Automated analyzing device, and light source stabilization method for automated analyzing device

Abstract

Provided is an automated analyzing device capable of avoiding a light intensity drift accompanying a temperature change caused by the start of energization of a light source, and capable of shortening a stabilization waiting time. An automated analyzing device 50 comprises: a light source 39 which illuminates a reaction vessel 2 accommodating a mixed solution of a sample and a reagent with light for measuring the sample; a temperature regulating mechanism 27 for performing temperature regulation of the light source 39 by means of a temperature regulating medium; a reaction tank 5 for performing temperature regulation of the reaction vessel 2 by means of the temperature regulating medium; circulating pumps 30, 35 for delivering the temperature regulating medium; an analyzing unit 42 for analyzing the sample; and an operation control unit 43. When transitioning from a sample non-measurement state to a measurable state via a measurement preparation state, the operation control unit 43, in the measurement preparation state, increases a current or a voltage applied to the light source 39, increases a flow rate of the temperature regulating medium for a fixed time period, and returns the flow rate of the temperature regulating medium to the flow rate prior to the increase, and then migrates to the measurable state and causes the sample to be measured.

Description

Automatic analyzer and light source stabilization method for automatic analyzer

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that measures the concentration or activity of a target component in a sample containing multiple components, such as blood or urine, and in particular to an automatic analyzer having an optical unit that mixes a sample and a reagent and measures the absorbance of the reaction solution using a light source, and a method for stabilizing a light source for the automatic analyzer.

[0002] An automated analyzer is a device that analyzes biological samples such as blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, etc. Using a dispensing mechanism with nozzles for samples and reagents, the automated analyzer dispenses samples and reagents from their respective storage containers into reaction containers, stirs the mixture of sample and reagent, and then measures the color change of the reaction solution using an optical mechanism. Based on the measured data, the automated analyzer quantifies the amount of target substances in the sample and outputs the results.

[0003] The optical mechanism for measuring the color change consists of a light source that emits light to be transmitted through the reaction solution, and a photometer that receives the transmitted light. The light source uses a halogen lamp or LED. The photometer consists of a diffraction grating that separates the transmitted light into individual wavelengths, and a light-receiving unit that receives each wavelength after diffraction. The light-receiving unit has detectors such as photodiodes arranged at specified intervals to detect specific wavelengths.

[0004] In addition, the ambient temperature of the light source is generally controlled to stabilize the light intensity. In some automated analyzers, the medium (liquid or gas) that controls the temperature of the reaction vessel is also used as the temperature control medium for the light source.

[0005] Patent Document 1 describes a mechanism for controlling the temperature of a light source in an automatic analyzer using a temperature control medium (liquid or gas).

[0006] When the light source is turned on and begins to light up, the light source itself generates heat, causing a temperature change. Therefore, the amount of light does not stabilize for a certain period after lighting, and if measurement is started in this state, it will have a negative impact on measurement accuracy.

[0007] Therefore, with current devices, it is necessary to wait a certain amount of time after the light source is turned on before starting measurement. On the other hand, since there is a demand for a long life for the light source of automatic analyzers, methods are provided to reduce power consumption when not in use, such as using a function to turn the light source off when not in use.

[0008] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-264908

[0009] As mentioned above, even when using a function to turn off the light source when not measuring to reduce power consumption when not in use, it is necessary to ensure the waiting time described above, and frequent switching between the non-measurement state and the measurement state significantly reduces processing capacity. In particular, with automated analyzers, the timing of setting samples in the device can be irregular depending on the operation, so switching between the non-measurement and measurement states occurs frequently.

[0010] In automated analyzers, a long lifespan of the light source is important in terms of maintenance frequency and running costs. Halogen lamps are generally used in automated analyzers, but in recent years there has been a trend toward using LED light sources due to their longer lifespan.

[0011] In addition to the lifespan of the light source itself, there is a method of reducing unnecessary lighting and the frequency of replacement by turning off the light source when not in use.

[0012] However, light sources, especially LEDs, are sensitive to changes in light intensity due to temperature fluctuations. To suppress these fluctuations, it is necessary to maintain a constant temperature around the light source using a temperature control medium. For this reason, there is a technology that uses a temperature control medium (e.g., water) to control the temperature of the reaction vessel and the light source at the same time.

