Automatic analysis device and method for cleaning nozzle in automatic analysis device

Abstract

The present invention includes: a first cleaning part 52 for discharging first cleaning water toward the tip of a sample dispensing probe 21 from a first direction; and a second cleaning part 54 for discharging second cleaning water toward the tip of the sample dispensing probe 21 from a second direction opposite to the first direction across the sample dispensing probe 21. A first range where the first cleaning water hits the tip of the sample dispensing probe 21 and a second range where the second cleaning water hits the tip of the sample dispensing probe 21 deviate from each other in one or more of a vertical direction and a horizontal direction. As a result, the present invention provides an automatic analysis device and a method for cleaning a nozzle in the automatic analysis device, which can clean a dispensing part more effectively while reducing contamination due to droplets compared with the prior art.

Description

Automatic analyzer and method for cleaning nozzles in the automatic analyzer

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer and a method for cleaning a nozzle in an automatic analyzer.

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a dilution / dispensing nozzle cleaning container that integrates a dilution cup and a dispensing nozzle cleaning cup, and preferably further has a common cleaning mechanism for cleaning the dilution cup and the dispensing nozzle cleaning cup, and further has a dispensing nozzle in the container, selected from the group consisting of reagents, substrates, and specimens.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-158451

[0004] Conventionally, automated analyzers for analyzing biological samples such as blood, urine, and various body fluids use nozzle-shaped dispensing devices to dispense liquid samples such as specimens and reagents into reaction vessels. These dispensing devices are generally cleaned after use (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0005] For cleaning, there are methods such as the one disclosed in Patent Document 1, in which cleaning water is collected in a cup and the tip of the nozzle is immersed in the cup, and another method in which cleaning water is sprayed on the nozzle in a shower-like manner in a cleaning tank.

[0006] Among these, in the method of spraying cleaning water onto nozzles in a cleaning tank in a shower-like manner, splashes can occur when cleaning water ejected from two or more cleaning water ejection nozzles hits the nozzles with force. However, such splashes can cause contamination around the cleaning tank of the device or contamination due to water droplets adhering to the top of the nozzles, so there is room for improvement.

[0007] The present invention provides an automatic analyzer that can more effectively clean a dispensing unit while reducing contamination caused by droplets compared to conventional methods, and a method for cleaning a nozzle in an automatic analyzer.

[0008] The present invention includes multiple means for solving the above-mentioned problems, and one example thereof is a device comprising a dispensing mechanism having a nozzle for dispensing liquid, a first cleaning unit for ejecting first cleaning water from a first direction toward the tip of the nozzle, and a second cleaning unit for ejecting second cleaning water from a second direction opposite to the first direction across the nozzle toward the tip of the nozzle, wherein the first range at the tip of the nozzle where the first cleaning water hits and the second range where the second cleaning water hits are offset in at least one of the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0009] According to the present invention, the dispensing unit can be cleaned more effectively while reducing contamination caused by droplets compared to the prior art. Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an automatic analyzer of an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a dispensing mechanism of an automatic analyzer of an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side view showing an example of the configuration of a cleaning unit in an automatic analyzer of an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a top view showing an example of the configuration of a cleaning unit in an automatic analyzer of an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a side view showing another example of the configuration of a cleaning unit in an automatic analyzer of an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a top view showing another example of the configuration of a cleaning unit in an automatic analyzer of an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a top view showing yet another example of the configuration of a cleaning unit in an automatic analyzer of an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a side view showing yet another example of the configuration of a cleaning unit in an automatic analyzer of an embodiment.

[0011] An embodiment of the automatic analyzer of the present invention and a method for cleaning a nozzle in the automatic analyzer will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. In the drawings used in this specification, identical or corresponding components are designated by the same or similar reference numerals, and repeated description of these components may be omitted.

[0012] First, the configuration of the automatic analyzer will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the automatic analyzer, and Fig. 2 is a view showing a schematic configuration of a dispensing mechanism.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the automatic analyzer 100 of this embodiment mainly comprises an analysis unit 1 that analyzes liquid samples, and an analysis control unit 2 that controls the operation of each mechanism of the analysis unit 1.

[0014] The analysis section 1 includes a specimen dispensing mechanism 20, a specimen holder 12, a reaction disk 34, a reagent dispensing mechanism 40, a reagent holder 43, a measurement section 39, a cleaning mechanism 38, and the like.

