Automatic analysis device

Abstract

To provide an automatic analyzer capable of acquiring sufficient reaction process data regardless of the scale of an apparatus and ensuring flexibility in the configuration of the apparatus.SOLUTION: An automatic analyzer 100 includes a reaction disk 1 housing a plurality of reaction vessels 2, a measuring unit 4, and a washing mechanism 3 disposed in a region corresponding to adjacent two reaction vessels 2 in the reaction disk 1 and washing the reaction vessels 2 after measurement. Taking N for the number of reaction vessels 2 housed in the reaction disk 1 and the reaction disk 1 moves after B(B>2) cycles by C(C>1) rotations ± 1 reaction vessel, and taking A(N>A>N / B+1) for the number of reaction vessels 2 moved in one cycle, the automatic analyzer 100 drives and controls the reaction disk 1 so that the relationships A×B=N×C±1, N and A are coprime, and B and C are coprime, are established, and the reaction vessels 2 move in the circumferential direction by A reaction vessels in one cycle, and washes the two adjacent reaction containers 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, the automatic analyzer according to the present invention comprises a reaction disk that stores a plurality of reaction vessels, each capable of containing dispensed samples and reagents, spaced apart from one another at predetermined intervals in a circular pattern; a sample dispensing mechanism that dispenses a predetermined amount of sample into the reaction vessels; a reagent dispensing mechanism that dispenses a predetermined amount of reagent into the reaction vessels; a measurement unit that measures the reaction liquid during and / or after the reaction of a mixture of sample and reagent in the reaction vessels; and a cleaning mechanism that is disposed in an area of ​​the reaction disk corresponding to two adjacent reaction vessels and that cleans the reaction vessels after measurement. a controller that drives and controls the reaction disk so that the reaction vessels move A number of times in the circumferential direction in one cycle so that the relationship A×B=N×C±1 holds, where N is the number of reaction vessels stored on the reaction disk, the reaction disk rotates C (C>1) times after B (B>2) cycles, and the number of reaction vessels that move in one cycle is A (N>A>N / B+1), where N and A are coprime, B and C are coprime, and A and C are coprime, and a controller that controls the cleaning mechanism so that the two adjacent reaction vessels are cleaned; The controller controls the sample dispensing mechanism to dispense a predetermined amount of sample into the reaction vessel and the reagent dispensing mechanism to dispense a predetermined amount of reagent into the reaction vessel at the timing when the washing mechanism washes the reaction vessel. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

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

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

[0013] In this specification, the term "sample" includes both blood, urine, etc. from hospitalized or outpatient patients, and biological samples such as blood or urine from subjects in health checkups and the like. Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of an automatic analyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the automatic analyzer 100 mainly includes a rack 16 carrying a plurality of sample containers 15 containing samples, a sample transport mechanism 17 for transporting the rack 16 to a desired position, a reaction disk 1 storing a plurality of reaction containers 2 spaced apart at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction (circumferentially), a reagent disk 9 storing a plurality of reagent bottles 10 containing various reagents along the circumferential direction (circumferentially), a sample dispensing mechanism 11 for dispensing a predetermined amount of sample from the sample container 15 into the reaction container 2, a reagent dispensing mechanism 7 for dispensing a predetermined amount of reagent from the reagent bottle 10 into the reaction container 2, a stirring mechanism 5 for stirring and mixing the dispensed sample and reagent in the reaction container 2, a measurement unit 4 for measuring the reaction mixture of the sample and reagent in the reaction container 2 during and after the reaction, a cleaning mechanism 3 for cleaning the reaction container 2 after the measurement is completed, and a controller 21 for controlling the operations of these components.

[0014] The reagent dispensing mechanism 7, which is installed between the reaction disk 1 and the reagent disk 9, has a reagent nozzle 7a, to which a reagent pump 18a is connected. A syringe pump, for example, is used as the reagent pump 18a. The sample dispensing mechanism 11, which is installed between the reaction disk 1 and the sample transport mechanism 17 and is rotatable in an arc and movable up and down, has a sample dispensing nozzle 11a. A sample pump 18c is connected to the sample nozzle 11a, and the sample nozzle 11a moves in an arc around the rotation axis of the sample dispensing mechanism 11 to aspirate a sample from a sample container 15 or a reaction container 2 and dispense the sample into another reaction container 2 on the reaction disk 1, thereby dispensing the sample. A syringe pump, for example, is used as the sample pump 18c.

