Automatic analyzer and method for managing reagents in the automatic analyzer

Abstract

The present invention comprises: a sipper syringe 10 and a liquid feeding valve 40 for dispensing a consumable reagent filled in a comparison electrode liquid bottle 5 or an alkaline detergent bottle 39; a liquid surface detection unit 38 for detecting a liquid surface of the consumable reagent in the comparison electrode liquid bottle 5 or the alkaline detergent bottle 39; and a control device 29 for calculating a remaining amount of the consumable reagent on the basis of an estimated dispensed amount of the sipper syringe 10 and the liquid feeding valve 40. The control device 29 corrects the estimated dispensed amount on the basis of a consumption amount of the consumable reagent up to a prescribed height detected by the liquid surface detection unit 38, and a history of the dispensing operation until the liquid surface reaches the prescribed height. Accordingly, there are provided: an automatic analysis device capable of managing the remaining amount of the consumable reagent with higher accuracy than in the prior art; and a method for managing a reagent with the automatic analysis device.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer and a reagent management method for the automatic analyzer. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an example of an electrolyte measurement device that can accurately measure the concentration of a sample solution without complicating the overall configuration of the device or increasing the amount of sample solution, and that includes a measurement unit that uses an electrode unit to measure the electromotive forces of a standard solution and a sample solution, a dilution tank that dilutes the sample solution with a dilution solution to produce a sample solution, a sample supplying means that supplies the sample solution to the dilution tank, a dilution solution supplying means that supplies the dilution solution to the dilution tank, a standard solution supplying means that supplies the standard solution to the dilution tank, a measurement solution supplying means that supplies the standard solution and the sample solution from the dilution tank to the electrode unit, and a control unit that controls the standard solution and the sample solution to be alternately supplied from the dilution tank to the electrode unit, and controls the supply of a predetermined amount of dilution solution to the dilution tank and then discharged before the sample solution is produced. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-189405 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An electrolyte analyzer such as that described in Patent Document 1 mentioned above is a device that measures the concentration of specific electrolytes (sodium (Na), potassium (K), chlorine (Cl), etc.) contained in electrolyte solutions such as human blood and urine, and performs concentration measurements using ion selective electrodes.

[0005] The general method of measuring electrolyte concentration is to supply serum as an electrolyte solution directly or a sample solution diluted with a diluent to an ion selective electrode and measure the liquid junction potential with the reference electrode solution. Next, or prior to the above measurement, a standard solution is supplied to the ion selective electrode and the liquid junction potential with the reference electrode solution is similarly measured, and the electrolyte concentration of the sample solution is calculated from the two liquid junction potential levels. A flow type is mainly used.

[0006] In a flow-type electrolyte analyzer, measurements are performed using consumable liquid reagents such as a dilution solution, a standard solution, and a reference electrode solution.

[0007] The use of consumable reagents is not limited to electrolyte analyzers, but is also applicable to automated analyzers that react a biological sample such as blood with an analytical reagent that reacts specifically with a component to be measured in the sample, and detect the complex produced by this reaction by a spectroscopic method such as electrochemiluminescence.

[0008] Here, the amount of reagent consumed in each measurement varies depending on the installation environment of the device and individual differences in the liquid delivery pump. This causes a problem that the amount of reagent consumed varies from device to device when the same number of measurements are performed. This causes a difference between the amount of dispensed set in the software and the amount actually used, resulting in problems such as replacing the reagent container and discarding the reagent even when there is still reagent remaining. In order to prevent this, it is necessary to measure the amount of reagent consumed in each installation environment, which leads to an increase in service costs.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer that is capable of managing the remaining amount of consumable reagents with higher accuracy than ever before, and a reagent management method for the automatic analyzer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention includes a plurality of means for solving the above problems. One example of the present invention is an automatic analyzer that uses a liquid consumable reagent for measurement, comprising: a dispensing unit that dispenses the consumable reagent filled in a reagent container; and a liquid level detection unit that detects whether the liquid level of the consumable reagent in the reagent container has reached a predetermined position; a notification unit that outputs a notification to an operator of the automatic analyzer; and a control unit that calculates the remaining amount of the consumable reagent based on an estimated dispensing amount in the dispensing unit, and the control unit corrects the estimated dispensing amount based on a consumption amount of the consumable reagent up to a predetermined height detected by the liquid level detection unit and a dispensing operation history until the liquid level reaches the predetermined height. At the same time, the remaining amount of the reagent based on the corrected estimated dispensing amount is compared with the remaining amount of the reagent calculated by the liquid level detection unit, and an alarm is output via the notification unit when it is determined that the difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to manage the remaining amount of consumable reagents with higher accuracy than in the past. 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 diagram showing the overall configuration of an electrolyte analyzer which is an example of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an analysis tank in the electrolyte analyzer of the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overview of reagent remaining amount management in the electrolyte analyzer of the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overview of reagent remaining amount management in the electrolyte analyzer of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] An embodiment of the automatic analyzer and the reagent management method in the automatic analyzer of the present invention will be described below with reference to an electrolyte analyzer as an example, with reference to Figures 1 to 4. In the drawings used in this specification, identical or corresponding components are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals, and repeated description of these components may be omitted.

