Sample analyzer and kit scheduling system and method

Abstract

Disclosed in the present invention are a sample analyzer and a kit scheduling system and method. The sample analyzer comprises: a reagent disc, a kit scheduling system, a reaction disc, a dispensing mechanism, a uniform mixing disc, a cleaning disc, a cup grabbing mechanism, and a measuring device. The kit scheduling system is arranged on one side of the reagent disc and used for temporarily storing kits and transferring the kits to the reagent disc. Compared with the prior art, the sample analyzer provided by the present invention does not need to stop and manually load kits, and can automatically load kits online. Further, the kit scheduling system can be used for temporarily storing kits, thereby expanding the reagent storage quantity of the reagent disc to a certain extent, prolonging the unattended time, and facilitating increasement of the detection speed of the instrument.

Description

Sample analyzer, reagent kit scheduling system and method Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of in vitro diagnosis, and in particular relates to a sample analyzer, a reagent kit scheduling system and a method. Background Art

[0002] A chemiluminescent immunoassay is an instrument that combines chemical reactions with immune reactions to detect antigens or antibodies in a sample. The instrument typically includes a sample loading unit, a reagent tray, a sample and reagent dispensing unit, a reaction solution mixing unit, a reaction tray, a washing and separation unit, and a detection unit.

[0003] During the testing process, reagent trays need to be reloaded and replenished based on the test item and the number of reagents stored on the tray. The current loading method is manual, requiring the reagent trays to be reloaded and unloaded manually while the instrument is stopped. However, manual loading is relatively inefficient, slowing down the instrument's testing speed. It also reduces the instrument's automation level and increases the user's workload. Technical issues

[0004] The present invention provides a sample analyzer, a reagent kit scheduling system and a method to solve the problem of low efficiency in manual reagent kit loading. Technical Solutions

[0005] A first aspect of the present invention provides a sample analyzer, comprising:

[0006] Reagent tray, used for carrying the reagent kit;

[0007] A reagent kit dispatching system is provided on one side of the reagent tray, and is used to cache the reagent kits and transfer the reagent kits to the reagent tray;

[0008] Reaction tray, used to hold reaction cups and incubate reaction solutions;

[0009] A filling mechanism, used for filling the sample and / or reagents in the test kit into the reaction cup;

[0010] A mixing plate, used to receive reaction cups containing samples and reagents and perform a shaking operation;

[0011] A cleaning plate, used for cleaning and separating the reaction liquid;

[0012] A cup grabbing mechanism, used for transferring the reaction cup between the reaction tray and the mixing tray, and / or for transferring the reaction cup between the reaction tray and the cleaning tray;

[0013] The measuring device is used to detect the reaction liquid after cleaning and separation.

[0014] Optionally, the reagent disk, the cleaning disk and the mixing disk are all arranged on the peripheral side of the reaction disk.

[0015] Optionally, the reagent disc includes an inner ring reagent disc and an outer ring reagent disc, and the inner ring reagent disc and the outer ring reagent disc are coaxially arranged.

[0016] A second aspect of the present invention provides a reagent kit dispatching system, which is disposed on one side of a reagent tray, wherein the reagent tray is used to provide reagents required for sample analysis, comprising:

[0017] Reagent kit loading area;

[0018] A buffer area with a refrigeration function for caching test kits;

[0019] A transfer device is used to transfer the reagent kit between the reagent kit loading area, the buffer area and the reagent tray.

[0020] Optionally, it is characterized in that

[0021] The buffer area is mounted above one side of the reagent tray;

[0022] The reagent kit loading area is located on one side of the buffer area;

[0023] The transfer device is mounted above the reagent kit loading area, the buffer area and the reagent tray.

[0024] Optionally, at least a portion of the reagent tray is located directly below the area enclosed by the buffer area and the reagent cartridge loading area.

[0025] Optionally, the reagent tray is provided with a loading opening for loading the reagent kit, and the loading opening is located within the running path of the transport device, and the loading opening is close to the buffer area.

[0026] Optionally, the reagent kit loading area is provided with a plurality of reagent kit containing slots arranged in sequence; a limiting member is provided at the bottom of the reagent kit containing slot, and the limiting member is used to cooperate with the bottom structure of the reagent kit for limiting.

[0027] Optionally, the cache area is provided with a cooling cabin, and a plurality of reagent kit cache slots are provided in the cooling cabin.

[0028] Optionally, the transfer device includes:

[0029] frame;

[0030] a conveying mechanism, disposed on the frame, comprising: an X-axis motion assembly disposed on the frame for driving the reagent box to move along the X-axis direction, a Y-axis motion assembly disposed on the X-axis motion assembly for driving the reagent box to move along the Y-axis direction, and a Z-axis motion assembly disposed on the Y-axis motion assembly for driving the reagent box to move along the Z-axis direction;

[0031] A gripper is installed on the Z-axis motion assembly and is used to grab and place the reagent box.

[0032] Optionally, the reagent kit loading area, the buffer area and the reagent tray are all arranged in the space enclosed by the rack.