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

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

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

[0018] 1, an example will be described in which the automatic analyzer includes a rack 16 that holds multiple sample containers 15 containing samples and a sample transport mechanism 17 that transports the rack 16 to a desired position, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the sample disk may be configured to store multiple sample containers 15 circumferentially (circumferentially), or may have a sample disk that stores multiple sample containers 15 circumferentially on the inner and outer peripheries of the disk. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [Example]

[0019] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of multiple reaction vessels stored in a reaction disk constituting an automated analyzer according to Example 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the controller 21 shown in FIG. 1 is omitted. As shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 2, the automated analyzer 100 of this example stores 28 reaction vessels 2-1 to 2-28 spaced apart from one another at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction (circumferentially) on the reaction disk 1. The reaction disk 1 rotates and stops clockwise, as indicated by the arrows, for 17 reaction vessels 2 in one cycle. In five cycles, the reaction disk 1 rotates and stops for 17 × 5 = 85 reaction vessels 2, i.e., a total of 28 reaction vessels 2 × 3 rotations + 1 reaction vessel 2 = 85. After five cycles, the reaction disk 1 stops at a position where it has moved three rotations + 1 reaction vessel 2. In this specification, when referring to a specific reaction vessel stored on the reaction disk 1, it refers to any of the reaction vessels 2-1 to 2-28, and when referring to any reaction vessel or all reaction vessels collectively, it refers to the reaction vessel 2. Furthermore, one cycle is defined as the time from when the sample dispenser 11 dispenses a measurement sample from a sample container 15 into one reaction container 2 to when the reaction disk 1 rotates and stops, and the sample is dispensed into the next reaction container 2. Therefore, in the example shown in the upper diagram of Figure 2, the position where the sample dispenser 11 dispenses the sample from the sample container 15 into the reaction container 2 is sample discharge position 41. Therefore, after five cycles, the sample dispenser 11 dispenses the measurement sample from the sample container 15 into reaction container 2-1, reaction container 2-12, reaction container 2-23, reaction container 2-6, and reaction container 2-17. By repeating the above operation, the reaction containers return to the same position in 28 cycles. The total number of reaction containers 2 (28) and the number of reaction containers 2 moved in one cycle (17) are relatively prime. Furthermore, the number of cycles (5) until the reaction container 2 deviates ±1 from its original position and the number of revolutions (number of rotations) (3) of the reaction disk 1 until this point are also relatively prime. That is, the total number N of reaction vessels 2 stored on the reaction disk 1 described above is 28, the number A (N>A>N / B+1) of reaction vessels 2 that move in one cycle is 17, and after B (B>2) cycles (after 5 cycles) they move by C (C>1) rotations (3 rotations) ±1 reaction vessel, satisfying the above-mentioned relationship A×B=N×C±1, where N and A are coprime and B and C are coprime.

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

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

[28] , assuming that the reaction vessel 2-1 to which the sample was dispensed at sample dispensing position 41 by the sample dispensing mechanism 11 is the reaction vessel of cycle [1]. Sample aspirating position 42 is the position at which the pretreated sample is aspirated from the reaction vessel 2 by the sample dispensing mechanism 11. Also located on the reaction disk are: first reagent dispensing position 43 by the reagent dispensing mechanism 7; second reagent dispensing position 44 by the reagent dispensing mechanism 7; first stirring position 45 at which the stirring mechanism 5 stirs the reaction liquid, which is a mixture of the sample and the first reagent in the reaction vessel 2 after dispensing the first reagent; second stirring position 46 at which the stirring mechanism 5 stirs the reaction liquid, which is a mixture of the sample, the first reagent, and the second reagent in the reaction vessel 2 after dispensing the second reagent; and absorbance measurement position 47 by the spectrophotometer as the measurement unit 4, which measures the absorbance of the reaction liquid. The lower diagram of Figure 2 shows an outline of the reaction disk 1 in the upper diagram of Figure 2, where the reaction vessel position number is 1 when the sample dispensing (discharging) position is 1, and [1] shows the reaction cycle when the sample dispensing (discharging) position is 1, indicating that this is the first cycle.

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

[28] ), in which cycle washing mechanism 3 washes reaction vessel 2-1, after which reaction vessel 2-1 again moves to sample discharge position 41, the first cycle (cycle [1]).

