Automated analysis device, and method for operating automated analysis device

Abstract

This automated analysis device comprises separation processing units 107 to 110 that feed a first liquid and a second liquid via processing unit flow paths 116, etc., to a detecting unit 103 that analyzes the components of the first liquid and the second liquid, a switching unit 112 that connects any of the processing unit flow paths 116, etc., to a separating unit-detecting unit flow path 130 that leads to the detecting unit 103, a storage unit that stores plan information relating to a series of processes for analyzing the first liquid, the plan information being planned before the separation processing units 107 to 110 feed the first liquid, and an executing unit 106 that controls the switching unit 112 in accordance with the plan information, wherein, after the separation processing units 107 to 110 have fed the first liquid, the executing unit 106 confirms whether the processing unit flow paths 116, etc., should be connected via the switching unit 112 to the separating unit-detecting unit flow path 130.

Description

Automatic analyzer and method for operating the automatic analyzer

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

[0002] In a method for operating an automatic analyzer, a technology is disclosed in which the consistency between analysis plan reservation information created based on an analysis process identified from analysis item information and execution information including the processing content and processing timing actually performed by the processing means is verified, and if an error occurs as a result, the subsequent analysis process is stopped (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent No. 6180788

[0004] In Patent Document 1, if an abnormality occurs in the process of creating plan information or if the created plan is inappropriate as an analysis process, it is not possible to detect this as an abnormality.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer and an operating method for an automatic analyzer that can confirm whether an operation is suitable for a measurement item when the operation is performed according to planning information created from an analysis process.

[0006] The present invention includes multiple means for solving the above-mentioned problems, and one example thereof includes an analysis unit that analyzes components of a first liquid and a second liquid different from the first liquid, a first liquid delivery unit that delivers the first liquid to the analysis unit via a first flow path, a second liquid delivery unit that delivers the second liquid to the analysis unit via a second flow path, a switching unit that connects either the first flow path or the second flow path to a third flow path leading to the analysis unit, a memory unit that stores planning information related to a series of processes for analyzing the first liquid, which is planned before the first liquid delivery unit delivers the first liquid, and a control unit that controls the switching unit in accordance with the planning information, and the control unit confirms whether or not the first flow path and the third flow path should be connected via the switching unit after the first liquid delivery unit has delivered the first liquid.

[0007] According to the present invention, when an operation is performed according to plan information created from an analysis process, it is possible to confirm whether the operation is suitable for the measurement items. Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become clear from the description of the following embodiments.

[0008] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an automatic analyzer. A functional block diagram of a control unit. A diagram showing an analysis process information table stored in a first memory unit. A diagram showing a pretreatment protocol table stored in the first memory unit. A diagram showing a liquid transfer protocol table stored in the first memory unit. A flow diagram of an analysis operation. A conceptual diagram showing plan information of a switching unit. A diagram showing control of flow paths in a separation unit when a detection unit performs detection. A diagram showing control of flow paths in a separation unit when a detection unit performs cleaning. A flowchart showing processing of an input unit. A flowchart showing processing of a plan unit. A flowchart showing processing of a second memory unit. A flowchart showing processing of an execution unit. A flowchart showing processing of a verification unit. A conceptual diagram of pseudo plan information creation. A flowchart showing processing of flow path formation validity verification. A flowchart showing processing of plan information correction. A flowchart showing processing of a notification unit. A flowchart showing processing of a display unit.

[0009] 1 to 19, an example of an automatic analyzer and an operating method thereof according to the present invention will be described. In the following, an example of an automatic analyzer using a liquid chromatograph to separate components to be analyzed from a specimen (sample) will be shown, but other separation processes, such as a gas chromatograph, may also be used.

[0010] In the drawings used in this specification, identical or corresponding components are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals, and repeated description of these components may be omitted.

[0011] First, the overall configuration of the automatic analyzer will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the automatic analyzer.

[0012] The automatic analyzer 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a pretreatment unit 101, a separation unit 102, a detection unit 103, a flow path between the pretreatment unit and the separation unit 129, a flow path between the separation unit and the detection unit 130, and a control unit 133.

