dispensing mechanism 7, the stirring mechanism 5, and the washing mechanism 3. Specifically, the reaction container 2-20 of the cycle

[12] stops at the sample discharge position 41, and the reaction container 2-21 of the cycle

[17] stops at the sample suction position 42. Furthermore, the reaction vessel 2-19 of cycle [7] stops at sample aspiration position 48, which is adjacent to the sample aspiration position 41 in the counterclockwise direction. This allows the sample dispensing mechanism 11 to aspirate the pretreated sample or aspirate the sample from the sample vessel 15 from any of the three positions of the sample discharge position 41, the sample aspiration position 42, and the sample aspiration position 48, and to discharge the pretreated sample or the sample in the sample vessel 15 to the reaction vessel 2 that stops at the sample discharge position 41 in the next cycle.

[0051] The reagent dispensing mechanism 7 aspirates the amount of reagent dispensed (liquid volume) corresponding to the analysis item from the reagent bottle 10 stored in the reagent disk 9 from the reagent dispensing mechanism control unit 215 (FIG. 5), and dispenses the reagent into the reaction vessel 2-1 in the cycle [1] located (stopped) at the first reagent dispensing position 51 and / or the reaction vessel 2-2 in the cycle [6] located (stopped) at the second reagent dispensing position 52 adjacent thereto in the clockwise direction. As is clear from a comparison of the upper diagrams of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the first reagent dispensing position 51 in the upper diagram of FIG. 7 is adjacent thereto in the clockwise direction with respect to the second reagent dispensing position 54 in the upper diagram of FIG. 6. Note that the lower diagram of FIG. 7 shows a state in which the reaction disk 1 moves the number of reaction vessels A1 (9 vessels) and stops once when moving the number A (17 vessels) of reaction vessels 2 that move in one cycle, so for convenience, a dash is added to the cycle number shown in parentheses. However, in the lower diagram of Figure 6 and the lower diagram of Figure 7, the reaction vessel position numbers 1 to 28 are indicated the same when the sample dispensing position is designated as 1. Even when comparing the lower diagram of Figure 6 and the lower diagram of Figure 7, it can be seen that the first reagent dispensing position shown in the lower diagram of Figure 7 is located adjacent to the second reagent dispensing position shown in the lower diagram of Figure 6 in the clockwise direction.

[0052] During this time, the stirring mechanism 5 stirs the reaction vessel 2-9 in the cycle

[13] located (stopped) at the first stirring position 55 and / or the reaction vessel 2-8 in the cycle [8] located (stopped) at the second stirring position 57 adjacent to the first stirring position 55 in the counterclockwise direction, based on a predetermined stirring intensity from the stirring mechanism control unit 219. In addition, as shown by the black circles in the lower diagram of Fig. 7, the cleaning mechanism 111 can be arranged in a position that is easy to arrange among cycle

[22] and cycle

[27] , cycle

[19] and cycle

[24] , cycle

[21] and cycle

[26] , cycle

[23] and cycle

[28] , and cycle

[20] and cycle

[25] . The upper diagram of Fig. 7 shows a case where the cleaning mechanism 111 is arranged so as to be accessible to the reaction vessel 2-22 of cycle

[22] and the reaction vessel 2-23 of cycle

[27] that are positioned (stopped) at the cleaning position 63 and the cleaning position 64, respectively.

[0053] The cleaning mechanism 3 shown in Fig. 6 and the cleaning mechanism 111 shown in Fig. 7 may be the same and movable, or either one or both may be installed. Also, the cleaning mechanisms may be arranged in a plurality of locations where the reaction vessels 2 shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 can be washed.

[0054] In this way, by rotating and stopping the reaction disk 1 twice in one cycle, it becomes possible to perform aspirating multiple types of samples, discharging reagents, stirring the reagents, and washing. Although one each of the sample dispensing mechanism 11, reagent dispensing mechanism 7, stirring mechanism 5, and washing mechanism is installed in Figures 6 and 7, a configuration in which multiple units of each mechanism are installed may be used from the viewpoint of improving processing capacity and washing power.

