Method for replacing automated analyzers and self-priming pumps.

Abstract

Provided are: an automatic analysis device in which a self-priming pump that sends a liquid that has an adverse effect on the human body and / or on an apparatus can be safely replaced; and a method for replacing the self-priming pump. This automatic analysis device is for analyzing a specimen, and is characterized by comprising: a first placement part in which a first container that contains a first liquid that has an adverse effect on the human body and / or on an apparatus is placed; a second placement part in which a second container that contains a second liquid that does not have an adverse effect on the human body and / or on an apparatus is placed; and a self-priming pump that sends the first and second liquids to a third container placed at a third placement part. The automatic analysis device is characterized in that the self-priming pump is replaced after having been supplied with the second liquid until the inside of the self-priming pump is filled with the second liquid.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer and a method for replacing a self - priming pump.

Background Art

[0002] In an automatic analyzer that analyzes specimens such as blood and urine provided by a patient, liquids such as specimens and reagents are fed from a container to another container by driving a pump.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic analyzer that includes a tube pump, which is one type of self - priming pump, as a supply pump for supplying a calibration sample from a calibration sample bottle to a sample container, and controls the flow rate based on the time required for the supply pump to supply a predetermined amount of the calibration sample. A self - priming pump is a pump that does not require priming water and is easier to handle than a non - self - priming pump that requires priming water.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in Patent Document 1, there is no consideration for safely replacing the self - priming pump provided in the automatic analyzer. The self - priming pump provided in the automatic analyzer may feed a liquid that has an adverse effect on the human body and / or equipment, and an operator who replaces the self - priming pump with such a liquid remaining on its inner wall may be harmed.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer and a method for replacing a self - priming pump that can safely replace a self - priming pump that feeds a liquid that has an adverse effect on the human body.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides an automated analyzer for analyzing a sample, comprising: a first configuration section where a first container for containing a first liquid that adversely affects the human body and / or equipment is arranged; a second configuration section where a second container for containing a second liquid that does not adversely affect the human body and / or equipment is arranged; and a self-priming pump for supplying the first liquid and the second liquid to a third container located in the third configuration section, wherein the self-priming pump is replaced only after the second liquid has been supplied to fill its interior with the second liquid.

[0008] The present invention also relates to a method for replacing a self-priming pump that delivers a first liquid that adversely affects the human body and / or equipment, comprising: a supply step in which a second liquid that does not adversely affect the human body and / or equipment is supplied to the self-priming pump until the inside of the self-priming pump is filled with the second liquid; a discharge step in which the second liquid is discharged from the self-priming pump; and a replacement step in which the self-priming pump is replaced. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an automatic analyzer and a method for replacing a self-priming pump that delivers liquids that adversely affect the human body and / or equipment, enabling the safe replacement of the self-priming pump. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram showing an example configuration of an automated analyzer. [Figure 2] A diagram showing an example of the surrounding configuration of a self-priming pump. [Figure 3] A diagram showing an example of the processing flow in Example 1. [Figure 4] A diagram showing another example of the configuration surrounding a self-priming pump. [Figure 5] A diagram showing another example of the configuration surrounding a self-priming pump. [Figure 6] A diagram showing another example of the configuration surrounding a self-priming pump. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] A preferred embodiment of the automated analyzer according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. In the following description and attached drawings, components having the same functional configuration will be denoted by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanations. [Examples]

[0012] An example of the overall configuration of the automated analyzer 100 will be explained using Figure 1. The automated analyzer 100 is a device that analyzes samples such as blood and urine provided by patients, and includes an incubator 1, a sample reagent disk 3, a dispensing unit 9, a washing tank 13, a reagent stirring unit 14, a spectrophotometer 15, a detection unit 16, a transport unit 17, a water supply tank 24, a waste liquid tank 25, and a control device 50. Each part will be explained below. The X and Y directions shown in Figure 1 are mutually orthogonal directions that constitute the horizontal plane, with the X direction being the lateral direction of the automated analyzer 100 and the Y direction being the depth direction of the automated analyzer 100. The Z direction is the vertical direction and is the height direction of the automated analyzer 100.