[0013] The pretreatment section 101 is a section that performs pretreatment of the specimen, and is composed of various devices that perform various pretreatments other than separation on the specimen (first liquid and second liquid different from the first liquid).

[0014] The separation section 102 is a section that separates the specimen processed in the pretreatment section 101 using a solvent by a chromatograph having multiple separation processing sections 107, 108, 109, and 110 arranged in parallel with each other, and is composed of separation processing sections 107, 108, 109, and 110, a switching valve 111, a switching section 112, etc.

[0015] The separation processing units 107, 108, 109, and 110 are units that send the first liquid and the second liquid to the detection unit 103 via processing unit flow paths 116, 120, 124, and 128, respectively.

[0016] The separation processing section 107 has a processing section flow path 116 interposed between the switching valve 111 and the switching section 112, a separation column 113 for performing separation processing of the specimen, a liquid delivery device 115 that delivers solvent to the separation column 113 at high pressure, and an injection valve 114 connected to the liquid delivery device 115 and that introduces the specimen into the separation column 113.

[0017] Separation processing units 108, 109, and 110 have the same configuration as separation processing unit 107, and each unit has processing flow paths 120, 124, and 128, separation columns 117, 121, and 125, liquid delivery devices 119, 123, and 127, and injection valves 118, 122, and 126, respectively.

[0018] However, the processes performed by separation processing units 107, 108, and 109 are different from those performed by separation processing unit 110. Specifically, separation column 125 of separation processing unit 110 is of a different type from separation columns 113, 117, and 121 of separation processing units 107, 108, and 109, and performs separation processing for analysis items different from those performed by separation processing units 107, 108, and 109.

[0019] In the illustrated embodiment, each of the separation processing units 107, 108, 109, and 110 in the separation unit 102 is provided with a liquid delivery device 115, 119, 123, and 127, and an injection valve 114, 118, 122, and 126 that introduces a sample into each of the separation columns 113, 117, 121, and 125. However, each of the separation processing units 107, 108, 109, and 110 may have a plurality of injection valves 114, 118, 122, and 126 and liquid delivery devices 115, 119, 123, and 127. Furthermore, instead of the switching valve 111, each of the separation processing units 107, 108, 109, and 110 may be provided with a nozzle that can introduce a sample.

[0020] The switching valve 111 is a valve for introducing the specimen processed in the pretreatment section 101 into any one of the treatment section flow paths 116 , 120 , 124 , and 128 .

[0021] The switching unit 112 selectively connects only one of the separation processing units 107, 108, 109, 110 and the cleaning pump 131 to the detection unit 103, and connects the others to the waste liquid unit 132. In other words, it is a valve for connecting one of the processing unit flow paths 116, 120, 124, 128 in the separation processing units 107, 108, 109, 110 to the separation unit-detection unit flow path 130 that leads to the detection unit 103.

[0022] The detection unit 103 is a part that executes a detection process for the target component in the sample separated by the separation unit 102 .

[0023] The control unit 133 is a part that controls the preprocessing unit 101, the separation unit 102, and the detection unit 103, and is composed of a display device such as a liquid crystal display (display unit 208, see FIG. 2), an input device (input unit 201, see FIG. 1), storage devices (first storage unit 104, second storage unit 105) composed of recording media such as HDDs and SSDs and their controllers, a computer having a CPU, memory, etc. The control of the operation of each device by the control unit 133 is executed based on various programs recorded in the storage devices.

[0024] The control processes for the operations executed by the control unit 133 may be integrated into one program, or may be divided into multiple programs, or may be a combination of these. Furthermore, some or all of the programs may be realized by dedicated hardware or may be modularized.

[0025] In this embodiment, the control unit 133 includes a first memory unit 104 that stores processing steps defined for each analysis item of the sample (first liquid or second liquid), a second memory unit 105 that stores plan information created based on the processing steps in the pre-processing unit 101, separation unit 102, and detection unit 103, and relates to the operations that the separation processing units 107, 108, 109, 110, and switching unit 112 should perform a predetermined time after an instruction to analyze the first liquid is given, and an execution unit 106 that executes the operational processing of the pre-processing unit 101, separation unit 102 including switching unit 112, and detection unit 103 in accordance with this plan information.