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

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

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

[0024] Based on the number A (N>A>N / B+1) or cycle B (B>2) of reaction vessels 2 moved in one cycle transferred via the internal bus 224 and the known total number N of reaction vessels 2 stored on the reaction disk 1, the reaction disk rotation control unit 218 calculates C and A or B such that the relationship A×B=N×C±1 is satisfied, where N and A are coprime and B and C are coprime. Here, as shown in FIG. 2 , the total number N of reaction vessels 2 stored on the reaction disk 1 is calculated as 28, the number A (N>A>N / B+1) of reaction vessels 2 moved in one cycle is calculated as 17, the number of cycles B (B>2) is calculated as 5 cycles, and the number of rotations C (C>1) is calculated as 3 rotations. The reaction disk rotation control unit 218 stores the calculated number A of reaction vessels 2 moved in one cycle, the number B of cycles, and the number C of rotations in the memory unit 216. In addition, the reaction disk rotation control unit 218 outputs a control signal (control command) corresponding to the number A (N>A>N / B+1) of reaction vessels 2 that move in one cycle, i.e., the pitch number 17, to the stepping motor or pulse motor that rotates the reaction disk 1 for each cycle via the output I / F 223.

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

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

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

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

[0029] The analysis item concentration calculation unit 221 accesses the memory unit 216, calculates the concentration value of the analysis item of the sample based on the measured absorbance value and the calibration curve, and outputs the calculated concentration value of the analysis item of the sample to the output unit 222, which is composed of a display device or a printer. The cleaning mechanism control unit 220 outputs drive commands as control signals to the cleaning pump 20 and vacuum pump 22 connected to the cleaning mechanism 3 via the output I / F 223, and causes the vacuum pump 22 to suck out the reaction liquid from the reaction vessel 2 containing the reaction liquid after measurement is completed, and also causes the cleaning pump 20 to clean the reaction vessel 2.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[13] where the reaction vessel 2-1 is located five cycles later is adjacent to the position one cycle earlier than the position where the reaction vessel 2-1 is located in cycle [8]. This is not limited to the reaction vessel 2-1, but is similar for the reaction vessels 2-2 to 2-28. Furthermore, as shown in the lower diagram of Figure 2, the reaction vessels that can be cleaned after cycle

[19] (the 19th cycle) (indicated by black circles in the diagram) are also arranged in five separate blocks. Specifically, assuming that two cycles are required to clean the reaction vessel 2 using the cleaning mechanism 3, the cleaning mechanism 3 can be placed in a location that is convenient for layout, among the adjacent cycles

[21] and

[26] in the first block, the adjacent cycles

[23] and

[28] in the third block, the adjacent cycles

[20] and

[25] in the fifth block, the adjacent cycles

[22] and

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

[19] and

[24] in the fourth block, as shown in the lower diagram of Figure 2. In other words, the locations of the reaction vessels that can be cleaned by the cleaning mechanism 3, which are adjacent to each other and are every five cycles, are distributed almost evenly across five locations (B). This provides five options for the installation of the cleaning mechanism 3, which is extremely advantageous for considering an optimal layout. In this embodiment, as shown in the upper diagram of Figure 2 and Figure 4, the cleaning mechanism 3 is placed at the cycle

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

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

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

[0034] In the examples shown in Figures 2 and 4, one reagent dispensing mechanism 7 and one stirring mechanism 5 are installed to allow for use of the unit in a compact automated analyzer. In this case, while the reaction disk 1 is stopped, the reagent dispensing mechanism 7 must dispense both the first and second reagents into the reaction vessels 2 stopped at the first reagent dispensing position 43 and the second reagent dispensing position 44, respectively. Similarly, the stirring mechanism 5 must stir the reaction liquid contained in the reaction vessels 2 stopped at the first stirring position 45 and the second stirring position 46 while the reaction disk 1 is stopped. Therefore, to improve processing capacity, it is effective to use multiple reagent dispensing mechanisms and stirring mechanisms to shorten the time the reaction disk 1 is stopped. Regarding the sample dispensing mechanism 11, for example, it is also possible to achieve high throughput by using separate sample dispensing mechanisms for samples such as whole blood, which has a relatively high viscosity and requires time for sample aspirating, and samples such as normal serum.

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

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

[0037] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an automatic analyzer that can obtain sufficient reaction process data without being affected by the scale of the device and can secure the degree of freedom of the device configuration. Also, according to this embodiment, for the reaction vessels after the analysis is completed, the reaction vessels every B cycles appear adjacent to each other, and this continuous row of washable reaction vessels appears almost evenly dispersed at B locations on the reaction disk. Therefore, B options can be obtained as the installation positions of the cleaning mechanism, which is very advantageous for considering the optimal layout.

