Automatic analysis device and reagent management method

Abstract

The present invention reliably prevents the performance of analysis using problematic reagents. This automatic analysis device comprises: a reagent placement unit in which is placed a reagent container that accommodates a reagent; a processor that processes reagent information related to the reagent; a memory that stores the reagent information; and a display device that displays the reagent information. The processor causes the display device to display a GUI screen that is configured to allow setting of whether the reagent placed in the reagent placement unit or a reagent not placed in the reagent placement unit can be used; and the processor retains, in the memory, information input from the GUI screen and relating to whether the reagents can be used.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an automatic analyzer and a reagent management method.

Background Art

[0002] In inspection facilities that analyze samples using reagents in an automatic analyzer, as one of the measures to ensure analysis accuracy, information such as the storage method of the reagents used for measurement, the opening date and time, the disposal date and time, the lot, and the inventory count is managed, and it is required to use reagents that are properly managed.

[0003] As a technology for supporting the proper management and operation of reagents, Patent Document 1 discloses that "a storage device in an automatic analyzer is provided with an on-board reagent information table for holding reagent information currently mounted on the device, and a reagent ledger table for holding all reagent information that the device has recognized at least once in the past. By making it possible to display the information in the reagent ledger table in a tabular form on a screen attached to the automatic analyzer, it is possible to know not only the reagents currently mounted on the device but also the information of reagents that have been removed from the device and stored in another storage for all reagents that the device has recognized at least once." (See the summary of Patent Document 1).

[0004] Inspection technicians using an automatic analyzer may confirm the test results and reaction process for the reagents mounted and in use in the automatic analyzer, and may determine that there is an abnormality even when the automatic analyzer cannot automatically determine an abnormality. Thus, as a technology for designating a reagent to disable its use in an automatic analyzer, Patent Document 2 discloses that "the control unit causes a screen showing information on the reagent 207 used in the analysis of the sample 202 to be displayed on the display unit, takes an input of a mask instruction for the reagent 207 operated based on the display screen as an input, designates the reagent 207 as a mask based on the input mask instruction for the reagent 207, and the reagent 207 designated as a mask is not used in the analysis of the sample 202." (See the summary of Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-256051 Patent Document 2 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-251909 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0006] However, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, it is not possible to set that the reagent removed from the automatic analyzer is unusable. For this reason, for example, even when it is found that the reagent removed from the automatic analyzer has a problem due to an inappropriate storage method or the like, it is possible for a third party who is unaware of this to place the reagent on the automatic analyzer and use it for analysis.

[0007] Also, in the automatic analyzers of Patent Documents 1 and 2, it is not possible to determine that a reagent that has never been registered in the automatic analyzer is unusable. For this reason, for example, when it is reported that there is a problem with a lot of reagents delivered from a reagent manufacturer, or when a problem with a reagent is found before using it in an automatic analyzer, it is possible to place the reagent on the automatic analyzer and use it for analysis. Analyzing a sample using a problematic reagent may reduce the analysis accuracy.

[0008] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a technique for reliably preventing analysis from being performed using a problematic reagent. MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0009] To solve the above problems, the automatic analysis device of the present disclosure includes a reagent installation unit where a reagent container for storing reagents is installed, a processor that processes reagent information regarding the reagents, a memory that stores the reagent information, and a display device that displays the reagent information. The processor causes the display device to display a GUI screen configured to be able to set the usability of both the reagents installed in the reagent installation unit and the reagents not installed in the reagent installation unit, and holds information regarding the usability of the reagents input from the GUI screen in the memory.

[0010] Further features related to the present disclosure will become apparent from the description in this specification and the accompanying drawings. Also, aspects of the present disclosure are achieved and realized by elements and combinations of various elements and the aspects of the following detailed description and the appended claims. The description in this specification is merely a typical example and does not limit the claims or application examples of the present disclosure in any sense.

Effects of the Invention

[0011] According to the technology of the present disclosure, it is possible to surely prevent performing an analysis using a problematic reagent. Other problems, configurations, and effects than those described above will be clarified by the description of the following embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1A

Figure 1B

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail based on the drawings. In the following embodiments, it goes without saying that the components thereof (including processing steps, etc.) are not necessarily essential except in cases where they are particularly specified and cases where they are considered clearly essential in principle.

[0014] [First Embodiment] <Configuration Example of Automatic Analyzer> FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of an automatic analyzer 100. The automatic analyzer 100 includes a sample conveyance unit 101, analysis units 102 and 103, and a control device 104. The sample conveyance unit 101, analysis units 102 and 103 are connected to the control device 104 via a network 105 and are controlled in operation by the control device 104. The control device 104 can be connected to a system outside the automatic analyzer 100 via a network 106.