[0026] In this embodiment, after the separation processing units 107, 108, 109, and 110 have delivered the first liquid, the execution unit 106 checks whether or not the processing unit flow paths 116, 120, 124, and 128 should be connected to the separation unit-detection unit flow path 130 via the switching unit 112.

[0027] Furthermore, after the separation processing units 107, 108, 109, and 110 send the first liquid to analyze the first analysis item, the execution unit 106 can acquire the first processing step related to the first analysis item from the first storage unit 104 based on the first planning information created for the first analysis item, and by comparing the first planning information and the first processing step, determine whether the switching unit 112 should connect the processing unit flow paths 116, 120, 124, and 128 to the separation unit-detection unit flow path 130. These details will be described later.

[0028] The analysis process of a sample by the above-described automatic analyzer 100 is generally carried out in the following order.

[0029] After the sample is pretreated in the pretreatment section 101 , the sample is introduced into the separation section 102 via the pretreatment section inter-separation section flow path 129 and the switching valve 111 .

[0030] The separation unit 102 introduces the sample pretreated in the pretreatment unit 101 into one of the separation treatment units 107, 108, 109, and 110 via the switching valve 111, and performs a separation process. The sample that has undergone the separation process is introduced into the detection unit 103 via the switching unit 112 and the separation unit-detection unit flow path 130. The detection unit 103 detects the analyte components of the sample introduced from the separation unit 102.

[0031] 2 is a functional block diagram of the control unit 133. Arrows in the diagram indicate the direction of information transmission. Information transmission is, for example, communication of messages. As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 133 is made up of an input unit 201, a planning unit 202, a first storage unit 104, a second storage unit 105, an execution processing unit 205, a verification unit 206, a notification unit 207, and a display unit 208.

[0032] Of these, the first memory unit 104 and the second memory unit 105 correspond to the memory unit, and the input unit 201, the planning unit 202, the execution processing unit 205, the verification unit 206, the notification unit 207, and the display unit 208 correspond to the execution unit 106 shown in Figure 1.

[0033] 3 is a diagram showing an analysis process information table stored in the first storage unit 104. As shown in FIG. 3, the analysis process information table includes information such as an analysis item, a pretreatment protocol number, a liquid delivery protocol number, a detection start time in the detection unit 103, and a detection time in the detection unit 103.

[0034] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the preprocessing protocol table stored in the first storage unit 104. Here, the preprocessing protocol numbers shown in Fig. 3 cover all combinations of mechanisms, such as a reagent dispensing mechanism and a sample stirring mechanism, included in the preprocessing unit 101 and the analytical processes performed therein, in which mechanisms are used to perform which processes, and the preprocessing protocol numbers are assigned in order.

[0035] 5 is a diagram showing a liquid delivery protocol table stored in the first storage unit 104. Here, for each liquid delivery protocol number shown in FIG. 3, the table shows the types of separation columns 113, 117, 121, and 125 to be used, the time for delivery of liquid by the liquid delivery device, and the process to be performed during delivery.

[0036] 6 is a flow diagram of an analysis operation, showing the flow from when the automatic analyzer 100 receives an analysis request to when it executes the analysis operation.

[0037] 6 , first, the control unit 133 receives an analysis request from a user (S601) and creates new plan information for executing the analysis (S602). The control unit 133 identifies the processing steps for each analysis item in the first storage unit 104 that correspond to the received analysis request, creates new plan information related to the operations to be performed by the preprocessing unit 101, the separation unit 102, and the detection unit 103, and adds the new plan information to the plan information stored in the second storage unit 105.

[0038] In accordance with this planning information, the execution unit 106 controls the pre-processing unit 101, the separation unit 102, and the detection unit 103 to analyze the sample (S603, S604, S605).