[0055] As described above, according to this embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, by rotating and stopping the reaction disk 1 twice in one cycle, it becomes possible to aspirate multiple types of samples, eject reagents, mix the reagents, and wash the samples. EXAMPLES

[0056] Fig. 8 is a functional block diagram of a controller constituting an automatic analyzer of Example 3 according to another embodiment of the present invention, and Figs. 9 to 11 are diagrams for explaining the arrangement of a plurality of reaction containers stored in a reaction disk constituting the automatic analyzer of this example. This example is different from Example 1 in that a reaction disk rotation control unit 218b of a controller 21b constituting an automatic analyzer 100b controls the reaction disk 1 so that the reaction disk 1 stops twice when it moves the number A of reaction containers 2 that move in one cycle. The other configurations are the same as those of Example 1, and the same reference numerals are used for the same components as those of Example 1.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 8, the controller 21b of this embodiment includes an input section 211, an input I / F 212, a measurement value acquisition section 213, a sample dispensing mechanism control section 214, a reagent dispensing mechanism control section 215, a memory section 216, a sample transport mechanism control section 217, a reaction disk rotation control section 218, a stirring mechanism control section 219, a cleaning mechanism control section 220, an analysis item concentration calculation section 221, an output section 222, and an output I / F 223, which are interconnected via an internal bus 224. The measurement value acquisition unit 213, the sample dispensing mechanism control unit 214, the reagent dispensing mechanism control unit 215, the sample transport mechanism control unit 217, the reaction disk rotation control unit 218b, the stirring mechanism control unit 219, the cleaning mechanism control unit 220, and the analysis item concentration calculation unit 221 are realized by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) not shown, a ROM for storing various programs, a RAM for temporarily storing data in the calculation process, a storage device such as an external storage device, and the processor such as a CPU reads out and executes various programs stored in the ROM, and stores the calculation results, which are the execution results, in the RAM or the external storage device. In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the measurement value acquisition unit 213, the sample dispensing mechanism control unit 214, the reagent dispensing mechanism control unit 215, the sample transport mechanism control unit 217, the reaction disk rotation control unit 218b, the stirring mechanism control unit 219, the cleaning mechanism control unit 220, and the analysis item concentration calculation unit 221 are shown by different function blocks, but any combination of these may be used as a function block as a control unit, and the control unit may be configured to execute multiple programs for realizing each function.

[0058] The input unit 211 is composed of, for example, a pointing device, a keyboard, a tablet, etc. Parameters such as the type of sample, the analysis item, the dispensing amount (liquid amount) of the sample and the reagent according to the analysis item, the number A (N>A>N / B+1) of the reaction containers 2 to be moved in one cycle or the cycle B (B>2) are set in advance by a higher-level controller (not shown) and stored in a predetermined storage area of ​​the storage unit 216. The parameters stored in the storage unit 216 can also be changed by a user (a laboratory technician) via the input unit 211. In this case, when the input unit 211 accepts the change of the above-mentioned parameters, the changed parameters are stored in a predetermined storage area of ​​the storage unit 216 via the input I / F 212 and the internal bus 224. The number A (N>A>N / B+1) of the reaction containers 2 to be moved in one cycle or the cycle B (B>2) are transferred to the reaction disk rotation control unit 218b via the internal bus 224.

