Analytical apparatus and analytical method

Abstract

To provide an analyzer which can easily determine the type of a sample container.SOLUTION: An analyzer according to an embodiment includes: a holder for holding a tray which stores at least one sample container, the tray having a radiation target region for allowing light to pass through or to reflect; at least one sensor for radiating light to the radiation target region held by the holder and detecting light reflected by the radiation target region; and a processor for determining the type of the tray on the basis of the detection pattern of light by the at least one sensor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to an analytical apparatus and an analytical method.

Background Art

[0002] Analytical apparatuses for determining the type of container containing a sample are known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a rack having a rack identification unit corresponding to the types of a plurality of specimen containers, a rack detection unit for detecting the rack identification unit from the racks set in the rack setting unit, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the container transfer unit based on the detection result of the rack detection unit. Patent Document 2 describes a biochemical analyzer that irradiates light on a first sample container and a second sample container held by a holding member to determine the type of the sample container.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] There is a demand for an analytical apparatus and an analytical method capable of more easily determining the type of a specimen container.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] An analytical apparatus relating to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a tray for containing at least one sample container, a holder for holding the tray having an irradiated area for reflecting or transmitting light, at least one sensor for irradiating light toward the irradiated area of ​​the tray held by the holder and detecting the light reflected by the irradiated area, and a processor for determining the type of tray based on the light detection pattern by the at least one sensor.

[0006] In this aspect, a sensor with light-emitting and light-receiving functions detects reflected light from the tray, and the type of tray is determined based on the detection pattern. This determination allows for the identification of the type of sample container corresponding to the tray. By employing a system that obtains reflected light from the tray using a sensor, the configuration for this determination can be simplified. As a result, the type of sample container can be determined more easily. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the type of sample container can be determined more easily. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the configuration of an analytical device for determining the type of sample container. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the top of the tray. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing the underside of the tray. [Figure 4] This figure shows various examples of the relationship between the sensor and the irradiated area of ​​the tray. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows an example of how the analytical instrument operates. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or equivalent elements will be denoted by the same reference numeral, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0010] The analytical apparatus 1 according to this embodiment is an apparatus for analyzing a sample contained in a sample container. The analytical apparatus 1 determines the type of sample container and, if necessary, performs a subsequent process based on the determination result. The sample may be a liquid, for example, an oil such as lubricating oil, or an aqueous solution. The sample may also be a solid such as a powder or granules.

[0011] Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of an analytical device 1 for determining the type of sample container. The analytical device 1 determines the type of tray 90 that contains at least one sample container 80 containing a sample. Since the type of sample container 80 corresponds to the type of tray 90, if the type of tray 90 is determined, the type of sample container 80 is also determined. In one example, the analytical device 1 includes a holder 10, at least one sensor 20, a robot 30, a processor 40, and a memory 50.

[0012] The holder 10 is a device that holds a tray 90 containing a sample container 80. The holder 10 may be a platform on which the tray 90 is placed, or it may have a mechanism for gripping the tray 90 from the side.

[0013] Sensor 20 is a device that illuminates and detects light directed at a tray 90 held by a holder 10. Sensor 20 has a light-emitting unit that illuminates light toward the tray 90 and a light-receiving unit that detects light reflected by the tray 90. Sensor 20 may have a configuration in which the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit are integrated, or it may consist of a pair of light-emitting and light-receiving units that are positioned apart from each other. Each sensor 20 is connected to a processor 40.

[0014] The robot 30 is a machine that performs at least one process for determining the sample container 80. For example, the robot 30 is a vertical articulated robot equipped with a gripper as an end effector for grasping the sample container 80 or tray 90. In one example, the robot 30 moves the tray 90 from a storage location such as a rack to a holder 10, or returns the tray 90 on the holder 10 to its storage location.

[0015] The processor 40 is a computing device that determines the type of tray 90 based on sensor data obtained from the sensor 20. Examples of the processor 40 include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The processor 40 may perform further processing based on the determined type of tray 90. In one example, the processor 40 has a sensor management unit 41, a determination unit 42, and a control unit 43. The sensor management unit 41 is a functional module that operates the sensor 20 and acquires sensor data. The determination unit 42 is a functional module that determines the type of tray based on the sensor data. The control unit 43 is a functional module that performs further processing in the analysis device 1 based on the determination result.