[0039] The separation unit 102 sequentially controls the operations of the liquid delivery devices 115, 119, 123, and 127 and the switching unit 112 (S606, S608). Here, after executing a plan using any of the liquid delivery devices 115, 119, 123, and 127, the switching unit 112 determines whether or not there is plan information for connecting the separation processing units 107, 108, 109, and 110 including the liquid delivery devices 115, 119, 123, and 127 to the detection unit 103 at a time appropriate for the analysis (S607).

[0040] FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing the planning information of the switching unit 112. As shown in FIG.

[0041] 7A shows the plan information of the switching unit 112 stored in the second storage unit 105. The "operation information" (701) that defines which separation processing unit 107, 108, 109, or 110 or cleaning pump the switching unit 112 is to connect to is arranged on a time axis according to the execution time. The left end of the operation information 701 on the time axis indicates the start time of the operation, and the right end indicates the end time of the operation. The operation information also includes information about which measurement item the operation is planned for. The portion of the plan information whose execution time is later than the current time (702) is called "pending plan information." In FIG. 7B, (b) shows the "new plan information" portion (703) created by the planning unit 202. The new plan information is created so as not to interfere with the operation information stored in the plan information. The new plan information created by the planning unit 202 is added to the plan information stored in the second storage unit 105 as pending plan information ((c) in FIG. 7B).

[0042] 7, (d) shows the execution of the plan information. Of the plan information, the operation information (704) that has reached its start time is sent to the execution processing unit 205 as execution information (705), and the execution unit performs control based on the execution information.

[0043] When multiple analyses are performed consecutively, it is determined which of the multiple separation processing units 107, 108, 109, and 110 to use, and the sample is introduced into each separation processing unit 107, 108, 109, and 110 with a time difference so that the detection timing in the detection unit 103 does not overlap with each other. Each liquid delivery device 115, 119, 123, and 127 delivers the liquid, and only at the timing when the sample is introduced into the detection unit 103 from which of the separation processing units 107, 108, 109, and 110, the switching unit 112 connects that separation processing unit 107, 108, 109, and 110 to the detection unit 103.

[0044] FIG. 8 shows the control of the flow path when the specimen separated in the separation processing section 107 is analyzed in the detection section 103 .

[0045] 8, the specimen separated in the separation column 113 by the liquid sent from the liquid sending device 115 is sent to the detection unit 103 via the switching unit 112. At this time, if other liquid sending devices 119, 123, and 127, such as the liquid sending device 119, are sending liquid, the components to be analyzed in the specimen are trapped in the respective separation columns (here, separation column 117), and the liquid that has passed through these separation columns 117, 121, and 125 is sent to the waste liquid unit 132 via the switching unit 112. Furthermore, if it is determined that the washing pump 131 has sent the washing liquid at the same time, the washing liquid is sent to the waste liquid unit 132 via the switching unit 112.

[0046] 9 shows the control of the flow paths when the components to be analyzed are not separated and sent from any of the separation column 113 of the separation processing unit 107, the separation column 117 of the separation processing unit 108, and the separation column 121 of the separation processing unit 109. The washing liquid sent from the washing pump 131 is sent to the detection unit 103 via the switching unit 112. The liquids sent from the liquid sending devices 115, 119, 123, and 127 of the respective separation processing units 107, 108, 109, and 110 are sent to the waste liquid unit 132 via the switching unit 112.

[0047] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the processing flow of the input unit 201. As shown in FIG. 10, the input unit 201 checks whether an analysis request has been received from a user at any interval. An analysis request refers to information input by the user that identifies the sample to be analyzed and information that identifies the items to be analyzed. If an analysis request has been input ("YES" in S1001), "analysis request information" containing information such as the analysis items and the target sample is created for the analysis request (S1002). The created analysis request information is sent to the planning unit 202 (S1003), and the processing of the input unit 201 ends.

[0048] 11 is a diagram showing the processing flow of the planning unit 202. As shown in Fig. 11, the planning unit 202 determines whether or not analysis request information has been received from the input unit 201 at an arbitrary period (S1101). Next, when analysis request information has been received, the planning unit 202 acquires analysis process information (Fig. 3) corresponding to the analysis items in the analysis request information from the first storage unit 104 (S1102), and also acquires planning information from the second storage unit 105 (S1103).