[0033] A third aspect of the present application provides a reagent kit scheduling method, which is applied to the reagent kit scheduling system provided in any one of the implementations of the first aspect, and includes:

[0034] loading the first reagent box into the reagent box loading area;

[0035] Determine whether there is an empty reagent position in the reagent tray;

[0036] If there is an empty reagent position in the reagent tray, transferring the first reagent kit to the reagent tray;

[0037] If there is no vacant reagent position in the reagent tray, the first reagent kit is transferred to the buffer area.

[0038] Optionally, before determining whether there is an idle reagent position in the reagent tray, the method further includes:

[0039] Obtaining the number of second reagent kits currently stored in the reagent disk, where the second reagent kits have the same test items as the first reagent kits;

[0040] determining whether the quantity of the second test kit is less than the quantity of the target test kit required by the current test plan;

[0041] If the quantity of the second test kit is not less than the quantity of the target test kit required by the current test plan, transporting the first test kit to the buffer area;

[0042] If the quantity of the second reagent kit is less than the quantity of the target reagent kit required by the current test plan, the step of determining whether there is an idle reagent position in the reagent tray is performed.

[0043] Optionally, before obtaining the number of the second reagent kit stored in the reagent disk at the current moment, the method further includes:

[0044] Determining whether the test items of the first test kit are within the current test plan;

[0045] If the test item of the first test kit is not included in the current test plan, the first test kit is transferred to the buffer area;

[0046] If the detection items of the first reagent kit are within the current test plan, the step of obtaining the quantity of the second reagent kit stored in the reagent disk at the current moment is performed.

[0047] Optionally, the reagent tray includes an inner reagent tray and an outer reagent tray, and the inner reagent tray and the outer reagent tray are coaxially arranged; transferring the first reagent kit to the reagent tray includes:

[0048] Obtaining the quantity of the first reagent kit in the reagent kit loading area;

[0049] Determining whether the quantity of the first reagent kit is an even number;

[0050] If yes, the plurality of first reagent kits are evenly distributed to the inner reagent disc and the outer reagent disc.

[0051] Optionally, after obtaining the number of the second reagent kit stored in the reagent disk at the current moment, the method further includes:

[0052] Obtain the remaining number of tests for each of the second reagent kits in the reagent tray at the current moment;

[0053] If the remaining number of tests is zero, the empty second reagent cartridge is transported to the reagent cartridge loading area. Beneficial effects

[0054] The sample analyzer provided in this application is equipped with a reagent kit scheduling system. This system is located on one side of the reagent tray and is used to transfer the reagent kit to the reagent tray. Compared with the existing technology, it does not require manual loading of the reagent kit by stopping the machine, and realizes online automatic loading of the reagent kit. Furthermore, the reagent kit scheduling system can be used to cache the reagent kit, which to some extent expands the reagent storage capacity of the reagent tray, increases the unattended time, and helps to improve the detection speed of the instrument. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a reagent kit scheduling system;

[0056] FIG2 is a top view of a reagent kit scheduling system;

[0057] FIG3 is a schematic structural diagram of the reagent kit loading area;

[0058] FIG4 is a schematic structural diagram of the bottom of the test kit;

[0059] Figure 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a transfer device;

[0060] FIG6 is a workflow diagram of a reagent kit scheduling method;

[0061] FIG7 is a workflow diagram of another reagent kit scheduling method;

[0062] FIG8 is a workflow diagram of another kit scheduling method;

[0063] FIG9 is a schematic structural diagram of a sample analyzer.

[0064] Figure markings: 1-reagent kit loading area; 11-reagent kit accommodating slot; 12-reagent kit bracket; 13-protective baffle; 111-limiting member; 112-reagent kit detector; 113-spacer; 131-arch structure; 132-connecting part; 2-cache area; 21-cooling chamber; 22-hatch; 211-reagent kit cache slot; 3-transfer device; 31-frame; 32-transmission mechanism; 33-gripper; 321-X-axis motion assembly; 322-Y-axis motion assembly; 323-Z-axis motion assembly; 3211-X-axis transmission member; 3212-coupling; 3213-X-axis drive motor; 3221-Y-axis transmission member; 3222-Y-axis drive motor; 3231-Z-axis drive motor; 4-reagent tray; 5-reagent kit; 51-groove; 6-bottom plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0065] The embodiments of the present invention clearly and completely describe the above technical solutions. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. All other embodiments derived by persons of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0066] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "front side", "rear side", "above", "below", etc. used to indicate the orientation or position relationship are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application or simplifying the description, and are not used to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the scope of protection of this application.