[0014] The automatic analyzer according to the present invention is not limited to the electrolyte analyzer shown in Fig. 1, but may be an analyzer that performs analysis of other analysis items, such as a biochemical analyzer that performs analysis of biochemical analysis items, or an immunological analyzer that performs analysis of immune analysis items. The electrolyte analyzer is also not limited to the form shown in Fig. 1, but may be one that is equipped with a separate analyzer that measures other analysis items, such as biochemical items.

[0015] Furthermore, the automated analyzer is not limited to a configuration having a single analysis module as shown in Figure 1, but can be configured to have two or more analysis modules capable of measuring various identical or different analysis items and pretreatment modules that perform pretreatment connected by a conveying device.

[0016] First, the overall configuration and the configuration of the main parts of the electrolyte analyzer will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the electrolyte analyzer of the present Example 1, and Figure 2 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of an analysis tank in the electrolyte analyzer.

[0017] The electrolyte analyzer 100 shown in FIG. 1 is an apparatus that uses liquid consumable reagents for measurement, and is equipped with a transport line 71, a gripper 55, dispensing lines 65, 66, a pre-analysis buffer 61, a post-analysis buffer 62, an analysis tank 50, a sample probe 14, a display device 80, a control device 29, etc.

[0018] The transport line 71 is installed at the end of the device and is a device that transports a transport container 90 carrying multiple sample containers 15 containing samples that have been inserted from a sample rack insertion section (not shown) to a transfer position using a gripper 55, and also removes the transport container 90 after measurement has been completed.

[0019] In this embodiment, an example in which a plurality of sample containers 15 are mounted on the transport container 90 is described, but it is sufficient if the transport container 90 is capable of mounting one or more sample containers 15. Another example of the transport container 90 is a sample holder capable of mounting one sample container 15.

[0020] The gripper 55 is a mechanism for transferring the transport container 90 from the transport line 71 to the dispensing lines 65 and 66 or from the dispensing lines 65 and 66 to the transport line 71 .

[0021] The dispensing lines 65, 66 are mechanisms for transporting the sample container 15 to be dispensed, among the transport containers 90, to a dispensing position by the sample probe 14, or for transporting the transport container 90 containing the sample container 15 after dispensing to the post-analysis buffer 62.

[0022] The pre-analysis buffer 61 and the post-analysis buffer 62 are spaces in which the sample containers 15 waiting to be dispensed into the analysis tank 50 and the sample containers 15 after the analysis operation are kept waiting until they are transported to another location.

[0023] The analysis tank 50 is an analysis section having an ISE electrode 1 for measuring the concentration of an electrolyte in a sample. The details will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The number of analysis tanks 50 provided in the electrolyte analyzer 100 is not limited to one, and may be two or more.

[0024] The analytical chamber 50 shown in FIG. 2 is of a flow type using an ion selective electrode.

[0025] Figure 2 shows five main mechanisms of the analysis tank 50: a sample dispensing section, an electrode section, a reagent section, a mechanism section, and a waste liquid mechanism, as well as a control device 29 that controls these mechanisms and also calculates and controls the display of electrolyte concentrations based on the measurement results.

[0026] The sample dispensing unit includes a sample probe 14. The sample probe 14 dispenses a sample, such as a patient sample, held in a sample container 15 and draws it into the analyzer. Here, a sample is a general term for an analysis target collected from a patient's living body, such as blood or urine. These analysis targets that have undergone a prescribed pretreatment are also called samples.

[0027] The electrode section includes a dilution tank 11, a sipper nozzle 13, a diluent nozzle 24, an internal standard nozzle 25, an ISE electrode 1, a reference electrode 2, a pinch valve 23, a voltmeter 27, and an amplifier 28. The sample dispensed in the sample dispensing section is discharged into the dilution tank 11, and is diluted and stirred with the diluent discharged from the diluent nozzle 24 into the dilution tank 11.