[0013] However, even if the light source is temperature-controlled at a constant temperature, when the light source itself is switched from OFF to ON, the heat generated by the light source itself causes a temperature change in the LED light source, which causes a tendency for the light intensity to drift immediately after the LED light source is turned on.

[0014] When the light source is turned off during non-measurement periods, the automated analyzer must wait a certain amount of time (e.g., 30 minutes) for the light intensity to stabilize after the light source is turned on before starting measurement in order to avoid the effects of this light intensity drift. This waiting time is a major obstacle when urgent samples are being processed and measurement results must be output quickly.

[0015] An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer having a light source unit that is temperature-controlled to a constant temperature, which can avoid light intensity drift caused by temperature changes that occur when power is turned on to the light source, and can shorten the stabilization wait time, and a method for stabilizing the light source of the automatic analyzer.

[0016] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows.

[0017] An automatic analyzer includes a light source that irradiates a reaction vessel containing a mixture of a sample and a reagent with light for measuring the sample, a temperature control mechanism that controls the temperature of the light source using a temperature control medium, a reaction tank that controls the temperature of the reaction vessel using the temperature control medium, a circulation pump that delivers the temperature control medium, an analysis unit that analyzes the sample, and an operation control unit.When transitioning from a non-measurement state of the sample to a measurement-ready state via a measurement-ready state, the operation control unit increases the current or voltage applied to the light source in the measurement-ready state and increases the flow rate of the temperature control medium for a certain period of time, returns the flow rate of the temperature control medium to the state before the increase, and then transitions to a measurement-ready state and performs measurement of the sample.

[0018] Also, there is provided a light source stabilization method for an automatic analyzer comprising a light source that irradiates a reaction vessel containing a mixture of a sample and a reagent with light for measuring the sample, a temperature control mechanism that controls the temperature of the light source using a temperature control medium, a reaction tank that controls the temperature of the reaction vessel using the temperature control medium, an analysis unit that analyzes the sample, and an operation control unit, wherein when transitioning from a non-measurement state of the sample to a measurable state via a measurement preparation state, the current or voltage applied to the light source in the measurement preparation state is increased and the flow rate of the temperature control medium is increased for a certain period of time, the flow rate of the temperature control medium is returned to the state before the increase, and then the state transitions to a measurable state and the sample is measured.

[0019] According to the present invention, an automatic analyzer having a light source unit that is temperature-controlled to a constant temperature can be provided, which can avoid light intensity drift caused by temperature changes that occur when power is turned on to the light source, and can shorten the stabilization wait time, and a method for stabilizing the light source of the automatic analyzer can be provided.

[0020] 12 is a schematic diagram of an automatic analyzer. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a light source unit, which is a schematic diagram of the top surface of an automatic analyzer. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a circulation flow path configuration for a temperature control medium. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of control of device state transition and light intensity fluctuation when an embodiment of the present invention is not applied. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a circulation flow path according to Example 1. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating control accompanying state transition from a non-measurement state to a measurement-enabled state using the circulation flow path configuration according to Example 1. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a circulation flow path according to Example 2. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of control of shortening the light intensity stabilization time using the flow path of FIG. 8. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating another example of control of shortening the light intensity stabilization time using the flow path of FIG. 8. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a circulation flow path 38 according to Example 3. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of control of shortening the light intensity stabilization time using the first light source temperature control medium flow path and the second light source temperature control medium flow path of FIG. 11. FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of a circulation flow path configuration for a temperature control medium, which is a modified example of Example 2.

[0021] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0022] First Embodiment First, an overview of an automatic analyzer 50 to which a first embodiment is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.

[0023] 1 and 2 are diagrams showing the overall configuration of an automatic analyzer 50. Fig. 1 shows an overview of each mechanism of the automatic analyzer 50, and Fig. 2 shows an overview of the automatic analyzer 50 from above.

[0024] 1 and 2, reaction vessels 2 containing a mixture of sample and reagent are arranged in a circle on a reaction disk 1. A plurality of reagent vessels 4 can be arranged in a circle on a reagent disk (or reagent storage) 3. The reaction vessels 2 are surrounded by a reaction tank 5 filled with a thermally conductive medium, such as water, whose temperature is controlled at 37°C, and the temperature of the reaction vessels 2 is maintained at a constant 37°C by circulating the constant temperature water within the reaction tank 5.