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

Example

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0047] The analysis item concentration calculation unit 221 accesses the memory unit 216, calculates the concentration value of the analysis item of the sample based on the measured absorbance value and the calibration curve, and outputs the calculated concentration value of the analysis item of the sample to the output unit 222, which is composed of a display device or a printer. The cleaning mechanism control unit 220 outputs drive commands as control signals to the cleaning pump 20 and vacuum pump 22 connected to the cleaning mechanism 3 via the output I / F 223, and causes the vacuum pump 22 to suck out the reaction liquid from the reaction vessel 2 containing the reaction liquid after measurement is completed, and also causes the cleaning pump 20 to clean the reaction vessel 2.

[0048] Next, the operation of the automatic analyzer 100a of this embodiment will be described together with the arrangement of the plurality of reaction vessels 2 stored in the reaction disk 1. In Figure 6, as in Example 1, 28 reaction vessels 2-1 to 2-28 are stored on the reaction disk 1 so that they are spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval along the circumferential direction (circumferentially). As indicated by the arrows, the reaction disk 1 rotates and stops clockwise, rotating 17 reaction vessels 2 in one cycle. In five cycles, the reaction disk 1 rotates 17 times (5 times 5 times 3 times + 1 reaction vessel 2 = 85). After five cycles, the reaction disk 1 stops at a position where it has moved three times + one reaction vessel 2. However, in the automated analyzer 100a shown in Figure 6, the reaction disk 1 moves clockwise by nine reaction vessels (A1) and then stops. This state is shown in Figure 7. It then moves and stops by the remaining eight reaction vessels (A2), completing one cycle of operation.

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

[13] positioned at the second reagent dispensing position 54. Meanwhile, the stirring mechanism 5 stirs the reaction container 2-18 in the cycle [2] positioned at the first stirring position 55 and / or the reaction container 2-19 in the cycle [7] positioned (stopped) at the second stirring position 56 based on a predetermined stirring intensity from the stirring mechanism control unit 219, which is a component of the controller 21a. 4 in the above-described first embodiment, if the reaction vessel 2 can be cleaned by cycle

[19] , the cleaning mechanism 3 can be placed at a location that is easy to arrange from among cycles

[21] and

[26] , cycles

[23] and

[28] , cycles

[20] and

[25] , cycles

[22] and

[27] , and cycles

[19] and

[24] , as shown by the black circles in the lower diagram of FIG. 6. In other words, the positions of reaction vessels in two cycles that are spaced apart by five cycles and that can be cleaned by the cleaning mechanism 3 are distributed almost evenly among location B (five locations), providing options for location B (five locations) as the installation location for the cleaning mechanism 3, which is extremely advantageous in considering an optimal layout. In this embodiment, as shown in the upper diagram of Figure 6, the cleaning mechanism 3 is placed at the position of reaction vessel 2-5 in cycle

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[13] located (stopped) at the first stirring position 55 and / or the reaction vessel 2-8 in cycle [8] located (stopped) at the second stirring position 57 adjacent to the first stirring position 55 in the counterclockwise direction, based on a predetermined stirring intensity from the stirring mechanism control unit 219. 7, the cleaning mechanism 111 can be placed in a location that is easy to arrange among cycles

[22] and

[27] , cycles

[19] and

[24] , cycles

[21] and

[26] , cycles

[23] and

[28] , and cycles

[20] and

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

[22] and reaction vessel 2-23 in cycle

[27] , which are positioned (stopped) at cleaning positions 63 and 64.

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

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

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

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

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

[0058] The input unit 211 is configured with, for example, a pointing device, a keyboard, a tablet, etc. Parameters such as the type of sample, analysis items, dispensing amounts (liquid volumes) of sample and reagent corresponding to the analysis items, the number A (N>A>N / B+1) of reaction vessels 2 moved in one cycle, or the cycle B (B>2) are set in advance by a host controller (not shown) and stored in a predetermined storage area of ​​the storage unit 216. Note that these parameters stored in the storage unit 216 can also be changed by a user (laboratory technician) via the input unit 211. In this case, when the input unit 211 accepts a change to the above parameters, it stores the changed parameters in a predetermined storage area of ​​the storage unit 216 via the input I / F 212 and the internal bus 224. Furthermore, the number A (N>A>N / B+1) of reaction vessels 2 moved in one cycle or the cycle B (B>2) is transferred to the reaction disk rotation control unit 218b via the internal bus 224.

