Automatic analysis device

Abstract

The present invention includes: a reagent vessel holding part that holds a reagent vessel for accommodating a reagent; a reagent vessel information detection unit that detects information relating to the reagent vessel; a display unit that displays a screen including an operation region where operations from a user are received; and a control unit that causes the display unit to display the screen. The control unit has: a vessel presence / absence determination unit that determines whether the reagent vessel is present in the reagent vessel holding unit on the basis of the information detected by the reagent vessel information detection unit; a first operation region output unit that outputs, to the screen, a first operation region which is operated when the user has confirmed removal of the reagent vessel; a second operation region output unit that outputs, to the screen, a second operation region which is operated when shutdown is performed; and a warning output unit that outputs, to the screen, a warning prompting removal of the reagent vessel when the vessel presence / absence determination unit has determined that the reagent vessel is present. The foregoing makes it possible to provide an automated analysis device which prevents shutdown from starting while a reagent has been left behind.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer. [Background technology]

[0002] Automated analyzers that analyze biological samples such as blood and urine perform analysis by adding and mixing a reagent that reacts with a target component to the sample. Furthermore, in the automated analyzer, when the scheduled analysis is completed, a shutdown process is performed at a predetermined timing, for example, by a user operation. For example, Patent Document 1 describes that if it is determined that a sample container is installed in the analyzer, the shutdown process is stopped and a warning message is displayed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-72744 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The technology described in Patent Document 1 determines the presence or absence of a sample container, but does not determine the presence or absence of a reagent container. To maintain optimal conditions, reagents must be used and stored at a constant temperature. Therefore, if an automated analyzer is shut down while a reagent container is left behind, the reagent may evaporate or deteriorate. Furthermore, since the shutdown process begins regardless of whether a container is present, if a container is present, the shutdown process will be canceled, potentially requiring the user to redo the shutdown process. In particular, for inexperienced users, frequent shutdown process cancellations and warning messages can be a burden. Furthermore, since a user has no opportunity to notice that a container has been left behind until the shutdown process is canceled and a warning message is issued, if the user leaves the analyzer immediately after the shutdown process begins, the shutdown process may be left incomplete.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer that prevents shutdown from being initiated while a reagent is left behind. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the automatic analyzer of the present invention comprises a reagent container holding unit that holds a reagent container containing a reagent, a reagent container information detection unit that detects information about the reagent container, a display unit that displays a screen including an operation area that accepts operations from a user, and a control unit that displays the screen on the display unit, and the control unit has a container presence / absence determination unit that determines whether the reagent container is present in the reagent container holding unit based on the information detected by the reagent container information detection unit, a first operation area output unit that outputs to the screen a first operation area that is operated when the user confirms the removal of the reagent container, a second operation area output unit that outputs to the screen a second operation area that is operated when shutting down, and a warning output unit that outputs to the screen a warning urging the user to remove the reagent container when the container presence / absence determination unit determines that the reagent container is present. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an automatic analyzer that prevents shutdown from being initiated while a reagent is left behind. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a top view showing a schematic configuration of an automatic analyzer. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a control device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a reagent container. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing the process up to the start of shutdown of the automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5A] An example of the GUI when transitioning to the shutdown screen. [Figure 5B] An example of a GUI when the eject confirmation button is deactivated and the shutdown execution button is activated. [Figure 5C] 10 is an example of a GUI when the eject confirmation button and shutdown execution button are disabled. [Figure 5D] An example of a GUI displaying a warning message urging users to remove reagent containers. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing the process up to the start of shutdown of the automatic analyzer according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] 1 is a top view showing a schematic configuration of an automatic analyzer 1. The automatic analyzer 1 includes a reagent sample disk 3 (a common reagent / sample holder), a reaction disk 11 (an incubator), dispensing mechanisms (a first dispensing mechanism 9a and a second dispensing mechanism 9b), a spectrophotometer 10, an IC reader 12 (a reagent container information detector), a barcode reader 6, and a control device 2.

[0011] The reagent sample disk 3 is configured to hold reagent containers 4 for storing reagents and sample containers 5 for storing biological samples (samples) such as blood or urine, and is rotated by a drive mechanism (not shown). A reagent container holder 8 for holding multiple reagent containers 4 is provided on the inner diameter side of the reagent sample disk 3, and a transport unit 7 for transporting a sample rack (not shown) for mounting the sample containers 5 independently of the reagent container holder 8 is provided on the outer diameter side of the reagent sample disk 3.