[0025] A sample transport mechanism 8 is installed near the reaction disk 1, and moves a rack 7 carrying sample containers 6. A sample dispensing mechanism 9 that can rotate and move up and down is installed between the reaction disk 2 and the sample transport mechanism 8. This sample dispensing mechanism 9 is equipped with a sample nozzle 10. Reagent dispensing mechanisms 11 and 13 that can rotate and move up and down are installed between the reaction disk 1 and the reagent disk 3. The reagent dispensing mechanism 11 is equipped with a reagent nozzle 12, and the reagent dispensing mechanism 13 is equipped with a reagent nozzle 14.

[0026] A cleaning mechanism 15, a spectrophotometer 16, and stirring mechanisms 17 and 18 are arranged around the reaction disk 1. A sample nozzle washing tank 19, reagent nozzle washing tanks 20 and 21, and stirring mechanism washing tanks 22 and 23 are installed within the operating ranges of the sample dispensing mechanism 9, reagent dispensing mechanisms 11 and 13, and stirring mechanisms 17 and 18, respectively. Each mechanism is controlled by an operation control unit 43 of the control computer 24. The control computer 24 also has an analysis unit 42 that analyzes samples.

[0027] A light source unit 25 is disposed diagonally across the reaction vessel 5 from the spectrophotometer 16, for allowing transmitted light to enter the spectrophotometer 16. A halogen lamp is generally used for the light source unit 25, but in recent years there has been a trend toward using LEDs in view of their longer lifespan.

[0028] The light source unit 25 is made up of a light emitting unit 26 and a temperature control holder (temperature control mechanism) 27. A schematic diagram of the light source unit 25 is shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 3 shows the top surface, right side surface, and schematic cross section of the light source unit 25.

[0029] 3, the light-emitting unit 26 is configured by arranging a light-emitting diode (LED element) serving as a light source 39 that irradiates the reaction vessel 2 with light for measuring the sample on a base part 45. The light-emitting unit 26 is also provided with a temperature sensor 46 that measures the temperature of the light source 39. In this first embodiment, the light from two LED elements with different wavelengths is combined using a mirror, but the light-emitting principle of the light source 39 and conditions such as various configurations and arrangements are not limited.

[0030] The light source unit 25 is configured by inserting the light-emitting unit 26 into the internal space of the temperature control holder 27. In addition, a temperature control medium flow path 44 is located outside the internal space of the temperature control holder 27, and a temperature control medium (liquid or gas) flows through this flow path, thereby controlling the temperature of the space within the temperature control holder 27. The temperature control medium flows into the temperature control holder 27 from the flow path connected to in in Figure 3 from the outside of the temperature control holder 27, and then is discharged from the out flow path. The temperature control medium circulates within the automatic analyzer 50, sharing the light source unit 25 with the reaction vessel 5, which controls the temperature of the reaction vessel 2.

[0031] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a circulation flow path configuration for a temperature control medium, which is an example different from the present invention. Fig. 4 shows an example in which water is pumped, but a similar configuration may be used for other media.

[0032] In Figure 4, water is sent from water supply pump 28 to circulation flow path 38 via solenoid valve SV29. The sent water is then transported by circulation pump 30 and heated by passing through heater 31. The temperature control medium is then sent to reaction vessel 5 via branch pipe 32 and reaction vessel temperature control medium flow path 41. The temperature control medium is also sent to temperature control holder 27 via branch pipe 32 and light source temperature control medium flow path 40. The water then passes through each unit and returns to circulation pump 30 via the return flow path.

[0033] Furthermore, a degassing mechanism 33 and a cooling mechanism 34 are disposed in the flow path on the return side of the reaction tank 5 to the circulation pump 30. The cooling mechanism 34 may also serve as a cooling mechanism for a reagent refrigerator (not shown in FIG. 4 ). Water is circulated within the circulation flow path 38, and the circulation flow rate, the temperature of the heater 31, and the output of the cooling mechanism 34 are controlled so that the temperature within the reaction tank 5 is maintained at a constant temperature, for example, 37° C. The diameter and length of the flow paths connecting each mechanism are determined based on appropriate conditions taking into account the overall configuration of the automated analyzer 50 and the temperature control efficiency of the heater 31 and the cooling mechanism 34.

[0034] Figure 5 shows the device state transitions from a sample non-measurement state, a sample measurement preparation state, and a sample measurement possible state when an embodiment of the present invention is not applied, as well as the behavior of the current on / off of the light source 39 at that time, and the accompanying stability state of the light intensity of the light source 39.