[0013] Incubator 1 has reaction vessels 2, into which samples and reagents are dispensed, arranged along its circumference. Incubator 1 rotates to move the reaction vessels 2 to positions accessible by the dispensing unit 9 and transport unit 17, as well as to the spectrophotometer 15. Incubator 1 is also maintained at a predetermined temperature. Unused reaction vessels 2 are held in a container tray 20 and transported from the container tray 20 to incubator 1 by the transport unit 17.

[0014] The sample container 5 and reagent bottle 4 are stored on the sample reagent disc 3. The sample container 5 contains the sample provided by the patient, and the reagent bottle 4 contains multiple reagents to be reacted with the sample. The sample reagent disc 3 rotates to move the sample container 5 to the sample aspiration port 7, which is accessed by the dispensing unit 9, and the reagent bottle 4 to the reagent aspiration port 6. The reagents in the reagent bottle 4 are also stirred by the reagent stirring unit 14 as needed.

[0015] The dispensing unit 9 has a dispensing nozzle used for dispensing specimens and reagents, and moves along an arc trajectory indicated by a dotted line between the specimen reagent disk 3 and the incubator 1. A dispensing pump 11 is connected to the dispensing nozzle. By driving the dispensing pump 11, the dispensing nozzle sucks the specimen from the specimen container 5 and the reagent from the reagent bottle 4 respectively, and discharges the sucked specimen and reagent into the reaction vessel 2 to perform dispensing. After dispensing the specimen and reagent, the dispensing nozzle is cleaned in a cleaning tank 13 arranged on the arc trajectory. The pure water used for cleaning the dispensing nozzle is supplied from a water supply tank 24, and the waste liquid generated by cleaning is stored in a waste liquid tank 25. Note that multiple dispensing units 9 may be provided.

[0016] In the reaction vessel 2 where the specimen and reagent are discharged, the reaction between the specimen and the reagent is promoted by maintaining the incubator 1 at a predetermined temperature, and a reaction solution is generated.

[0017] The spectrophotometer 15 includes, for example, a light source that irradiates light onto the reaction solution and a detector that detects the light transmitted through the reaction solution, and measures the absorbance of the reaction solution in the reaction vessel 2. The measurement result by the spectrophotometer 15 is transmitted to the control device 50.

[0018] The detection unit 16 has a photodetector such as a photomultiplier tube, and performs optical measurement for detecting a labeling substance contained in the reaction solution. Note that the reaction vessel 2 is transported from the incubator 1 to the detection unit 16 by the transport unit 17, and the first liquid is supplied from the first liquid bottle 26 by driving the first liquid pump 28. By mixing the first liquid with the reaction solution, electrochemiluminescence or chemiluminescence occurs, and the labeling substance is detected by measuring the amount of such luminescence with a photodetector. The detection result by the detection unit 16 is transmitted to the control device 50. Further, a cleaning solution is supplied to the detection unit 16 after the optical measurement from the cleaning solution bottle 27 by driving the cleaning solution pump 29. Note that self - contained pumps that do not require priming water are used for the first liquid pump 28 and the cleaning solution pump 29.

[0019] At the tip of the dispensing nozzle, a dispensing chip 18 may be attached in order to suppress contamination during dispensing. The unused dispensing chips 18 are held in a chip tray 19 and are conveyed from the chip tray 19 to the chip mounting position 22 by a conveying unit 17. The dispensing chips 18 used for dispensing are discarded into a waste box 21 through a chip disposal port 23. Also, the reaction vessels 2 used for analysis are discarded into the waste box 21.