[0028] The sipper nozzle 13 is connected to the ISE electrode 1 by a flow path 42 , and the diluted sample solution sucked from the dilution tank 11 is delivered to the ISE electrode 1 by the flow path 42 .

[0029] Meanwhile, the reference electrode solution contained in the reference electrode solution bottle 5 is sent to the reference electrode 2 via the flow path 43 by operating the sipper syringe 10 with the pinch valve 23 closed. The diluted sample solution sent to the ISE electrode flow path and the reference electrode solution sent to the comparison electrode flow path come into contact with each other, thereby establishing electrical continuity between the ISE electrode 1 and the comparison electrode 2. The electrode unit measures the concentration of a specific electrolyte contained in the sample based on the potential difference between the ISE electrode 1 and the comparison electrode 2.

[0030] Specifically, an ion-sensitive membrane is attached to the ISE electrode 1, whose electromotive force changes depending on the concentration of specific ions (e.g., sodium ions (Na+), potassium ions (K+), chloride ions (Cl-), etc.) in the sample solution, and the ISE electrode 1 outputs an electromotive force according to the concentration of each ion in the sample solution, and a voltmeter 27 and an amplifier 28 acquire the electromotive force between the ISE electrode 1 and the reference electrode 2. The control device 29 calculates and displays the ion concentration in the sample from the acquired electromotive force for each ion. The sample solution remaining in the dilution tank 11 is discharged by a waste liquid mechanism.

[0031] The potential difference between the ISE electrode 1 and the reference electrode 2 has a characteristic that it is easily affected by temperature changes, etc. In order to correct for potential fluctuations caused by such temperature changes, etc., after one sample is measured and before the next sample is measured, the internal standard solution is discharged from the internal standard solution nozzle 25 into the dilution tank 11, and measurements are performed in the same manner as in the case of the above-mentioned sample. It is preferable to make corrections according to the amount of fluctuations using the results of the internal standard solution measurements performed between sample measurements. In this case, the internal standard solution is not diluted.

[0032] The reagent section includes a suction nozzle 6 that sucks reagent from a reagent container, a degassing mechanism 7, and a filter 16, and supplies the reagents necessary for measurement. When performing electrolyte measurements, three types of reagents are used: an internal standard solution, a diluent, and a reference electrode solution, and an internal standard solution bottle 3 that contains the internal standard solution, a diluent solution bottle 4 that contains the diluent, and a reference electrode solution bottle 5 that contains the reference electrode solution are set in the reagent section. Figure 2 shows this state. When cleaning the device, a cleaning solution bottle that contains cleaning solution is set in the reagent section.

[0033] The internal standard bottle 3 and the diluent bottle 4 are connected to an internal standard nozzle 25 and a diluent nozzle 24 through a flow path via a filter 16, respectively, and each nozzle is installed with its tip inserted into the dilution tank 11. The reference electrode solution bottle 5 is connected to the reference electrode 2 through a flow path via a filter 16.

[0034] A degassing mechanism 7 is connected to each of the flow paths between the dilution solution bottle 4 and the dilution tank 11, and between the reference electrode solution bottle 5 and the reference electrode 2, and degassed reagent is supplied to the dilution tank 11 and the reference electrode 2. This is because the flow paths are made negative pressure by a syringe and the reagent is sucked up from a suction pipe immersed in each bottle, causing gas dissolved in the reagent to appear as air bubbles in the reagent. A degassing mechanism is provided to prevent the reagent from being supplied to the dilution tank 11 or the reference electrode 2 with air bubbles still in it.

[0035] The mechanism section includes an internal standard syringe 8 that dispenses the internal standard solution filled in the internal standard bottle 3, a diluent syringe 9 that dispenses the diluent filled in the diluent bottle 4, a sipper syringe 10 that dispenses the reference electrode solution filled in the reference electrode solution bottle 5, solenoid valves 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 30, and a preheater 12, and is responsible for operations such as liquid transport within and between each mechanism.

[0036] For example, the internal standard solution and the diluent are sent to a dilution tank 11 by the operation of an internal standard solution syringe 8 and a diluent solution syringe 9, respectively, and a solenoid valve provided in the flow path. A preheater 12 controls the temperature of the internal standard solution and the diluent solution reaching the ISE electrode 1 within a certain range, thereby suppressing the effect of temperature on the ISE electrode 1.

