Automated analysis device

Abstract

The objective of the present invention is to provide an automated analyzing device with which it is easy for a user to understand a current usage status and a replacement time of a limited-life member. To this end, according to the present invention, an automated analyzing device for analyzing an analysis target in a sample comprises a limited-life member used to perform the analysis, a control unit for estimating the remaining service life of the limited-life member, and a display unit capable of using different methods to display the remaining service life, wherein, if the remaining service life of the limited-life member has reached a predefined reference value, the control unit switches the method for displaying the remaining service life that is to be displayed on the display unit.

Description

automatic analyzer

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer.

[0002] Automated analyzers for analyzing samples such as blood use components with a certain lifespan. For example, light sources are one of the important components that determine analytical performance. Light emitted from the light source passes through a reaction solution containing a mixture of reagent and sample, is dispersed into a specific number of wavelengths by a spectroscope, and is detected by a detector. In recent years, automated analyzers have been developed that use LED light sources instead of conventional halogen lamps. LED light sources generally have a long lighting life, but this lighting life varies depending on the usage environment. Therefore, it is important to predict the light source's usable time (remaining life) and determine the appropriate replacement timing. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for predicting the remaining life of an LED by estimating the remaining life (remaining life) from changes in the correction rate (dimming correction rate) of the adjustment function that maintains a constant light intensity. Patent Document 1 also discloses displaying the predicted remaining life as remaining time or the number of remaining days obtained by dividing the remaining time by the average lighting time per day.

[0003] JP 2018-45951 A

[0004] However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 continues to display the predicted remaining life in a single display format from start to finish, which can make it difficult to understand the current usage status or the specific replacement time. For example, if the remaining time is displayed consistently from start to finish, the user must calculate the end of the lifespan themselves. Furthermore, if the remaining days are displayed consistently from start to finish, the prediction accuracy of the remaining days, especially displayed at the beginning, is not high, making it difficult to intuitively understand the current usage status.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer that allows a user to easily grasp the current usage status and replacement timing of limited-life components.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an automatic analyzer for analyzing an analyte in a sample, which comprises a life-limited component used for performing the analysis, a control unit that predicts the remaining life of the life-limited component, and a display unit that can display the remaining life in different ways, and when the remaining life of the life-limited component reaches a predetermined reference value, the control unit switches the display method of the remaining life displayed on the display unit.

[0007] Alternatively, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an automatic analyzer for analyzing an analyte in a sample, comprising: a life-limited component used for performing the analysis; a control unit for predicting the remaining life of the life-limited component; an input unit for selecting a specific candidate from a plurality of candidates as a method for displaying the remaining life; and a display unit for displaying the remaining life using the method selected by the input unit.

[0008] According to the present invention, the display method can be switched depending on the remaining life of a life-limited component, making it possible to provide an automatic analyzer that allows the user to easily understand the current usage status and replacement time of a life-limited component.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of an automatic analyzer according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the optical system of an automatic analyzer according to this embodiment and devices arranged in the periphery thereof. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating switching of the display of the remaining life on the display unit of an automatic analyzer according to this embodiment. Graphs showing the range in which the remaining life is displayed in a first display format and the range in which the remaining life is displayed in a second display format. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a notification system including PCs for multiple automatic analyzers and a PC used by a light source replacement worker. An example of a screen displayed on the automatic analyzer and the PC of the replacement worker to determine the replacement work date. An example of a screen showing a state in which multiple candidates for the remaining life display format are proposed.

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] First, the overall configuration of an automatic analyzer 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the automatic analyzer according to this embodiment.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic analyzer 100 is composed of a conveying line 101, a rotor 102, a reagent disk 103, a reaction disk 104, a specimen dispensing mechanism 105a, a reagent dispensing mechanism 105b, a stirring mechanism 106, a light source 120, a spectroscope 107, a control unit 115, a display unit 123, an input unit 124, a reaction cell cleaning mechanism 108, a nozzle cleaning mechanism 109, etc.

[0013] The transport line 101 transports a sample rack 111 holding sample containers 110 containing samples to a sample dispensing position 121. The sample dispensing mechanism 105a dispenses samples from the sample containers 110 at the sample dispensing position 121 into reaction cells 112 (reaction containers). The transport line 101 is further connected to a rotor 102. By rotating the rotor 102, the sample racks 111 are exchanged with other transport lines 101.