[0035] As shown in Figure 5, when the sample non-measurement state transitions to the measurement preparation state, the power supply to the light source 39 is turned on. Thereafter, the automatic analyzer 50 performs the operations necessary for measurement preparation in the measurement preparation state. At this time, the light intensity of the light source 39 is unstable due to the influence of the temperature environment change caused by the start of power supply to the light source 39. The light intensity is indicated as a photocurrent value nA based on the current value detected by the photodiode in the spectrophotometer 16.

[0036] If the light source 39 transitions to a measurement-enabled state while still in an unstable state, it will have a negative effect on the measured value, so it is necessary to provide an additional light source stabilization waiting time of X seconds even after the measurement preparation operation is completed.

[0037] Therefore, it is necessary to add extra time to the measurement preparation time to account for the additional waiting time for light source stabilization, which increases the time it takes to transition to a measurable state. For example, if an LED light source 39 is used, the temperature effect caused by this phenomenon is particularly pronounced, and the transition time to a stable state becomes longer, so that a measurement preparation operation that normally takes 5 minutes to complete may need to be added with an additional waiting time of 15 minutes.

[0038] The present invention provides a system that significantly reduces or even eliminates this additional latency.

[0039] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a circulation flow path 38 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the circulation flow path 38 of Fig. 6, the circulation pump is arranged as a variable output circulation pump 35. The variable output circulation pump 35 can change the flow rate by controlling the current or voltage.

[0040] The current and voltage of the variable output circulation pump 35 are controlled by the operation control unit 43 of the control computer 24 .

[0041] FIG. 7 shows control accompanying a state transition from a non-measurement state to a measurement-enabled state using the circulation flow path configuration according to Example 1 shown in FIG.

[0042] FIG. 7 shows the device state transitions from a non-measurement state, a measurement preparation state, and a measurement enabled state, the behavior of the current on / off of the light source 39 at that time, and the accompanying stability of the light intensity of the light source 39.

[0043] 7, the power of the light source 39 is turned on to transition from a non-measurement state to a measurement-enabled state. At this time, along with the operations required for the measurement-enabled state, the output of the output variable circulation pump 35 is increased above normal. This allows the water in the circulation flow path 38 to circulate faster than normal. For example, a change occurs from a normal liquid flow rate of 2.5 L / min to 5.0 L / min.

[0044] This accelerates heat exchange with the light source unit 25 inside the temperature control holder 27, thereby shortening the time during which the light amount becomes unstable. This high output state is maintained for Y seconds, which is set to a time sufficient to stabilize the unstable state of the light source.

[0045] The Y-second determination may be made by directly monitoring the drift in light intensity to confirm that the state has stabilized, triggering the termination of the high-output state. Specifically, when monitoring the light intensity drift, the amount of change per unit second (e.g., 60 seconds) in the light intensity of the light source 39 or the amount of change per unit time in the absorbance of the sample detected by the spectrophotometer 16 is acquired. A threshold value is set for the amount of change in light intensity or the amount of change in absorbance (drift amount). When the measurement preparation state and the variable output circulation pump 35 are in the high-output state, the amount of change is checked to see if it falls within the light intensity change threshold or the absorbance change threshold. If it does not fall within the threshold, the high-output state is continued. When the amount of change in light intensity or the absorbance change threshold is reached, the flow rate of the temperature control medium is returned to the state before the increase, and the high-output state is terminated.

[0046] Furthermore, the determination of Y seconds may be triggered by temperature monitoring of the light source 39. When temperature monitoring is used as a trigger, a temperature sensor 46, which is a measuring device that can measure the temperature of the light source 39 of the light source unit 25, is provided, and a configuration is adopted in which the temperature of the light source 39 of the light source unit 25 inside the temperature control holder 27 can be monitored.

[0047] In the measurement preparation state, after the output variable circulation pump 35 enters a high output state, it continues in the high output state until the temperature of the light source 39 of the light source unit 25 reaches a specified temperature threshold, and when the specified temperature threshold is reached, it triggers the return of the flow rate of the temperature control medium to before it was increased, and the high output state ends. After that, the measurement preparation state is maintained for Z seconds, and then it is possible to transition to a measurement-enabled state.