[0020] The control device 50 is a computer that controls the operations of the incubator 1 and the dispensing unit 9, stores the detection results from the detection unit 16, and displays them as analysis results. It has a control unit 51 and a storage unit 52 and is connected to an input / output unit 53. The control unit 51 is an arithmetic unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The storage unit 52 is a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive) and stores an operation program for operating each part of the automatic analyzer 100. The input / output unit 53 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a liquid crystal display, a touch panel, etc., and an instruction related to the operation of the automatic analyzer 100 is inputted, or the analysis result is outputted.

[0021] Using FIG. 2, an example of the configuration around the first liquid pump 28, which is a self - supplying pump 37, and the cleaning liquid pump 29 will be described. In the following description, the first liquid bottle 26 and the cleaning liquid bottle 27 may be referred to as the first container 30, the first liquid pump 28 and the cleaning liquid pump 29 may be referred to as the self - supplying pump 37, and the water supply tank 24 may be referred to as the second container 35.

[0022] The self - supplying pump 37 is a pump that feeds liquid from the first container 30 or the second container 35 to the detection unit 16 and is, for example, a tube pump.

[0023] Hereinafter, a liquid that has an adverse effect on the human body and / or equipment is referred to as the first liquid, and a liquid that has no adverse effect on the human body and / or equipment is referred to as the second liquid. The first liquid is assumed to be an alkaline or acidic liquid (for example, a system reagent such as a detergent), and the second liquid is assumed to be a neutral liquid (for example, water).

[0024] The first container 30 contains the first liquid and is placed in the first placement section 31. The first placement section 31 may be equipped with a sensor to detect the presence or absence of the first container 30, and the detection signal output from the sensor is transmitted to the control device 50. A first flow path 32 connected to the switching section 33 is inserted into the first container 30.

[0025] The second container 35 contains the second liquid and is placed in the second placement section 34. The second flow path 36, which is connected to the switching section 33, is inserted into the second container 35.

[0026] The switching unit 33 is connected to the first flow path 32, the second flow path 36, and the third flow path 38, and switches between opening the path from the first flow path 32 to the third flow path 38, or opening the path from the second flow path 36 to the third flow path 38, and is, for example, a three-way valve. The third flow path 38 is connected from the switching unit 33 to the detection unit 16 via the self-priming pump 37.

[0027] The detection unit 16 includes a third container 39, a third placement unit 40, a liquid level sensor 41, a suction nozzle 42, a lifting unit 43, a fourth flow path 44, an optical measuring unit 45, and a pump 46.

[0028] The third container 39 contains the reaction solution and is placed in the third placement section 40. The first liquid and washing solution are supplied to the third container 39 by the drive of the self-priming pump 37. The third placement section 40 is connected to the lifting section 43 and moves vertically as the lifting section 43 moves up and down. As the third placement section 40 moves, the third container 39 also moves vertically.

[0029] The liquid level sensor 41 is a sensor that detects the liquid level in the third container 39, and has, for example, a rod shape and is positioned to extend vertically above the third container 39. When the liquid level sensor 41 detects the liquid level in the third container 39 while the lifting unit 43 is rising, a detection signal from the liquid level sensor 41 is transmitted to the control device 50. Upon receiving the detection signal, the control device 50 stops the lifting unit 43 from rising when the tip of the suction nozzle 42 is immersed in the liquid.

[0030] The suction nozzle 42 draws liquid from the third container 39 by the drive of the pump 46. If the liquid drawn by the suction nozzle 42 is a mixture of the reaction solution and the first liquid, the optical measuring unit 45 performs optical measurements on the mixture in the fourth channel 44. After the optical measurement, the drawn liquid is discharged to the waste liquid tank 25 via the fourth channel 44, the pump 46, and the fifth channel 47. If the amount of liquid supplied through the third channel 38 exceeds the volume of the third container 39, the excess liquid is discharged to the waste liquid tank 25 via the sixth channel 48.

[0031] However, since the self-priming pump 37 pumps the first liquid, workers replacing the self-priming pump 37, in which the first liquid remains on the inner wall, may be at risk of injury. Therefore, in Example 1, worker safety is ensured by reducing the concentration of the first liquid remaining on the inner wall of the self-priming pump 37 before replacing the self-priming pump 37.