[0067] During the operation of the sample analyzer, it is necessary to select matching reagents according to the test items of the sample. In the prior art, when the reagents are exhausted, the instrument needs to be stopped to add reagents, which reduces the utilization rate and detection speed of the instrument. In order to solve this problem, with reference to the structural schematic diagram shown in Figure 9, the first embodiment of the present application provides a sample analyzer, including: a reagent tray 4 for carrying a reagent cartridge; a reagent cartridge scheduling system 10, arranged on one side of the reagent tray 4, for caching the reagent cartridge and transferring the reagent cartridge to the reagent tray; a reaction tray 20, for carrying a reaction cup and incubating a reaction solution; a filling mechanism 30, for filling the sample and / or the reagent in the reagent cartridge into the reaction cup; a mixing tray 40, for receiving the reaction cup containing the sample and the reagent and performing a shaking operation; a cleaning tray 50, for cleaning and separating the reaction solution; a cup grabbing mechanism 60, for transferring the reaction cup between the reaction tray and the mixing tray, and / or for transferring the reaction cup between the reaction tray and the cleaning tray; and a measuring device 70, for detecting the reaction solution after cleaning and separation.

[0068] This embodiment realizes online automatic loading of reagent kits by adding a reagent kit scheduling system. Furthermore, the reagent kit scheduling system can be used to cache reagent kits, which to a certain extent expands the reagent storage capacity of the reagent tray, increases the unattended time, and is conducive to improving the detection speed of the instrument.

[0069] In order to increase the detection speed of the instrument, the reaction disk 20 is provided with multiple circles, for example, 6 circles, each circle has 49 wells, for a total of 294 wells. This number of wells is only an example and should not be used as a limitation of the present application.

[0070] In this embodiment, the reaction disk 20 rotates and stops at fixed time intervals (which can also be well intervals or angular intervals). After loading a cuvette onto the reaction disk 20, the sample is added when the reaction disk 20 rotates and stops at the sample loading position, and the reagent is added when the reaction disk 20 rotates and stops at the reagent loading position. After sample and reagent addition, the cuvette is transferred to the mixing disk 40 for mixing. After mixing, the cuvette is returned to the reaction disk 20 for incubation or other operations. To maximize the detection speed of the instrument, the time it takes for the cuvette to leave the reaction disk and return to the reaction disk is less than or equal to one rotation cycle of the reaction disk 20 (i.e., one fixed time interval). For example, during the n-1th rotation cycle, the reaction disk 20 rotates and stops at the mixing entry position. The cuvette is transferred from this position to the inlet and outlet position of the mixing disk 40, and the mixing disk 40 rotates to the mixing position for mixing. During the nth rotation cycle, the reaction disk 20 rotates and stops at the outlet position. At this time, the cuvette returns to the inlet and outlet position, and the cup gripping mechanism transfers the cuvette to the reaction disk. In this embodiment, the hole interval between the mixing entry position and the mixing exit position corresponds to one rotation-stop cycle.

[0071] In this embodiment, the reagent tray, cleaning tray and mixing tray are all arranged on the peripheral side of the reaction tray. This arrangement makes the space compact and increases space utilization. On the other hand, the distance between the components is shortened, which is conducive to optimizing the paths of the components.

[0072] Optionally, the sample analyzer further includes a cup unpacking device 80 for distributing disordered cuvettes into an orderly and upright state. A cup gripping mechanism 60 is also provided between the cup unpacking device 80 and the reaction tray 20 for transferring cuvettes between the reaction tray and the cup unpacking device 80.

[0073] Optionally, the reagent tray includes an inner reagent tray and an outer reagent tray, and the inner reagent tray and the outer reagent tray are coaxially arranged. The double-ring reagent tray arrangement is conducive to increasing reagent positions without increasing the instrument area.

[0074] Referring to the structural schematic diagram shown in Figure 1, the second embodiment of the present invention provides a reagent kit scheduling system, which is arranged on one side of a reagent tray 4, and the reagent tray 4 is used to provide reagents required for sample analysis, including: a reagent kit loading area 1; a buffer area 2, which has a refrigeration function and is used to cache the reagent kit; and a transfer device 3, which is used to transfer the reagent kit between the reagent kit loading area 1, the buffer area 2 and the reagent tray 4.

[0075] In this application, the side where the operator loads reagents and checks the instrument's operating status is referred to as the "operating side." The position close to the operating side is referred to as the front side of the instrument, and the position away from the operating side is referred to as the back side of the instrument.

[0076] In the prior art, the operator stands at the operating side and manually loads the reagent kit into the reagent tray. However, in a fully automatic chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer, many components such as the reaction tray, reagent tray, and cleaning tray need to be set up in a specific instrument space. In order to reasonably arrange the space, the reagent tray is usually set at a position away from the operating side. For the operator, loading the reagent kit is time-consuming and laborious.

[0077] In the embodiment of the present application, the reagent kit loading area 1 is arranged near the operation side. The operator only needs to load the reagent kit into the reagent kit loading area 1, and the transfer device 3 transfers the reagent kit to the reagent tray 4 and / or the buffer area 2.

[0078] Buffer area 2 is located behind reagent cartridge loading area 1. To facilitate transfer operations by the transfer device, buffer area 2 and reagent cartridge loading area 1 are placed at the same horizontal position. Once a reagent cartridge is transferred from reagent cartridge loading area 1 to buffer area 2, it can be stored in buffer area 2 for a period of time, such as 24 hours. Then, at an appropriate time, transfer device 3 transfers the reagent cartridge from buffer area 2 to reagent tray 4, depending on the instrument's needs.