[0049] The planning unit 202 then creates new plan information for the analysis items in the analysis request information, which satisfies the analysis process information and does not interfere with the operations in the plan information. At this time, the preprocessing unit 101, the detection unit 103, and the switching unit 112 create new plan information that does not interfere with the operations of the analysis that have already been planned. The planning unit 202 sends the created new plan information to the second storage unit 105 (S1105).

[0050] In this example, as described above, separation columns 113, 117, and 121 are all of the same type, and only separation column 125 is of a different type. Hereinafter, separation columns 113, 117, and 121 will be referred to as a first type, and separation column 125 will be referred to as a second type.

[0051] As described above, the analytical process information (FIG. 3) specifies which type of separation column is to be used when separating components of the analysis item from the sample. When creating new planning information in the planning unit 202, if the separation column specified in the analytical process information is of the first type, it is determined which of the separation processing units 107, 108, and 109 is to be used for the analysis.

[0052] This decision is made by giving priority to a flow path that is not scheduled for use in the planning information and that allows analysis to begin early, or a flow path that does not require washing of the separation processing units 107, 108, 109, and 110 just before the measurement in combination with the measurement item last measured in the separation processing units 107, 108, 109, and 110. If the separation column specified in the analysis process information is of the second type, the separation processing unit 110 is used for the analysis.

[0053] The analysis process information for each analysis item stored in the first memory unit 104 includes the time from when one of the liquid delivery devices 115, 119, 123, and 127 in the separation unit 102 starts delivering liquid for separation to when the target component is separated by each separation column and delivered to the detection unit 103 via the switching unit 112, and new plan information is created based on this.

[0054] The analysis process information also specifies whether or not to wash the detection unit 103 either before or after, or both before and after, the time of detection in the detection unit 103. When washing the detection unit 103, the washing pump 131 is connected to the detection unit 103 via the switching unit 112, and a washing liquid is sent from the washing pump 131.

[0055] For example, if the detection unit 103 is to be cleaned both before and after detection by the detection unit 103, the planning information plans three operations for the switching unit 112: (1) connecting the switching unit 112 to the cleaning pump 131 before detection by the detection unit 103, (2) connecting the switching unit 112 to the separation processing units 107, 108, 109, and 110 that will be used in the analysis at the start of the detection time by the detection unit 103, and (3) connecting the switching unit 112 to the cleaning pump 131 at the end of detection by the detection unit 103.

[0056] FIG. 12 illustrates the processing of the second storage unit 105. As shown in FIG. 12, the second storage unit 105 periodically determines whether new plan information has been received from the planning unit 202 (S1201). If it is determined that new plan information has been received, the second storage unit 105 adds the received new plan information to the "plan information" stored in the second storage unit 105 (S1202). Then, if any of the operation plans included in the plan information has reached its execution time (S1203), the second storage unit 105 transmits "execution information" to the execution processing unit 205 (S1204). The execution information includes information specifying the analysis item. Furthermore, if the verification unit 206 requests execution pending plan information (S1205), the second storage unit 105 transmits the execution pending plan information to the verification unit 206 (S1206).

[0057] 13 shows the processing of the execution processing unit 205. As shown in FIG. 13, the execution processing unit 205 determines whether execution information has been received from the second storage unit 105 (S1301). If it is determined that execution information has been received, it determines whether the execution information is information about the operation of the liquid delivery devices 115, 119, 123, and 127 (S1302). If the information is relevant, it transmits the execution information to the verification unit 206 (S1303). Then, based on the execution information, it controls the operation of the target mechanism among the preprocessing unit 101, separation unit 102, and detection unit 103 (S1304).

[0058] 14 shows the processing of the verification unit 206. As shown in FIG. 14, the verification unit 206 determines whether execution information has been received from the execution processing unit 205 at an arbitrary period (S1401). If it is determined that execution information has been received, the verification unit 206 receives analysis process information corresponding to the analysis items included in the execution information from the first storage unit 104 (S1402). Then, it requests execution-waiting plan information from the planner 202 (S1403).

