Automatic analyzer and probe cleaning method

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide: an automatic analysis device that reduces the frequency of manual cleaning of a probe and that has a higher analysis efficiency; and a method for cleaning a probe. For this purpose, an automatic analysis device according to the present invention comprises: a probe that dispenses a liquid; and a clogging detection unit that detects clogging of the probe. When the clogging detection unit detects clogging of the probe, the probe is cleaned with a liquid having an adjusted temperature. In addition, a method for cleaning a probe that dispenses a liquid according to the present invention involves cleaning the probe with a liquid having an adjusted temperature when a clogging detection unit detects clogging of the probe.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that performs qualitative and quantitative analysis of specimens such as serum and urine, and a method for cleaning a probe. [Background technology]

[0002] The automatic analyzer dispenses a fixed amount of a sample and a fixed amount of a reagent into a reaction vessel and mixes them. A dispensing mechanism in an automated analyzer automatically dispenses liquids. For example, a specimen dispensing mechanism dispenses specimens such as serum or urine into multiple reaction containers. The dispensing mechanism includes piping such as a thin, long metal probe, a tube connected to the probe, and a dispensing syringe connected to the tube. The pipes of the dispensing mechanism are typically filled with system water, which functions as a pressure transmission liquid. Therefore, reciprocating the plunger of the dispensing syringe changes the pressure in the pipes, thereby aspirating and dispensing the specimen.

[0003] Recent automated analyzers are required to accurately aspirate minute amounts of sample, so the tips of their probes are very thin. If blood coagulants or fibrin contained in the sample get inside the probe during sample aspiration, the probe may become clogged, reducing the accuracy of liquid dispensing.

[0004] Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic analyzer that detects the occurrence of an abnormality due to clogging of the dispensing probe based on data from a detector that detects the pressure inside the dispensing probe. Patent Document 1 also discloses that when an abnormality occurs, the dispensing probe is washed by discharging water supplied from a pump from the dispensing probe into a washing tank. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-157073 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, as with the technology described in Patent Document 1, simply discharging water from the probe may not be enough to remove the clogged probe. Also, a cleaning technique is known in which the probe is immersed in a cleaning solution containing detergent to prevent cross-contamination of specimens. However, even if this cleaning operation is performed when a clogged probe is detected, it is not very effective in removing the clog. If the clog cannot be removed by the operation of the instrument, the user must stop the instrument, remove the probe from the instrument, and manually clean the probe, which is one of the factors that reduces analytical efficiency.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer and a method for cleaning a probe that reduce the frequency of manual cleaning of the probe and improve analytical efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an automatic analyzer equipped with a probe for dispensing liquid and a clogging detection unit for detecting clogging of the probe, characterized in that when the clogging detection unit detects clogging of the probe, the probe is washed with temperature-controlled liquid. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an automatic analyzer and a probe cleaning method that reduce the frequency of manual cleaning of the probe and improve analytical efficiency. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an automatic analyzer. [Figure 2] Schematic diagram of a special cleaning tank with temperature control function and a cleaning liquid supply mechanism. [Figure 3] Diagram of the special cleaning tank with temperature control function. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for determining whether a probe is clogged and removing the clog. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation when a sample dispensing probe becomes clogged during the process of dispensing multiple samples. [Figure 6] 6 is a flowchart showing a modified example of the operation of FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Fig. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an outline of an automatic analyzer 100 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the automatic analyzer 100 is composed of a transport line 101, a reagent disk 102, a reagent dispensing mechanism 104, a reaction disk 103, a specimen dispensing mechanism 115, a stirring mechanism 105, a light source 106, a spectroscope 114, a cleaning mechanism 107, normal cleaning tanks 108a and 108b (first cleaning tanks), a special cleaning tank 118 with a temperature control function (second cleaning tank), a control unit 121, a computer 122, and the like.