[0012] The reaction disk 11 has a plurality of reaction vessels 13 mounted thereon in a circumferential arrangement, and is rotated by a driving mechanism (not shown).

[0013] The first dispensing mechanism 9a dispenses, for example, reagents and samples for biochemical testing, and the second dispensing mechanism 9b dispenses, for example, reagents and samples for immunoassays. Each dispensing mechanism is provided between the reagent / sample disk 3 and the reaction disk 11, and is capable of rotation and vertical movement. When dispensing a reagent, each dispensing mechanism aspirates the reagent from a reagent container 4 located at a reagent suction position on the reagent / sample disk 3 and dispenses the aspirated reagent into a reaction container 13 located at a dispensing position on the reaction disk 11. When dispensing a sample, each dispensing mechanism aspirates the sample from a sample container 5 located at a sample suction position on the reagent / sample disk 3 and dispenses the aspirated sample into a reaction container 13 located at a dispensing position on the reaction disk 11.

[0014] The spectrophotometer 10 is arranged around the reaction disk 11 and performs measurements for biochemical testing. The spectrophotometer 10 is equipped with a light source and a detector (not shown), and measures the absorbance of the reaction solution by irradiating the reaction solution containing a mixture of a reagent and a sample with the light source and detecting the transmitted light obtained by dispersing the light. Note that the automatic analyzer 1 also includes a detector (not shown) as a detection mechanism for immunoassays, which uses a photomultiplier tube to detect the amount of light emitted resulting from the luminescence reaction of a labeling substance contained in the reaction solution that has been reacted for a predetermined time on the reaction disk 11.

[0015] The IC reader 12 is provided on the inner periphery of the reagent container holder 8 and reads the IC tag 14, which is an identifier attached to the reagent container 4. The presence or absence of the reagent container 4 can be determined depending on whether the IC tag can be read. If the identifier attached to the reagent container 4 is an RFID tag or a two-dimensional barcode other than an IC tag, a device capable of reading the identifier is used as the reagent container information detector. The reagent container information detector may also detect information about the reagent container 4 other than the identifier, as long as it can detect whether or not the reagent container 4 is present in the reagent container holder 8. For example, the reagent container information detector may be a switch that is turned on when the reagent container 4 is present and turned off when the reagent container 4 is not present, or a sensor that determines the presence or absence of the reagent container 4 based on whether or not the emitted light is blocked.

[0016] The barcode reader 6 is arranged around the reagent sample disc 3 and reads barcodes attached to the sample containers 5 and the sample racks.

[0017] Next, a detailed description will be given of the control device 2. Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the control device. The control device 2 includes a display unit 21, an input unit 22, and a control unit 23.

[0018] The display unit 21 is, for example, a display, and displays a screen including the status of the automatic analyzer 1, analysis items and analysis results, an operation area for accepting user operations, and warning messages in the event of an error. The input unit 22 is, for example, a keyboard or a mouse, and is used when the user inputs setting items or selects a predetermined display operation area. The display unit 21 and input unit 22 may be integrated into one unit, such as a touch panel. The control unit 23 is connected to the aforementioned mechanisms that make up the automatic analyzer 1, controls the operation of the mechanisms, and displays screens on the display unit 21. Specifically, the control unit 23 includes an I / F 24, a memory 25, a processor 26, and a storage unit 27.

[0019] The I / F 24 is an interface that communicates with the display unit 21 and the input unit 22. The memory 25 stores various programs, which are conceptually divided by function, for example, into an operation control unit 30, an analysis unit 31, a container presence / absence determination unit 32, a first operation area output unit 33, a second operation area output unit 34, and a warning output unit 35. The processor 26 executes the various programs stored in the memory 25, and is configured, for example, by a CPU or MPU. The storage unit 27 stores operation sequences, analysis results, etc., and is configured by a storage device such as an HDD.