[0037] The waste liquid mechanism includes a first waste liquid nozzle 26, a second waste liquid nozzle 36, a vacuum bottle 34, a waste liquid receiver 35, a vacuum pump 33, and solenoid valves 31 and 32, and discharges the sample solution remaining in the dilution tank 11 and the reaction liquid remaining in the flow path of the electrode section via flow path 44.

[0038] The washing tank 41 is a mechanism for specially washing the sample probe 14, and performs special washing by immersing the tip of the sample probe 14 in the alkaline detergent that is supplied and stored in the washing tank 41 by the liquid delivery valve 40. The liquid delivery valve 40 is a mechanism for sucking the alkaline detergent filled in the alkaline detergent bottle 39 through a suction pipe immersed in the bottle, and is composed of, for example, a solenoid pump with a constant discharge amount adjusted in advance.

[0039] The liquid level detection unit 38 is a mechanism for detecting the liquid level of the reference electrode solution (consumable reagent) in the reference electrode solution bottle 5 and the alkaline detergent (consumable reagent) in the alkaline detergent bottle 39, and is composed of, for example, an emitting unit for laser light that oscillates at a wavelength that does not pass through the consumable reagent but passes through the container, and a receiving unit for the laser light. When the laser light is received, it detects that the liquid level exists at the height where the receiving unit is installed. However, it is not necessary to be limited to a non-contact type laser, and other types such as a flow type liquid level sensor can be used.

[0040] In FIG. 2, the liquid level detection unit 38 is provided in the reference electrode solution bottle 5 and the alkaline detergent bottle 39, but not in the internal standard solution bottle 3 or the diluent bottle 4. However, it is sufficient to provide the liquid level detection unit 38 in at least one bottle, or it may be provided in all bottles.

[0041] Returning to FIG. 1, the display device 80 is a device that outputs notifications to the operator of the electrolyte analyzer 100, and is the part that displays various screens such as an operation screen for ordering the measurement items to be measured for the sample to be measured, a screen for confirming the measurement results, etc., and is composed of a liquid crystal display or the like.

[0042] It is not necessary for the display to be an LCD display; it may be replaced with a printer or the like, or it may be configured with a display and a printer or the like, or it may even be a touch panel type display for inputting various parameters and settings, measurement results, measurement request information, instructions to start and stop analysis, etc. based on the displayed operation screen.

[0043] The control device 29 is connected to the analysis tank 50 and other components via a wired or wireless network, and controls the operation of the electrolyte analyzer 100 including the analysis tank 50. The control device 29 also performs calculations using the potential of the ISE electrode 1 measured for the sample solution to calculate the electrolyte concentration in the sample. At this time, calibration based on the ISE electrode potential measured for the internal standard solution allows for more accurate measurement of the electrolyte concentration.

[0044] This control device 29 can be configured as a computer equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), a storage device, and an I / O port, and the RAM, storage device, and I / O port are configured to be able to exchange data with the CPU via an internal bus. The I / O port is connected to each of the mechanisms mentioned above and controls their operation. Operation control is performed by loading a program stored in the storage device into the RAM and executing it with the CPU. In addition, an input / output device is connected to the control device 29, allowing input from the user and displaying measurement results.

[0045] Next, a description will be given of the operation of measuring the electrolyte concentration by the electrolyte measuring device shown in Fig. 2. The measurement operation is controlled by control device 29.

[0046] First, the sample dispensed from the sample container 15 by the sample probe 14 of the sample dispenser is discharged into the dilution tank 11 of the electrode unit. After the sample is dispensed into the dilution tank 11, the dilution liquid is discharged from the dilution liquid bottle 4 by the operation of the dilution liquid syringe 9 from the dilution liquid nozzle 24 to dilute the sample. As described above, in order to prevent air bubbles from being generated due to temperature and pressure changes of the dilution liquid in the flow path, a degassing process is performed by the degassing mechanism 7 attached midway along the dilution liquid flow path. The diluted sample solution is sucked into the ISE electrode 1 by the operation of the sipper syringe 10 and the solenoid valve 22.

[0047] Meanwhile, the pinch valve 23 and the sipper syringe 10 send the reference electrode solution from the reference electrode solution bottle 5 into the reference electrode 2. The reference electrode solution is, for example, a potassium chloride (KCl) aqueous solution of a predetermined concentration. When the sample solution and the reference electrode solution come into contact with each other, the ISE electrode 1 and the reference electrode 2 are electrically connected.

