Container storage device and automatic analysis system

Abstract

Provided is a container storage device and an automatic analysis system that make it possible to carry out maintenance of not only no-power-required units but also power-required units. This container storage device stores a container, and includes: a plurality of mechanisms having predetermined functions; and a control unit that controls each of the mechanisms. The container storage device is characterized in that: the mechanisms include power-required units that require electrical power supply for maintenance, and no-power-required units that do not require electrical power supply for maintenance; the control unit cuts off communication to a power-required unit and a no-power-required unit and, stops power supply thereto; and when the power-required unit is to be maintained, the control unit resumes the power supply to the power-required unit while cutting off the communication.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a container storage device and an automatic analysis system. [Background technology]

[0002] An automated analysis system includes an automated analyzer that analyzes specific components contained in samples such as blood or urine, various pretreatment devices that perform various pretreatments on the samples, and a transport device that transports sample containers containing samples to the automated analyzer. To reduce downtime in an automated analysis system, it is desirable that one of the multiple devices, such as the transport device, be able to operate even while another device is undergoing maintenance. It is also desirable that each device's other mechanisms be able to operate while a specific mechanism is undergoing maintenance.

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses that in a sample processing device having multiple mechanisms with the same function, the supply of power to a specific mechanism can be stopped while the supply of power to other mechanisms is continued, thereby allowing maintenance to be performed on the specific mechanism while the other mechanisms are operating. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6453078 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration the possibility of performing maintenance on specific units in a mechanism to which power supply has been stopped while they are still operating. The mechanism includes power-requiring units that can be maintained while power is supplied and operating, and power-unnecessary units that can be maintained without operating. Maintenance on power-requiring units cannot be performed while power supply to the specific mechanism is stopped.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a container storage device and an automatic analysis system that are capable of performing maintenance on not only power-unnecessary units but also power-requiring units. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a container storage device for storing containers, which comprises a plurality of mechanisms having predetermined functions and a control unit for controlling each mechanism, wherein the mechanisms have a power-requiring unit that requires a power supply for maintenance and a power-unnecessary unit that does not require a power supply for maintenance, and the control unit cuts off communication with the power-requiring unit and the power-unnecessary unit and stops the power supply, and when the power-requiring unit is undergoing maintenance, resumes the power supply to the power-requiring unit while keeping the communication cut off.

[0008] The present invention also provides an automatic analysis system, wherein the container storage device is located between an automatic analyzer that analyzes samples and a transport device that transports the samples. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a container storage device and an automatic analysis system that are capable of performing maintenance on not only power-unnecessary units but also power-requiring units. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an automatic analysis system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a quality control sample storage device. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which the quality control sample storage device is connected to another device. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example in which the quality control sample storage device is connected to another device. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a container storage device and an automatic analysis system will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Example]

[0012] An example of the configuration of an automatic analysis system according to Example 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The automatic analysis system illustrated in Fig. 1 includes an automatic analysis device 3, a loading / recovery device 2, a quality control sample storage device 1, a transport device 4, and a system control device 5.

[0013] The automatic analyzer 3 is a device that automatically analyzes specific components contained in samples such as blood and urine provided by patients. The loading / collection device 2 is a device into which sample containers containing samples are loaded and collected. The quality control sample storage device 1 is a device that stores sample containers containing quality control samples. Quality control samples are samples used to manage the analytical accuracy of the automatic analyzer 3. The transport device 4 is a device that transports sample containers to the automatic analyzer 3, the loading / collection device 2, and the quality control sample storage device 1.

[0014] The system control device 5 is a device that controls the automatic analyzer 3, the loading / collection device 2, and the quality control sample storage device 1, and is configured, for example, by a computer. Input / output devices such as a keyboard, mouse, monitor, and touch panel may be connected to the system control device 5. The input / output devices input the operating conditions of the automatic analysis system and display the operating status.

[0015] The automated analysis system may also be equipped with a pretreatment device that performs pretreatment such as centrifuging blood, opening and closing specimen containers, dispensing specimens into smaller portions, and attaching labels to specimen containers. The loading and recovery device 2, quality control specimen storage device 1, automated analyzer 3, and pretreatment device each include multiple mechanisms with predetermined functions and a control unit that controls each mechanism. While the present embodiment describes the quality control specimen storage device 1 as a container storage device, the present invention can also be applied as a container storage device to the loading and recovery device 2, automated analyzer 3, and pretreatment device that temporarily store containers containing specimens, reagents, and other liquids.