[0016] The memory 50 is a device that stores various types of data used for processing by the processor 40. The memory 50 is composed of a non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk or flash memory. In one example, the memory 50 stores data indicating the correspondence between the light detection pattern of at least one sensor 20 and the type of tray 90. The memory 50 may also store data indicating the correspondence between the type of tray 90 and the type of sample container 80.

[0017] An example of the configuration of tray 90 will be described while referring to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the upper side of tray 90, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the lower side of tray 90. The upper side of tray 90 refers to the side where the specimen container 80 is accommodated, and the lower side of tray 90 refers to the side opposite to the upper side. In the example of FIG. 2, a frame for accommodating up to five specimen containers 80 is provided on the upper side of tray 90. As shown in FIG. 3, the lower surface of tray 90 includes an irradiated area 91 that receives light from sensor 20. In the example of FIG. 3, tray 90 includes two irradiated areas 91 corresponding to a plurality of sensors 20, and two through holes 92 are formed in each irradiated area 91. The through hole 92 is a hole formed from the upper surface to the lower surface of tray 90. The dimensions of the through hole 92 are designed to allow the light irradiated from sensor 20 to pass through.

[0018] The light irradiated from the light projecting portion of sensor 20 is reflected by the irradiated area 91 of tray 90 or passes through the through hole 92. The light reflected by the irradiated area 91 is detected by the light receiving portion of sensor 20, but the light that has passed through the through hole 92 is not detected by the light receiving portion. The processor 40 identifies a light detection pattern (hereinafter also simply referred to as "detection pattern") indicating which sensor 20 has detected the reflected light and which sensor 20 has not detected the reflected light for at least one sensor 20. The processor 40 determines the type of tray based on the detection pattern.

[0019] The detection pattern will be described while referring to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing various examples of the relationship between the sensor and the irradiated area of the tray. FIG. 4 shows rectangular trays 910, 920, 930, 940, which are examples of tray 90, and rectangular holders 10 corresponding to these trays.

[0020] The tray 910 has a first irradiated area 911 between the center and the first end in the longitudinal direction, and a second irradiated area 912 between the center and the second end which is opposite to the first end in the longitudinal direction. Both the first irradiated area 911 and the second irradiated area 912 extend along the short side direction of the tray. The first irradiated area 911 and the second irradiated area 912 are in a point-symmetrical positional relationship with the center of the tray 910 as the symmetry point. Similar to the tray 910, the tray 920 has a first irradiated area 921 and a second irradiated area 922, the tray 930 has a first irradiated area 931 and a second irradiated area 932, and the tray 940 has a first irradiated area 941 and a second irradiated area 942.

[0021] Inside the inner edge of the holder 10, three sensors 20 are arranged so as to face the irradiated area. Hereinafter, these sensors 20 are distinguished from each other as sensors 21, 22, and 23. The sensors 21 and 22 are provided so as to be arranged along the short side direction of the holder 10 in the area corresponding to the first irradiated areas 911, 921, 931, and 941. The sensor 23 is provided at the center of the area corresponding to the second irradiated areas 912, 922, 932, and 942. The sensors 21 and 22 are an example of the first sensor, and the sensor 23 is an example of the second sensor.

[0022] Among the trays 910, 920, 930, and 940, the positions of the two irradiated areas are common, but the arrangements of the through holes are different from each other.

[0023] For the tray 910, neither the first irradiated area 911 nor the second irradiated area 912 has a through hole.

[0024] For the tray 920, the first irradiated area 921 has a first through hole 923 formed at a position corresponding to the middle of the sensors 21 and 22. The second irradiated area 922 has a second through hole 924 formed at a position corresponding to the sensor 23. The first through hole 923 and the second through hole 924 are in a point-symmetrical positional relationship with the center of the tray 920 as the symmetry point.

[0025] Regarding the tray 930, the first irradiated area 931 has a first through-hole 933 formed at a position corresponding to the sensor 22. The second irradiated area 932 has a second through-hole 934 that is point-symmetric to the first through-hole 933 with respect to the center of the tray 930 as the point of symmetry.