[0059] The reaction disk rotation control unit 218b obtains C and A or B that satisfy the relationship A×B=N×C±1, N and A are mutually prime, and B and C are mutually prime, based on the number A (N>A>N / B+1) of reaction containers 2 moving in one cycle or cycle B (B>2) transferred via the internal bus 224 and the total number N of reaction containers 2 stored in the known reaction disk 1. Here, as in the first embodiment, as an example, the total number N of reaction containers 2 stored in the reaction disk 1 is obtained as 28, the number A (N>A>N / B+1) of reaction containers 2 moving in one cycle is obtained as 17, the number of cycles B (B>2) is obtained as 5 cycles, and the number of rotations C (C>1) is obtained as 3 rotations. In addition, the reaction disk rotation control unit 218b divides the number A of reaction containers 2 moving in one cycle into 3, with the number A (N>A>N / B+1) of reaction containers 2 moving in one cycle being A1+A2+A3. In the following, an example will be described in which A1=9, A2=1, and A3=7. The reaction disk rotation control unit 218b stores the number A (A=A1+A2+A3) of reaction containers 2 moving in one cycle, the number of cycles B, and the number of rotations C in the storage unit 216. The reaction disk rotation control unit 218b also outputs a control signal (control command) corresponding to 9, 1, and 7, which are obtained by dividing the number A (N>A>N / B+1) of reaction containers 2 moving in one cycle into 3, that is, the pitch number 9, to a stepping motor or pulse motor that rotates the reaction disk 1 via the output I / F 223, and then outputs a control signal (control command) corresponding to the pitch number 1 to a stepping motor or pulse motor that rotates the reaction disk 1 via the output I / F 223, and then outputs a control signal (control command) corresponding to the pitch number 7 to a stepping motor or pulse motor that rotates the reaction disk 1 via the output I / F 223.

[0060] The measurement value acquisition unit 213 acquires the measurement value of absorbance measured by a spectrophotometer as the measurement unit 4, performs processing such as AD conversion and / or smoothing (noise removal), and stores it in a specified memory area of ​​the memory unit 216 via the internal bus 224. The memory unit 216 stores the above-mentioned sample type, analysis item, dispensing amount (liquid volume) of sample and reagent according to the analysis item, the number A (A=A1+A2+A3) of reaction vessels 2 moving in one cycle, the number of cycles B and the number of rotations C calculated by the reaction disk rotation control unit 218b, and the measured value of absorbance after processing such as AD conversion and / or smoothing (noise removal) by the measurement value acquisition unit 213, as well as a calibration curve showing the relationship between a preset absorbance and the concentration value of the analysis item.

[0061] The sample transport mechanism control unit 217 outputs a control signal (control command) to the sample transport mechanism 17 via the output I / F 223, and transports the rack 16 carrying multiple sample containers 15 containing samples to a position (desired position) where aspirating by the sample dispensing mechanism 11 is possible. The sample dispensing mechanism control unit 214 accesses the memory unit 216, reads out the type of sample, the analysis item, and the dispensing amount (liquid amount) of the sample corresponding to the analysis item, and outputs the stroke amount of the syringe pump corresponding to the dispensing amount (liquid amount) of the sample as a control signal (control command) via the output I / F 223 to the sample pump 18c connected to the sample dispensing mechanism 11. The sample dispensing mechanism control unit 214 also controls the sample nozzle 11a constituting the sample dispensing mechanism 11 to move in an arc toward the sample container 15 to aspirate a predetermined amount of sample, and then to move in an arc toward the reaction container 2 to discharge the sample.

[0062] The reagent dispensing mechanism control unit 215 accesses the memory unit 216, reads out the dispensing amounts (liquid amounts) of the first reagent, the second reagent, and the third reagent corresponding to the analysis item, and outputs the stroke amount of the syringe pump corresponding to the dispensing amounts (liquid amounts) of the first reagent, the second reagent, and the third reagent as a control signal (control command) to the reagent pump 18a connected to the reagent dispensing mechanism 7 via the output I / F 223. In addition, the reagent dispensing mechanism control unit 215 controls the reagent nozzle 7a constituting the reagent dispensing mechanism 7 to move in an arc toward the reagent bottle 10 to aspirate a predetermined amount of the first reagent, the second reagent, and the third reagent, and then controls the reagent nozzle 7a to move in an arc toward the reaction vessel 2 located at the first reagent dispensing position 71 to dispense the first reagent, controls the reagent nozzle 7a to dispense the second reagent into the reaction vessel 2 located at the second reagent dispensing position 72, and controls the reagent nozzle 7a to dispense the third reagent into the reaction vessel 2 located at the third reagent dispensing position 73.

[0063] The stirring mechanism control unit 219 outputs a control signal (control command) to the stirring mechanism 115 via the output I / F 223 so as to stir the reaction liquid in the reaction vessel 2 located at the stirring position 75 with a predetermined stirring intensity.