[0016] An example configuration of the quality control specimen storage device 1 will be described using Figure 2. The quality control specimen storage device 1 comprises a storage mechanism 13 and a transport mechanism 14. The storage mechanism 13 is a mechanism that has the function of storing specimen containers 15 that contain quality control specimens, and is equipped with a refrigerator that keeps multiple specimen containers 15 at a predetermined temperature. The transport mechanism 14 is a mechanism that has the function of transporting specimen containers 15, and is equipped with a main line that transports specimen containers 15 in a first direction and a return line that transports specimen containers 15 in a direction opposite to the first direction. The quality control specimen storage device 1 is connected to other devices via the transport mechanism 14.

[0017] 3 shows an example of a configuration in which a quality control specimen storage device 1 is connected between a transport device 4 and a loading / recovery device 2. The specimen containers 15 are transported by a main line from the transport device 4 to the loading / recovery device 2 via the quality control specimen storage device 1, and are transported by a return line from the loading / recovery device 2 to the transport device 4 via the quality control specimen storage device 1.

[0018] 4 shows an example of a configuration in which the quality control specimen storage device 1 is connected only to the input / output device 2. A specimen container 15 inserted by an operator through the emergency specimen insertion port 16 is transported from the quality control specimen storage device 1 to the input / output device 2 by the main line, and then transported from the input / output device 2 to the quality control specimen storage device 1 by the return line.

[0019] 5, the detailed configuration of the container storage device of Example 1 will be described using the quality control specimen storage device 1 as an example. The quality control specimen storage device 1 includes a storage mechanism 13 and a transport mechanism 14, as well as a control unit 10, a power supply 11, and power supply switching units 12a-d. The storage mechanism 13 includes a refrigerated disk drive unit 20 and a refrigerator shutter unit 21, and the transport mechanism 14 includes a transfer line unit 22 and a main line unit 23. Each unit also includes control boards 30a-d, actuators 31a-d, and sensors 32a-d.

[0020] The control unit 10 is a device, such as an MPU (Micro Processor Unit), that controls the operation of each unit in accordance with a control signal transmitted from the system control device 5. The power supply 11 is a device, such as a converter that converts commercial voltage into DC voltage, that supplies power to each unit via power supply switching units 12a-d. The power supply switching units 12a-d are circuits that switch whether to continue or stop the power supply from the power supply 11 in accordance with the control signal transmitted from the control unit 10.

[0021] The cooling disk drive unit 20 is a unit that rotates an insulating disk placed in a refrigerator, on which a sample container is placed. The cooling disk is rotated by operating an actuator 31a in response to a control signal from a control board 30a and by having a sensor 32a detect the position of the insulating disk. Maintenance of the insulating disk drive unit 20 includes adjusting the position in the rotational direction, so a power supply is required to rotate the insulating disk. In other words, the insulating disk drive unit 20 is a power-requiring unit that requires a power supply for maintenance.

[0022] The refrigerator shutter unit 21 is a unit that drives the shutter that opens and closes the opening of the refrigerator. The shutter is opened and closed by operating the actuator 31b using a control signal from the control board 30b and by having the sensor 32b detect the shutter. Maintenance of the refrigerator shutter unit 21 only requires part replacement and cleaning, so no power supply is required. In other words, the refrigerator shutter unit 21 is a power-free unit that does not require power supply for maintenance.

[0023] The transfer line unit 22 is a unit that transfers sample containers between lines along which the sample containers are transported, and is a power-requiring unit since its maintenance includes horizontal position adjustment and requires a power supply.

[0024] The main line unit 23 is a unit that transports sample containers in a first direction, and is a power-free unit since its maintenance only requires parts replacement and cleaning and does not require a power supply.

[0025] An example of the flow of maintenance processing executed on the quality control sample storage device 1 will be described step by step with reference to FIG.

[0026] (S601) The control unit 10 determines whether or not a maintenance start signal has been received. S601 is repeated until the maintenance start signal is received, and once the signal is received, the process proceeds to S602. The maintenance start signal is transmitted to the control unit 10 from the system control device 5 that has accepted a maintenance start operation by the operator.