[0012] The transport line 101 transports a sample rack 110 holding a sample container 109 containing a sample to a position where a sample dispensing mechanism 115 aspirates the sample. The reagent disk 102 holds a reagent container 112 containing a reagent, and rotates to transport the reagent container 112 to be dispensed to a position where a reagent dispensing mechanism 104 aspirates the reagent. The reagent dispensing mechanism 104 aspirates a reagent that reacts with a component in the sample to be analyzed from the reagent container 112 and dispenses it into a reaction container 111. The reaction disk 103 holds a reaction container 111 (reaction cell) containing a mixture of a sample and a reagent on a constant temperature medium such as water, and rotates to transport the target reaction container 111 to operating positions for the stirring mechanism 105, spectrometer 114, cleaning mechanism 107, etc.

[0013] The specimen dispensing mechanism 115 aspirates the specimen from the specimen container 109 and dispenses it into the reaction container 111. The specimen dispensing mechanism 115 has a clogging detection unit 117 such as a pressure sensor provided in its piping. The detection result by the clogging detection unit 117 is sent to the control unit 121, etc., so that the presence or absence of clogging in the specimen dispensing probe 116 during specimen dispensing operation can be monitored. The material of the specimen dispensing probe 116 is not particularly limited, and it may be made of metal, for example.

[0014] The stirring mechanism 105 stirs the mixture in the reaction vessel 111 to promote the reaction of the mixture of the specimen dispensed from the specimen vessel 109 into the reaction vessel 111 and the reagent dispensed from the reagent vessel 112 into the reaction vessel 111. The light source 106 irradiates light onto the reaction vessel 111 that has undergone a chemical reaction while being stirred by the stirring mechanism 105. The spectroscope 114 measures the absorbance by separating the light transmitted through the reaction vessel. The absorbance information is sent to the control unit 121 or the like, and the concentration of a predetermined component contained in the specimen is determined by colorimetric analysis. The cleaning mechanism 107 is a mechanism for cleaning the reaction vessel 111 after use.

[0015] The normal washing tanks 108a and 108b are tanks in which the inside and outside of the probe are washed with water to prevent residue on the tip of the probe from affecting the next analysis. Specifically, the reagent dispensing probe 113 of the reagent dispensing mechanism 104 is washed in the normal washing tank 108a, and the sample dispensing probe 116 of the sample dispensing mechanism 115 is washed in the normal washing tank 108b. The inside of the probe is washed by discharging system water filled in the probe's piping from the probe into the normal washing tanks 108a and 108b. Meanwhile, the outside of the probe is washed by spraying water from a water supply mechanism 120 toward the outside of the probe.

[0016] The temperature-controlled special cleaning tank 118 is a tank that uses detergent-containing cleaning liquid to clean residues that cannot be completely cleaned by the normal cleaning using water in the normal cleaning tanks 108a and 108b. In particular, for analysis items in which cross-contamination between specimens is likely to affect the analysis results, the probe is cleaned in this temperature-controlled special cleaning tank 118 after dispensing the previous specimen and before dispensing the next specimen. For this reason, the temperature-controlled special cleaning tank 118 is capable of storing room-temperature cleaning liquid supplied from a cleaning liquid supply mechanism 119 and heating the stored detergent liquid. The cleaning liquid supply mechanism 119 can also supply water as a cleaning liquid in addition to detergent; its specific structure will be described later using FIG. 2. The specific structure of the temperature-controlled special cleaning tank 118 will be described later using FIGS. 2 and 3. When performing special cleaning using a detergent-containing cleaning liquid, either a temperature-controlled (heated) cleaning liquid or a room-temperature cleaning liquid may be used.

[0017] The control unit 121 controls the operation of each of the above-mentioned mechanisms and performs analysis based on the measurement results of the spectrometer 114. The control unit 121 also controls the cleaning operation of the probe, as will be described later.