[0064] The analysis item concentration calculation unit 221 accesses the memory unit 216, calculates the concentration value of the analysis item of the sample based on the absorbance measurement value and the calibration curve, and outputs the calculated concentration value of the analysis item of the sample to the output unit 222 consisting of a display device or printer. The cleaning mechanism control unit 220 outputs a drive command as a control signal to the cleaning pump 20 and the vacuum pump 22 connected to the cleaning mechanisms 3, 111, 112 via the output I / F 223, and causes the vacuum pump 22 to suck out the reaction liquid in the reaction vessel 2 containing the reaction liquid after the measurement is completed, and causes the cleaning pump 20 to clean the reaction vessel 2.

[0065] Next, the operation of the automatic analyzer 100b of this embodiment will be described together with the arrangement of the multiple reaction containers 2 stored in the reaction disk 1. In FIG. 9, 28 reaction vessels 2-1 to 2-28 are stored on the reaction disk 1 so as to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval along the circumferential direction (circumferentially) in the same manner as in Example 1. As shown by the arrow, the reaction disk 1 rotates and stops clockwise for 17 reaction vessels 2 in one cycle, and the reaction vessels 2 are rotated for 17×5=85 in five cycles, that is, the total number of reaction vessels 2 is 28×3 rotations+1 reaction vessel 2=85, and the reaction disk 1 stops at a position where it has moved three rotations+1 reaction vessel 2 after five cycles. However, the automatic analyzer 100b stops the reaction disk 1 once after moving nine reaction vessels (A1) clockwise from the state shown in FIG. 9, and this state is shown in FIG. 10. After that, the reaction disk 1 moves clockwise for one reaction vessel (A2) and stops, and this state is shown in FIG. 11. After that, the reaction disk 1 moves by seven (A3) reaction vessels and stops, completing one cycle of operation. As shown in Fig. 9, the reaction vessels 2 on the reaction disk 1 are divided into B (5) parts based on the reaction vessel stop positions of cycles [1] to [5], and the reaction vessels 2 are arranged adjacent to each other in the clockwise direction at intervals of B = 5 cycles from the reaction vessels of cycles [1] to [5], and are designated as the first block 101 starting from cycle [1], the second block 102 starting from cycle [2], the third block 103 starting from cycle [3], the fourth block 104 starting from cycle [4], and the fifth block 105 starting from cycle [5].

[0066] As shown in FIG. 9, the sample dispensing mechanism 11 aspirates the sample type, analysis item, and dispensing amount (liquid amount) of the sample according to the analysis item from the sample dispensing mechanism control unit 214 (FIG. 8) from the sample container 15 or the reaction container 2-2 located (stopped) at the sample suction position 42. Then, while the sample dispensing mechanism 11 discharges the aspirated sample to the reaction container 2-1 located (stopped) at the sample discharge position 41, the stirring mechanism 115 is located at the stirring position 75, which is 17 (A) reaction containers away from the sample discharge position 41 in the clockwise direction, which is the rotation direction of the reaction disk 1, and stirs the reaction container 2-18 of the cycle [2] in which the first reagent was dispensed in the previous cycle. The stirring mechanism 115 in this embodiment is of a fixed type that stirs the reaction liquid, which is a mixture of the sample and the reagent in the reaction container 2, in a non-contact manner by the acoustic waves emitted by the ultrasonic element, and the stirring of the reaction liquid is performed only at the stirring position 75.

[0067] 9, the reagent dispensing mechanism 7 aspirates the second reagent from the reagent bottle 10 stored in the reagent disk 9 and dispenses it to the reaction vessel 2-8 in the cycle [8] at the second reagent dispensing position 72 (stopped), or aspirates the third reagent from the reagent bottle 10 and dispenses it to the reaction vessel 2-9 in the cycle