[0059] The reaction disk rotation control unit 218b calculates C and A or B such that the relationship A×B=N×C±1 is satisfied, where N and A are coprime and B and C are coprime, based on the number A (N>A>N / B+1) or cycle B (B>2) of reaction vessels 2 moved in one cycle transferred via the internal bus 224 and the known total number N of reaction vessels 2 stored on the reaction disk 1. Here, as in Example 1, as an example, the total number N of reaction vessels 2 stored on the reaction disk 1 is calculated as 28, the number A (N>A>N / B+1) of reaction vessels 2 moved in one cycle is calculated as 17, the number of cycles B (B>2) is calculated as 5 cycles, and the number of rotations C (C>1) is calculated as 3 rotations. Furthermore, the reaction disk rotation control unit 218b calculates the number A of reaction vessels 2 moved in one cycle as A(N>A>N / B+1)=A1+A2+A3, and divides the number A of reaction vessels 2 moved in one cycle by three. In the following, an example will be described where A1 = 9, A2 = 1, and A3 = 7. The reaction disk rotation control unit 218b stores the calculated number A of reaction vessels 2 moving in one cycle (A = A1 + A2 + A3), the number of cycles B, and the number of rotations C in the memory unit 216. The reaction disk rotation control unit 218b also outputs a control signal (control command) corresponding to 9, 1, and 7, which are obtained by dividing the calculated number A of reaction vessels 2 moving in one cycle (N > A > N / B + 1) into three, that is, 9, 1, and 7, to the stepping motor or pulse motor that rotates the reaction disk 1, and then outputs a control signal (control command) corresponding to 1 pitch to the stepping motor or pulse motor that rotates the reaction disk 1, and then outputs a control signal (control command) corresponding to 7 pitches to the stepping motor or pulse motor that rotates the reaction disk 1, via the output I / F 223.

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

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

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

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

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

[0065] Next, the operation of the automatic analyzer 100b of this embodiment will be described together with the arrangement of the plurality of reaction vessels 2 stored in the reaction disk 1. In FIG. 9, as in Example 1, 28 reaction vessels 2-1 to 2-28 are stored on the reaction disk 1 so that they are spaced apart from one another at a predetermined interval along the circumferential direction (circumferentially). As indicated by the arrows, the reaction disk 1 rotates clockwise by 17 reaction vessels 2 per cycle and then stops. In five cycles, the reaction disk 1 rotates clockwise by 17 × 5 = 85 reaction vessels 2, i.e., a total of 28 reaction vessels 2 × 3 rotations + 1 reaction vessel 2 = 85. After five cycles, the reaction disk 1 stops at a position where it has moved three rotations + 1 reaction vessel 2. However, in the automated analyzer 100b, the reaction disk 1 moves clockwise by 9 reaction vessels (A1) from the state shown in FIG. 9 and then stops. This state is shown in FIG. 10. The reaction disk 1 then moves clockwise by one reaction vessel (A2) and stops. This state is shown in FIG. 11. After that, the reaction disk 1 moves seven reaction vessels (A3) and stops, completing one cycle of operation. As shown in Figure 9, the reaction vessels 2 on the reaction disk 1 are divided into B (5) sections based on the reaction vessel stopping positions in cycles [1] to [5]. Each section is arranged adjacent to the reaction vessels in cycles [1] to [5], with B = 5 cycles between them, in a clockwise direction. The first block 101 starts from cycle [1], followed by the second block 102 from cycle [2], the third block 103 from cycle [3], the fourth block 104 from cycle [4], and the fifth block 105 from cycle [5].

[0066] As shown in FIG. 9, the sample dispensing mechanism 11 aspirates the sample type, analysis item, and dispensing amount (liquid volume) of sample corresponding to the analysis item from the sample dispensing mechanism control unit 214 (FIG. 8) from the sample container 15 or the reaction container 2-2 positioned (stopped) at the sample aspirating position 42. While the sample dispensing mechanism 11 discharges the aspirated sample into the reaction container 2-1 positioned (stopped) at the sample discharging position 41, the stirring mechanism 115 is positioned at a stirring position 75, which is 17 (A) reaction containers away from the sample discharging position 41 in the clockwise direction, which is the rotation direction of the reaction disk 1, and stirs the reaction container 2-18 of cycle [2], into which the first reagent was dispensed in the previous cycle. In this embodiment, the stirring mechanism 115 is a fixed type that uses acoustic waves emitted by an ultrasonic element to non-contactly stir the reaction liquid, which is a mixture of the sample and reagent in the reaction container 2, and stirring of the reaction liquid is performed only at the stirring position 75.