[0018] The computer 122 includes an output unit, an input unit, and a storage unit. The output unit is, for example, a display, and displays analysis results, alarms, and the like to the user. The input unit, such as a keyboard, allows the user to input characters and numbers to set the operating conditions of the device. The storage unit, such as a memory, stores the analysis results and setting values.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the special cleaning tank 118 with temperature control function and the cleaning liquid supply mechanism 119. As shown in FIG. First, the temperature-adjustable special washing tank 118 includes a liquid reservoir 301 that stores the washing liquid supplied from the washing liquid supply mechanism 119, a temperature-adjusting heater 302 that heats the liquid reservoir 301, and a lower opening 303 that discharges the washing liquid that overflows from the liquid reservoir 301. The structure of this temperature-adjustable special washing tank 118 will be described further below with reference to Fig. 3. Note that, in the example of Fig. 2, two temperature-adjustable special washing tanks 118, 118a and 118b, are shown; however, when there is one sample dispensing mechanism 115 as in Fig. 1, there may be only one temperature-adjustable special washing tank 118. On the other hand, the cleaning liquid supply mechanism 119 is a mechanism for supplying cleaning liquid to the liquid storage section 301 of the special cleaning tank 118 with temperature control function, and is equipped with a cleaning liquid supply pump 201, a cleaning liquid supply syringe 204, solenoid valves 209 to 214, cleaning liquid remaining amount sensors 205, 206, and branch pipes 207, 208.

[0020] The cleaning liquid supply pump 201 delivers the first cleaning liquid from a tank (not shown) or the like that contains the first cleaning liquid. The first cleaning liquid is, for example, a cleaning liquid containing water or a neutral detergent. The cleaning liquid supply syringe 204 delivers the first cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply pump 201 further downstream. The solenoid valve 214 controls the flow of the first cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply pump 201 to the cleaning liquid supply syringe 204. The cleaning liquid remaining amount sensor 205 detects the remaining amount of the second cleaning liquid contained in the cleaning liquid storage tank 202, and the cleaning liquid remaining amount sensor 206 detects the remaining amount of the second cleaning liquid contained in the cleaning liquid storage tank 203. The second cleaning liquid is, for example, a cleaning liquid containing an alkaline detergent or an acid detergent. Solenoid valve 212 controls the flow of the second cleaning liquid from cleaning liquid storage tank 202 to branch pipe 207, and solenoid valve 213 controls the flow of the second cleaning liquid from cleaning liquid storage tank 203 to branch pipe 207. Branch pipe 207 is a pipe where the supply lines for the second cleaning liquid from cleaning liquid storage tank 202 and the second cleaning liquid from cleaning liquid storage tank 203 join, and sends the supplied second cleaning liquid to branch pipe 208. Solenoid valve 211 controls the flow of the second cleaning liquid from branch pipe 207 to branch pipe 208. Branch pipe 208 is a pipe where the supply lines for the first cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply syringe and the second cleaning liquid from branch pipe 207 join, and sends the supplied first cleaning liquid or second cleaning liquid to liquid reservoir 301 of special cleaning tank 118 with temperature control function. The solenoid valve 209 controls the flow of the first cleaning liquid and the second cleaning liquid from the branch pipe 208 to the liquid storage section 301 of the temperature-regulated special cleaning tank 118a. The solenoid valve 210 controls the flow of the first cleaning liquid and the second cleaning liquid from the branch pipe 208 to the liquid storage section 301 of the temperature-regulated special cleaning tank 118b.

[0021] Such a cleaning liquid supply mechanism 119 can supply the first cleaning liquid or the second cleaning liquid to the liquid storage section 301. It is also possible to replace old second cleaning liquid stored in the liquid storage section 301 with new second cleaning liquid. Similarly, it is possible to replace the first cleaning liquid stored in the liquid storage section 301 with the second cleaning liquid, or to replace the second cleaning liquid stored in the liquid storage section 301 with the first cleaning liquid. Furthermore, it is also possible to switch the supply source of the second cleaning liquid between the cleaning liquid storage tank 202 and the cleaning liquid storage tank 203 based on the detection status of the cleaning liquid remaining sensors 205 and 206. Note that in the example of FIG. 2, the cleaning liquid supply mechanism 119 has two cleaning liquid storage tanks and thus has a change-over function for the second cleaning liquid. However, the cleaning liquid supply mechanism 119 may have only one cleaning liquid storage tank and not have a change-over function for the second cleaning liquid.