[0048] If measurement is performed with the variable output circulating pump 35 in a high output state, there is a risk of increased fluctuations in the circulating water in the reaction tank 5 and the entrainment of air bubbles, which could disrupt the absorbance. For this reason, in the measurement preparation state, the automatic analyzer 50 waits Z seconds after the variable output circulating pump 35 returns from the high output state to the normal state for the circulating flow rate to stabilize before it can begin measurement. Z seconds is the time it takes for the circulating water volume to stabilize, and varies depending on the total circulating water volume and flow path configuration within the automatic analyzer 50, so the time is set according to the configuration of the automatic analyzer 50.

[0049] In the first embodiment of the present invention, even if the time of Y and Z seconds is added, it is possible to make the time shorter than that in the measurement preparation state in the example different from the present invention shown in FIG.

[0050] As described above, in Example 1 of the present invention, when transitioning from a sample non-measurement state to a measurement-ready state via a measurement-ready state, the operation control unit 43 increases the current or voltage applied to the light source 39 in the measurement-ready state, and also increases the flow rate of the temperature-control medium for a certain period of time, and then returns the temperature-control medium flow rate, waits for a certain period of time Z seconds to elapse, transitions to a measurement-ready state, and performs sample measurement.

[0051] Therefore, according to Example 1 of the present invention, in an automatic analyzer having a light source unit that is temperature-controlled to a constant temperature, it is possible to provide an automatic analyzer and a light source stabilization method for an automatic analyzer that can avoid light intensity drift associated with temperature changes that occur when power is turned on to the light source and shorten the stabilization wait time.

[0052] As an example of how the variable output circulation pump 35 changes the liquid supply rate, the normal rate is set to 2.5 L / min to 5.0 L / min, but the liquid supply rate can be changed appropriately depending on the device being used. Considering the heat exchange efficiency of the LED light source 39, the liquid supply rate may be set to, for example, 1.4 to 4.0 times the initial flow rate. The upper limit of the liquid supply rate may be set to 2.5 times the total circulating water volume, regardless of the initial flow rate.

[0053] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0054] 8 is a diagram showing a circulation flow path 38 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of an automatic analyzer 50 in the second embodiment is similar to the configuration shown in Figures 1 and 2, and therefore, illustrations and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0055] In the second embodiment, an example of a circulation flow path 38 is shown in which the circulation pump 30 shown in FIG. 4 is used instead of the variable output circulation pump 35 used in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, a proportional solenoid valve 36 is disposed in the light source temperature control medium flow path 40 between the branch pipe 32 and the temperature control holder 27. The proportional solenoid valve 36 has a mechanism that can vary the opening amount of the solenoid valve by controlling the current or voltage. The opening amount of the proportional solenoid valve 36 is controlled by the operation control unit 43 of the computer 24.

[0056] In order to avoid a decrease in the flow rate due to pressure loss when the opening amount of the proportional solenoid valve 36 is changed, it is desirable that the resistance of the flow path returning from the temperature control unit (heater 31, temperature control holder 27, cooling mechanism 34) to the circulation pump 30 be smaller than the resistance of the flow path sending from the circulation pump 30 to the temperature control unit.

[0057] Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of control for shortening the light intensity stabilization time using the flow path of Figure 8. In Figure 9, the power supply of the light source 39 is turned on to transition from a non-measurement state to a measurement-enabled state. At that time, along with the operations required for the measurement-enabled state, the opening amount of the proportional solenoid valve 36 is changed from standard opening to large opening, which increases the opening amount. For example, a configuration is used in which the difference between standard and large opening is 1.5 times.

[0058] As a result, the flow resistance is relatively smaller in the flow path on the temperature control holder 27 side than on the reaction vessel 5 side, and the flow rate on the temperature control holder 27 side is therefore larger. After Y seconds have elapsed in the measurement preparation state, the state is returned to the standard open state and maintained for Z seconds, after which it is possible to transition to a measurement-ready state. As a result, as in Example 1 shown in Figure 6, heat exchange between the temperature control holder 27 and the light-emitting unit 26 is accelerated, and the time during which the light intensity is unstable is shortened.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 10, the proportional solenoid valve 36 may be controlled so as to be in a wide open state in the non-measurement state, and then be in a standard open state after Y seconds have elapsed since transition to the measurement preparation state.