[0048] It is desirable for the electrolyte concentration of the reference electrode solution to be high in order to suppress the effects of concentration fluctuations while the sample is being sent, but since crystallization may occur near the saturation concentration and cause clogging of the flow path, it is desirable for the concentration to be between 0.5 mmol / L and 3.0 mmol / L. The ISE electrode potential based on the reference electrode potential is measured using a voltmeter 27 and an amplifier 28.

[0049] Before and after the sample measurement, the internal standard solution in the internal standard solution bottle 3 set in the reagent section is discharged into the dilution tank 11 by the internal standard solution syringe 8, and the electrolyte concentration of the internal standard solution is measured in the same manner as in the sample measurement.

[0050] Next, the details of the remaining amount management of consumable reagents, which is a characteristic of the present invention, will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figures 3 and 4 are diagrams showing an overview of the remaining amount management of reagents.

[0051] As described above, the electrolyte analyzer 100 of this embodiment is provided with the liquid level detectors 38 for the reference electrode solution bottle 5 and the alkaline detergent bottle 39. The reference electrode solution is sent from the reference electrode solution bottle 5 to the reference electrode 2 by the sipper syringe 10, and at that time, segmented air is contained in the liquid sending flow path. This segmented air is significantly affected by the installation environment of the electrolyte analyzer 100. For example, differences in atmospheric pressure due to altitude cause differences in the volume of the segmented air. In addition, the air is also affected by temperature and humidity.

[0052] In addition, the sample probe 14 is washed using an alkaline detergent delivered by the delivery valve 40. The actual delivery amount of the delivery valve 40, which is made up of a solenoid pump, may deviate strictly from the set amount, and may vary from individual to individual.

[0053] In this embodiment, the control device 29 calculates the remaining amount of consumable reagents (comparison electrode solution, alkaline detergent) based on the estimated dispensed amount in the sipper syringe 10 and the liquid supply valve 40, and corrects the estimated dispensed amount based on the consumption amount of the consumable reagent up to a predetermined height detected by the liquid level detection unit 38 and the dispensing operation history up to the liquid level reaching the predetermined height. This processing by the control device 29 corresponds to an estimation process and a correction process.

[0054] Specifically, the prescribed value of the dispensing amount calculated in the software by the control device 29 is updated based on the consumption amount calculated in the software by the control device 29 until the liquid level reaches a predetermined level and the actual usage amount derived from the detected liquid level detected by the liquid level detection unit 38. This realizes highly accurate management of the remaining amount of consumables, regardless of the installation environment of the electrolyte analyzer 100 or individual differences in the liquid delivery valve 40.

[0055] Next, a specific example of the correction will be described.

[0056] First, the details of correcting the specified value on the software based on the difference between the consumption amount on the software and the actual usage amount will be described. In this case, the control device 29 corrects the estimated dispensing amount based on the ratio of the consumption amount calculated from the estimated dispensing amount to the consumption amount calculated from the detection result by the liquid level detection unit 38.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 3, when the actual usage amount becomes less than the usage amount managed by the software, the control device 29 outputs a constant remaining amount (≈outputs a consumption amount of 0) after the software count becomes equal to the remaining amount at the installation position of the liquid level detection unit 38 (1600 [mL] in Fig. 3) until the liquid level is detected by the liquid level detection unit 38. Thereafter, the control device 29 corrects the consumption amount of each operation when the remaining amount of the consumable falls below a specified value by the liquid level detection unit 38, and resumes updating the remaining amount on the device.

[0058] One method of correction is, for example, if the software consumption of the reference electrode solution is 1000 [mL] and the actual amount used is 900 [mL], to set the specified software consumption value for operations that consume reference electrode solution to 0.9 times (900 [mL] / 1000 [mL]).

[0059] After the correction, the soft count value after passing through the liquid level detection unit 38 will remain consistent with the actual remaining amount. The consumption amount for each operation will use the corrected value until the consumable is replaced and the liquid level in the replaced bottle is detected by the liquid level detection unit 38, and after the liquid level of the consumable reaches the liquid level detection unit 38, it is desirable to update the consumption amount for each operation again using the same method.

[0060] Therefore, the deviation between the soft count and the actual usage amount after replacing the consumables can be eliminated due to the influence of individual differences in the liquid delivery valve 40 and the installation environment, and the deviation gradually decreases. In addition, even if wear or the like occurs in the liquid delivery valve 40 or the sipper syringe 10, the influence of the wear or the like does not need to be taken into consideration.