[0014] The reagent disk 103 holds a reagent container 113 containing a reagent, and rotates and transports the reagent container 113 to a reagent dispensing position 122 where the reagent dispensing mechanism 105b can perform a dispensing operation. The reagent dispensing mechanism 105b dispenses a reagent from the reagent container 113 at the reagent dispensing position 122 into a reaction cell 112. The reagent dispensed into the reaction cell 112 reacts with components in the sample to be analyzed.

[0015] The reaction disk 104 holds the reaction cell 112 and rotates to transport the reaction cell 112 to each position where the spectrometer 107, the stirring mechanism 106, the reaction cell cleaning mechanism 108, etc. are operated. The reaction cell 112 is kept warm by a constant temperature medium such as water in a reaction tank 203 (see FIG. 2). This promotes chemical reactions between the components in the specimen and the reagent in the reaction solution, which is a mixture of the specimen and the reagent.

[0016] The specimen dispensing mechanism 105a aspirates a specimen to be analyzed from a specimen container 110 and dispenses it into a reaction cell 112. The reagent dispensing mechanism 105b aspirates a reagent corresponding to an analysis item from a reagent container 113 and dispenses it into a reaction cell 112. Each dispensing mechanism includes an arm 118, a nozzle 116, and a dispensing mechanism motor 119. The arm 118 holds the nozzle 116 and a liquid level sensor 117. The nozzle 116 is connected to the liquid level sensor 117. The liquid level sensor 117 detects the presence or absence of liquid by a change in capacitance. A shield part 114 is installed near the position where each dispensing mechanism performs a dispensing operation. The dispensing mechanism motor 119 moves each dispensing mechanism up and down or in a rotational direction.

[0017] The stirring mechanism 106 stirs the reaction liquid in the reaction cell 112 to promote the reaction between the components to be analyzed in the sample ejected from the sample container 110 into the reaction cell 112 and the reagent ejected from the reagent container 113 into the reaction cell 112.

[0018] The light source 120 irradiates the reaction solution that has undergone a chemical reaction while being stirred by the stirring mechanism 106 with output light. The spectroscope 107 separates the transmitted light that has passed through the reaction solution. As will be described later, the separated transmitted light is detected by the photodetector 205 (see FIG. 2 ), and the absorbance determination unit 204 (see FIG. 2 ) calculates the absorbance based on the detection result.

[0019] The control unit 115 is composed of a processor, memory, etc., and controls the operation of each mechanism of the automated analyzer 100 and performs colorimetric analysis based on the absorbance measured by the optical system. The control unit 115 also predicts the remaining life of the current life-limited components (such as the light source 120) used in the analysis based on the operating time of the components and changes in state quantities of the components. The control unit 115 may be provided in a PC used by a user (operator), or may be provided separately from the PC.

[0020] A display unit 123 of the PC is configured with an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays an operation screen, remaining life, etc. An input unit 124 of the PC is configured with a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, etc., and accepts operations by the user.

[0021] The reaction cell cleaning mechanism 108 aspirates the reaction liquid from the reaction cell 112 after colorimetric analysis has been completed, and discharges detergent or the like to clean the reaction cell 112. The nozzle cleaning mechanism 109 cleans the tip of the nozzle 116 of the dispensing mechanism that dispensed the specimen or reagent. This removes any residue adhering to the nozzle 116, preventing it from affecting the next analysis target.

[0022] Next, the optical system in the automatic analyzer 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the optical system of the automatic analyzer according to this embodiment and devices arranged in its periphery.

[0023] The light source 120 is composed of one or more LED elements. When the light source 120 is composed of more than one LED element, the amount of current supplied to each LED element is set individually. The current detection unit 201 monitors (measures) the current flowing through the light source 120. The current adjustment unit 202 has a circuit that reduces the amount of current supplied to the light source 120 or turns off the power supply to the light source 120 at a timing that does not affect the analysis.

[0024] During operation of the reaction disk 104, light from the light source 120 is irradiated onto the reaction cell 112, which passes through the photometric position between the light source 120 and the diffraction grating 206. In the reaction solution in the reaction cell 112, the analyte component in the specimen reacts with the reagent corresponding to the analysis item, and a substance to be measured is produced or consumed in proportion to the concentration of the analyte component. Note that reaction tank water (constant temperature medium) is present between the reaction tank 203 and the reaction cell 112.