[0060] 8, the proportional solenoid valve 36 is disposed in the light source temperature control medium flow path 40 on the temperature control holder 27 side, but as shown in Fig. 13, the proportional solenoid valve 36 may be disposed in the reaction vessel temperature control medium flow path 41 on the reaction vessel 5 side. In that case, in the measurement preparation state, it is necessary to close the proportional solenoid valve 36 more than in the measurement state to narrow the flow path, thereby increasing the flow path resistance relatively more than on the temperature control holder 27 side and increasing the flow rate on the temperature control holder 27 side.

[0061] In the second embodiment, the same effects as those in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0062] In addition, an example in which Example 1 and Example 2 are combined, i.e., an example in which the proportional solenoid valve 36 is arranged on the temperature control holder 27 side or the reaction tank 5 side, and an output variable circulation pump 35 is arranged instead of the circulation pump 30, is also an example of the present invention.

[0063] Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0064] 11 is a diagram showing a circulation flow path 38 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of an automatic analyzer 50 according to the third embodiment is similar to the configuration shown in Figures 1 and 2, and therefore, illustrations and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0065] In Example 3, a flow path configuration is shown that does not use a proportional solenoid valve and that exhibits the same effects as in Example 1. In Example 3, the light source temperature control medium flow path 40 that connects the branch pipe 32 to the temperature control holder 27 is made up of two flow paths (a first light source temperature control medium flow path 40A and a second light source temperature control medium flow path 40B). A solenoid valve 37 is disposed in the first light source temperature control medium flow path 40A. The solenoid valve 37 is controlled by an operation control unit 43 of the computer 24.

[0066] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of control for shortening the light intensity stabilization time using the first light source temperature control medium flow path 40A and the second light source temperature control medium flow path 4B shown in FIG.

[0067] 12, in order to transition from a non-measurement state to a measurement-ready state, the power of the light source 39 is turned on in the measurement preparation state. At that time, along with the operations required for the measurement-ready state, the solenoid valve 37 is opened. As a result, the flow rate in the temperature control holder 27 is relatively higher than that on the reaction vessel 5 side, and the flow rate inside the temperature control holder 27 is increased.

[0068] After Y seconds have elapsed in the measurement preparation state, the solenoid valve 37 is returned from the open state to the closed state and maintained for Z seconds, after which the state can be transitioned to the measurement-ready state. As a result, similar to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6, heat exchange between the temperature control holder 27 and the light source unit 25 is accelerated, and the time during which the light intensity is unstable is shortened.

[0069] In the third embodiment, the same effects as those in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0070] As described above, in a system in which the device turns off the light source 39 in a non-measurement state to extend the life of the light source 39, and in which the heat generated when the light source 39 is switched from off to on causes the light intensity to become unstable for a long period of time, the present invention has the effect of accelerating heat exchange between the light source unit 25 and the temperature control holder 27 in a measurement preparation state.

[0071] This reduces the time during which the light source 39 is unstable, thereby reducing the time required for the measurement preparation state to the minimum required for the mechanism preparation operation.

[0072] This makes it possible to shorten the time it takes to transition from a non-measurement state to a measurement-ready state via a measurement preparation state. In an automatic analyzer, sudden measurement requests occur, such as when a sample that needs to be processed immediately is sent, so shortening the time it takes to go from a non-measurement state to being able to start measurement as much as possible is a great benefit to the user.

[0073] In the above-mentioned Examples 1 to 3, the measurable state also includes blank measurement of the reaction vessel before actually measuring the absorbance of the mixed solution.

[0074] The present invention has a control for switching the current value flowing through the light source 39 in each state during the process of transitioning from a non-measurement state to a measurement preparation state and then to a measurement-enabled state, and by flowing a current value of zero or a lower current value than in the measurement-enabled state in the non-measurement state, it is possible to extend the replacement cycle of the light source 39 installed in the automatic analyzer 50.

[0075] In the above-described automatic analyzer 50, the current flowing through the light source 39 is changed when the analyzer transitions from the non-measurement state to the measurement preparation state. However, in examples different from the present invention, the amount of heat generated by the light source 39 changes, causing a change in the amount of light, and therefore an extra waiting time is required in the measurement preparation state to wait for the amount of light to stabilize. In the present invention, in response to the phenomenon in which the amount of light increases or decreases over time, the flow rate of the temperature control medium of the light source is temporarily increased in the measurement preparation state compared to the measurement state, thereby accelerating heat exchange between the light source 39 and the temperature control medium.