[0020] Here, each function of the program stored in the memory 25 will be described. The operation control unit 30 controls the operation of each mechanism, such as the rotation of the reagent sample disk 3 and the reaction disk 11, and the dispensing operation of the dispensing mechanism. The analysis unit 31 calculates the component concentration of the sample, for example, based on the absorbance measured by the spectrophotometer 10. The container presence / absence determination unit 32 determines whether or not a reagent container 4 is present in the reagent container holder 8 based on information detected by the reagent container information detection unit (IC reader 12). The first operation area output unit 33 outputs to the screen a first operation area (e.g., removal confirmation button 15 in FIG. 5A, etc.) that is operated when the user confirms the removal of the reagent container 4. The second operation area output unit 34 outputs to the screen a second operation area (e.g., shutdown execution button 16 in FIG. 5A, etc.) that is operated when performing shutdown. When the container presence determining unit 32 determines that the reagent container 4 is present, the warning output unit 35 outputs a warning (for example, warning message 17 in FIG. 5D) to the screen to prompt the user to remove the reagent container 4.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a reagent container. The reagent container 4 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and its top surface has multiple openings 4a protruding upward to allow each dispensing mechanism to access the reagent. An IC tag 14 is attached to one of its short sides. The reagent container 4 is placed in the reagent container holder 8 so that the side with the IC tag 14 faces the IC reader 12 on the inner diameter side. The IC tag 14 records reagent information about the reagent contained in the reagent container 4. The reagent information includes, for example, the type of reagent, lot number, individual identification number, remaining amount of reagent, number of tests, start date and time of use of the reagent container, and expiration date of the reagent. As mentioned above, the identifier attached to the reagent container 4 may be an RFID tag, a two-dimensional barcode, or the like.

[0022] Example 1 Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the process up to the start of shutdown of the automatic analyzer according to Example 1. In Fig. 4, steps S41, S42, and S44 are processes by the user, and steps S43 and S45-S48 are processes by the automatic analyzer 1 (controller 23).

[0023] When the analysis is completed and a predetermined operation is performed by the user, such as tapping a shutdown selection button (not shown) in the home menu, the control unit 23 transitions the screen output on the display unit 21 to a shutdown screen. FIG. 5A is an example of a GUI when transitioning to the shutdown screen. In the GUI shown in FIG. 5A, the removal confirmation button 15 is activated so that it can be operated by the user. On the other hand, the shutdown execution button 16 is deactivated so that it cannot be operated by the user. Instead of being deactivated, the shutdown execution button 16 may be hidden.

[0024] Next, the user follows the screen of Fig. 5A and, if any reagent containers 4 remain in the reagent container holder 8, removes the reagent containers 4 from the reagent container holder 8 (step S41). Once removal is complete, the user operates the removal confirmation button 15 of Fig. 5A (step S42).

[0025] When the removal confirmation button 15 is operated, the first operation area output unit 33 deactivates the removal confirmation button 15, and the second operation area output unit 34 activates the shutdown execution button 16 (step S43). Fig. 5B is an example of the GUI when the removal confirmation button is deactivated and the shutdown execution button is activated.

[0026] When the shutdown execution button 16 is activated, the user operates the shutdown execution button 16 (step S44). When the shutdown execution button 16 is operated, the shutdown execution button 16 is deactivated again (step S45), and the container presence / absence determination unit 32 determines whether or not the reagent container 4 is present based on whether or not the IC reader 12 has successfully read the IC tag 14 (step S46). FIG. 5C is an example of the GUI when the removal confirmation button and the shutdown execution button are deactivated. When the IC reader 12 cannot read the IC tag 14 and the container presence / absence determination unit 32 determines that the reagent container 4 is absent, the control unit 23 starts shutting down the automatic analyzer 1 (step S47).

[0027] In step S46, if the IC reader 12 successfully reads the IC tag 14 and the container presence determination unit 32 determines that the reagent container 4 is present, the warning output unit 35 outputs a warning message 17 on the screen to prompt the user to remove the reagent container 4 (step S48). Fig. 5D shows an example of a GUI in which a warning message prompting the user to remove the reagent container is displayed.

[0028] According to this embodiment, the automatic analyzer 1 can be prevented from shutting down while the reagent container 4 containing the reagent remains, thereby suppressing evaporation and deterioration of the reagent. Furthermore, the shutdown execution button 16 remains inactive unless the removal confirmation button 15 is operated, giving the user an opportunity to realize that the reagent container 4 has been left behind before the shutdown process begins. As a result, even for inexperienced users, it is possible to prevent frequent situations in which the shutdown process is interrupted midway and the warning message 17 is displayed.

[0029] <Example 2> Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the process up to the start of shutdown of the automatic analyzer according to Example 2. In Fig. 6, steps S61, S62, and S46 are processes by the user, and steps S63-S65, S67, and S68 are processes by the automatic analyzer 1 (controller 23).