[0059] If it is determined that the execution waiting information has been received from the planning unit 202 ("YES" in S1404), "pseudo-plan information" is created (S1405). The pseudo-plan information is information that indicates when the switching unit 112 should operate in the analysis process, and is created depending on the analysis process information (FIG. 3) and the execution information of the liquid delivery device, without depending on the planning information. The pseudo-plan information is not added to the planning information.

[0060] The flow path formation validity verification is then performed (S1406). The flow path formation validity verification is performed by the execution processing unit 205, which controls the execution information, determining from the execution information the analysis items being performed in the separation processing units 107, 108, 109, and 110 that include the liquid delivery devices 115, 119, 123, and 127, and determining from the execution waiting plan information whether the switching unit 112 should connect the separation processing unit 107, 108, 109, and 110 to the detection unit 103 so as to satisfy the corresponding analysis process information.

[0061] If the result of the flow path formation validity verification is abnormal (YES in S1407), abnormality information is sent to the notification unit 207 (S1408), and the plan information in the second storage unit 105 is corrected (S1409).

[0062] In this way, the verification unit 206 can update the planning information if it determines that the switching unit 112 should not connect the processing unit flow paths 116, 120, 124, 128 to the separation unit-detection unit flow path 130 after the separation processing units 107, 108, 109, 110 have delivered the first liquid.

[0063] In addition, the verification unit 206 is not limited to updating the plan when the switching unit 112 determines that the processing unit flow paths 116, 120, 124, 128 should not be connected to the separation unit-detection unit flow path 130 after the separation processing units 107, 108, 109, 110 have delivered the first liquid, but can also be configured to stop the analysis (all analysis processing) by the detection unit 103.

[0064] FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram of pseudo-plan information creation.

[0065] 15A shows the liquid delivery execution information received in S1401. Here, it is assumed that this is the execution information of the liquid delivery device 115.

[0066] When creating pseudo-plan information, the verification unit 206 first creates operation information for the switching unit 112 based on the liquid delivery protocol (Figure 5) obtained from the analysis process information (Figure 3) acquired in S1402, the detection start time and detection time at the detection unit 103, and the relative time from the liquid delivery start time at the liquid delivery devices 115, 119, 123, and 127 (Figure 15(b)).

[0067] Here, assuming that the detection unit 103 is washed both before and after detection in the detection unit 103, three pieces of operation information are created for the switching unit 112 in the pseudo plan information: connecting the switching unit 112 to the washing pump 131 before detection in the detection unit 103; connecting the switching unit 112 to one of the separation processing units 107, 108, 109, and 110 at the start of detection time in the detection unit 103; and connecting the switching unit 112 to the washing pump 131 at the end of detection in the detection unit 103. Here, if the type of separation column specified in the analysis process information is Type 1, when creating operation information (1501) for connecting to one of the separation processing units 107, 108, 109, and 110 during pseudo plan information creation, it is not determined which of the separation processing units 107, 108, and 109 to connect to.

[0068] Then, pseudo-plan information is created by adding the absolute time of the execution report of the liquid delivery device in Fig. 15(a) to the execution information at the relative time in Fig. 15(b) (Fig. 15(c)). Furthermore, since the analysis is performed in the separation processing unit 107 to which the liquid delivery device 115 controlled by the execution report in Fig. 15(a) belongs, it is appropriate that the connection destination of the operation information 1502 in the pseudo-plan information be the separation processing unit 107.

[0069] Fig. 15D shows pending plan information. In the flow path formation validity verification, the pending plan information in Fig. 15D is compared with the pseudo plan information in Fig. 15C.

[0070] FIG. 16 shows the process of verifying the validity of the flow path formation.

[0071] 16, in the validation check by the verification unit 206, first, it is confirmed whether the execution times of the pending execution plan information and the pseudo plan information match (S1601). For the execution times of up to three operations of the switching unit 112 planned in the pseudo plan information, it is confirmed that all of the operation information whose execution times match those of the pending execution plan information exists.