[0022] Next, the configuration of the special cleaning tank 118 with temperature control function will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a structural diagram of the special washing tank 118 with temperature control function, with the lower opening 303 not shown. As shown in FIG. 3, a temperature control heater 302 is wrapped around the outer periphery of the lower part of the liquid reservoir 301, making it possible to heat the washing liquid in the liquid reservoir 301. The temperature control heater 302 may be provided in the washing liquid supply mechanism 119, but providing it in the liquid reservoir 301 downstream of the washing liquid supply mechanism 119 allows for efficient heating of the washing liquid in a limited space. The temperature of the temperature control heater 302 is controlled using the temperature of the washing liquid or the temperature of the temperature control heater 302 measured by a temperature sensor such as a thermistor or thermocouple (not shown). The set temperature for controlling the temperature of the washing liquid is, for example, 40°C to 70°C. The set temperature may be changeable by the user depending on the properties of the sample to be dispensed and the washing liquid. By aspirating and discharging a small amount of cleaning liquid while the sample dispensing probe 116 is immersed in the relatively high-temperature cleaning liquid in the liquid reservoir 301, it is possible to remove residues such as fibrin and blood coagulant adhering to the inside and outside of the sample dispensing probe 116. The probe cleaning operation using temperature-controlled cleaning liquid may hereinafter be referred to as temperature-controlled cleaning.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of determining whether a probe is clogged and removing the clog.

[0024] First, after the transport line 101 transports the sample container 109 to the sample dispensing position, the sample dispensing probe 116 aspirates the sample contained in the sample container 109 (step S401). At this time, the control unit 121 performs a first clogging determination of the sample dispensing probe 116, that is, determines whether the sample dispensing probe 116 is clogged or not based on the detection result by the clogging detection unit 117 during sample aspirate (step S402).

[0025] If it is determined that the sample is not clogged, the sample dispensing mechanism 115 rotates to above the reaction vessel 111 and dispenses the sample into the reaction vessel 111 (step S403). Thereafter, the control unit 121 determines whether or not other analysis items remain for the sample (step S404). If there are any remaining items, the process returns to step S401 and continues dispensing the sample, and if there are no remaining items, the sample dispensing operation ends.

[0026] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S402 that the sample dispensing probe 116 is clogged, water discharge washing (first clog removal operation) of the sample dispensing probe 116 is performed (step S405). Specifically, the control unit 121 rotates the sample dispensing mechanism 115 to the position of the normal washing tank 108b, and causes the sample dispensing probe 116 to discharge the liquid in the piping above the normal washing tank 108b. The liquid discharged at this time is not limited to the system water filled in the piping of the sample dispensing probe 116, and may be any liquid other than water as long as it is directly supplied by the piping of the sample dispensing probe 116 and performs the function of pressure transmission.

[0027] Thereafter, the control unit 121 performs a second clogging determination of the sample dispensing probe 116, that is, determines again whether the sample dispensing probe 116 is clogged or not based on the detection result by the clogging detection unit 117 during sample aspiration (step S406). If it is determined that the sample dispensing probe 116 is not clogged, the sample dispensing operation ends. However, if it is determined that the sample is not clogged in step S406, the control unit 121 may proceed to the above-mentioned step S404.

[0028] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S406 that the sample dispensing probe 116 is clogged, temperature-controlled cleaning (second clog removal operation) of the sample dispensing probe 116 is performed (step S407). Specifically, the control unit 121 rotates the sample dispensing mechanism 115 to the position of the temperature-controlled special cleaning tank 118, and performs suction and discharge operations while the sample dispensing probe 116 is immersed in the temperature-controlled cleaning liquid in the liquid storage unit 301. The cleaning liquid aspirated by the sample dispensing mechanism 115 may be discharged into the normal cleaning tank 108b after the sample dispensing mechanism 115 moves to the normal cleaning tank 108b. Since it takes some time for the temperature of the cleaning liquid to be adjusted to the set temperature, if it is determined in step S402 that a clog is present, it is desirable to start temperature control of the temperature control heater 302 (step S408) in parallel with the water discharge cleaning in step S405.

[0029] Thereafter, the control unit 121 performs a third clogging determination of the sample dispensing probe 116, i.e., determines again whether the sample dispensing probe 116 is clogged or not based on the detection result by the clogging detection unit 117 during sample aspiration (step S409). If it is determined that the sample dispensing probe 116 is not clogged, the sample dispensing operation ends. However, if it is determined in step S409 that the sample is not clogged, the control unit 121 may proceed to the above-mentioned step S404. Note that the temperature of the sample dispensing probe 116 is high immediately after temperature-controlled cleaning, and dispensing the sample in this state may result in a decrease in dispensing accuracy. Therefore, it is desirable to cool the sample dispensing probe 116 as described below.