[0076] The present invention allows the light intensity of the light source 39 to be stabilized more quickly than when transitioning from a normal non-measurement state to a measurement state, and the increased flow rate returns to the normal flow rate before transitioning to the measurement state.

[0077] In response to light intensity drift caused by heat generation due to switching the current value of the light source 39 from the non-measurement state to the measurement preparation state, increasing the flow rate of the temperature control medium in the measurement preparation state accelerates heat exchange between the light source 39 and the temperature control medium, thereby making it possible to reduce the temperature drift of the light source per unit time and, as a result, keep the light intensity drift caused by temperature drift within a specified range. This shortens the light intensity stabilization time, so when starting measurement from the non-measurement state, it is not necessary to extend the processing time of the measurement preparation state extra, making it possible to enter the measurement state with a minimum of preparation operations.

[0078] 1... reaction disk, 2... reaction vessel, 3... reagent disk, 4... reagent vessel, 5... reaction tank, 6... sample vessel, 7... rack, 8... sample transport mechanism, 9... sample dispensing mechanism, 10... sample nozzle, 11, 13... reagent dispensing mechanism, 12, 14... reagent nozzle, 15... cleaning mechanism, 16... spectrophotometer, 17, 18... stirring mechanism, 19... sample nozzle washing tank, 20, 21... reagent nozzle washing tank, 22, 23... stirring mechanism washing tank, 24... control computer, 25... light source unit, 26... light emitting unit, 27... temperature control holder (temperature control mechanism), 28...water supply pump, 29...solenoid valve, 30...circulation pump, 31...heater, 32...branch pipe, 33...deaeration mechanism, 34...cooling mechanism, 35...variable output circulation pump, 36...proportional solenoid valve, 37...solenoid valve, 38...circulation flow path, 39...light source, 40...light source temperature control medium flow path, 40A...light source temperature control medium first flow path, 40B...light source temperature control medium second flow path, 41...reaction tank temperature control medium flow path, 42...analysis unit, 43...operation control unit, 44...temperature control medium flow path, 45...base, 46...temperature sensor, 50...automatic analyzer

Claims

1. a light source for irradiating a reaction vessel containing a mixture of a sample and a reagent with light for measuring the sample; a temperature control mechanism that controls the temperature of the light source using a temperature control medium; a reaction tank for controlling the temperature of the reaction vessel by the temperature control medium; A spectrophotometer disposed on either side of the reaction vessel; A circulating pump that delivers the temperature control medium; An analysis unit for analyzing the sample; An operation control unit; Equipped with When the light source transitions from a non-measurement state of the sample to a measurement-ready state via a measurement-ready state, The automatic analyzer is characterized in that the operation control unit increases the current or voltage applied to the light source in the measurement preparation state, and increases the flow rate of the temperature control medium for a time required for the light source to stabilize in accordance with the amount of light indicated by the current value detected by the spectrophotometer, then returns the flow rate of the temperature control medium to the state before it was increased, waits for the flow rate of the temperature control medium to stabilize, transitions to the measurement possible state, and has the analysis unit measure the sample.

2. 2. The automated analyzer according to claim 1, The circulation pump is a variable output circulation pump, and the operation control unit, in the measurement preparation state, changes the flow rate of the variable output circulation pump to increase the flow rate of the temperature control medium for the time required for the light source to stabilize, returns the flow rate of the temperature control medium, and waits for the flow rate of the temperature control medium to stabilize before transitioning to the measurement ready state.

3. 2. The automated analyzer according to claim 1, an automatic analyzer comprising a temperature control medium flow path for a light source that sends the temperature control medium to the temperature control mechanism, and a temperature control medium flow path for a reaction tank that sends the temperature control medium to the reaction tank, wherein a proportional solenoid valve is disposed in the temperature control medium flow path for the light source, and the operation control unit controls the opening amount of the proportional solenoid valve to increase the flow rate of the temperature control medium sent to the temperature control mechanism for a certain period of time in the measurement preparation state, and then returns the flow rate of the temperature control medium to its original value, and then transitions to the measurement ready state.

4. 2. The automated analyzer according to claim 1, an automatic analyzer comprising a temperature control medium flow path for a light source that sends the temperature control medium to the temperature control mechanism, and a temperature control medium flow path for a reaction tank that sends the temperature control medium to the reaction tank, wherein a proportional solenoid valve is disposed in the temperature control medium flow path for the reaction tank, and the operation control unit controls the opening amount of the proportional solenoid valve to increase the flow rate of the temperature control medium sent to the temperature control mechanism for a certain period of time in the measurement preparation state, and then returns the flow rate of the temperature control medium to its original value, and then transitions to the measurement ready state.