[0072] Then, it is confirmed whether the connection destination of the operation information included in the execution waiting plan information confirmed in S1601 matches the connection destination of the pseudo plan information (S1602). If they do not match, "anomaly information" is sent to the notification unit 207.

[0073] Finally, in the execution waiting plan information, for up to three pieces of operation information for the switching unit 112 confirmed in S1601 and S1602, it is confirmed whether there is any other operation information for the switching unit 112 between the times when they are to be executed (S1603).

[0074] Although the operation of the switching unit 112 is discontinuous, the operation of the detection unit 103 and the cleaning pump 131 is continuous, and if the switching unit 112 operates during that time, detection and cleaning according to the analysis process information cannot be performed. If other operation information for the switching unit 112 exists in the execution waiting plan information, "abnormal information" is sent to the notification unit 207.

[0075] In this way, the verification unit 206 of the execution unit 106 can determine that the switching unit 112 should connect the processing unit flow paths 116, 120, 124, 128 to the separation unit-detection unit flow path 130 when the operation time of the switching unit 112 included in the first processing step matches the operation time of the switching unit 112 included in the first planning information (Yes in S1601), there are no operation plans for the switching unit 112 related to analysis items other than the first analysis item within the range of the operation time of the switching unit 112 included in the first planning information (Yes in S1603), and the flow paths that should be connected within the operation time of the switching unit 112 included in the first planning information are the processing unit flow paths 116, 120, 124, 128 (Yes in S1602).

[0076] It is also possible to select between updating the analysis plan and stopping the analysis. The selection method is not particularly limited, and various known methods such as an on-screen selection method can be adopted.

[0077] FIG. 17 shows the process of correcting the plan information in S1409 of FIG.

[0078] 17, first, the verification unit 206 checks whether the execution time of the pseudo plan information created in S1405 matches that of the waiting plan information (S1701). If they do not match and the connection destination of the pseudo plan information has not been determined (YES in S1702), the connection destination of the pseudo plan information is set to the separation processing unit 107, 108, 109, 110 to which the liquid delivery device reporting the execution belongs (S1703). Then, the operation information of the pseudo plan information whose operation time does not match any of the waiting plan information is added to the planned information and the waiting plan information (S1704).

[0079] Next, it is confirmed whether the destination of the plan that the switching unit 112 connects to the separation processing units 107, 108, 109, and 110 included in the execution waiting plan information confirmed in S1701 or the execution waiting plan information to which the pseudo plan information has been added in S1704 matches the separation processing unit 107, 108, 109, and 110 to which the liquid delivery device in the execution report belongs (S1705). If they do not match, the destination of the plan and the plan having operation information that matches the plan included in the plan information is changed to the separation processing unit 107, 108, 109, and 110 to which the liquid delivery device in the execution report belongs (S1706).

[0080] Finally, for up to three pieces of operation information among the pending execution plan information whose execution times match those of the pseudo plan information, it is checked whether there is any other operation information for the switching unit 112 in the pending execution plan information between the times when these pieces of operation information are to be executed (S1707).If there is any other operation information, the operation information is deleted from the plan information (S1708).

[0081] Fig. 18 shows the processing of the notification unit 207. As shown in Fig. 18, the notification unit 207 checks whether or not anomaly information has been received from the verification unit 206 (S1802). If anomaly information has been received, the notification unit 207 requests the display unit 208 to display the anomaly (S1802).

[0082] Fig. 19 shows the processing of the display unit 208. As shown in Fig. 19, when the display unit 208 receives a request to display an abnormality from the notification unit 207 ("YES" in S1901), it displays an abnormality on a display or the like (S1902).

[0083] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0084] The automated analyzer 100 of this embodiment described above includes a detection unit 103 that analyzes components of a first liquid and a second liquid different from the first liquid; separation processing units 107, 108, 109, and 110 that send the first liquid and the second liquid to the detection unit 103 via processing unit channels 116, 120, 124, and 128; a switching unit 112 that connects one of the processing unit channels 116, 120, 124, and 128 to a separation unit-detection channel 130 that is connected to the detection unit 103; The system is equipped with a memory unit that stores planning information related to a series of processes for analyzing the first liquid, which is planned before the separation processing units 107, 108, 109, and 110 send the first liquid, and an execution unit 106 that controls the switching unit 112 in accordance with the planning information, and after the separation processing units 107, 108, 109, and 110 send the first liquid, the execution unit 106 confirms whether or not the processing unit flow paths 116, 120, 124, and 128 should be connected to the separation unit-detection unit flow path 130 via the switching unit 112.