[0015] The sample conveyance unit 101 holds a plurality of sample containers and conveys the sample containers to the analysis units 102 and 103 using an actuator (not shown). The analysis unit 102 is configured to perform, for example, colorimetric analysis of a reaction solution of a sample and a reagent. The analysis unit 103 is configured to perform, for example, immunoassay of a reaction solution of a sample and a reagent. Thus, the automatic analyzer 100 can include a plurality of analysis units with different measurement targets.

[0016] The analysis unit 102 includes a reagent installation mechanism 107. The analysis unit 103 includes a reagent installation mechanism 108. The reagent installation mechanisms 107 and 108 are configured to be able to store a plurality of reagent containers used for analysis. The analysis unit 102 includes a dispensing device that sucks a reagent from a reagent container installed in the reagent installation mechanism 107 and discharges it into the reaction cell, and a dispensing device that sucks a sample from the sample container and discharges it into the reaction cell. Similarly, the analysis unit 103 includes a dispensing device that sucks a reagent from a reagent container installed in the reagent installation mechanism 108 and discharges it into the reaction cell, and a dispensing device that sucks a sample from the sample container and discharges it into the reaction cell.

[0017] In this embodiment, the automatic analyzer 100 including one sample transport unit 101 and two analysis units 102 and 103 is shown as an example, but the number of sample transport units and the number of analysis units are not limited and may be one or more.

[0018] FIG. 1B is a hardware configuration diagram of the control device 104. The control device 104 includes a processor 110, a memory 111, a storage device 112, an input device 113, an output device 114, and a communication interface 115. Each component of the hardware of the control device 104 is interconnected via a bus 116.

[0019] The processor 110 executes processes, functions, and / or methods realized by codes or instructions included in programs stored in the storage device 112. The processor 110 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a microprocessor, a processor core, a multiprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc., and realizes predetermined processing by a logic circuit or a dedicated circuit formed in an integrated circuit (IC chip, LSI), etc.

[0020] Memory 111 temporarily stores the program loaded from storage device 112 and provides a working area for processor 110. Memory 111 also temporarily stores various data generated while processor 110 is executing the program. Memory 111 includes, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc.

[0021] Storage device 112 stores the program. Storage device 112 includes, for example, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), flash memory, etc.

[0022] Input device 113 receives input of various operations from the user and transmits information related to the input to processor 110. Input device 113 includes, for example, hardware keys such as a touch panel, touch display, keyboard, pointing devices such as a mouse, camera (operation input via an image), microphone (operation input by voice), etc.

[0023] Output device 114 outputs the processing result processed by control device 104 (processor 110). Output device 114 includes, for example, a touch panel, touch display, monitor, projection mapping, hologram, speaker (voice output), printer, etc. Input device 113 and output device 114 may be integrally configured.

[0024] Communication interface 115 executes communication with other information processing devices via network 106. The communication may be executed either wired or wirelessly, and any communication protocol may be used as long as mutual communication can be executed. Communication interface 115 transmits various data to other information processing devices according to instructions from processor 110. Also, communication interface 115 receives various data transmitted from other information processing devices and transmits them to processor 110.

[0025] When the user inputs an instruction to start the analysis operation using the input device 113, the processor 110 operates each part of the automatic analyzer 100 and analyzes the sample by the analysis unit 102 or 103 according to the test item. When the processor 110 receives the analysis result from the analysis unit 102 or 103, it stores the result in the storage device 112 and constructs a display screen for the analysis result to be displayed on the output device 114.

[0026] Figure 2A is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the reagent container 201. The reagent container 201 has a shape in which three containers are connected in a row. A liquid reagent necessary for measuring the test item is stored in the reagent container 201. A barcode 204 is attached or printed on the side surface of the reagent container 201. Information unique to the reagent container (reagent information), such as, for example, the identification number of the reagent, lot, attribute (test item), type, initial remaining amount, and expiration date, is recorded on the barcode 204.

[0027] Figure 2B is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the reagent installation mechanism 107. The reagent installation mechanism 107 includes a reagent disk 202 and a barcode reader 203. Although the reagent installation mechanism 107 is typically shown in Figure 2B, the reagent installation mechanism 108 has a similar configuration.

[0028] The reagent disk 202 is substantially circular in top view and is configured to be rotatable around the central axis. A plurality of reagent containers 201 can be placed along the circumferential direction on the reagent disk 202.