[0026] Regarding the tray 940, the first irradiated area 941 has a first through-hole 943 formed at a position corresponding to the sensor 21 and a first through-hole 944 formed at a position corresponding to the sensor 22. The second irradiated area 942 has a second through-hole 945 that is point-symmetric to the first through-hole 944 with respect to the center of the tray 940 as the point of symmetry, and a second through-hole 946 that is point-symmetric to the first through-hole 943 with respect to the point of symmetry.

[0027] As shown in the example in Figure 4, the two irradiated regions 91 of the tray 90 are in a point-symmetric positional relationship with respect to the center of the tray 90. If through holes 92 are formed in the irradiated regions 91, at least one through hole 92 in one irradiated region 91 and at least one through hole 92 in the other irradiated region 91 are in a point-symmetric positional relationship with respect to their respective points of symmetry.

[0028] The number of detection patterns corresponds to the number of tray types 90. In the example in Figure 4, there are four types of trays 90, so the number of detection patterns for tray 90 is four.

[0029] Since tray 910 does not have through holes, sensors 21 and 22 detect reflected light from the first irradiated area 911, and sensor 23 detects reflected light from the second irradiated area 912.

[0030] In tray 920, sensors 21 and 22 detect reflected light from the first illuminated area 921. Since the second through-hole 924 allows light from sensor 23 to pass through, sensor 23 does not detect reflected light from the second illuminated area 922.

[0031] In tray 930, sensor 21 detects reflected light from the first illuminated area 931, and sensor 23 detects reflected light from the second illuminated area 932. Since the first through-hole 933 allows light from sensor 22 to pass through, sensor 22 does not detect reflected light from the first illuminated area 931.

[0032] In tray 940, the first through-holes 943 and 944 allow light from sensors 21 and 22 to pass through, respectively, so neither sensor 21 nor sensor 22 detects reflected light from the first illuminated area 941. Sensor 23 detects reflected light from the second illuminated area 942.

[0033] In one example, memory 50 stores data showing the correspondence between four types of trays 910, 920, 930, and 940 and their four detection patterns. The processor 40 identifies a detection pattern based on sensor data obtained from sensors 21, 22, and 23, and refers to memory 50 to determine the type of tray corresponding to that pattern. If memory 50 stores data showing the correspondence between the type of tray 90 and the type of sample container 80, the processor 40 further refers to memory 50 to determine the type of sample container 80 corresponding to the determined type of tray 90.

[0034] The operation of the analyzer 1 will be explained with reference to Figure 5. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of its operation, including the determination of the type of tray 90, as the processing flow S1.

[0035] In step S11, in response to the robot 30 holding the tray 90 in the holder 10, the sensor management unit 41 activates the sensors 20. The sensor management unit 41 outputs a control signal to each of at least one of the sensors 20. The light emitter emits light according to the control signal toward the illuminated area 91 of the tray 90 held on the holder 10. The emitted light may be reflected by the illuminated area 91 or pass through the through-hole 92. If the light receiving unit of the sensor 20 detects reflected light from the illuminated area 91, it outputs sensor data indicating this detection to the processor 40. The processor 40 then receives the sensor data from the sensor management unit 41.

[0036] In step S12, the determination unit 42 identifies a detection pattern based on the sensor data. The determination unit 42 determines whether or not sensor data has been acquired for at least one sensor 20, and identifies a detection pattern based on the determination result.

[0037] In step S13, the determination unit 42 determines the type of tray 90 based on the detection pattern. The determination unit 42 refers to the memory 50 to determine the type of tray 90 corresponding to the determined detection pattern. The determination unit 42 may further refer to the memory 50 to determine the type of sample container 80 corresponding to the type of tray 90.

[0038] In step S14, the control unit 43 performs control on the analyzer 1 based on the determination result. Depending on the determined type of tray 90 or sample container 80, the control unit 43 may determine the position where the robot 30 will grasp the sample container 80, determine the destination of the tray 90 or sample container 80, determine the amount of sample to be taken out of the sample container 80, or determine the analyzer to analyze the sample. The control unit 43 may operate the robot 30 based on these decisions.