[0025] Of the light irradiated onto the reaction solution, light with wavelengths in an absorption region corresponding to the substance to be measured is absorbed by the substance to be measured. The light that has passed through the reaction solution is incident on a concave diffraction grating 206. The diffraction grating 206 separates the incident light into wavelengths and outputs the separated light to a photodetector 205. The photodetector 205 converts the amount of light into an electrical signal and outputs the electrical signal to an absorbance determination unit 204. The absorbance determination unit 204 calculates the absorbance based on the electrical signal output from the photodetector 205 and outputs the calculated absorbance to a control unit 115. The control unit 115 performs colorimetric analysis based on the absorbance output from the absorbance determination unit 204.

[0026] When performing colorimetric analysis, the control unit 115 dispenses cell blank water into all reaction cells 112 and measures the absorbance at each wavelength from 340 to 800 nm (cell blank measurement). The control unit 115 stores this measurement result as a cell blank value in a storage unit (not shown). The control unit 115 corrects the absorbance by comparing the cell blank value with the absorbance of the reaction solution to be analyzed, and outputs the corrected absorbance as measurement data on the screen of the display unit 123.

[0027] Next, a method for displaying the remaining life of a life-limited component in the automated analyzer 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing how to switch the display of the remaining life on the display unit of the automated analyzer according to this embodiment. In the following, an LED element constituting the light source 120 will be described as an example of a life-limited component.

[0028] The light source 120, which is composed of LED elements, has a longer lighting life than light sources (e.g., halogen lamps) conventionally used in automated biochemical analyzers. However, its lighting life varies depending on the user's operating environment. For example, the lighting life of the light source 120 differs significantly between an automated analyzer operated only 8 hours a day (i.e., the light source 120 is turned off for 16 hours a day) and an automated analyzer operated continuously 24 hours a day. Therefore, in this embodiment, a uniform replacement period is not set for the light source 120. Instead, the remaining life is predicted to suggest an appropriate replacement time that reflects the operating environment of the analyzer. Note that the remaining life predicted by the control unit 115 is not limited to the time until the end of the lifespan, but may also be the number of days until the end of the lifespan or the date and time at which the end of the lifespan is reached, which are determined based on the time and the usage trends of the analyzer. The date and time at which the light source 120's lifespan is reached can also be considered as the time to replace the light source 120.

[0029] Furthermore, when the control unit 115 displays the predicted remaining life on the display unit 123, several display methods are conceivable. For example, if there is still sufficient remaining life, a method of displaying the remaining life as a ratio (%) of the life of the original (new) light source 120 is more suitable for intuitively understanding the current usage status of the light source 120 than a method of displaying the specific number of days until the end of the life. On the other hand, if the remaining life is short, it is easier for the user to understand in detail when it is time to replace the light source 120 by displaying the specific number of days until the end of the life rather than displaying the remaining life as a percentage.

[0030] Therefore, in this embodiment, the control unit 115 switches the display mode of the remaining life displayed on the display unit 123 when the remaining life of the light source 120 reaches a predetermined reference value. In the example of FIG. 3 , the remaining life is displayed as a remaining percentage until the remaining life reaches reference value A (e.g., until the time until the end of the life is 1,000 hours). After the remaining life reaches reference value A, the remaining life is displayed as the number of remaining days. By switching the display mode of the remaining life in this manner, the user can intuitively grasp the usage status of the light source 120 and can also make a specific operation plan for the automated analyzer 100 in preparation for replacing the light source 120. Note that the display modes before and after the switching are not limited to the example of FIG. 3 , but it is preferable that the display mode before the switching be low resolution (coarse accuracy) and the display mode after the switching be high resolution (fine accuracy).

[0031] When predicting the remaining life of the light source 120, the control unit 115 uses information such as the lighting time of the light source 120, the attenuation rate of the light intensity, the supply current value, and other information. Here, if the lighting time of the light source 120 cannot be directly counted, it is possible to indirectly determine the lighting time from the usage time of the automatic analyzer 100. Since the light source 120 is basically on while the automatic analyzer 100 is running, both in standby and operation, the lighting time of the light source 120 can be indirectly obtained by multiplying the usage time of the automatic analyzer 100 by a coefficient of, for example, 0.90 to 0.99. However, prediction accuracy is higher if the lighting time of the light source 120 is directly counted and the remaining life is predicted using that time. Therefore, in cases where the automatic analyzer 100 is controlled to turn off the light source 120 during standby, it is desirable to be able to count the lighting time of the light source 120.