[0029] The barcode reader 203 is configured to be able to read the reagent information recorded on the barcode 204 attached to the reagent container 201. When the user mounts the reagent container 201 on the reagent disk 202 and instructs the execution of reagent registration using the input device 113 of the control device 104, the processor 110 of the control device 104 rotates the reagent disk 202 and moves the reagent container 201 to a position where the barcode 204 can be read by the barcode reader 203. The barcode reader 203 reads the reagent information from the barcode 204 and transmits it to the control device 104 via the network 105. The control device 104 that has received the reagent information stores the reagent information in the memory 111 or the storage device 112 by the processor 110. The storage device 112 stores a management table for managing the reagent information, and the reagent information is registered in the management table. The reagent information registered in the management table is not deleted even when the reagent container 201 is removed from the reagent disk 202. The processor 110 can temporarily read the management table stored in the storage device 112 into the memory 111. Further, the processor 110 refers to the information regarding the availability of the reagent stored in the memory 111 or the storage device 112 and determines the availability of the reagent. Details of the determination process for the availability of the reagent will be described later.

[0030] As a means for recognizing the reagent information, instead of the method using the barcode 204 and the barcode reader 203, RFID and an RFID reader may be used. As a method for reading the reagent information, a method may be adopted in which the barcodes 204 of the respective reagent containers 201 are sequentially read by the rotation of the reagent disk 202 in a state where all the necessary reagent containers 201 are placed on the reagent disk 202, or a method may be adopted in which the barcode 204 of the reagent container 201 is read each time one reagent container 201 is placed on the reagent disk 202.

[0031] <Setting of Availability of Reagent> The control device 104 according to this embodiment is configured to read reagent information registered in the management table of the storage device 112 in the past into the memory 111 and display it in a list on the output device 114, so that a specific reagent designated by the user via the display screen can be set as unusable. When an access instruction from the user to the management screen (the setting screen for the usability of reagents) of the reagent information is input, the processor 110 constructs the management screen of the reagents using the data registered in the management table and displays it on the output device 114.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a management screen 300 (GUI screen) of reagent information for setting the usability of a specific reagent. The management screen 300 includes a search form 301, a search button 302, a search result list 303, and a non-usable button 304.

[0033] The search form 301 is an area for specifying conditions for searching reagent information. The boxes 3011 to 3018 are selection boxes or input boxes for the search conditions of the reagent information. The selection box 3011 can select the attributes of the reagent according to the characteristics of the analysis unit, such as electrolyte, immunity, and colorimetry, as the attributes of the reagent. The input box 3012 can specify the lot number of the reagent. The input box 3013 can specify the name of the analysis item measured by the reagent. The input box 3014 can specify the code of the analysis item measured by the reagent. The input box 3015 can specify the range of the expiration date of the reagent. The input box 3016 can specify the range of the registration date when the reagent was first registered in the automatic analyzer 100. The selection box 3017 can specify either or both of the installation status of the reagent in the analysis unit, installed ("yes") or removed ("no"). The selection box 3018 can specify either or both of the usability information of the reagent, usable or unusable.

[0034] Note that the search conditions shown in FIG. 3 are merely examples, and for conditions other than the exemplified ones, any conditions that can limit reagent information can be added as appropriate. Also, each condition can be not specified or not input, and search conditions with no specification or no input can be excluded from the search conditions for reagent information. In FIG. 3, the box for search conditions with no specification or no input is displayed as "Any".

[0035] When the search button 302 is pressed, the processor 110 extracts reagent information that matches the conditions specified in the search form 301 from the management table in the storage device 112, and displays the extracted result in the search result list 303.

[0036] The search result list 303 is an area that lists reagent information of reagents that match the conditions specified in the search form 301 in a table format. Each row in the search result list 303 contains reagent information of one reagent. In the first column of each row, a checkbox for the user to select a reagent is displayed. The second to twelfth columns correspond to each data item of the reagent information registered in the management table of the storage device 112.

[0037] The unusable button 304 can set the reagent selected by the checkbox in the search result list 303 as unusable. When the unusable button 304 is pressed, information for identifying the selected reagent is input to the processor 110, and the processor 110 updates the usability information of the selected reagent in the management table from "usable" to "unusable". In this way, the automatic analyzer 100 of the present embodiment can set not only the currently installed reagents but also reagents that are not currently installed as unusable.