[0027] (S602) The control unit 10 sends a communication cutoff signal to the control boards 30a and 30b, causing the storage mechanism 13 to stop normal operation.

[0028] (S603) Control unit 10 sends a power stop signal to power supply switching units 12a and 12b to stop the power supply from power source 11 to storage mechanism 13. By cutting off communication between control unit 10 and storage mechanism 13 in S602 and cutting off the power supply to storage mechanism 13 in S603, storage mechanism 13 enters a state where maintenance is possible, and maintenance is performed on refrigerator shutter unit 21, which is a unit that does not require power. Note that refrigerated disk drive unit 20, which is a unit that requires power, enters a state where maintenance is possible after power supply is resumed. Furthermore, since communication between control unit 10 and transport mechanism 14 is not cut off and the power supply to transport mechanism 14 is not cut off, transport mechanism 14 continues to operate normally.

[0029] (S604) The control unit 10 determines whether or not a maintenance completion signal for the power-free unit has been received. S604 is repeated until the maintenance completion signal is received, and once the signal is received, the process proceeds to S605. The maintenance completion signal is transmitted to the control unit 10 from the system control device 5 that has received a maintenance completion operation from the operator.

[0030] (S605) The control unit sends a power supply signal to the power supply switching units 12a and 12b to resume power supply from the power source 11 to the storage mechanism 13. By resuming the power supply to the storage mechanism 13 in S605, the refrigerated disk drive unit 20, which is a power-requiring unit, becomes ready for maintenance. Note that a program that performs operations specialized for maintenance of the power-requiring unit is executed on the control boards 30a-d. The program may be stored on a portable recording medium such as an SD card, and executed when the portable recording medium is inserted into the control boards 30a-d.

[0031] (S606) The control unit 10 determines whether or not a maintenance completion signal for the power-requiring unit has been received. S606 is repeated until the maintenance completion signal is received, and once the signal is received, the process proceeds to S607. The maintenance completion signal is transmitted to the control unit 10 from the system control device 5 that has accepted the maintenance completion operation by the operator.

[0032] (S607) The control unit 10 transmits a communication restart signal to the control boards 30a and 30b, causing the storage mechanism 13 to resume normal operation.

[0033] 6, it becomes possible to perform maintenance on not only the power-dissipating units but also the power-requiring units of the storage mechanism 13. Furthermore, since the transport mechanism 14 can be operated normally during maintenance of the storage mechanism 13, downtime of the automatic analysis system can be reduced. [Example]

[0034] In the first embodiment, a maintenance program for the power-requiring units stored in a portable recording medium is executed by the control boards 30a to 30d. In the second embodiment, an external PC storing the maintenance program for the power-requiring units is connected to each of the control boards 30a to 30d, and the maintenance program is executed.

[0035] A detailed configuration of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Since Fig. 7 is obtained by adding an external PC 40 to Fig. 5, only the external PC 40 will be described. The external PC 40 is, for example, a notebook computer, and stores a program for performing specialized operations during maintenance of a power-requiring unit. The external PC 40 is used by being connected to a control board 30a of a unit to be maintained, for example, a refrigerated disk drive unit 20.

[0036] The flow of the maintenance process in the second embodiment is similar to that in the first embodiment. That is, with communication between the control unit 10 and the storage mechanism 13 cut off and power supply to the storage mechanism 13 stopped, maintenance is performed on the refrigerator shutter unit 21, which is a power-free unit. The transport mechanism 14 remains in normal operation. Then, after power supply to the storage mechanism 13 is resumed, maintenance is performed on the refrigerated disk drive unit 20, which is a power-requiring unit, by executing a maintenance program stored in the external PC 40 connected to the control board 30a. When maintenance of the power-free unit and the power-requiring unit is completed, communication between the control unit 10 and the storage mechanism 13 is resumed, and the storage mechanism 13 returns to normal operation.

[0037] According to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to perform maintenance not only on the power-requiring units but also on the power-requiring units, and other mechanisms can be operated normally during maintenance, thereby reducing the downtime of the automatic analysis system. [Example]

[0038] In the second embodiment, an external PC 40 storing a maintenance program for a power-requiring unit is connected to each of the control boards 30a to 30d. In the third embodiment, a description is given of connecting the external PC 40 and the control boards 30a to 30d via a switching hub.