[0079] In actual applications, according to the test plan, a certain number of reagent kits can be pre-stored in cache area 2. After the current test plan is completed, the reagents required for the next test plan will be supplied by the reagent kits in cache area 2 first, thereby increasing the unattended time.

[0080] As can be seen from the above technical solution, the reagent kit scheduling system provided by the present application is arranged on one side of the reagent tray 4, including a reagent kit loading area 1, a buffer area 2 and a transport device 3. The transport device 3 is used to automatically transport the reagent kit in the reagent kit loading area 1 to the buffer area 1 and / or the reagent tray 4. In addition, the transport device 3 is also used to transport the reagent kit in the buffer area 2 to the reagent tray 4. Compared with the prior art, there is no need to stop the machine to load the reagent kit, and online automatic loading of the reagent kit is achieved. Furthermore, the buffer area 2 has a refrigeration function and can be used for short-term caching of the reagent kit, which expands the reagent storage capacity of the reagent tray 4 to a certain extent, increases the unattended time, and is conducive to improving the detection speed of the instrument.

[0081] In addition, in this embodiment, the traditional manual unloading method of the reagent kit is replaced with an automatic unloading method. When an empty reagent kit is present on the reagent tray 4, the transfer device 3 directly transfers the empty reagent kit to the reagent kit loading area 1, where it is then manually removed. During this process, the operator no longer needs to search for the empty reagent kit on the reagent tray and avoids contact with the reagent tray 4, thus reducing the operator's workload and achieving the function of automatically unloading the reagent kit from the reagent tray 4.

[0082] With reference to the structural schematic diagrams shown in Figures 1 and 2, in order not to increase the floor space of the instrument, the embodiment of the present application sets the buffer zone 2 above one side of the reagent disc 4, the reagent kit loading area 1 is set on one side of the buffer zone, and the transfer device 3 is set above the reagent kit loading area 1, the buffer zone 2 and the reagent disc 4, thereby forming a three-layer structure in space. Furthermore, at least a portion of the reagent disc 4 is located directly below the area enclosed by the buffer zone 2 and the reagent kit loading area 1, and from bottom to top, a first layer structure for setting the reagent disc 4, a second layer structure for setting the reagent kit loading area 1 and the buffer zone 2, and a third layer structure for setting the transfer device 3 are formed in sequence. The three-layer structure is compactly arranged in space to improve space utilization.

[0083] Furthermore, the reagent box loading area 1 is close to the operation side, and other components can be arranged below the reagent box loading area 1. The buffer area 2 and the reagent box loading area 1 are both long strips. In order to facilitate operation, the buffer area 2 and the reagent box loading area 1 are arranged at the same height.

[0084] The reagent tray 4 is provided with a loading opening 41 for loading the reagent kit, and the loading opening 41 is located within the running path of the transport device 3. In actual application, the buffer area 2 and the reagent tray 4 are staggered so that these openings can work normally.

[0085] In one feasible embodiment, at least a portion of the reagent disk 4 is exposed in the L-shaped area enclosed by the cache area 2 and the reagent reagent loading area 1, and the loading opening 41 of the reagent disk 4 is close to the cache area 2, so that the path between the cache area 2 or the reagent reagent loading area 1 and the loading opening 41 is relatively close.

[0086] Referring to the schematic structural diagram shown in Figure 3, the reagent cartridge loading area 1 is provided with a plurality of reagent cartridge receiving slots 11 arranged in sequence, each of which is disposed on a reagent cartridge holder 12. In this embodiment, eight reagent cartridge receiving slots 11 are provided, and reagent cartridges can be manually placed into each of these slots. Each of these slots 11 includes a front entrance for manually inserting a reagent cartridge into the slot 11 and an upper exit for removing the reagent cartridge from the slot 11. Both the entrance and exit are adapted to the shape and size of a single reagent cartridge.

[0087] The bottom of the reagent container 11 is provided with a limit member 111. In this embodiment, the limit member 111 can be a spring plunger. Referring to the structural diagram shown in FIG4 , the bottom of the reagent container 5 is provided with a groove 51. The reagent container 5 slides from the entrance into the reagent container 11. When the reagent container 5 slides into place, the limit member 111 cooperates with the groove 51 at the bottom of the reagent container to limit the position of the reagent container.

[0088] As shown in Figure 3, in order to promptly feedback the signal that the reagent kit is in place after the reagent kit is placed in the reagent kit holding slot 11, this embodiment is provided with a reagent kit detector 112 on the inner wall of the reagent kit holding slot 11 away from the operating side. The device can be a micro switch or other components with an in-place detection function. After the reagent kit is successfully placed in the reagent kit holding slot 11, the end of the reagent kit away from the operating side touches the micro switch contact. The micro switch can transmit the signal that the reagent kit is in place to the controller, and the controller responds to the signal. In one achievable manner, after each reagent kit holding slot 11 is filled with reagent kits, the transfer device 3 transfers the reagent kits one by one to the buffer area 2. In another achievable manner, after a signal that one of the reagent kits is successfully in place is sent, the transfer device 3 can grab and transfer the corresponding reagent kit. The mode of grabbing and carrying the reagent kit by the transfer device 3 is set according to actual needs.