[0032] Using Figure 3, we will explain an example of the processing flow of Example 1 step by step.

[0033] (S301) The control unit 51 displays a message on the input / output unit 53 instructing the removal of the first container 30. The operator removes the first container 30 from the first placement unit 31 according to the instructions displayed on the input / output unit 53.

[0034] (S302) The worker who removed the first container 30 inputs to the input / output unit 53 that the removal of the first container 30 is complete. Upon receiving the input from the input / output unit 53, the control unit 51 controls the switching unit 33 to open the path from the first flow path 32 to the third flow path 38, and then drives the self-priming pump 37 to draw air from the tip of the first flow path 32. The intake of air from the first flow path 32 continues until the liquid remaining in the first flow path 32, the self-priming pump 37, and the third flow path 38 is discharged into the third container 39. If the first placement unit 31 is equipped with a sensor to detect the presence or absence of the first container 30, the control unit 51 may also control the switching unit 33 and the self-priming pump 37 based on the detection signal output from the sensor. Upon execution of S302, the control unit 51 functions as a suction unit that draws air from the first placement unit 31 and fills the self-priming pump 37 with air.

[0035] (S303) After the first channel 32 is filled with air, the control unit 51 stops the self-priming pump 37 and then controls the switching unit 33 to switch the path from the second channel 36 to the third channel 38.

[0036] (S304) The control unit 51 drives the self-priming pump 37 to draw the second liquid from the second container 35 through the second channel 36. Suction from the second container 35 continues until the second channel 36, the self-priming pump 37, and the third channel 38 are filled with the second liquid. By executing S304, the control unit 51 functions as a replacement unit that replaces the liquid inside the self-priming pump 37 with the second liquid.

[0037] (S305) After the second channel 36, the self-priming pump 37, and the third channel 38 are filled with the second liquid, the control unit 51 stops the self-priming pump 37 and then controls the switching unit 33 to switch the path from the first channel 32 to the third channel 38.

[0038] (S306) The control unit 51 drives the self-priming pump 37 to draw in air from the tip of the first channel 32. Air is drawn in from the first channel 32 by the self-priming pump 37 until the second liquid remaining in the third channel 38 is discharged into the third container 39.

[0039] (S307) After the first flow path 32, the self-priming pump 37, and the third flow path 38 are filled with air, the control unit 51 displays a message on the input / output unit 53 instructing the replacement of the self-priming pump 37. The operator replaces the self-priming pump 37 according to the instructions displayed on the input / output unit 53.

[0040] (S308) The worker who replaced the self-priming pump 37 inputs to the input / output unit 53 that the replacement of the self-priming pump 37 is complete. Upon receiving the input from the input / output unit 53, the control unit 51 controls the switching unit 33 to switch the path from the second flow path 36 to the third flow path 38.

[0041] (S309) The control unit 51 drives the self-priming pump 37 to draw the second liquid from the second container 35 through the second channel 36. Suction from the second container 35 continues until the second channel 36, the self-priming pump 37, and the third channel 38 are filled with the second liquid.

[0042] (S310) The system determines whether or not there is a water leak from the self-priming pump 37. The presence or absence of a water leak may be determined by visual inspection by an operator, or it may be determined based on the amount of liquid delivered by the self-priming pump 37 in a predetermined time. Specifically, the amount of liquid delivered to the third container 39 in a predetermined time is measured by the liquid level sensor 41, and if the difference in the measured value before and after the replacement of the self-priming pump 37 is greater than a threshold, it is determined that there is a water leak. Alternatively, the presence or absence of a water leak may be determined by a water leak sensor installed on the self-priming pump 37. If there is no water leak, the process proceeds to S311; if there is a water leak, the process returns to S305 to replace the self-priming pump 37. If the self-priming pump 37 replaced in S307 is damaged, it is replaced with a new self-priming pump 37. Upon execution of S310, the control unit 51 functions as a determination unit that determines whether or not there is a water leak from the self-priming pump 37.