[0039] [Differentiation] The present disclosure has been described in detail above based on its embodiments. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above. The present disclosure can be modified in various ways without departing from its essence.

[0040] In the example above, one or two through-holes are provided in each irradiated area, but the combination of through-holes is not limited to the example above. For example, three through-holes may be provided in each irradiated area. In this case, up to eight detection patterns can be prepared.

[0041] In the example above, the tray has two irradiated areas, a first irradiated area and a second irradiated area, but there may be only one irradiated area. For example, the irradiated area may be located in one place including the center of the tray. This irradiated area may have a shape that is point-symmetric with respect to the center of the tray. In this case, the holder may be equipped with three sensors corresponding to the irradiated area including the center of the tray. These three sensors make it possible to detect various detection patterns, including a pattern in which all sensors detect reflected light, a pattern in which either the left or right sensor detects reflected light, a pattern in which the central sensor detects reflected light, and a pattern in which none of the sensors detect reflected light.

[0042] Alternatively, the tray may have three or more irradiated areas. For example, the irradiated areas may include a first irradiated area, a second irradiated area, and a third irradiated area including the center of the tray. The tray may have a first irradiated area and a second irradiated area between the center and a first end in the longitudinal direction of the tray, and a third irradiated area and a fourth irradiated area between the center and a second end opposite the first end in the longitudinal direction. In any case, the multiple irradiated areas may be in a point-symmetrical positional relationship with respect to the center of the tray. The number of sensors may also be increased in proportion to the number of irradiated areas, in which case the number of detection patterns can be increased.

[0043] The processing steps of the method executed by the processor are not limited to the examples in the above embodiment. For example, some of the steps (processes) described above may be omitted, or each step may be executed in a different order. Also, any two or more of the steps described above may be combined, or some of the steps may be modified or deleted. Alternatively, other steps may be executed in addition to each of the above steps.

[0044] When comparing the relative magnitudes of two numbers in a computer system or within a computer, either the two criteria "greater than or equal to" and "greater than" may be used, or either the two criteria "less than or equal to" and "less than" may be used.

[0045] The analytical instrument relating to this disclosure may be defined as follows: (Item 1) A tray for holding at least one specimen container, the tray having an irradiated area for reflecting or transmitting light, and a holder for holding the tray. At least one sensor that irradiates light toward the irradiated area of ​​the tray held by the holder and detects the light reflected by the irradiated area, A processor that determines the type of tray based on the light detection pattern by at least one of the sensors, An analytical device equipped with the following features. (Item 2) The irradiated area is provided with at least one through-hole through which the irradiated light passes, The processor identifies which of the at least one sensor detected the reflected light as the detection pattern. The analytical device described in item 1. (Item 3) The type of specimen container corresponds to the type of tray, The processor determines the type of sample container corresponding to the type of tray. The analytical apparatus described in item 1 or 2. (Item 4) The irradiated area has a shape that is point-symmetric with respect to the center of the tray. The analytical instrument described in any one of items 1-3. (Item 5) The tray comprises a first irradiated area and a second irradiated area as the irradiated area, The first irradiated area and the second irradiated area are in a point-symmetric positional relationship with respect to the center of the tray. The at least one sensor includes at least one first sensor that irradiates the light toward the first irradiated area and at least one second sensor that irradiates the light toward the second irradiated area. The analytical instrument described in any one of items 1-3. (Item 6) The first irradiated region comprises at least one first through-hole through which the irradiated light passes, The second irradiated region comprises at least one second through-hole through which the irradiated light passes, The at least one first through-hole and the at least one second through-hole are in a point-symmetric positional relationship with respect to the center of the tray. The analytical device described in item 5. (Item 7) The processor determines the type of the sample container based on the type of the tray. The analytical instrument described in any one of items 1 to 6. (Item 8) A tray for holding at least one specimen container, having an irradiated area for reflecting or transmitting light, is held in a holder; The steps include: at least one sensor irradiates light toward the irradiated area of ​​the tray held by the holder, and detects the light reflected by the irradiated area; The processor determines the type of tray based on the light detection pattern by at least one sensor, Analytical methods including those mentioned.