[0015] The specimen holder 12 is configured to hold a plurality of specimen containers 11 in a circular shape, each containing a specimen to be analyzed in the analysis process. The specimen holder 12 is rotatable and has a disk-like shape. The specimen holder 12 rotates to transport the specimen container 11 to be dispensed to the specimen suction position 13 of the specimen dispensing mechanism 20.

[0016] The specimen holder 12 may be configured so that two specimen holders 12 can be physically swapped for use. The two specimen holders 12 can be swapped alternately, or specimens can be added or replaced mid-operation through a small window provided in the specimen holder 12. However, the specimen holder 12 does not have to be set up by the user, and may be transported using a transport mechanism or the like. Furthermore, the specimen holder 12 is not limited to the disk type in which specimen containers are transported by a rotating motion as shown in the figure, but may be a rack type in which multiple specimen containers are transported together.

[0017] The reaction disk 34 holds a plurality of reaction vessels 31 for reaction and measurement. The reaction disk 34 is rotatable and has a disk-like shape. The reaction vessels 31 contain a mixture obtained by mixing and reacting a specimen with a reagent.

[0018] The specimen dispensing mechanism 20 aspirates the specimen from the specimen container 11 that has been transported to the specimen aspirating position 13 by the specimen holding unit 12. Thereafter, the specimen dispensing mechanism 20 dispenses the aspirated specimen into a reaction container 31 held on a reaction disk 34.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the sample dispensing mechanism 20 is composed of a sample dispensing probe 21, a dispensing arm 22, and a vertical rotation operation unit 23.

[0020] The sample dispensing probe 21 is attached to one end of a dispensing arm 22 , and the dispensing arm 22 is connected to the sample dispensing probe 21 and a vertical rotation operation unit 23 .

[0021] The vertical rotation unit 23 has a two-axis movement mechanism for up and down (vertical) and rotation. The vertical rotation unit 23 allows the sample dispensing probe 21 to move up and down and rotate. This allows the dispensing mechanism to move to the sample container 11 at the sample suction position to aspirate the sample, and to move to the sample discharge position where the reaction container 31 is installed to discharge the aspirated sample. The tip of the sample dispensing probe 21 can also be moved to the position of the dispensing mechanism washing unit 14 (see FIG. 1 ), where it is washed with wash water or the like. The operation of the vertical rotation unit 23 is controlled by the analysis control unit 2.

[0022] The dispensing flow path 24 is a flow path of the dispensing mechanism that passes through the interior of the dispensing arm 22 and the vertical rotation operation unit 23. The sample dispensing probe 21 is connected to a cylinder 25 via the dispensing flow path 24 in the dispensing arm 22. The cylinder 25 has a plunger 26 and a plunger drive means 27, and is connected to a water supply pump 29 via a valve 28.

[0023] The suction and discharge operations of the specimen dispensing mechanism 20 are performed by the up and down movement (reciprocating movement) of a plunger 26 fixed to a cylinder 25. A working fluid (e.g., pure water called system water) is filled through a dispensing flow path 24 from the tip of the specimen dispensing probe 21 to the cylinder 25 and the water supply pump 29.

[0024] The sample dispensing mechanism 20 is not limited to a configuration in which each position is accessed by a rotational movement as shown in the figure, but may be configured to access each position by a linear movement.

[0025] The dispensing mechanism cleaning unit 14 is a mechanism for cleaning the inner and outer walls of the tip of the specimen dispensing probe 21 of the specimen dispensing mechanism 20, and is equipped with a first cleaning unit 52 and a second cleaning unit 54 as nozzles that supply cleaning liquid for cleaning the outer wall of the specimen dispensing probe 21, and a flow path for disposing of the cleaning water after cleaning the specimen dispensing probe 21.

[0026] The first washing unit 52 releases first washing water from a first direction onto the tip of the sample dispensing probe 21, and the second washing unit 54 releases second washing water from a second direction opposite to the first direction across the sample dispensing probe 21. Details will be described later.

[0027] Furthermore, a vacuum tank is provided near the dispensing mechanism washing unit 14 to vacuum dry the wet tip of the probe.

[0028] The reagent holding unit 43 stores a plurality of reagent containers 42 containing reagents used in the analysis process to be reacted in the reaction vessel 31, and includes a reagent disk and a reagent container holding unit (both of which are omitted for convenience of illustration). The reagent holding unit 43 has a cooling function to enhance the on-board stability of the reagent properties. Each reagent container 42 is filled with a reagent to be mixed with the specimen for reaction, or a reagent or detergent required for pre-processing of the analysis.