[0032] Next, a method for determining a reference value for switching the remaining life display method will be described with reference to FIG. 4 . FIG. 4 is a graph showing the range in which the remaining life is displayed in a first display method and the range in which the remaining life is displayed in a second display method. In the graph of FIG. 4 , the horizontal axis represents the usage time of the automated analyzer 100, and the vertical axis represents the predicted remaining time. The solid line on the graph indicates the range in which the remaining life is displayed in the first display method (e.g., remaining ratio), and the dashed line on the graph indicates the range in which the remaining life is displayed in the second display method (e.g., remaining days). Point A on the graph indicates the timing for switching the display method.

[0033] Point A is a predetermined reference value, and may be determined based only on the predicted remaining time, only on the usage time, or both. This reference value is determined taking into account a certain replacement preparation period so that the replacement work can be completed before the end of the life of the light source 120. For example, the time of point A is set so that if a replacement worker places an order for a light source 120 within a predetermined period after point A is reached, replacement before the end of the life can be achieved.

[0034] Next, notification to the worker replacing the light source 120 will be described using FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a notification system including PCs of multiple automated analyzers and a PC used by the light source replacement worker. The PC of each automated analyzer is connected to the PC of the replacement worker via a wired or wireless communication line. The PC used by the replacement worker may be a terminal device such as a smartphone. Here, it is assumed that one worker is responsible for replacing the light sources of automated analyzers A to D installed in different facilities.

[0035] Because the light source replacement timings for the automated analyzers A through D, which are the responsibility of a single operator, are not the same, it is difficult for the operator to keep track of the replacement timings for all of the devices. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the remaining life of the light source 120 reaches a reference value and the display method for the remaining life is switched, the control unit 115 of the automated analyzer 100 notifies the replacement operator's PC via a communication line that the reference value has been reached. In the example of FIG. 5 , the remaining life of the light source of the automated analyzer C has reached the reference value, and this notification is sent to the replacement operator's PC. This allows the replacement operator to easily identify the devices that require replacement and reduces the risk of delays in the replacement work. It is preferable to notify the replacement operator's PC when the reference value is reached, i.e., when the display method is switched, but it may also be sent a certain period of time after that point.

[0036] Next, a method for determining the replacement date will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 shows an example of a screen displayed on the automatic analyzer and the PC of the replacement worker for determining the replacement date.

[0037] In the example of FIG. 6 , the remaining life of the light source of automated analyzer A has reached a reference value, and the display unit 123 displays recommended replacement dates A to C. Here, the timing for displaying the recommended replacement date as shown in FIG. 6 is not limited to immediately after the remaining life reaches the reference value for switching the display method, but may be a predetermined time (number of days) after the remaining life reaches the reference value. Furthermore, a reference value for displaying the recommended replacement date may be set separately from the reference value for switching the display method. Furthermore, the control unit 115 calculates multiple candidates for the recommended replacement date, taking into account the usage schedule of the automated analyzer. For example, if an automated analyzer is unused only on Wednesdays of the week from Monday to Friday, Wednesday is calculated as the recommended replacement date.

[0038] When a specific recommended replacement date is selected from multiple recommended replacement dates by the input unit 124, the control unit 115 of the automated analyzer 100 notifies the PC of the replacement worker of the selected recommended replacement date via a communication line. In the example of Figure 6, the recommended date for B was selected by the PC of automated analyzer A, and this information was notified to the PC of the replacement worker. This has the advantage of making it easier for both the user and the replacement worker to adjust the replacement date and reducing the risk of delays in the replacement work.

[0039] Next, a method for a user to switch the remaining life display method will be described with reference to FIG. 7 . FIG. 7 is an example screen showing a state in which multiple candidates for the remaining life display method are proposed. In the example of FIG. 7 , three display methods, remaining ratio, remaining time, and remaining days, can be selected. When the user selects a specific candidate using the input unit 124, the control unit 115 causes the display unit 123 to display the remaining life using the selected display method. This allows the user to display the remaining life in the desired method, making it easier to know when to replace the light source 120.