[13] at the third reagent dispensing position 73 (stopped). The second reagent dispensing position 72 and the third reagent dispensing position 73 are located in the third block 103, which is different from the first block 101 where the sample dispensing position 41 is located, and different from the fifth block 105 where the stirring mechanism 115 is located, in the clockwise direction which is the rotation direction of the reaction disk 1, and is a block between the first block 101 and the fifth block 105. That is, the second reagent dispensing position 72 and the third reagent dispensing position 73 are located approximately in the center between the sample dispensing position 41 and the reagent stirring position 75. 4 in the above-mentioned embodiment 1, if the reaction vessel 2 can be washed by the cycle

[19] , the washing mechanism 3 can be arranged at a position that is easy to arrange among the cycle

[21] and cycle

[26] in the first block 101, the cycle

[23] and cycle

[28] in the third block 103, the cycle

[20] and cycle

[25] in the fifth block 105, the cycle

[22] and cycle

[27] in the second block 102, and the cycle

[19] and cycle

[24] in the fourth block 104. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the washing mechanism 3 washes the reaction vessel 2-5 in the cycle

[21] and the reaction vessel 2-6 in the cycle

[26] located (stopped) at the washing position 61 and the washing position 62.

[0068] FIG. 10 shows a state where the reaction disk 1 moves by nine (A1) reaction containers and stops based on a control signal (control command) from the reaction disk rotation control unit 218b (FIG. 8) at the stage where the sample dispensing mechanism 11, the reagent dispensing mechanism 7, the stirring mechanism 115, and the cleaning mechanism 3 finish dispensing and other processes for the reaction containers 2. By moving by nine (A1) reaction containers, the reaction container 2-9 of the cycle

[13] that was positioned (stopped) at the third reagent discharge position 73 close to the stirring position 75 stops at the stirring position 75. Here, if a reagent has been added to the reaction container 2-9 of the cycle

[13] , the stirring mechanism 115 stirs the reaction liquid, which is a mixture of the sample and the reagent, based on a predetermined stirring intensity from the stirring mechanism control unit 219. In addition, the reagent dispensing mechanism 7 aspirates the reagent from the reagent bottle 10 stored in the reagent disk 9 and discharges the reagent to the reaction container 2-1 of the cycle [1] that is positioned (stopped) at the first reagent discharge position 71. 9, the second reagent dispensing position 72 and the third reagent dispensing position 73 are located approximately in the center with respect to the sample dispensing position 41 and the stirring position 75, and the movement amount of the reaction disk 1 when the second reagent dispensing position 72 and the third reagent dispensing position 73 are moved to the stirring position 75 is approximately half the movement distance of the reaction disk 1 in one cycle. That is, the reaction container 2-1 to which the sample is dispensed by the sample dispensing mechanism 11 inevitably stops near the second reagent dispensing position 72 and the third reagent dispensing position 73, so by using the reagent dispensing mechanism 7 having a multi-joint robot arm such as an XY movement mechanism or a θ-θ mechanism, it becomes possible to easily access the first reagent dispensing position 71 and dispense the reagent without using multiple reagent dispensing mechanisms.

[0069] 10, the reaction vessel 2-20 in cycle

[12] is located (stopped) at the sample discharge position 41, the reaction vessel 2-21 in cycle

[17] is located at the sample suction position 42, and the reaction vessel 2-19 in cycle [7] is located (stopped) at the sample suction position 48, which is adjacent in the counterclockwise direction to the sample suction position 41. This allows the sample dispensing mechanism 11 to aspirate the pretreated sample from any of the three positions of the sample discharge position 41, the sample suction position 42, and the sample suction position 48, or to aspirate the sample from the sample vessel 15, and to discharge the pretreated sample or the sample in the sample vessel 15 at the sample discharge position 41 in the next cycle. In addition, the cleaning mechanism 111 can be arranged at a position that is easy to layout among the cycle

[21] and cycle

[26] in the first block 101, the cycle

[23] and cycle

[28] in the third block 103, the cycle

[20] and cycle

[25] in the fifth block 105, the cycle

[22] and cycle

[27] in the second block 102, and the cycle

[19] and cycle

[24] in the fourth block 104. Fig. 10 shows a case where the cleaning mechanism 111 is arranged so as to be accessible to the reaction vessel 2-22 of the cycle

[22] and the reaction vessel 2-23 of the cycle

[27] located (stopped) at the cleaning position 63 and the cleaning position 64.