[0029] In the case of the disk system, the reagent holder 43 rotates before dispensing the reagent, and transports an appropriate reagent container to the reagent aspirating position, allowing the reagent dispensing mechanism 40 to aspirate the reagent required for analysis. The reagent container 42 may be made up of a plurality of different reagent bottles.

[0030] The reagent dispensing mechanism 40 dispenses a reagent or detergent filled in a reagent container 42 into a reaction container 31 held on the reaction disk 34. The reagent dispensing mechanism 40 dispenses a reagent or detergent at a predetermined timing in a process including analysis or its pretreatment and cleaning. The configuration is substantially the same as that of the specimen dispensing mechanism 20, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0031] The dispensing mechanism cleaning unit 15 is a mechanism for cleaning the inner and outer walls of the tip of the reagent dispensing probe 41 of the reagent dispensing mechanism 40, and since its configuration is substantially the same as that of the dispensing mechanism cleaning unit 14, a description thereof will be omitted.

[0032] The measurement unit 39 measures the concentration of a substance to be measured from a mixture of a sample and a reagent that is undergoing or has already reacted in the reaction vessel 31. The measurement method may be a method of measuring transmitted light or a method of measuring the amount of luminescence, and varies depending on the substance to be measured. There are no limitations on the measurement method, and the number of measurement methods is not limited to one, but may be two or more.

[0033] The cleaning mechanism 38 is composed of a discharge nozzle for discharging cleaning water and detergent, a suction nozzle for sucking the reaction liquid, etc. The cleaning mechanism 38 cleans the reaction vessel 31 with cleaning water and detergent.

[0034] The analysis control unit 2 is electrically connected to each mechanism of the analysis unit 1, and controls the operation of each mechanism of the analysis unit 1, including the sample dispensing mechanism 20. The analysis control unit 2 can be configured, for example, by a computer having a display device 3 such as a liquid crystal display, a memory 4 such as a hard disk memory or an external memory, an A / D converter 5, an interface 6, input devices such as a keyboard 7, a CPU 8, etc., and may be configured by one computer or by separate computers, and is not particularly limited.

[0035] The CPU 8 sends commands to the analysis control unit 2 and other units to control the operation of each mechanism. Furthermore, A / D converted data (photometric values) obtained from the analysis unit 1 via the A / D converter 5 is taken into the CPU 8. The CPU 8 performs arithmetic processing using the taken-in data (photometric values). In other words, the CPU 8 can control each mechanism of the analysis unit 1 via the analysis control unit 2, and can also perform arithmetic processing of data.

[0036] A memory 4, which is a recording device, and a keyboard 7 for inputting operation commands, etc. are connected to the interface 6. Information such as analysis parameters, analysis item requests, calibration results, and analysis results is recorded in the memory 4.

[0037] The analysis control unit 2 controls the operation of each device based on various programs stored in a storage device. The control processes for the operations executed by the analysis control unit 2 may be integrated into a single program, or may be separated into multiple programs, or a combination of these. Some or all of the programs may be implemented using dedicated hardware or may be modularized.

[0038] The display device 3 has a user interface such as a touch panel display, and outputs information to the user and receives various inputs from the user.

[0039] The above is the configuration of the automatic analyzer 100 of this embodiment.

[0040] In such an automatic analyzer 100, the color development or luminescence that occurs as a result of the reaction between the target component in the sample and the reagent is measured by the measurement unit 39, and the concentration of the target component in the sample is calculated by arithmetic processing in the analysis control unit 2.

[0041] The configuration of the automated analyzer 100 is not limited to a single analysis module configuration as shown in FIG. 1 , but may be configured to connect two or more analysis modules capable of measuring various identical or different analysis items and preprocessing modules that perform preprocessing via a transport device.

[0042] Next, the characteristic configuration and operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 3 and subsequent figures. Figure 3 is a side view showing an example of the configuration of the cleaning unit in the automatic analyzer of this embodiment, Figure 4 is a top view showing an example of the configuration of the cleaning unit in the automatic analyzer of this embodiment, Figure 5 is a side view showing another example of the configuration of the cleaning unit, Figure 6 is a top view showing another example of the configuration of the cleaning unit, Figure 7 is a top view showing yet another example of the configuration of the cleaning unit, and Figure 8 is a side view showing yet another example of the configuration of the cleaning unit.