[0030] In this embodiment as well, when the analysis is completed and the user performs a predetermined operation, the control unit 23 outputs the shutdown screen shown in Fig. 5A to the display unit. Thereafter, the user follows the screen in Fig. 5A and, if any reagent containers 4 remain in the reagent container holder 8, removes the reagent containers 4 from the reagent container holder 8 (step S61). When removal is complete, the user operates the removal confirmation button 15 in Fig. 5A (step S62). Up to this point, the process is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0031] Next, when the removal confirmation button 15 is operated, the first operation area output unit 33 deactivates the removal confirmation button 15, and the container presence / absence determination unit 32 determines whether or not the reagent container 4 is present (step S63). If the container presence / absence determination unit 32 determines that the reagent container 4 is present, the warning output unit 35 outputs a warning message 17 to the screen, as shown in Fig. 5D, urging the user to remove the reagent container 4 (step S64).

[0032] If the container presence / absence determining unit 32 determines in step S63 that the reagent container 4 is absent, the second operation area output unit 34 activates the shutdown execution button 16 (step S65), as shown in Fig. 5B. The user then operates the shutdown execution button 16 (step S66). When the shutdown execution button 16 is operated, the shutdown execution button 16 is again deactivated (step S67), as shown in Fig. 5C, and the control unit 23 starts shutting down the automatic analyzer 1 (step S68).

[0033] According to this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent the automatic analyzer 1 from shutting down while the reagent containers 4 containing the reagent remain, thereby suppressing evaporation and deterioration of the reagent. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the shutdown execution button 16 is activated only after the container presence / absence determination unit 32 confirms that there are no remaining reagent containers 4. This prevents the occurrence of a situation in which the shutdown is canceled after the user who operated the shutdown execution button 16 leaves the apparatus, leaving the state unchanged.

[0034] Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above examples and includes various modifications. For example, in the automated analyzer of each example, the removal confirmation button 15 and the shutdown execution button 16 are displayed as separate buttons, but they may be displayed as a common button, such as by switching to the shutdown execution button 16 when the removal confirmation button 15 is operated. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1: automatic analyzer, 2: control device, 3: reagent sample disk, 4: reagent container, 4a: opening, 5: sample container, 6: barcode reader, 7: transport unit, 8: reagent container holder, 9a: first dispensing mechanism, 9b: second dispensing mechanism, 10: spectrophotometer, 11: reaction disk, 12: IC reader, 13: reaction container, 14: IC tag, 15: removal confirmation button, 16: shutdown execution button, 17: warning message, 21: display unit, 22: input unit, 23: control unit, 24: I / F, 25: memory, 26: processor, 27: storage unit, 30: operation control unit, 31: analysis unit, 32: container presence / absence determination unit, 33: first operation area output unit, 34: second operation area output unit, 35: warning output unit

Claims

1. a reagent container holder that holds a reagent container containing a reagent; a reagent container information detection unit that detects information about the reagent container; a display unit that displays a screen including an operation area for receiving operations from a user; a control unit that causes the display unit to display the screen, The control unit a container presence / absence determination unit that determines whether the reagent container is present in the reagent container holder based on the information detected by the reagent container information detection unit; a first operation area output unit that outputs, to the screen, a first operation area to be operated when the user confirms removal of the reagent container; a second operation area output unit that outputs a second operation area to be operated when shutting down the device to the screen; and a warning output unit that outputs a warning to the screen to prompt the user to remove the reagent container when the container presence determining unit determines that the reagent container is present.

2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, When the first operation area is operated, the second operation area is activated.

3. The automatic analyzer according to claim 2, When the activated second operation area is operated, a determination is made by the container presence / absence determining unit.

4. The automatic analyzer according to claim 3, The automatic analyzer is configured such that the shutdown is initiated when the container presence determining unit determines that the reagent container is absent.

5. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, When the first operation area is operated, the second operation area remains inactive and the container presence / absence determining unit performs a determination.

6. The automatic analyzer according to claim 5, When the container presence determining unit determines that the reagent container is not present, the second operation area is activated.

7. The automatic analyzer according to claim 6, When the activated second operation area is operated, the shutdown is initiated.

8. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, The reagent container information detection unit is a reader that reads identifiers attached to the reagent containers.

9. a reagent container holder that holds a reagent container containing a reagent; a display unit that displays a screen including an operation area for receiving operations from a user; a control unit that causes the display unit to display the screen, The control unit a first operation area output unit that outputs, to the screen, a first operation area to be operated when the user confirms removal of the reagent container; a second operation area output unit that outputs a second operation area to be operated when shutting down the device to the screen; The automated analyzer, wherein the second operation area is activated after the first operation area is operated.

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