[0043] (S311) The control unit 51 displays a message on the input / output unit 53 instructing the operator to install the first container 30. The operator installs the first container 30 on the first placement unit 31 according to the instructions displayed on the input / output unit 53.

[0044] (S312) The worker who installed the first container 30 inputs to the input / output unit 53 that the installation of the first container 30 is complete. Upon receiving the input from the input / output unit 53, the control unit 51 stops the self-priming pump 37 and then controls the switching unit 33 to switch the path from the first flow path 32 to the third flow path 38. If the first placement unit 31 is equipped with a sensor that detects the presence or absence of the first container 30, the control unit 51 may also control the self-priming pump 37 and the switching unit 33 based on the detection signal output from the sensor.

[0045] (S313) The control unit 51 drives the self-priming pump 37 to draw the first liquid from the first container 30 through the first channel 32. Suction from the first container 30 continues until the first channel 32, the self-priming pump 37, and the third channel 38 are filled with the first liquid.

[0046] The process flow explained using Figure 3 ensures the safety of the worker replacing the self-priming pump 37 that delivers the first liquid. Specifically, in S304, the inside of the self-priming pump 37 is filled with the second liquid, reducing the concentration of the first liquid remaining on the inner wall of the self-priming pump 37, thereby ensuring the safety of the worker replacing the self-priming pump 37.

[0047] Furthermore, since the first and second liquids are supplied by the self-priming pump 37, the priming water injection work required in S313 for non-self-priming pumps is unnecessary, and the replacement work for the self-priming pump 37 can be simplified. Note that the configuration around the self-priming pump 37 is not limited to Figure 2.

[0048] Using Figure 4, another example of the configuration around the self-priming pump 37 will be explained. The configuration in Figure 4 is the same as in Figure 2, but with the second arrangement section 34, the second flow path 36, and the switching section 33 removed. In the configuration in Figure 4, the liquid drawn in from the first flow path 32 is switched to the second liquid by replacing the first container 30 located in the first arrangement section 31 with the second container 35. Alternatively, the liquid drawn in from the first flow path 32 may be switched to the second liquid by placing the second liquid in the first container 30 located in the first arrangement section 31.

[0049] Using Figure 5, another example of the configuration around the self-priming pump 37 will be explained. In the configuration of Figure 5, the switching unit 33 of Figure 2 is replaced with a connecting unit 60, a first switching unit 61 is provided in the first flow path 32, and a second switching unit 62 is provided in the second flow path 36. The connecting unit 60 simply connects the first flow path 32, the second flow path 36, and the third flow path 38, and does not have the function of switching the paths. The first switching unit 61 is a device that switches the opening and closing of the first flow path 32, for example, a solenoid valve. The second switching unit 62 is a device that switches the opening and closing of the second flow path 36, for example, a solenoid valve. When one of the first switching unit 61 or the second switching unit 62 is open, the other is closed. Through this opening and closing control, the liquid or gas drawn in by the self-priming pump 37 is switched.

[0050] Using Figure 6, another example of the configuration around the self-priming pump 37 will be explained. In the configuration of Figure 6, a seventh flow path 64 is further connected to the connection part 60 of Figure 5, and a third switching part 63 is provided in the seventh flow path 64. One end of the seventh flow path 64 is connected to the connection part 60, and the other end is open to the atmosphere. The third switching part 63 is a device that switches the opening and closing of the seventh flow path 64, and is, for example, a solenoid valve. When any one of the first switching part 61, the second switching part 62, or the third switching part 63 is open, the other two are closed. Through this opening and closing control, the liquid or gas drawn in by the self-priming pump 37 is switched. Furthermore, according to the configuration of Figure 6, the self-priming pump 37 and the third flow path 38 can be filled with air without removing the first container 30 from the first placement part 31.