[0038] When the reagent set to be unusable as described above is outside the automatic analyzer 100 and the reagent is placed on the reagent disk 202 of the analysis unit 102 or 103 and reagent information is re-registered by reading the barcode 204, the control device 104 treats the reagent as unusable and controls it so that it cannot be used in the analysis. Specifically, for example, the processor 110 controls the operation of the dispensing device so as not to aspirate the reagent from the reagent container 201 of the unusable reagent mounted on the reagent disk 202. Additionally or alternatively, when the unusable reagent is placed on the reagent disk 202, the processor 110 may generate a warning display or alarm indicating that the reagent cannot be used and output it from the output device 114. In this case, the output device 114 may output text prompting the user to remove the unusable reagent.

[0039] <Setting of Conditions for Reagents to be Made Unusable> In the management screen 300 of FIG. 3, it was explained that the usability of a reagent (a reagent that has been placed on the reagent disk 202) once registered in the management table of the storage device 112 can be set. The control device 104 of the present embodiment is further configured to be able to set conditions for reagents that have not been registered to be unusable in order to set the usability of such reagents. When an access instruction from the user to the management screen (setting screen) for the conditions of reagents to be made unusable is input, the processor 110 constructs a management screen for the conditions of reagents to be made unusable and displays it on the output device 114.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a management screen 400 (GUI screen) for managing the conditions of reagents to be made unusable. The management screen 400 is a screen for adding, updating, deleting, and referring to the conditions for determining unusability for the read reagent information of the reagent container 201 installed on the reagent disk 202. The management screen 400 includes a condition input form 401, an add button 402, an update button 403, a list of unusable conditions 404, an export button 405, an import button 406, and a delete button 407.

[0041] The conditional input form 401 is an area for inputting the conditions of unusable reagents, and the boxes 4011 to 4016 are selection boxes or input boxes for specifying the conditions to be unusable. Note that the inputtable conditions shown in FIG. 4 are merely examples, and for conditions other than the exemplified conditions, they can be appropriately added as long as they are conditions that can limit the reagent information. Also, each condition can be not specified or not input. For conditions with no specification or input, they can be excluded from the comparison target with the reagent information registered by barcode reading in the determination of whether a reagent can be used, which will be described later. However, one or more conditions shall be specified.

[0042] The selection box 4011 can specify the attributes of the reagent according to the characteristics of the analysis section where the reagent is used, such as electrolyte analysis, immunoassay, colorimetric analysis, etc. The selection box 4012 can specify the types of reagents such as for assay, for dilution, and detergent. The input box 4013 can specify the lot of the reagent. The input box 4014 can specify the range of the expiration date of the reagent. The input box 4015 can specify the range of the registration date when the reagent was first registered. The input box 4016 can specify the lower limit value of the liquid volume or the number of tests of the reagent.

[0043] When the add button 402 is pressed, the processor 110 adds the conditions input in the conditional input form 401 as new data to the unusable condition list 404.

[0044] The unusable condition list 404 is an area for displaying a list of unusable conditions registered from the conditional input form 401. Each row of the unusable condition list 404 contains one unusable condition. In the first column of each row, a check box for the user to select the condition is displayed. The second to ninth columns correspond to each data item of the unusable conditions registered in the unusable condition table of the storage device 112.

[0045] The update button 403 can overwrite the conditions selected by the check boxes in the unusable condition list 404 with the conditions set in the condition input form 401 (update the unusable condition table). When the update button 403 is pressed, information identifying the selected conditions and information regarding the conditions set in the condition input form 401 are input to the processor 110, and the processor 110 updates the selected conditions.

[0046] When the delete button 407 is pressed, the processor 110 deletes the conditions selected by the check boxes in the unusable condition list 404 from the unusable condition table.

[0047] When the export button 405 is pressed, the processor 110 stores the unusable conditions in the unusable condition list 404 in the storage device 112 as, for example, an unusable condition table in table format. The output format of the unusable conditions is not limited to the table format. Also, the unusable conditions may be stored in a storage medium other than the storage device 112 (for example, a storage device provided in a server device external to the automatic analyzer 100).

[0048] When the import button 406 is pressed, the processor 110 reads the unusable conditions from a storage medium such as the storage device 112 in the format output by the export button 405, temporarily stores them in the memory 111, and can display them in the unusable condition list 404. Note that the method of importing the unusable conditions is not limited to the method of pressing the import button 406. For example, when an external device or system manages the unusable conditions and distributes them to the automatic analyzer, the communication interface 115 of the control device 104 may receive the unusable conditions from the outside via the network 106, and the processor 110 may construct the unusable condition list 404 on the management screen 400.