[0061] 4, when the actual usage amount is greater than the remaining amount managed by the software, the control device 29 updates the count value on the software to the remaining amount at the detection position of the liquid level detection unit 38 when the liquid level is detected by the liquid level detection unit 38. The control device 29 also corrects the consumption amount of each operation and continues updating the remaining amount on the device.

[0062] The soft count value and the actual remaining amount after passing through the liquid level detection unit 38 will remain in agreement because the correction has been performed. The consumption amount for each operation will use the corrected value until the consumable is replaced and the liquid level is detected again by the liquid level detection unit 38.

[0063] Next, a case where the number of measurements is used as a parameter other than the consumption amount will be described. In this case, the control device 29 corrects the estimated dispensing amount based on the ratio of the number of measurements predicted from the estimated dispensing amount to the number of measurements taken until the liquid level detection unit 38 detects that the liquid level has reached a specified height.

[0064] More specifically, if the number of measurements until the liquid level reaches the liquid level detection unit 38 predicted from the consumption amount in the software is 900, and the number of measurements until the liquid level actually reaches the liquid level detection unit 38 is 1000, then the specified value of the consumption amount in the software for an operation that consumes that consumable reagent is set to 0.9 times (900 times / 1000 times).

[0065] In addition, when making corrections based on the consumption amount or the number of measurements, the type of operation can be incorporated into the correction, and the correction amount can be changed for liquid delivery operations that are easily affected by the installation environment, etc. In this case, the control device 29 corrects the estimated dispensing amount based on the difference between the consumption amount calculated from the estimated dispensing amount and the consumption amount calculated by the liquid level detection unit 38, and the number of operations of the sipper syringe 10 and the liquid delivery valve 40.

[0066] For example, when an analysis operation is performed, air is included in the flow path, and in this case, the amount of liquid sent varies depending on the air pressure of the installation environment. On the other hand, when an operation is performed to fill the flow path with the target liquid, air is not included in the flow path, and in this case, no air is included in the flow path and the amount of liquid sent remains almost unchanged.

[0067] Here, consider a case where the software-recorded consumption of a certain consumable reagent is 1000 [mL], the actual usage is 900 [mL], the number of operations of the liquid delivery means (sipper syringe 10, liquid delivery valve 40) is 3000 (of which only 1000 are operations that are significantly affected by the environment, etc.), and the consumption of the consumable reagent in operations that are not affected by the environment, etc. is 500 [mL].

[0068] In this case, the default value for operations that are greatly affected by the environment, etc. can be updated to the original default value minus (1000[mL]-900[mL]) / 1000=0.1[mL], or the default value for operations that are greatly affected by the environment, etc. can be updated to the original default value multiplied by (900[mL]-500[mL]) / (1000[mL]-500[mL])=0.8.

[0069] Furthermore, when the correction is performed by the above-mentioned method, the control device 29 can further calculate the remaining measurable number in the currently used bottle based on the corrected estimated dispensing amount. This allows an accurate remaining measurement number to be displayed, taking into account the influence of the installation environment of the device and individual differences in the liquid delivery means.

[0070] In addition to the remaining measurable number, the control device 29 can further calculate the planned replacement date and time of the consumable reagent based on the corrected estimated dispensing amount and the specification history of the consumable reagent. This allows for a highly accurate prediction of the replacement date and time of the consumable reagent to be displayed, taking into account the influence of the installation environment of the device and individual differences in the liquid delivery means.

[0071] Here, when only software management is performed as in the conventional method, even if each consumable reagent is added to the reference electrode solution bottle 5 or the alkaline detergent bottle 39, the software management value in the control device 29 cannot be changed, so the adding operation itself is meaningless.

[0072] On the other hand, if the difference between the amount used on the software and the actual volume is corrected as described above, when the volume is changed by adding or removing, the amount used on the software will be corrected based on "actual amount of operation + amount added" or "actual amount used - amount removed", which may lead to a large discrepancy with the actual amount used, which may cause problems in management. In this case, it may lead to the use of an inappropriate reagent for measurement, which may affect the analytical performance.

[0073] Therefore, the control device 29 compares the remaining amount of reagent based on the corrected estimated dispensing amount with the remaining amount of reagent calculated by the liquid level detection unit 38, and outputs an alarm via the display device 80 when it is determined that the difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. Also, instead of or in addition to outputting an alarm, measures such as masking the use of the target consumable reagent can be implemented. This makes it possible to prevent non-routine work such as topping up consumables and to detect abnormalities in the flow path.