[0046] According to item 1 or item 8, a sensor with light-emitting and light-receiving functions detects reflected light from the tray, and the type of tray is determined based on the detection pattern. This determination allows for the determination of the type of sample container corresponding to the tray. By employing a mechanism that obtains reflected light from the tray using a sensor, the configuration for this determination can be simplified. As a result, the type of sample container can be determined more easily.

[0047] According to item 2, if the through-hole is located in a position corresponding to the sensor, the light emitted from the sensor passes through the through-hole, and therefore the sensor does not detect the light. By providing through-holes in the tray and identifying which sensor detected the reflected light as a detection pattern, a detection pattern can be obtained with a simple configuration. As a result, the type of sample container can be determined more easily.

[0048] According to item 3, the type of sample container corresponds to the type of tray. Therefore, if the tray type is determined, the type of sample container can also be determined. As a result, the type of sample container can be determined more easily.

[0049] According to item 4, the irradiated area of ​​the tray has a point-symmetrical shape. Therefore, the positional relationship between the sensor and the irradiated area remains unchanged regardless of the orientation of the tray. This allows for more flexible placement of the tray on the holder.

[0050] According to item 5, the two irradiated areas on the tray are in a point-symmetrical positional relationship. Therefore, regardless of the orientation of the tray in the direction in which the two irradiated areas are aligned, the positional relationship between the sensor and the irradiated areas remains unchanged. This allows for more flexible placement of the tray on the holder.

[0051] According to item 6, the first and second through-holes are in a point-symmetrical positional relationship. Therefore, regardless of the orientation of the tray in the direction in which the two irradiated areas are aligned, the positional relationship between the sensor and the through-holes remains unchanged. This allows for more flexible placement of the tray on the holder.

[0052] According to item 7, the type of sample container can be automatically determined based on the type of tray. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0053] 1...Analyzer, 10...Holder, 20...Sensor, 30...Robot, 40...Processor, 41...Sensor management unit, 42...Determination unit, 43...Control unit, 50...Memory, 80...Sample container, 90...Tray, 91...Irradiated area, 92...Through hole.

Claims

1. A tray for holding at least one specimen container, the tray having an irradiated area for reflecting or transmitting light, the irradiated area being provided on the lower surface of the tray, the holder and At least one sensor located below the held tray when the tray is held by the holder, which irradiates light toward the irradiated area of ​​the held tray and detects the light reflected by the irradiated area, A processor that determines the type of tray based on the light detection pattern by at least one of the sensors, An analytical device equipped with the following features.

2. The irradiated area is provided with at least one through-hole through which the irradiated light passes, The processor identifies which of the at least one sensor detected the reflected light as the detection pattern. The analytical apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The type of specimen container corresponds to the type of tray, The processor determines the type of sample container corresponding to the type of tray. The analytical apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The irradiated area has a shape that is point-symmetric with respect to the center of the tray. The analytical apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The tray comprises a first irradiated area and a second irradiated area as the irradiated area, The first irradiated area and the second irradiated area are in a point-symmetric positional relationship with respect to the center of the tray. The at least one sensor includes at least one first sensor that irradiates the light toward the first irradiated area and at least one second sensor that irradiates the light toward the second irradiated area. The analytical apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The first irradiated region comprises at least one first through-hole through which the irradiated light passes, The second irradiated region comprises at least one second through-hole through which the irradiated light passes, The at least one first through-hole and the at least one second through-hole are in a point-symmetric positional relationship with respect to the center of the tray. The analytical apparatus according to claim 5.

7. The processor determines the type of the sample container based on the type of the tray. The analytical apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

8. A tray for holding at least one specimen container, the tray having an irradiated area for reflecting or transmitting light, the step of holding the tray in a holder, wherein the irradiated area is provided on the lower surface of the tray, The steps include: when the tray is held by the holder, at least one sensor located below the held tray irradiates light toward the irradiated area of ​​the held tray and detects the light reflected by the irradiated area; The processor determines the type of tray based on the light detection pattern by at least one sensor, Analytical methods including those mentioned.

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