[0070] 11 shows a state where the sample dispensing mechanism 11, the reagent dispensing mechanism 7, the stirring mechanism 115, and the cleaning mechanism 111 (FIG. 10) have finished dispensing and other processes for the reaction vessels 2, and the reaction disk 1 has moved by one (A2) reaction vessel and stopped based on a control signal (control command) from the reaction disk rotation control unit 218b (FIG. 8). As the reaction disk 1 moves by one (A2) reaction vessel in the clockwise direction, the reaction vessel 2-8 in the cycle [8], in which the reagent has been dispensed at the second reagent dispensing position 72, which is farther from the stirring position 75 than the third reagent dispensing position 73 (FIG. 9), stops at the stirring position 75. Here, when a reagent has been added to the reaction vessel 2-8 in the cycle [8], the stirring mechanism 115 stirs the reaction liquid, which is a mixture of the sample and the reagent, based on a predetermined stirring intensity from the stirring mechanism control unit 219. In the case where the reagent dispensing mechanism 7 is more convenient for discharging the first reagent at the reagent discharging position 76 where the reaction vessel 2-1 in cycle [1] is located (stopped) than at the first reagent discharging position 71 in Fig. 10, the reagent may be aspirated from the reagent bottle 10 stored on the reagent disk 9 to the reaction vessel 2-1 located (stopped) at the reagent discharging position 76 in Fig. 11 instead of the timing of Fig. 10, and the aspirated reagent may be discharged into the reaction vessel 2-1. The reaction vessel 2-19 in cycle [7] is located (stopped) at the sample discharging position 41, the reaction vessel 2-20 in cycle

[12] is located at the sample suction position 42, and the reaction vessel 2-19 in the cycle is located (stopped) at the sample suction position 48 adjacent to the sample suction position 41 in the counterclockwise direction. For this reason, in the state shown in Figure 10, when the sample dispensing mechanism 11 is not aspirating a sample, it can aspirate the pre-treated sample from any of the three positions, namely the sample discharge position 41, the sample aspiration position 42, and the sample aspiration position 48, or aspirate the sample from the sample container 15, and in the next cycle, the sample dispensing mechanism 11 can discharge the pre-treated sample or the sample in the sample container 15 at the sample discharge position 41. In addition, the cleaning mechanism 112 can be arranged at a position that is easy to layout among the cycle

[21] and cycle

[26] in the first block 101, the cycle

[23] and cycle

[28] in the third block 103, the cycle

[20] and cycle

[25] in the fifth block 105, the cycle

[22] and cycle

[27] in the second block 102, and the cycle

[19] and cycle

[24] in the fourth block 104. Figure 11 shows a case where the cleaning mechanism 112 is arranged so as to be accessible to the reaction vessel 2-22 of the cycle

[22] and the reaction vessel 2-23 of the cycle

[27] located (stopped) at the cleaning position 65 and the cleaning position 66.

[0071] The cleaning mechanism 3 shown in Fig. 9, the cleaning mechanism 111 shown in Fig. 10, and the cleaning mechanism 112 shown in Fig. 11 may be the same and movable, or one, two, or all of them may be installed. Also, the cleaning mechanisms may be distributed in multiple locations where the reaction vessels 2 in Fig. 9, Fig. 10, and Fig. 11 can be washed. Since this embodiment is configured to have one stirring mechanism 115, it is possible to optimize the measurement time and unit layout even when the reaction liquid, which is a mixture of the sample and the reagent, is stirred at only one location.

[0072] As described above, according to this embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, it is possible to freely set the measurement time of the reaction vessel with a minimum mechanism, and it is also possible to optimize the degree of freedom of the device configuration.