[0074] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0075] The electrolyte analyzer 100 of the present embodiment described above is an apparatus that uses a liquid consumable reagent for measurement, and is equipped with a reference electrode solution bottle 5, a sipper syringe 10 that dispenses the consumable reagent filled in an alkaline detergent bottle 39, a liquid delivery valve 40, a liquid level detection unit 38 that detects the liquid levels of the consumable reagent in the reference electrode solution bottle 5 and the alkaline detergent bottle 39, and a control device 29 that calculates the remaining amount of the consumable reagent based on the estimated dispensed amount in the sipper syringe 10 and the liquid delivery valve 40, and the control device 29 corrects the estimated dispensed amount based on the amount of consumable reagent consumed up to a predetermined height detected by the liquid level detection unit 38 and the dispensing operation history up to the liquid level reaching the predetermined height.

[0076] In this way, by detecting that the specified liquid level, i.e., the remaining amount, has fallen below the specified value, the difference from the value managed on the software can be detected. This difference is caused by the influence of individual differences such as the installation environment of the device and deviation from the design value of the liquid delivery valve 40. Therefore, by correcting the specified value of the consumption amount on the software for each liquid delivery operation using this difference, the influence of individual differences and differences in the installation environment can be reflected, and appropriate management of the remaining amount of the reagent can be achieved regardless of the installation environment or individual differences in the pump. Therefore, the consumable reagent can be used up without waste, and the frequency of replacing the consumable reagent can be reduced. In addition, since the consumption amount can be automatically corrected, it can also contribute to reducing service costs.

[0077] In addition, the control device 29 corrects the estimated dispensing amount based on the ratio of the consumption amount calculated from the estimated dispensing amount to the consumption amount calculated from the detection results at the liquid level detection unit 38, thereby enabling management through simple control, and is expected to improve the accuracy of management of remaining amounts of consumables.

[0078] Furthermore, the control device 29 corrects the estimated dispensing volume based on the ratio between the number of measurements predicted from the estimated dispensing volume and the number of measurements taken until the liquid level detection unit 38 detects that the liquid level has reached a specified height. This allows the number of measurements that is most important to the customer to be used as the standard for operating the device, making it possible to manage the remaining amounts of consumables in line with operation.

[0079] Furthermore, the control device 29 corrects the estimated dispensing amount based on the difference between the consumption amount calculated from the estimated dispensing amount and the consumption amount calculated by the liquid level detection unit 38, and on the number of operations of the sipper syringe 10 and the liquid delivery valve 40. This makes it possible to correct the consumption amount only for operations that are likely to cause differences in consumption amount due to the installation environment, etc., thereby enabling more accurate consumption correction that is not dependent on the customer's operating method.

[0080] Furthermore, the control device 29 can further calculate the remaining measurable number based on the corrected estimated dispensing amount, thereby making it possible to inform the user of the timing for replacing the consumables, thereby further improving convenience.

[0081] In addition, the control device 29 can further calculate the scheduled date and time for replacing the consumable reagent based on the corrected estimated dispensing volume and the specification history of the consumable reagent, thereby enabling the user to be informed of the timing for replacing the consumable reagent, thereby further improving convenience.

[0082] Furthermore, the electrolyte analyzer 100 is further provided with a display device 80 that outputs a notification to an operator thereof, and the control device 29 compares the remaining amount of reagent based on the corrected estimated dispensing amount with the remaining amount of reagent calculated by the liquid level detection unit 38, and when it is determined that the difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, it outputs an alarm via the display device 80, thereby making it possible to detect abnormalities in the device and consumables, and thereby improving the reliability of the device.