[0039] A detailed configuration of Example 3 will be described using Figure 8. Note that Figure 8 is obtained by adding a switching hub 41 to Figure 7, so the switching hub 41 will be described. The switching hub 41 is a circuit that switches the destination of a control signal, and is disposed between the system control device 5 and the control unit 10, and is connected to all of the control boards 30a to 30d. Furthermore, for example, when performing maintenance on the quality control sample storage device 1, an external PC 40 that stores a maintenance program is connected to the switching hub 41. Then, the switching hub 41 switches so that the destination of the control signal is the control board 30a of the unit to be maintained, for example, the refrigerated disk drive unit 20.

[0040] The flow of the maintenance process in the third embodiment is also similar to that in the first embodiment. That is, with communication between the control unit 10 and the storage mechanism 13 cut off and power supply to the storage mechanism 13 stopped, maintenance is performed on the refrigerator shutter unit 21, which is a power-free unit. The transport mechanism 14 remains in normal operation. Then, after power supply to the storage mechanism 13 is resumed, maintenance is performed on the power-requiring unit, refrigerated disk drive unit 20, by executing a maintenance program stored in an external PC 40 connected to the control board 30a via a switching hub 41. When maintenance of the power-free unit and the power-requiring unit is completed, communication between the control unit 10 and the storage mechanism 13 is resumed, and the storage mechanism 13 returns to normal operation.

[0041] According to the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to perform maintenance on not only power-dissipating units but also power-requiring units, and other mechanisms can operate normally during maintenance, thereby reducing downtime of the automatic analysis system. Furthermore, by using the switching hub 41, it is not necessary to reconnect the external PC 40 every time the unit to be maintained changes, thereby reducing the operator's workload.

[0042] The above describes the embodiments of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and the components may be modified within the scope of the gist of the invention. Furthermore, multiple components disclosed in the above embodiments may be appropriately combined. Furthermore, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the above embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1: Quality control sample storage device, 2: Input / output device, 3: Automatic analyzer, 4: Transport device, 5: System control device, 10: Control unit, 11: Power supply, 12a-d: Power supply switching unit, 13: Storage mechanism, 14: Transport mechanism, 15: Sample container, 16: Emergency sample input port, 20: Refrigerated disk drive unit, 21: Refrigerated storage shutter unit, 22: Transfer line unit, 23: Main line unit, 23: Main line unit, 30a-d: Control board, 31a-d: Actuator, 32a-d: Sensor, 40: Maintenance PC, 41: Switching hub.

Claims

1. A container storage device that stores containers and includes a plurality of mechanisms having predetermined functions and a control unit that controls each mechanism, the mechanism has a power-requiring unit that requires a power supply for maintenance and a power-unnecessary unit that does not require a power supply for maintenance, The control unit cuts off communication between the power-requiring unit and the power-non-requiring unit and stops the power supply by sending a communication cut-off signal to a first control board provided in the power-requiring unit and a second control board provided in the power-non-requiring unit, and when the power-requiring unit is maintained by running a maintenance program on the first control board, the control unit resumes the power supply to the power-requiring unit while keeping the communication cut off.

2. The container storage device according to claim 1, A container storage device, characterized in that the power-requiring unit is maintained after the power-unnecessary unit is maintained.

3. The container storage device according to claim 1, The container storage device is characterized in that the maintenance program is a program that performs operations specialized for maintenance of the power-requiring unit.

4. The container storage device according to claim 3, The container storage device is characterized in that the maintenance program is stored in a computer connected to the power-requiring unit.

5. The container storage device according to claim 4, The container storage device is characterized in that the computer is connected to the power-requiring unit via a switching hub that switches the destination of the control signal.

6. The container storage device according to claim 1, A container storage device comprising: a storage mechanism having a function of storing sample containers containing quality control samples; and a transport mechanism having a function of transporting the sample containers.

7. The container storage device according to claim 6, The container storage device is characterized in that the storage mechanism has the power-requiring unit and the power-unnecessary unit, and is maintained while the transport mechanism is operating.

8. 10. An automatic analysis system, wherein the container storage device according to claim 1 is located between an automatic analysis device that analyzes samples and a transport device that transports the samples.

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