[0051] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and the components may be modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the multiple components disclosed in the embodiments may be combined as appropriate. In addition, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1: Incubator, 2: Reaction vessel, 3: Sample reagent disc, 4: Reagent bottle, 5: Sample container, 6: Reagent suction port, 7: Sample suction port, 9: Dispensing unit, 11: Dispensing pump, 13: Washing tank, 14: Reagent stirring unit, 15: Spectrophotometer, 16: Detection unit, 17: Transport unit, 18: Dispensing tip, 19: Tip tray, 20: Container tray, 21: Disposal box, 22: Tip mounting position, 23: Tip disposal port, 24: Water supply tank, 25: Waste liquid tank, 26: First liquid bottle, 27: Washing solution bottle, 28: Pump for first liquid, 29: Pump for washing solution, 30 : First container, 31: First placement section, 32: First flow path, 33: Switching section, 34: Second placement section, 35: Second container, 36: Second flow path, 37: Self-priming pump, 38: Third flow path, 39: Third container, 40: Third placement section, 41: Liquid level sensor, 42: Suction nozzle, 43: Lifting section, 44: Fourth flow path, 45: Optical measuring section, 46: Pump, 47: Fifth flow path, 48: Sixth flow path, 50: Control device, 51: Control unit, 52: Memory unit, 53: Input / output unit, 60: Connection unit, 61: First switching section, 62: Second switching section, 63: Third switching section, 64: Seventh flow path, 100: Automatic analyzer.

Claims

1. A first arrangement section in which a first container for a first liquid that adversely affects the human body and / or equipment is arranged, A second arrangement section is provided where a second container for a second liquid that does not adversely affect the human body and / or equipment is arranged, The system includes a self-priming pump that delivers the first liquid and the second liquid to a third container located in the third arrangement section. The self-priming pump is replaced after the second liquid has been supplied to it until its interior is filled with the second liquid.

2. An automated analyzer according to claim 1, The self-priming pump is replaced after the second liquid filling its interior has been discharged, characterized in that it is an automated analyzer.

3. An automated analyzer according to claim 1, An automatic analyzer further comprising a determination unit for determining whether or not there is a water leak from the self-priming pump.

4. An automated analyzer according to claim 3, The automatic analyzer is characterized in that the determination unit determines that there is a water leak if the difference in the amount of liquid delivered before and after the replacement of the self-priming pump is greater than a threshold.

5. A first arrangement section for arranging a first container for containing a first liquid that adversely affects the human body and / or equipment, A second arrangement section for arranging a second container for containing a second liquid that does not adversely affect the human body and / or equipment, A third arrangement section for arranging a third container that contains the liquid delivered from the first container and / or the second container, A first channel through which the first liquid is delivered from the first container, A second channel through which the second liquid is delivered from the second container, A third channel is formed by the merging of the first channel and the second channel, A self-priming pump is positioned along the path of the third flow channel and pumps liquid delivered from the first container or the second container to the third container. A switching unit that switches which of the liquids in the first or second flow path is sent to the third flow path, A replacement unit that replaces the liquid inside the self-priming pump with the second liquid when the operator replaces the self-priming pump, The system includes a suction unit that, when an operator removes the first container from the first placement unit and the switching unit switches the flow path to the first flow path, sucks air from the first placement unit and fills the self-priming pump with the air, The automatic analyzer is characterized in that the switching unit switches the flow path to the second flow path when the operator installs a new self-priming pump.

6. An automated analyzer according to claim 5, The automatic analysis apparatus is characterized in that the switching unit further comprises a determination unit that determines whether or not there is water leakage from the new self-priming pump when the operator installs a new self-priming pump and switches to the second flow path.

7. A method for replacing a self-priming pump that delivers a first liquid that adversely affects the human body and / or equipment, A supply step in which the second liquid is supplied until the inside of the self-priming pump is filled with the second liquid, which does not adversely affect the human body and / or equipment, A discharge step in which the second liquid is discharged from the self-priming pump, A method for replacing a self-priming pump, characterized by comprising a replacement step in which the self-priming pump is replaced.

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