[0030] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S409 that the sample dispensing probe 116 is clogged, the control unit 121 determines whether the number of times temperature-controlled cleaning has been performed is less than the threshold value N times (step S410). If it is determined in step S410 that the number of times is less than N times, the process returns to the above-mentioned step S407, and temperature-controlled cleaning is performed again. The threshold used in the determination can be changed in advance by the user and may be (N = 1 time). Furthermore, each time temperature-controlled cleaning is repeated, the set temperature may be increased or the time for immersing the sample dispensing probe 116 in the cleaning solution may be lengthened. If it is determined in step S410 that the number of times is N or more, the control unit 121 outputs an alarm to prompt the user to clean the sample dispensing probe 116 and stops the sample dispensing operation (step S411).

[0031] In this way, by appropriately performing temperature-controlled cleaning, it is possible to remove clogs in the sample dispensing probe 116 that cannot be removed with a cleaning solution at room temperature, and it is possible to minimize the effort required to manually clean the probe, which ultimately leads to improved analysis efficiency. In the example of Figure 4, when a clog is detected in the first clog determination in step S402, water discharge cleaning is first performed in step S405, but water discharge cleaning may be omitted and temperature-controlled cleaning may be performed immediately. Also, the user may be able to set whether or not to perform temperature-controlled cleaning.

[0032] 5 is a flowchart showing the operation when a clog occurs in the sample dispensing probe 116 during the process of dispensing multiple samples. Here, the multiple samples are assumed to be samples A to C obtained from different patients. Furthermore, it is assumed that a clog occurs in the sample dispensing probe 116 during dispensing of sample A, and temperature-controlled cleaning is performed, and that special cleaning using a room-temperature cleaning solution is set between samples B and C, as cross-contamination is likely to affect the analysis results.

[0033] First, the sample dispensing mechanism 115 starts dispensing the sample A contained in the sample container 109 (step S501). Thereafter, the clogging detection unit 117 detects clogging of the sample dispensing probe 116, and the sample dispensing probe 116 is subjected to temperature-controlled cleaning in the temperature-controlled special cleaning tank 118 (step S502). After that, the temperature control is stopped, and the dispensing of the sample A is completed (step S503). At this time, the temperature of the sample dispensing probe 116 is higher than normal. Therefore, if the next dispensing operation is started and the next sample B is aspirated, the sample B will be warmed within the sample dispensing probe 116, and the sample dispensing probe 116 will attempt to cool to room temperature, resulting in a decrease in the dispensing accuracy of the sample B. Therefore, the control unit 121 rotates the specimen dispensing mechanism 115 to the position of the normal washing tank 108b, and then causes the specimen dispensing probe 116 to discharge water from the pipe above the normal washing tank 108b, and also sprays water onto the outside of the specimen dispensing probe 116 (step S504). This allows the specimen dispensing probe 116 to be cooled while the inside and outside of the specimen dispensing probe 116 are washed.

[0034] Next, the sample dispensing mechanism 115 starts dispensing the sample B contained in the sample container 109 (step S505), and finishes dispensing the sample B without causing clogging of the sample dispensing probe 116 (step S506).

[0035] Thereafter, before dispensing the sample C, the sample dispensing probe 116 is specially washed with a cleaning liquid at room temperature. However, the temperature of the cleaning liquid in the liquid storage unit 301 of the temperature-regulated special washing tank 118 is still high because the temperature-regulated washing was performed in step S502. Therefore, before the special washing, the control unit 121 cools the temperature-regulated special washing tank 118 with water using one of the following methods (step S507). The first cooling method is to discharge water from the pipes in the sample dispensing probe 116 above the temperature-regulated special washing tank 118 and supply the water to the liquid storage unit 301. The second cooling method is to have the cleaning liquid supply mechanism 119 supply water as the first cleaning liquid to the liquid storage unit 301. When the liquid storage section 301 of the special cleaning tank 118 with temperature control function is cooled by either method, the cleaning liquid supply mechanism 119 supplies cleaning liquid containing detergent as a second cleaning liquid into the liquid storage section 301, and replaces the water that contributed to the cooling with cleaning liquid at room temperature.