[0043] In the following explanation, the structure of the dispensing mechanism cleaning unit 14, which cleans the sample dispensing probe 21, will be used as an example, and a detailed explanation of the dispensing mechanism cleaning unit 15, which has approximately the same configuration but differs in the object to be cleaned, will be omitted.

[0044] As shown in Figure 3, the first cleaning section 52 and the second cleaning section 54 provided in the dispensing mechanism cleaning section 14 have the same vertical position at the first range where the first cleaning water hits and the second range where the second cleaning water hits at the tip of the sample dispensing probe 21, but as shown in Figure 4, the first range and the second range at the tip of the sample dispensing probe 21 are misaligned in the horizontal direction.

[0045] Here, in Figures 3 and 4, the horizontal position of either or both of the first cleaning section 52 and the second cleaning section 54 may be fixed to the inner wall of the dispensing mechanism cleaning section 14, but they may also be fixed with bolts and nuts or the like and configured so that their horizontal positions can be moved periodically (for example, once a month) or irregularly.

[0046] In this case, the amount of movement is not particularly limited as long as there is a horizontal shift between the first range where the first cleaning water hits the tip of the sample dispensing probe 21 and the second range, but since the second cleaning section 54 needs to be positioned relative to the tip of the sample dispensing probe 21 so that it releases the second cleaning water from a second direction opposite to the first direction across the sample dispensing probe 21, it is desirable that the amount of movement be the same.

[0047] The sample dispensing probe 21 can also be moved vertically upward or downward, and the movement of the sample dispensing probe 21 may be performed either while the cleaning water is being discharged or while the discharge is stopped, and is not particularly limited.

[0048] In another embodiment, the first cleaning section 52A and the second cleaning section 54A provided in the dispensing mechanism cleaning sections 14A and 15A have the same horizontal position at the tip of the sample dispensing probe 21 between the first range where the first cleaning water hits and the second range where the second cleaning water hits, as shown in Figure 6, but are misaligned in the vertical direction between the first range and the second range at the tip of the sample dispensing probe 21, as shown in Figure 5.

[0049] As for the first cleaning section 52A and the second cleaning section 54A, either one or more of them may have their vertical positions fixed to the inner wall of the dispensing mechanism cleaning section 14A, similar to the first cleaning section 52 and the second cleaning section 54, but they may be fixed with bolts and nuts or the like and configured so that their vertical height positions can be moved periodically (for example, once a month) or irregularly.

[0050] 7, the dispensing mechanism washing units 14B, 15B may further include a first washing unit drive mechanism 56B that moves the horizontal position of the first washing unit 52B and a second washing unit drive mechanism 58B that moves the horizontal position of the second washing unit 54B. Note that neither the first washing unit drive mechanism 56B nor the second washing unit drive mechanism 58B is essential, and either one may be used.

[0051] The first cleaning unit driving mechanism 56B and the second cleaning unit driving mechanism 58B can be configured to move the first cleaning unit 52B and the second cleaning unit 54B in a circular movement around the sample dispensing probe 21, but they are not limited to circumferential movement and may be configured to allow radial movement of the sample dispensing probe 21.

[0052] When using the first washing unit driving mechanism 56B and the second washing unit driving mechanism 58B, if washing water is to be ejected even during movement, it is desirable to adjust the configuration and positional relationship of the moving mechanism or adjust the parameters of the moving mechanism so that the first range where the first washing water hits the tip of the sample dispensing probe 21 and the second range are kept horizontally offset, but it is preferable to keep the relative positional relationship offset, i.e., the relative positional relationship fixed.

[0053] If cleaning water is not discharged during movement, it is only necessary that the first range where the first cleaning water hits the tip of the sample dispensing probe 21 after movement and the second range are offset in the horizontal direction.

[0054] 8, the dispensing mechanism washing units 14C, 15C may further include a first washing unit drive mechanism 56C that moves the vertical position of a first washing unit 52C and a second washing unit drive mechanism 58C that moves the vertical position of a second washing unit 54C. In this case, neither the first washing unit drive mechanism 56C nor the second washing unit drive mechanism 58C is essential, and either one may be used.

[0055] Furthermore, it is possible to have both a drive mechanism that moves the horizontal position and vertical height position of the first cleaning section and a drive mechanism that moves the horizontal position and vertical height position of the second cleaning section.