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

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

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

[21] and cycle

[26] in the first block 101, cycle

[23] and cycle

[28] in the third block 103, cycle

[20] and cycle

[25] in the fifth block 105, cycle

[22] and cycle

[27] in the second block 102, and cycle

[19] and cycle

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

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

[26] , which are positioned (stopped) at the cleaning positions 61 and 62.

[0068] FIG. 10 shows the state in which the sample dispensing mechanism 11, reagent dispensing mechanism 7, stirring mechanism 115, and cleaning mechanism 3 have each completed dispensing and other processes for the reaction vessel 2, and the reaction disk 1 has moved nine reaction vessels (A1) and stopped based on a control signal (control command) from the reaction disk rotation control unit 218b (FIG. 8). By moving nine reaction vessels (A1), the reaction vessel 2-9 in cycle

[13] , which was positioned (stopped) at the third reagent dispensing position 73, which is closer to the stirring position 75, stops at the stirring position 75. If a reagent has been added to the reaction vessel 2-9 in cycle

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

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

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

[17] at sample suction position 42, and reaction vessel 2-19 in cycle [7] at sample suction position 48, which is adjacent counterclockwise to sample suction position 41. This allows sample dispensing mechanism 11 to aspirate a pretreated sample from any of the three positions of sample discharge position 41, sample suction position 42, and sample suction position 48, or to aspirate a sample from sample vessel 15, and then in the next cycle, to dispense the pretreated sample or the sample in sample vessel 15 at sample discharge position 41. Furthermore, the cleaning mechanism 111 can be placed in a location that is easy to arrange from among cycle

[21] and cycle

[26] in the first block 101, cycle

[23] and cycle

[28] in the third block 103, cycle

[20] and cycle

[25] in the fifth block 105, cycle

[22] and cycle

[27] in the second block 102, and cycle

[19] and cycle

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

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

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

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

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

[21] and cycle

[26] in the first block 101, cycle

[23] and cycle

[28] in the third block 103, cycle

[20] and cycle

[25] in the fifth block 105, cycle

[22] and cycle

[27] in the second block 102, and cycle

[19] and cycle

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

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

[27] that are positioned (stopped) at the cleaning position 65 and the cleaning position 66.

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

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

[0073] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those including all of the described configurations. Furthermore, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

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

Claims

1. a reaction disk that stores a plurality of reaction vessels that can contain dispensed samples and reagents, the reaction vessels being spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction; a sample dispensing mechanism that dispenses a predetermined amount of sample into the reaction vessel; a reagent dispensing mechanism that dispenses a predetermined amount of reagent into the reaction vessel; a measurement unit that measures the reaction liquid during and / or after the reaction of the mixture of the sample and the reagent in the reaction vessel; a cleaning mechanism disposed in an area of ​​the reaction disk corresponding to two adjacent reaction vessels, for cleaning the reaction vessels after measurement; a controller that drives and controls the reaction disk so that the reaction vessels move A number of times in a circumferential direction in one cycle, and controls the cleaning mechanism so that the two adjacent reaction vessels are cleaned, where N is the number of reaction vessels stored on the reaction disk, the reaction disk rotates C (C>1) times ±1 number of reaction vessels after B (B>2) cycles, and the number of reaction vessels that move in one cycle is A (N>A>N / B+1), where N and A are coprime, B and C are coprime, and the relationship A×B=N×C±1 is established; The controller controls the sample dispensing mechanism to dispense a predetermined amount of sample into the reaction vessel and the reagent dispensing mechanism to dispense a predetermined amount of reagent into the reaction vessel at the timing when the cleaning mechanism cleans the reaction vessel.

2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, a stirring mechanism for stirring the sample and the reagent dispensed into the reaction vessel; The automatic analyzer is characterized in that the controller controls the stirring of the sample and reagent in the reaction vessel at the timing when the reaction vessel is washed by the washing mechanism.

3. The automatic analyzer according to claim 2, An automatic analyzer characterized in that the stirring mechanism is positioned at a position where the reaction disk moves A reaction vessels circumferentially in one cycle, based on the sample dispensing position on the reaction disk by the sample dispensing mechanism.

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

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