[0089] When the operator places the reagent kit in the reagent kit loading area 1, due to the fast movement speed of the transfer device 3, in order to prevent the transfer device 3 from accidentally injuring the operator's hand, a protective baffle 13 is set in the reagent kit loading area 1. The protective baffle 13 is composed of several arch structures 131. The area enclosed by the arch structure 131 and the bottom of the reagent kit receiving groove 11 serves as the entrance of the reagent kit. The various connecting parts 132 of the arch structure 131 extend into the interior of the reagent kit receiving groove 11, and the bottom end of the connecting part 132 abuts against the partition 113 between two adjacent reagent kit receiving grooves 11. The protective baffle 13 can be used to limit the depth to which the operator's fingers extend inward when placing the reagent kit.

[0090] Since the reagent kit enters the reagent kit receiving slot 11 in a sliding manner, in order to avoid instrument loss caused by wear, the bottom end of the reagent kit receiving slot 11 is made of wear-resistant material to extend its service life.

[0091] Today's machines have a faster measurement speed, and there are higher requirements for the speed of supplying and unloading reagent kits. Therefore, the embodiment of the present application sets up a buffer area 2, which can transport the reagent kits in the reagent kit loading area 1 to the buffer area 2. The buffer area 2 can refrigerate a large number of reagent kits for a short period of time and provide the reagent kits to the reagent tray 4.

[0092] Referring to the schematic structural diagrams shown in Figures 1 and 2, the buffer area 2 includes a cooling chamber 21 and a hatch 22 for enclosing the cooling chamber 21. Several reagent cartridge buffer slots 211 are provided within the cooling chamber 21. In this embodiment, six rows of reagent cartridge buffer slots 211 are provided, each row containing four reagent cartridge buffer slots 211, for a total of 24 reagent cartridge buffer slots 211. The number of reagent cartridge buffer slots 211 is merely an example; the number or grouping may be modified based on instrument space limitations.

[0093] Two hatches 22 are provided in the buffer area 2 . The hatches 22 are located on the top of the cooling compartment 21 and are used to close the cooling compartment 21 to ensure the refrigerated temperature in the cooling compartment 21 .

[0094] 5 , the transfer device 3 in this embodiment includes a frame 31 and a conveying mechanism 32 arranged on the frame 31. The frame 31, the reagent reagent loading area 1 and the buffer area 2 are all mounted on a base plate 6. A plurality of frames 31 are arranged on the base plate 6. The top of the frame formed by the plurality of frames 31 is in a quadrilateral shape. The conveying mechanism 32 is arranged on the top of the frame formed by the frames 31, so that the conveying mechanism 32 is arranged above the reagent reagent loading area 1 and the buffer area 2.

[0095] As shown in Figure 5, the conveying mechanism 32 is a gantry arm structure, including an X-axis motion component, a Y-axis motion component and a Z-axis motion component. The X-axis motion component is set on the frame 31, the Y-axis motion component is set on the X-axis motion component, and the Z-axis motion component is set on the Y-axis motion component. The conveying mechanism 32 is suitable for three-dimensional movement in the horizontal and vertical directions.

[0096] 5 , the X-axis motion assembly 321 includes two sets of X-axis transmission members 3211 arranged in the X-direction, a coupling 3212 disposed between the two sets of X-axis transmission members 3211, and an X-axis drive motor 3213 for driving the coupling 3212. Driven by the X-axis drive motor 3213, the coupling 3212 rotates, thereby driving the X-axis transmission members 3211 to translate in the X-axis direction. The Y-axis motion assembly 322 is fixedly connected to the two sets of X-axis transmission members 3211 at both ends. The two sets of X-axis transmission members 3211 translate synchronously, driving the Y-axis motion assembly 322 to translate in the X-axis direction.

[0097] The Y-axis motion assembly 322 includes a Y-axis transmission member 3221 and a Y-axis drive motor 3222 . The Y-axis drive motor 3222 is used to drive the Y-axis transmission member 3221 to translate in the Y-axis direction, thereby driving the Z-axis motion assembly 323 to translate on the Y-axis motion assembly 322 .

[0098] The Z-axis motion assembly 323 includes: a Z-axis transmission member (not shown in the figure) and a Z-axis drive motor 3231. The Z-axis drive motor 3231 is used to drive the Z-axis transmission member to rise and fall in the Z-axis direction, thereby driving the gripper 33 to rise and fall in the Z-axis direction.

[0099] The transmission member can be a chain, belt, or other component used for continuous transmission. In this embodiment, a belt is used as the transmission member. The belt has a simple structure and good elasticity, can mitigate impact and vibration, and can move smoothly and quietly. In this embodiment of the application, a semi-annular drag chain is respectively provided on the X, Y, and Z axes. One end of the drag chain is fixed, and the other end moves with the transmission member. Cables and other components are placed inside the drag chain to play a role in pulling and protecting the cables.