[0083] <Other> The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible. The above-mentioned embodiment has been described in detail to explain the present invention in an easily understandable manner, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to having all of the described configurations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1...ISE electrode 2...Reference electrode 3…Internal standard solution bottle 4. Diluent bottle 5...Reference electrode solution bottle (reagent container) 6…Suction nozzle 7. Degassing mechanism 8…Internal standard solution syringe 9…Diluent syringe 10...Sipper syringe (dispensing part) 11...Dilution tank 12…Preheat 13…Sipper nozzle 14…Sample probe 15…Sample container 16…Filter 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 30, 31, 32...Solenoid valves 23...Pinch valve 24…Dilution nozzle 25…Internal standard solution nozzle 26…1st waste liquid nozzle 27…Voltmeter 28…Amplifier 29...Control device (control unit) 33…Vacuum pump 34…Vacuum bottle 35…Waste liquid receiver 36…Second waste liquid nozzle 38...Liquid level detector 39...Alkaline detergent bottle (reagent container) 40...Liquid delivery valve (dispensing section) 41...Cleaning tank 42, 43, 44...Flow path 50…Analysis tank 55...Gripper 61…Pre-analysis buffer 62…Post-analysis buffer 65,66…Dispensing line 71...Transportation line 80...Display device (notification section) 90...Transport container 100...Electrolyte analyzer

Claims

1. An automated analyzer that uses liquid consumable reagents for measurement, A dispensing unit that dispenses the consumable reagent filled in a reagent container; a liquid level detection unit that detects whether a liquid level of the consumable reagent in the reagent container has reached a predetermined position; a notification unit that outputs a notification to an operator of the automatic analyzer; a control unit that calculates a remaining amount of the consumable reagent based on an estimated dispensing amount in the dispensing unit, The control unit corrects the estimated dispensing amount based on the consumption amount of the consumable reagent up to the predetermined height detected by the liquid level detection unit and a dispensing operation history until the liquid level reaches the predetermined height, and compares the remaining amount of reagent based on the corrected estimated dispensing amount with the remaining amount of reagent calculated by the liquid level detection unit, and outputs an alarm via the notification unit when it is determined that the difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. An automatic analyzer characterized by:

2. 2. The automated analyzer according to claim 1, The control unit corrects the estimated dispensing amount based on a ratio of a consumption amount calculated from the estimated dispensing amount to a consumption amount calculated from a detection result by the liquid level detection unit. An automatic analyzer characterized by:

3. 2. The automated analyzer according to claim 1, The control unit corrects the estimated dispensing amount based on a ratio between the number of measurements predicted from the estimated dispensing amount and the number of measurements until the liquid level detection unit detects that the liquid level has reached a specified level. An automatic analyzer characterized by:

4. 2. The automated analyzer according to claim 1, The control unit corrects the estimated dispensing amount based on a difference between a consumption amount calculated from the estimated dispensing amount and a consumption amount calculated by the liquid level detection unit, and based on the number of operations of the dispensing unit. An automatic analyzer characterized by:

5. 2. The automated analyzer according to claim 1, The control unit further calculates a remaining measurable number based on the corrected estimated dispensing amount. An automatic analyzer characterized by:

6. 2. The automated analyzer according to claim 1, The control unit further calculates a scheduled replacement date and time of the consumable reagent based on the corrected estimated dispensing amount and a specification history of the consumable reagent. An automatic analyzer characterized by:

7. A method for managing reagents in an automated analyzer that uses liquid consumable reagents for measurement, comprising the steps of: an estimation step of calculating a remaining amount of the consumable reagent based on an estimated dispensing amount in a dispensing unit that dispenses the consumable reagent filled in a reagent container; a correction step of correcting the estimated dispensing amount based on a consumption amount of the consumable reagent up to a predetermined height detected by a liquid level detection unit that detects whether the liquid level of the consumable reagent in the reagent container has reached a predetermined position and a dispensing operation history until the liquid level reaches the predetermined height; a notification step of comparing the remaining amount of reagent based on the corrected estimated dispensing amount with the remaining amount of reagent calculated by the liquid level detection unit, and outputting an alarm via a notification unit that outputs a notification to an operator of the automatic analyzer when the difference is determined to be equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. A method for managing reagents in an automatic analyzer.

8. An automated analyzer that uses liquid consumable reagents for measurement, a dispensing unit that dispenses the consumable reagent filled in a reagent container to a destination via a flow path; a liquid level detection unit that detects a liquid level of the consumable reagent in the reagent container; a notification unit that outputs a notification to an operator of the automatic analyzer; a control unit that calculates a remaining amount of the consumable reagent based on an estimated dispensing amount in the dispensing unit, The control unit corrects the estimated dispensing amount based on the consumption amount of the consumable reagent up to the predetermined height detected by the liquid level detection unit and a dispensing operation history until the liquid level reaches the predetermined height, and compares the remaining amount of reagent based on the corrected estimated dispensing amount with the remaining amount of reagent calculated by the liquid level detection unit, and outputs an alarm via the notification unit when it is determined that the difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. An automatic analyzer characterized by:

Images