[0049] <Method for determining availability of reagent> FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method for determining whether a reagent placed on the reagent disk 202 can be used. The processor 110 of the control device 104 executes the processing shown in FIG. 5 according to a program.

[0050] (Step S501) When the user mounts the reagent container 201 on the reagent disk 202 and instructs the control device 104 to perform reagent registration using the input device 113 of the control device 104, the processor 110 of the control device 104 rotates the reagent disk 202 and moves the reagent container 201 to a position where the barcode 204 can be read by the barcode reader 203. The barcode reader 203 reads reagent information (including at least information regarding the attributes, type, lot, expiration date, first registration date, and remaining amount of the reagent) from the barcode 204 and transmits it to the control device 104 via the network 105. When the processor 110 of the control device 104 acquires the reagent information of the reagent to be determined, it executes the following processing to determine whether the reagent can be used.

[0051] (Step S502) The processor 110 substitutes "usable" as the initial value of the determination result variable, which is the output information for determining usability in this flowchart, and stores it in the memory 111.

[0052] (Step S503) The processor 110 reads out the unusable condition list 404 and stores it in the memory 111, and repeats the following steps S5041 to S5046 for the number of rows registered in the unusable condition list 404 (that is, for all the registered unusable conditions).

[0053] (Step S5041) The processor 110 compares the attribute information of the reagent information to be determined with the attribute information of the reagent registered in the unusable condition. If there is no attribute specification in the unusable condition or if the attribute information matches the specified condition, the process proceeds to step S5042. If the attribute information does not match the specified condition, the next data in the unusable condition list is compared with the reagent information to be determined.

[0054] (Step S5042) The processor 110 compares the type information of the reagent information to be determined with the type information of the reagents registered in the unusable conditions. If there is no type specification in the unusable conditions, or if the type information matches the specified conditions, the process proceeds to step S5043. If the type information does not match the specified conditions, the comparison between the next data in the unusable condition list and the reagent information to be determined is performed from step S5041.

[0055] (Step S5043) The processor 110 compares the lot information of the reagent information to be determined with the lot information of the reagents registered in the unusable conditions. If there is no lot specification in the unusable conditions, or if the lot information matches the specified conditions, the process proceeds to step S5044. If the lot information does not match the specified conditions, the comparison between the next data in the unusable condition list and the reagent information to be determined is performed from step S5041.

[0056] (Step S5044) The processor 110 compares the expiration date information of the reagent information to be determined with the start / end information of the expiration dates of the reagents registered in the unusable conditions. If there is no specification of start / end conditions in the unusable conditions, or if the expiration date is within the range specified in the unusable conditions, the process proceeds to step S5045. If the expiration date is outside the range of the specified unusable conditions, the comparison between the next data in the unusable condition list and the reagent information to be determined is performed from step S5041.

[0057] (Step S5045) The processor 110 compares the first registration date of the reagent information to be determined with the start and end information of the first registration date of the reagent registered under the unusable conditions. If there is no specification of start and end conditions under the unusable conditions, or if the first registration date is within the specified time limit, the process proceeds to step S5045. If the first registration date is outside the specified condition range, the comparison between the next data in the unusable condition list and the reagent information to be determined is performed starting from step S5041. Note that for the first registration date, if the reagent information of the reagent already exists in the management table, the first registration date registered in the management table is used for the comparison. On the other hand, if the reagent information of the reagent does not exist in the management table (in the case of a newly registered reagent), the comparison result in step S5045 is determined as having no specified conditions.

[0058] (Step S5046) The processor 110 compares the remaining amount of the reagent information to be determined with the remaining amount of the reagent registered under the unusable conditions. If there is no specification of the remaining amount under the unusable conditions, or if the remaining amount is less than the specified remaining amount, the process proceeds to step S505 and ends the repeated step S503. If the remaining amount is equal to or greater than the specified remaining amount, the comparison between the next data in the unusable condition list and the reagent information to be determined is performed starting from step S5041.

[0059] For all the unusable conditions included in the unusable condition list, the comparisons in steps S5041 to S5046 are executed. If the reagent information of the reagents mounted on the reagent disk 202 does not match all the conditions, since the reagent is usable, the processor 110 can proceed to the analysis operation.

[0060] (Step S505) The processor 110 substitutes "unusable" into the determination result variable stored in the memory 111 and outputs the determination result to the output device 114.