[0073] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, but includes various modified examples. For example, the above-mentioned embodiment has been described in detail to easily explain the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those including all of the configurations described. In addition, it is possible to replace a part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1. Reaction disk 2. Reaction vessel 2-1~2-28 Reaction vessel 3,111,112... Cleaning mechanism 4...Measuring section 4 5,115... Stirring mechanism 7. Reagent dispensing mechanism 7a Reagent nozzle 9. Reagent disk 10...Reagent bottle 11. Sample dispensing mechanism 11a: Sample nozzle 13, 30, 32... Cleaning tank 15. Sample container 16...Rack 17. Sample transport mechanism 18a Reagent pump 18c... Sample pump 20. Cleaning pump 21, 21a, 21b...Controller 22 Vacuum pump 41 Sample ejection position 42, 48... Sample suction position 43, 51, 53, 71...First reagent dispensing position 44, 52, 54, 72...Second reagent dispensing position 45,55...First mixing position 46,56,57...2nd stirring position 47,... Absorbance measurement position 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66... ​​Cleaning position 73 Third reagent dispensing position 75...Stirring position 76 Reagent dispensing position 100,100a,100b...Automatic analyzer 101···1st Block 102···Second Block 103···3rd Block 104···4th Block 105···5th Block 211 Input section 212 Input I / F 213... Measurement value acquisition unit 214... Sample dispensing mechanism control unit 215... Reagent dispensing mechanism control unit 216...Storage section 217...Sample transport mechanism control section 218, 218a, 218b... Reaction disk rotation control section 219... Mixing mechanism control section 220... Cleaning mechanism control unit 221...Analysis item concentration calculation section 222... Output section 223 Output I / F 224... Internal bus

Claims

1. a reaction disk that stores a plurality of reaction vessels that can contain dispensed samples and reagents, the reaction vessels being spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals in a circumferential manner; a sample dispensing mechanism for dispensing a predetermined amount of sample into the reaction vessel; a reagent dispensing mechanism for dispensing a predetermined amount of a reagent into the reaction vessel; a measurement unit that measures a reaction solution during and / or after a reaction of a mixture of a sample and a reagent in a reaction vessel; a cleaning mechanism that is disposed in an area of ​​the reaction disk corresponding to two adjacent reaction containers and cleans the reaction containers after measurement; a controller that drives and controls the reaction disk so that the reaction vessels move A number of reaction vessels in the circumferential direction in one cycle, and controls the cleaning mechanism to clean the two adjacent reaction vessels, where N is the number of reaction vessels stored on the reaction disk, the reaction disk moves C (C>1) rotations ±1 number of reaction vessels after B (B>2) cycles, and the number of reaction vessels moved in one cycle is A (N>A>N / B+1), where N and A are prime to each other, B and C are prime to each other, and a relationship of A×B=N×C±1 is satisfied; The automatic analyzer is characterized in that, when the reaction disk is divided into B divisions, adjacent reaction vessel sets in each divided block exist at intervals of B (B>2) cycles in the rotation direction of the reaction vessels, and in each divided block, the reaction vessel after B cycles is located at a position C (C>1) rotations +1 or -1 of the reaction vessel in the first cycle along the rotation direction of the reaction disk, and the cleaning mechanism is disposed at a location where, in any of the blocks, the reaction vessel after B cycles is located at a position C (C>1) rotations +1 or -1 of the reaction vessel in any cycle along the rotation direction of the reaction disk.

2. 2. The automated analyzer according to claim 1, a stirring mechanism for stirring the sample and the reagent dispensed into the reaction vessel; In each of the divided blocks, at least the reagent dispensing mechanism and the stirring mechanism are arranged in different blocks.

3. 2. The automated analyzer according to claim 1, a stirring mechanism for stirring the sample and the reagent dispensed into the reaction vessel; The automatic analyzer is characterized in that the stirring mechanism is disposed at a position where the reaction disk moves the reaction vessels circumferentially a distance of A in one cycle, based on a sample dispensing position on the reaction disk by the sample dispensing mechanism.

4. 2. The automated analyzer according to claim 1, The controller: An automatic analysis apparatus characterized by driving and controlling the reaction disk so that, based on a reaction vessel corresponding to a sample dispensing position on the reaction disk by the sample dispensing mechanism, the position of the reaction vessel on the reaction disk moves one by one clockwise or counterclockwise along the movement direction of the reaction disk each time the reaction disk moves circumferentially for B cycles.

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