[0100] 2 , the width of the rack 31 in the Y-axis direction is slightly larger than the diameter of the reagent tray 4 , and the reagent kit loading area 1 , the buffer area 2 and the reagent tray 4 are tightly arranged inside the rack 31 to save space.

[0101] In this embodiment, the reagent kit is provided with 4 reagent tanks and a magnetic bead bottle, and each reagent tank can be used to place different reagents.

[0102] 6 , a third embodiment of the present invention provides a reagent kit scheduling method, comprising the following steps:

[0103] Step 101: Load the first reagent kit into the reagent kit loading area.

[0104] In this step, the reagent cartridge loading area is located near the operating side, where the first reagent cartridge can be loaded manually by an operator. Alternatively, loading can be performed by an automated control device located on the analyzer side, such as a robotic arm. The reagent cartridge loading area is equipped with at least eight reagent cartridge receiving slots, each equipped with a reagent cartridge detector that provides real-time feedback to the controller regarding the presence of the first reagent cartridge.

[0105] Step 102: Determine whether there is an empty reagent position in the reagent tray.

[0106] In this embodiment, the reagent tray is provided with two circles, with 24 reagent positions in the outer circle and 12 reagent positions in the inner circle, for a total of 36 reagent positions in the inner and outer circles. After receiving the position information from the reagent kit detector, the controller determines whether there are any free reagent positions on the reagent tray. If there are free reagent positions on the reagent tray, the operation of step S103 is executed; if there are no free reagent positions on the reagent tray, the operation of step 104 is executed.

[0107] Step 103: If there is an empty reagent position in the reagent tray, transfer the first reagent kit to the reagent tray.

[0108] In this embodiment, the reagent disk includes an inner ring reagent disk and an outer ring reagent disk, and the inner ring reagent disk and the outer ring reagent disk are coaxially arranged; step 103 specifically includes the following steps:

[0109] Step 1031: Obtain the quantity of the first reagent kit in the reagent kit loading area.

[0110] In this embodiment, the first reagent kit is counted and transported after it is completely loaded. The first reagent kit is provided with a label for identification. After receiving the arrival information from the reagent kit detector, the controller controls the transport device to move to the position of the first reagent kit and scans the label to obtain the parameter information of the first reagent kit. This parameter information includes not only the test items of the first reagent kit but also the number of tests performed on the first reagent kit.

[0111] Step 1032: Determine whether the quantity of the first reagent kit is an even number.

[0112] In this step, the first reagent kits are typically loaded in pairs. If the number of first reagent kits is even, step 1033 is executed. If the number of first reagent kits is odd, distribution can be performed in two scenarios: one scenario is when the number of second reagent kits on the reagent tray is odd, and immediately after the first reagent kit is transferred to the reagent tray, the number of reagent kits on the inner and outer double-ring reagent trays is kept equal. The other scenario is when the number of second reagent kits on the reagent tray is even, then consider transferring the extra reagent kit to the buffer area for temporary storage, or transferring a third reagent kit from the buffer area to the reagent tray, thereby maintaining an equal number of reagent kits on the inner and outer double-ring reagent trays. The first, second, and third reagent kits are all used for the same test project.

[0113] Step 1033: If yes, distribute the plurality of the first reagent kits evenly to the inner reagent disk and the outer reagent disk.

[0114] The scheduling method provided in this embodiment is applied to a fully automatic chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer with a relatively high detection speed. In order to obtain a relatively high detection speed, two reagent dispensing mechanisms are provided, and these two reagent dispensing mechanisms are capable of respectively performing the operation of drawing reagents within the same rotation and stop cycle. In order to improve the utilization rate of space, the present application configures the two reagent dispensing mechanisms to draw reagents from the inner and outer reagent discs, respectively. Therefore, when the number of reagent kits in the inner and outer double-circle reagent discs is equal, the amount of reagents consumed by the inner and outer double circles can also be kept consistent, which facilitates the subsequent unloading and reloading of the reagent kits and always maintains the high-speed operation of the instrument.

[0115] Step 104: If there is no free reagent position in the reagent tray, the first reagent kit is transferred to the buffer area.

[0116] The transfer operations in step 103 and step 104 are both performed by a transfer device. In this embodiment, only one transfer device is provided. If multiple first reagent kits need to be transferred, they need to be performed sequentially in a time sequence.

[0117] Compared with the prior art, the reagent kit scheduling method provided in this embodiment eliminates the need to manually load reagent kits by stopping the machine, enabling online automatic loading of reagent kits. Furthermore, the buffer area can be used to cache reagent kits for a short period of time, which to some extent expands the reagent storage capacity of the reagent tray and helps improve the detection speed of the instrument.

[0118] In the present application, the first test kit, the second test kit and the third test kit are not used to indicate the type, quantity, etc. of the test kits, but are only used to describe the test kits in different areas.

[0119] 7 , an embodiment of the present invention provides another method for scheduling a reagent kit, comprising the following steps:

[0120] Step 201: Load the first reagent kit into the reagent kit loading area.

[0121] Step 202: Obtain the number of second reagent kits stored in the reagent disk at the current moment, where the second reagent kits correspond to the same test items as the first reagent kit.