[0056] In this way, in the method for cleaning the nozzle in the automatic analyzer 100 of this embodiment, cleaning is performed by shifting the first range, where the first cleaning water emitted from a first direction hits the tip of the sample dispensing probe 21 and the reagent dispensing probe 41, and the second range, where the second cleaning water emitted from a second direction opposite the first direction across the sample dispensing probe 21 and the reagent dispensing probe 41 hits the tip of the sample dispensing probe 21 and the reagent dispensing probe 41, in at least one of the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0057] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0058] The automated analyzer 100 of the above-described embodiment comprises a sample dispensing probe 21 that dispenses liquid, a sample dispensing mechanism 20 having a reagent dispensing probe 41, a reagent dispensing mechanism 40, first cleaning units 52, 52A, 52B, 52C that release first cleaning water from a first direction toward the tips of the sample dispensing probe 21 and reagent dispensing probe 41, and second cleaning units 54, 54A, 54B, 54C that release second cleaning water from a second direction opposite to the first direction across the sample dispensing probe 21 and reagent dispensing probe 41, and the first range at the tips of the sample dispensing probe 21 and reagent dispensing probe 41 where the first cleaning water hits and the second range where the second cleaning water hits are offset in at least one of the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0059] As a result, when cleaning power is obtained by directing cleaning water like a shower onto the tips of the sample dispensing probe 21 and the reagent dispensing probe 41, the parts with strong water pressure from the first cleaning section 52, 52A, 52B, 52C and the second cleaning section 54, 54A, 54B, 54C do not directly hit the probes, thereby suppressing the scattering of droplets compared to conventional methods and preventing contamination around the device's cleaning tank due to droplets and contamination due to water droplets adhering to the top of the nozzle.

[0060] In addition, by configuring one or more of the first cleaning sections 52A, 52C and the second cleaning sections 54A, 54C so that their vertical height positions can be moved, or by configuring one or more of the first cleaning sections 52, 52B and the second cleaning sections 54, 54B so that their horizontal positions can be moved, the possibility of the cleaning efficiency varying slightly depending on the side of the nozzle due to uneven application of cleaning water can be eliminated, and the possibility of long-term effects can also be eliminated.

[0061] Furthermore, by further providing a first cleaning section drive mechanism 56B, 56C and a second cleaning section drive mechanism 58B, 58C that move the vertical and / or horizontal position of one or more of the first cleaning section 52B, 52C and the second cleaning section 54B, 54C, the cleaning range can be automatically changed even during cleaning, thereby realizing a cleaning tank with even higher cleaning efficiency.

[0062] <Others> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications are possible. The above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those having all of the described configurations.

[0063] 1: Analysis section 2: Analysis control section 3: Display device 4: Memory 5: A / D converter 6: Interface 7: Keyboard 8: CPU 11: Sample container 12: Sample holder 13: Sample suction position 14, 14A, 14B, 14C, 15, 15A, 15B, 15C: Dispensing mechanism cleaning section 20: Sample dispensing mechanism 21: Sample dispensing probe (nozzle) 22... Dispensing arm 23... Up and down rotation operation section 24... Dispensing flow path 25... Cylinder 26... Plunger 27... Plunger drive means 28... Valve 29... Water supply pump 31: Reaction vessel 34: Reaction disc 38: Cleaning mechanism 39: Measurement section 40: Reagent dispensing mechanism 41: Reagent dispensing probe (nozzle) 42: Reagent container 43: Reagent holder 52, 52A, 52B, 52C: First cleaning section 54, 54A, 54B, 54C: Second cleaning unit 56B, 56C: First cleaning unit drive mechanism 58B, 58C: Second cleaning unit drive mechanism 100: Automatic analyzer

Claims

1. An automatic analyzer comprising: a dispensing mechanism having a nozzle for dispensing liquid; a first cleaning unit for ejecting first cleaning water from a first direction toward the tip of the nozzle; and a second cleaning unit for ejecting second cleaning water from a second direction opposite to the first direction across the nozzle, wherein a first range at the tip of the nozzle where the first cleaning water hits and a second range where the second cleaning water hits are misaligned in at least one of the vertical and horizontal directions.

2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first cleaning section and the second cleaning section is configured so that its height position in the vertical direction can be moved.

3. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first cleaning section and the second cleaning section is configured so that its horizontal position can be moved.

4. An automatic analyzer according to claim 1, further comprising a drive unit that moves the vertical and / or horizontal position of at least one of the first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit.

5. A method for cleaning a nozzle in an automatic analyzer, comprising shifting a first area onto which first cleaning water ejected from a first direction hits the tip of the nozzle and a second area onto which second cleaning water ejected from a second direction opposite to the first direction across the nozzle in at least one of the vertical and horizontal directions.

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