[0061] <Summary of the First Embodiment> As described above, the automatic analyzer of the present embodiment includes a reagent disk 202 (reagent installation unit) on which a reagent container 201 for storing a reagent is installed, and a processor 110 that processes reagent information regarding the reagent. The processor 110 is configured to be able to set both the reagent installed on the reagent disk 202 and the reagent not installed on the reagent disk 202 as unusable. In this way, it is possible to set the reagent removed from the automatic analyzer as unusable without reloading it, so that it is not used for the analysis of the sample. As a result, for a reagent stored after being removed from the automatic analyzer, a reagent determined by a certain user to be unusable for analysis due to reasons such as deficiencies in the management method can be registered as unusable. And even if a third party who is unaware that it is unusable reinstalls the reagent on the automatic analyzer and starts the analysis, the reagent set as unusable will not be used. As a result, it is possible to prevent loss of the sample caused by analyzing using a problematic reagent beforehand.

[0062] Further, the automatic analyzer of the present embodiment can register in advance the conditions for making a reagent unusable in the automatic analyzer, and prevent a reagent that meets the unusable conditions from being used for analysis. Regarding the unusable conditions of the reagent, it is possible to set as unusable not only the conditions of a reagent that has been used in the automatic analyzer, but also the conditions of a reagent that has never been installed on the automatic analyzer. As a result, for example, when a defect is found in a lot of reagents delivered from a reagent manufacturer, the lot of the reagent can be registered as an unusable condition, and losses caused by using the reagent of the lot for which the problem has been found in the apparatus can be prevented beforehand.

[0063] [Modification Example] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and includes various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail for easy understanding of the present disclosure, and it is not necessary to necessarily include all the configurations described. Also, a part of one embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment. Also, the configuration of another embodiment can be added to the configuration of one embodiment. Also, for a part of the configuration of each embodiment, a part of the configuration of another embodiment can be added, deleted, or replaced.

Explanation of Signs

[0064] 100…Automatic analyzer 101…Sample transport unit 102, 103…Analysis unit 104…Control device 105, 106…Network 107, 108…Reagent installation mechanism 201…Reagent container 202…Reagent disk 203…Barcode reader 300…Management screen for reagent information 400…Management screen for unusable conditions

Claims

1. A reagent installation section where a reagent container for storing a reagent is installed, a processor for processing reagent information regarding the reagent, a memory for storing the reagent information, and a display device for displaying the reagent information, and the processor regardless of the presence or absence of the remaining amount of the reagent, a GUI screen configured to be able to set the usability of a reagent that matches the input search condition and is installed in the reagent installation section or not installed in the reagent installation section is displayed on the display device, and information regarding the usability of the reagent input from the GUI screen is held in the memory, An automatic analyzer characterized by controlling an analysis operation so as not to use a reagent set as unusable.

2. The processor acquires reagent information regarding the reagent in the reagent container installed in the reagent installation section, compares the acquired reagent information with the information regarding the usability of the reagent held in the memory, and determines whether an analysis operation using the reagent can be performed. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1.

3. The processor displays a list of the reagent information regarding the reagent in the reagent container that has been installed in the reagent installation section, including the reagent container removed from the reagent installation section, on the GUI screen. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1.

4. The GUI screen is configured to be able to set the usability for each of the reagent containers that have been installed in the reagent installation section and are displayed in the list. The automatic analyzer according to claim 3.

5. The GUI screen is configured to be able to set conditions for a reagent to be unusable, and the processor holds the conditions in the memory. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1.

6. The GUI screen is configured to be able to set conditions for a reagent that has not been installed in the reagent installation section as unusable. The automatic analyzer according to claim 5.

7. The processor determines the usability of the reagent in the reagent container installed in the reagent installation section based on the conditions, and prohibits the use of the reagent during an analysis operation when the reagent meets the conditions. The automatic analyzer according to claim 5.

8. The processor is configured to be able to export the conditions held in the memory to a storage device. The automatic analyzer according to claim 5.

9. The processor is configured to import the conditions stored in a storage device external to the automatic analyzer and be able to hold them in the memory, and the automatic analyzer according to claim 5. **Claim 10** A reagent management method executed by a processor of an automatic analyzer, comprising: by the processor, causing a display device of the automatic analyzer to display a GUI screen configured to be able to set whether it is possible to use any reagent that matches the input search conditions, regardless of the remaining amount of the reagent, including reagents installed in a reagent installation section and reagents not installed in the reagent installation section; causing the memory to hold information regarding whether it is possible to use the reagent input from the GUI screen; and controlling an analysis operation so as not to use a reagent set as unusable.

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