5. 2. The automated analyzer according to claim 1, an automatic analyzer comprising a first temperature control medium flow path for a light source and a second temperature control medium flow path for a light source which send the temperature control medium to the temperature control mechanism, and a temperature control medium flow path for a reaction tank which sends the temperature control medium to the reaction tank, wherein an electromagnetic valve is disposed in the first temperature control medium flow path for a light source, and the operation control unit controls the opening and closing of the electromagnetic valve to increase the flow rate of the temperature control medium sent to the temperature control mechanism for a certain period of time in the measurement preparation state, and then returns the flow rate of the temperature control medium to its original value, and then transitions to the measurement ready state.

6. (delete)

7. 2. The automated analyzer according to claim 1, The automatic analyzer is characterized in that the operation control unit increases the current or voltage applied to the light source in the measurement preparation state and increases the flow rate of the temperature control medium for a certain period of time, and returns the flow rate of the temperature control medium to the state before the increase when the change in the light intensity of the light source per unit time becomes within a light intensity change threshold.

8. 2. The automated analyzer according to claim 1, An automatic analyzer comprising a spectrophotometer, wherein the operation control unit increases the current or voltage applied to the light source in the measurement preparation state and increases the flow rate of the temperature control medium for a certain period of time, and returns the flow rate of the temperature control medium to the state before the increase when the change in absorbance per unit time detected by the spectrophotometer falls within a set threshold value for the amount of absorbance change.

9. 2. The automated analyzer according to claim 1, An automatic analysis apparatus comprising a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the light source, and wherein the operation control unit increases the current or voltage applied to the light source in the measurement preparation state and increases the flow rate of the temperature control medium for a certain period of time, and returns the flow rate of the temperature control medium to the state before it was increased when the temperature of the light source reaches a temperature threshold.

10. 2. The automated analyzer according to claim 1, The automatic analyzer is characterized in that the light source is a light emitting diode.

11. A light source stabilization method for an automatic analyzer including a light source that irradiates a reaction vessel containing a mixed solution of a sample and a reagent with light for measuring the sample, a temperature control mechanism that controls the temperature of the light source using a temperature control medium, a reaction vessel that controls the temperature of the reaction vessel using the temperature control medium, a spectrophotometer disposed on either side of the reaction vessel, a circulation pump that delivers the temperature control medium, an analysis unit that analyzes the sample, and an operation control unit, comprising: When the light source transitions from a non-measurement state of the sample to a measurement-ready state via a measurement-ready state, A light source stabilization method for an automatic analyzer, comprising: increasing a current or voltage applied to the light source in the measurement preparation state; and increasing the flow rate of the temperature control medium for a time required for the light source to stabilize in accordance with the amount of light indicated by the current value detected by the spectrophotometer; returning the flow rate of the temperature control medium to the state before the increase; waiting for the time required for the flow rate of the temperature control medium to stabilize, before transitioning to the measurement-ready state; and having the analytical unit measure the sample.

12. (delete)

13. The method for stabilizing a light source for an automatic analyzer according to claim 11, A light source stabilization method for an automatic analyzer, characterized in that in the measurement preparation state, the current or voltage applied to the light source is increased and the flow rate of the temperature control medium is increased for a certain period of time, and when the change in the light intensity of the light source per unit time becomes within a light intensity change threshold, the flow rate of the temperature control medium is returned to the state before the increase.

14. The method for stabilizing a light source for an automatic analyzer according to claim 11, A light source stabilization method for an automatic analyzer, characterized in that in the measurement preparation state, the current or voltage applied to the light source is increased and the flow rate of the temperature control medium is increased for a certain period of time, and when the change in absorbance of the sample per unit time becomes within a set threshold value for the amount of absorbance change, the flow rate of the temperature control medium is returned to the state before the increase.

15. The method for stabilizing a light source for an automatic analyzer according to claim 11, A light source stabilization method for an automatic analyzer, characterized in that in the measurement preparation state, a current or voltage applied to the light source is increased and a flow rate of the temperature control medium is increased for a certain period of time, and when the temperature of the light source reaches a temperature threshold, the flow rate of the temperature control medium is returned to the state before the increase.