[0036] Next, the control unit 121 performs special washing by performing suction and discharge operations while the sample dispensing probe 116 remains immersed in the washing liquid at room temperature in the liquid storage unit 301 (step S508).

[0037] Thereafter, the sample dispensing mechanism 115 starts dispensing the sample C contained in the sample container 109 (step S509), and finishes dispensing the sample C without causing clogging of the sample dispensing probe 116 (step S510).

[0038] 5, dispensing of sample A is completed after temperature-controlled cleaning is performed in step S502, but if there are remaining items for sample A at the time of temperature-controlled cleaning, dispensing of sample A may be retried. However, since retrying dispensing of sample A immediately after temperature-controlled cleaning reduces dispensing accuracy, it is necessary to cool the sample dispensing probe 116 as in step S504 described above.

[0039] By operating in this manner, even a single special washing tank can perform both temperature-controlled washing using a temperature-controlled washing solution and special washing using room-temperature washing solution, thereby contributing to cost reduction of the automated analyzer. Furthermore, even after temperature-controlled washing is performed, the temperature-controlled special washing tank 118 is not immediately cooled, but is cooled just before the special washing using room-temperature washing solution is performed, thereby shortening the overall processing time. However, if it takes time to cool the temperature-controlled special washing tank 118, cooling of the temperature-controlled special washing tank 118 may be started upon completion of temperature-controlled washing or upon completion of dispensing of sample A, and the cooling operation may be continued in parallel with dispensing of sample B. Furthermore, even if temperature-controlled washing is performed, if special washing is not performed for a certain period of time thereafter, the temperature-controlled special washing tank 118 will naturally cool down without the need for the operation in step S507.

[0040] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a modified example of the operation of FIG. 5. The difference from FIG. 5 is that step S601 is added, in which it is determined whether or not to cool the temperature-regulated special washing tank 118 based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor. As shown in FIG. 6, after the dispensing of sample B is completed, if the temperature measured by the temperature sensor provided for controlling the temperature of the temperature-regulating heater 302 is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold, the process proceeds to the above-mentioned step S507, in which the temperature-regulated special washing tank 118 is cooled. On the other hand, if the temperature measured by the temperature sensor is lower than the predetermined threshold in step S601, the temperature-regulated special washing tank 118 is not cooled in step S507, and the process proceeds to the above-mentioned special washing in step S508. The threshold used for the determination in step S601 is, for example, 35°C to 45°C.

[0041] In the examples shown in Figures 5 and 6, temperature-controlled cleaning is performed only when clogging occurs. However, temperature-controlled cleaning may be performed every time a sample is dispensed, regardless of whether clogging occurs, to minimize the possibility of clogging of the sample dispensing probe 116. In this case, temperature-controlled cleaning may be performed every time a different analysis item is dispensed for the same sample, or every time a different sample is used. However, after temperature-controlled cleaning, the sample dispensing probe 116 must be cooled so as not to affect the next dispensing operation. Temperature-controlled cleaning may also be performed after a certain period of analysis is completed, to remove any dirt from the sample dispensing probe 116, or may be performed at any timing set by the user.

[0042] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above-described embodiment, one special washing tank is used to perform both temperature-controlled washing and special washing. However, a special washing tank with a temperature control function may be provided for temperature-controlled washing, and a special washing tank without a temperature control function may be provided for special washing. Furthermore, the above-described embodiment has been described using an example in which a sample dispensing probe is washed, but the present invention can also be applied to the cleaning of a reagent dispensing probe. Furthermore, the dispensing probe is not limited to one that performs both suction and discharge, and may be one that only performs suction.