[0122] Optionally, after obtaining the number of the second reagent kit stored in the reagent disk at the current moment, the following steps are further included:

[0123] Step 2021, obtaining the remaining number of tests for each of the second reagent kits in the reagent tray at the current moment;

[0124] Step 2022: If the remaining number of tests is zero, the empty second reagent cartridge is transferred to the reagent cartridge loading area.

[0125] In this embodiment, each second reagent cartridge is monitored in real time. Each reagent cartridge is fully loaded before being transferred to the reagent tray. The number of tests corresponding to a fully loaded state is determined, for example, 200. Each time the reagent dispensing mechanism draws up reagent, the remaining number of tests is deducted until the number of tests remaining is zero. If an empty second reagent cartridge is present on the reagent tray, and there are no vacant slots in the reagent cartridge loading area, the empty second reagent cartridge can be temporarily stored on the reagent tray until a vacant slot becomes available in the reagent cartridge loading area and then transferred.

[0126] Step 203: Determine whether the quantity of the second test kit is less than the quantity of the target test kit required by the current test plan.

[0127] In this embodiment, the current test plan usually corresponds to a test plan within a time period, for example, the number of samples that need to be tested within 24 hours and the planned test items. Based on the number of samples and test items that need to be tested, the calculated amount of the test kit corresponding to the planned test items can be calculated. In order to ensure the continuity of the test, at least two more test kits are usually added on the basis of the calculated amount. Therefore, the calculated amount + n is used as the number of target test kits required for the current test plan, where n is the set value, for example, n=2.

[0128] If so, step 204 is executed. If the number of the second reagent kit is not less than the number of the target reagent kit, the reagent tray already has sufficient reagents for the current test plan. In this case, the first reagent kit is transferred to the buffer area. When the next test cycle begins, the reagent kits in the buffer area are preferentially transferred to the reagent tray, thereby improving loading efficiency and increasing unattended operation time.

[0129] Step 204: If the quantity of the second reagent kit is less than the quantity of the target reagent kit required by the current test plan, the step of determining whether there are any vacant reagent positions in the reagent tray is performed.

[0130] Step 205: If there is an empty reagent position in the reagent tray, transfer the first reagent kit to the reagent tray.

[0131] Step 206: If there is no free reagent position in the reagent tray, the first reagent kit is transferred to the buffer area.

[0132] In the above workflow, step 201 performs the same operation as step 101, and steps 204 to 206 perform the same operation as steps 102 to 104, which will not be described in detail here.

[0133] 8 , an embodiment of the present invention provides another method for scheduling a reagent kit, including the following steps:

[0134] Step 301: Load the first reagent kit into the reagent kit loading area.

[0135] Step 302: Determine whether the test items of the first test kit are within the current test plan.

[0136] If yes, then execute step 304. If the test item of the first test kit is not in the current test plan, then transfer the first test kit to the buffer area.

[0137] In this step, the reagent kits in the reagent tray are used to provide the reagents required for sample analysis. If the detection item of the first reagent kit is not in the current test plan, it does not need to be transferred to the reagent tray. At this time, the buffer area can be used to store the first reagent kit.

[0138] Step 303: If the test items of the first reagent kit are within the current test plan, the step of obtaining the quantity of the second reagent kit stored in the reagent disk at the current moment is performed.

[0139] Step 304: Obtain the number of second reagent kits stored in the reagent disk at the current moment, where the second reagent kits correspond to the same test items as the first reagent kit.

[0140] Step 305: Determine whether the quantity of the second test kit is less than the quantity of the target test kit required by the current test plan.

[0141] Step 306: If the quantity of the second test kit is not less than the quantity of the target test kit required by the current test plan, the first test kit is transferred to the buffer area.

[0142] Step 307: If the quantity of the second reagent kit is less than the quantity of the target reagent kit required by the current test plan, the step of determining whether there are any vacant reagent positions in the reagent tray is performed.

[0143] Step 308: If there is an empty reagent position in the reagent tray, transfer the first reagent kit to the reagent tray.

[0144] Step 309: If there is no free reagent position in the reagent tray, the first reagent kit is transferred to the buffer area.

[0145] In the above workflow, step 301 performs the same operation as step 201, and steps 303 to 309 perform the same operation as steps 202 to 207, which are not described in detail here.

[0146] The above-described embodiments merely illustrate several implementations of the present invention, and while their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent. It should be noted that a person skilled in the art would be able to make numerous variations and improvements without departing from the spirit of the present invention, all of which fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the patent for this invention shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A sample analyzer, characterized in that: include: A reagent tray, used for carrying a reagent kit; A reagent kit dispatching system, disposed on one side of the reagent tray, for caching the reagent kit and transferring the reagent kit to the reagent tray; A reaction plate, used to carry the reaction cup and incubate the reaction solution; A filling mechanism, used to fill the sample and / or reagents in the test kit into the reaction cup; A mixing plate, used to receive the reaction cups containing samples and reagents and perform a shaking operation; A cleaning plate, used for cleaning and separating the reaction liquid; A cup grabbing mechanism, used for transferring the reaction cup between the reaction tray and the mixing tray, and / or for transferring the reaction cup between the reaction tray and the cleaning tray; The measuring device is used to detect the reaction liquid after cleaning and separation.