[0040] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and includes various modifications. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the light source 120 is used as an example of a component with a limited lifespan, but the present invention can be similarly applied to other components with a limited lifespan used in analysis. For example, the nozzle 116 of the dispensing mechanism, a syringe (not shown) used for aspirating and discharging specimens and reagents, the reaction cell 112, and the like also have a certain lifespan, and therefore can be similarly applied if a lifespan prediction algorithm can be created.

[0041] 100...automatic analyzer, 101...transport line, 102...rotor, 103...reagent disk, 104...reaction disk, 105a...specimen dispensing mechanism, 105b...reagent dispensing mechanism, 106...stirring mechanism, 107...spectrometer, 108...reaction cell cleaning mechanism, 109...nozzle cleaning mechanism, 110...specimen container, 111...specimen rack, 112...reaction cell, 113...reagent container, 114...shield part, 115...control part, 116...nozzle, 117...liquid level sensor, 118...arm, 119...dispensing mechanism motor, 120...light source, 121...specimen dispensing position, 122...reagent dispensing position, 123...display part, 124...input part, 203...reaction tank, 205...photodetector, 206...diffraction grating

Claims

1. In an automatic analyzer for analyzing an analyte in a sample, A finite-life component used for performing the analysis; A control unit that predicts a remaining life of the life-limited component; A display unit capable of displaying the remaining life in different ways, the control unit switches a display method of the remaining life displayed on the display unit when the remaining life of the life-limited component reaches a predetermined reference value; An automatic analyzer characterized in that one display method is a method of displaying the remaining lifespan as a ratio to the original lifespan, and another display method is a method of displaying the hours or days until the lifespan is reached, or the date and time when the lifespan will be reached.

2. In an automatic analyzer for analyzing an analyte in a sample, A finite-life component used for performing the analysis; A control unit that predicts a remaining life of the life-limited component; an input unit for selecting a specific candidate from a plurality of candidates as a method for displaying the remaining life; a display unit that displays the remaining life in a manner selected by the input unit, An automatic analyzer characterized in that one display method is a method of displaying the remaining lifespan as a ratio to the original lifespan, and another display method is a method of displaying the hours or days until the lifespan is reached, or the date and time when the lifespan will be reached.

3. 3. The automated analyzer according to claim 1, The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the finite-life component is a light source having an LED element.

4. 2. The automated analyzer according to claim 1, The automatic analyzer is characterized in that, when the remaining life of the life-limited component reaches a predetermined reference value, the control unit switches a display method for the remaining life from low resolution to high resolution.

5. 2. The automated analyzer according to claim 1, When the display method of the remaining life of the life-limited component is switched, the control unit notifies a terminal device connected to the automatic analysis apparatus via a communication line that the standard value has been reached.

6. 3. The automated analyzer according to claim 1, The control unit calculates a recommended replacement date for the life-limited component based on the remaining life of the life-limited component, and displays the calculated recommended replacement date on the display unit.

7. The automatic analyzer according to claim 6, An input unit for selecting a specific recommended replacement date from a plurality of recommended replacement dates, When a specific recommended replacement date is selected by the input unit, the control unit notifies a terminal device connected to the automatic analysis device via a communication line of the selected recommended replacement date.

8. In an automatic analyzer for analyzing an analyte in a sample, A finite-life component used for performing the analysis; a control unit that predicts a remaining life of the life-limited component and calculates a recommended replacement date for the life-limited component based on the remaining life; A display unit that displays a plurality of the recommended replacement dates; An input unit for selecting a specific recommended replacement date, The control unit is When the remaining life of the life-limited component reaches a predetermined reference value, a display method of the remaining life displayed on the display unit is switched, and When a specific recommended replacement date is selected by the input unit, the automatic analyzer notifies a terminal device connected to the automatic analyzer via a communication line of the selected recommended replacement date.

9. In an automatic analyzer for analyzing an analyte in a sample, A finite-life component used for performing the analysis; a control unit that predicts a remaining life of the life-limited component and calculates a recommended replacement date for the life-limited component based on the remaining life; an input unit for selecting a specific candidate from a plurality of candidates as a method for displaying the remaining life, and for selecting a specific recommended replacement date from a plurality of recommended replacement dates; a display unit that displays the remaining life in the format selected by the input unit, The control unit is characterized in that, when a specific recommended replacement date is selected by the input unit, it notifies a terminal device connected to the automatic analysis device via a communication line of the selected recommended replacement date.