[0043] In addition, while the above-described embodiment has been described with reference to an example of an analyzer equipped with a measurement unit that measures the photometry of a mixed liquid in a reaction vessel, the present invention may also be applied to an analyzer equipped with a measurement unit that measures the photometry in a pipe that aspirates a mixed liquid from a reaction vessel. Furthermore, in addition to an analyzer equipped with a measurement unit that measures the photometry of a mixed liquid, the present invention may also be applied to an analyzer equipped with a measurement unit that measures the voltage of a mixed liquid or a sample, such as an analyzer equipped with an electrolyte measurement unit. That is, while the above-described embodiment has been described with reference to an example of cleaning a dispensing probe in an automatic biochemistry analyzer, the present invention may also be applied to cleaning a dispensing probe in an automatic immunoassay analyzer or an automatic coagulation analyzer. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 100...automatic analyzer, 101...transport line, 102...reagent disk, 103...reaction disk, 104...reagent dispensing mechanism, 105...stirring mechanism, 106...light source, 107...cleaning mechanism, 108a, 108b...normal cleaning tank, 109...sample container, 110...sample rack, 111...reaction container, 112...reagent container, 113...reagent dispensing probe, 114...spectrometer, 115...sample dispensing mechanism, 116...sample dispensing probe, 117 ...Clogging detection unit, 118...Special cleaning tank with temperature control function, 119...Cleaning liquid supply mechanism, 120...Water supply mechanism, 121...Control unit, 122...Computer, 201...Cleaning liquid supply pump, 202, 203...Cleaning liquid storage tank, 204...Cleaning liquid supply syringe, 205, 206...Cleaning liquid remaining amount sensor, 207, 208...Branch pipe, 209-214...Solenoid valve, 301...Liquid storage unit, 302...Temperature control heater, 303...Lower opening.

Claims

1. a probe for dispensing a liquid; a clogging detection unit that detects clogging of the probe; In an automatic analyzer comprising: a first cleaning tank into which water is discharged from the probe; a second cleaning tank for storing a cleaning liquid containing a detergent and for heating the cleaning liquid by a heater; Furthermore, An automatic analyzer characterized in that, when the clog detection unit detects a clog in the probe, a first clog removal operation is performed in the first cleaning tank by discharging water supplied through a pipe from the probe, and if the clog detection unit still detects a clog in the probe after the first clog removal operation has been performed, a second clog removal operation is performed in the second cleaning tank by aspirating heated cleaning liquid into the probe.

2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, An automatic analyzer, wherein the cleaning solution is heated in parallel with the first clogging removal operation.

3. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, The probe is a sample dispensing probe that dispenses a sample, a normal washing step in which the inside and outside of the sample dispensing probe are washed with water in the first washing tank during a period from when the sample dispensing probe finishes dispensing the first sample to when the sample dispensing probe starts dispensing the second sample; An automatic analyzer characterized in that a special cleaning is performed in the second cleaning tank to clean the sample dispensing probe by aspirating the cleaning solution at room temperature into the sample dispensing probe between the time when the sample dispensing probe finishes dispensing the second sample and the time when the sample dispensing probe starts dispensing the third sample.

4. The automatic analyzer according to claim 3, The automatic analyzer is characterized in that the second cleaning tank is cooled with water during the period from when the second clogging removal operation is performed until when the special cleaning operation is performed.

5. The automatic analyzer according to claim 4, The second washing tank is cooled by water discharged from the sample dispensing probe, and the water therein is then replaced by the washing liquid at room temperature.

6. The automatic analyzer according to claim 4, the second cleaning tank includes a liquid supply mechanism for supplying water and detergent liquid into the tank; An automatic analyzer characterized in that the second cleaning tank is cooled by water supplied into the tank by the liquid supply mechanism, and then the water is replaced by the cleaning liquid at room temperature supplied into the tank by the liquid supply mechanism.

7. The automatic analyzer according to claim 4, the second cleaning tank is provided with a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the cleaning liquid in the tank or the heater; An automatic analyzer characterized in that if the temperature measured by the temperature sensor after the sample dispensing probe has finished dispensing the second sample is below a predetermined threshold, the second washing tank is not cooled.

8. 1. A method for cleaning a probe that dispenses a liquid, comprising: A method for cleaning a probe, characterized in that, when a clog detection unit detects a clog in the probe, a first clog removal operation is performed in a first cleaning tank by discharging water supplied through a pipe from the probe, and when the clog detection unit still detects a clog in the probe after the first clog removal operation has been performed, a second clog removal operation is performed in a second cleaning tank by sucking up a cleaning liquid containing a detergent stored in the second cleaning tank, the cleaning liquid being heated by a heater.

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