2. The sample analyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reagent disk, the cleaning disk and the mixing disk are all arranged on the peripheral side of the reaction disk.

3. The sample analyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reagent disc comprises an inner ring reagent disc and an outer ring reagent disc, and the inner ring reagent disc and the outer ring reagent disc are coaxially arranged.

4. A reagent kit scheduling system, characterized in that: Arranged on one side of a reagent disk (4), the reagent disk (4) is used to provide reagents required for sample analysis, the system comprising: Reagent kit loading area (1); A buffer area (2), used for caching the reagent kit; A transfer device (3) is used to transfer the reagent kit between the reagent kit loading area (1), the buffer area (2) and the reagent tray (4).

5. The reagent kit scheduling system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The buffer area (2) is mounted above one side of the reagent disk (4); The reagent kit loading area (1) is arranged on one side of the buffer area (2); The transfer device (3) is mounted above the reagent kit loading area (1), the buffer area (2) and the reagent tray (4).

6. The reagent kit scheduling system according to claim 5, characterized in that: At least a portion of the reagent disk (4) is located directly below the area enclosed by the buffer area (2) and the reagent kit loading area (1).

7. The reagent kit scheduling system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The reagent tray (4) is provided with a loading opening (41) for loading the reagent kit, the loading opening (41) being located within the running path of the transfer device (3), and the loading opening (41) being close to the buffer area (2).

8. The reagent kit scheduling system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The reagent kit loading area (1) is provided with a plurality of reagent kit containing slots (11) arranged in sequence; a limiting member (111) is provided at the bottom of the reagent kit containing slots (11), and the limiting member (111) is used to cooperate with the bottom structure of the reagent kit for limiting.

9. The reagent kit scheduling system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The buffer area (2) is provided with a cooling chamber (21), and a plurality of reagent kit buffer slots (211) are provided in the cooling chamber (21).

10. The reagent kit scheduling system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The transfer device (3) comprises: Rack(31); A conveying mechanism (32) is arranged on the frame (31), and the conveying mechanism (32) comprises: an X-axis motion component arranged on the frame (31) and used to drive the reagent box to move along the X-axis direction; a Y-axis motion component arranged on the X-axis motion component and used to drive the reagent box to move along the Y-axis direction; and a Z-axis motion component arranged on the Y-axis motion component and used to drive the reagent box to move along the Z-axis direction; A gripper (33) is mounted on the Z-axis motion assembly and is used to grip and place the reagent box.

11. The reagent kit scheduling system according to claim 10, characterized in that: The reagent kit loading area (1), the buffer area (2) and the reagent tray (4) are all arranged in a space enclosed by the rack (31).

12. A reagent kit scheduling method, characterized in that: The method comprises: loading a first reagent kit into a reagent kit loading area; Determine whether there is an empty reagent position in the reagent tray; If there is an empty reagent position in the reagent tray, transferring the first reagent kit to the reagent tray; If there is no free reagent position in the reagent tray, the first reagent kit is transferred to the buffer area.

13. The reagent kit scheduling method according to claim 12, characterized in that: Before determining whether there is an empty reagent position in the reagent tray, the following steps are also included: Obtaining the number of second test kits stored in the reagent disk at the current moment, wherein the second test kits have the same test items as the first test kits; Determining whether the quantity of the second test kit is less than the quantity of the target test kit required by the current test plan; If the quantity of the second test kit is not less than the quantity of the target test kit required by the current test plan, transporting the first test kit to the buffer area; If the quantity of the second reagent kit is less than the quantity of the target reagent kit required by the current test plan, the step of determining whether there is an empty reagent position in the reagent tray is performed.

14. The method for dispatching a reagent kit according to claim 13, characterized in that: Before obtaining the number of the second reagent kit stored in the reagent disk at the current moment, the method further includes: Determine whether the test items of the first test kit are within the current test plan; If the detection item of the first test kit is not in the current test plan, the first test kit is transferred to the buffer area; If the detection items of the first reagent kit are within the current test plan, the step of obtaining the quantity of the second reagent kit stored in the reagent disk at the current moment is performed.

15. The method for dispatching a reagent kit according to claim 12, characterized in that: The reagent tray comprises an inner reagent tray and an outer reagent tray, and the inner reagent tray and the outer reagent tray are coaxially arranged; and transferring the first reagent kit to the reagent tray comprises: Obtaining the quantity of the first reagent kit in the reagent kit loading area; Determining whether the quantity of the first test kit is an even number; If yes, the plurality of first reagent kits are evenly distributed to the inner circle reagent disk and the outer circle reagent disk.

16. The method for dispatching a reagent kit according to claim 13, characterized in that: After obtaining the number of the second reagent kit stored in the reagent disk at the current moment, the method further includes: Obtain the remaining number of tests for each of the second reagent kits in the reagent tray at the current moment; If the remaining number of tests is zero, the empty second reagent cartridge is transported to the reagent cartridge loading area.

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