[0085] In this way, by creating and comparing a separate (pseudo) operation plan immediately before executing a pre-planned operation plan, it is possible to confirm whether the operation is appropriate for the measurement items when performed according to the plan information created from the analysis process. Therefore, the validity of the analysis plan information in which the automated analyzer 100 switches between multiple separation processing units 107, 108, 109, and 110 to perform measurements is confirmed immediately before plan execution, thereby improving the reliability of the analysis results. Furthermore, because the validity of the plan is confirmed immediately before plan execution, it is also possible to modify the control plan information of the switching unit 112. This ultimately improves analysis throughput and reduces the time users spend interacting with the device.

[0086] The memory unit is composed of a first memory unit 104 that stores processing steps defined for each analysis item of the first liquid, and a second memory unit 105 that stores plan information created based on the processing steps and related to the operations to be performed by the separation processing units 107, 108, 109, and 110 and the switching unit 112 a predetermined time after an instruction to analyze the first liquid is given. After the separation processing units 107, 108, 109, and 110 deliver the first liquid to analyze the first analysis item, the execution unit 106 acquires the first processing step related to the first analysis item from the first memory unit 104 based on the first plan information created for the first analysis item, and by comparing the first plan information and the first processing step, the switching unit 112 determines whether or not to connect the processing unit flow paths 116, 120, 124, and 128 to the separation unit-detection unit flow path 130. Therefore, the comparison between the first plan information and the first processing step can be performed safely and reliably, thereby making it possible to more accurately determine whether or not the analysis operation to be performed is more appropriate.

[0087] Furthermore, the execution unit 106 can achieve more accurate judgment by determining that the switching unit 112 should connect the processing unit flow paths 116, 120, 124, 128 to the separation unit-detection unit flow path 130 when the operation time of the switching unit 112 included in the first processing step matches the operation time of the switching unit 112 included in the first planning information, there are no operation plans for the switching unit 112 related to analysis items other than the first analysis item within the range of the operation time of the switching unit 112 included in the first planning information, and the flow paths that should be connected within the operation time of the switching unit 112 included in the first planning information are the processing unit flow paths 116, 120, 124, 128.

[0088] Furthermore, if the execution unit 106 determines that the switching unit 112 should not connect the processing unit flow paths 116, 120, 124, 128 to the separation unit-detection unit flow path 130 after the separation processing units 107, 108, 109, 110 have delivered the first liquid, the execution unit 106 can stop the analysis by the detection unit 103, thereby reliably avoiding the analysis from being continued in a state in which there is a possibility of an abnormality in the device state, thereby further improving the reliability of the analysis results.

[0089] Furthermore, if the execution unit 106 determines that the switching unit 112 should not connect the processing unit flow paths 116, 120, 124, 128 to the separation unit-detection unit flow path 130 after the separation processing units 107, 108, 109, 110 have delivered the first liquid, the execution unit 106 updates the planning information, thereby enabling the analysis to continue accurately while avoiding it from being stopped in cases where the analysis results are needed quickly, etc.

[0090] Furthermore, the separation processing units 107, 108, and 109 and the separation processing unit 110 perform different processes, which results in a configuration that can achieve a greater effect.

[0091] <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.

[0092] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100...Automatic analyzer 101...Pretreatment unit 102...Separation unit 103...Detection unit (analysis unit) 104...First memory unit (memory unit) 105...Second memory unit (memory unit) 106...Execution unit (control unit) 107, 108, 109, 110...Separation treatment unit (first liquid transfer unit, second liquid transfer unit) 111...Switching valve 112...Switching unit 113, 117, 121, 125...Separation column 114, 118, 122, 126...Injection valve 115, 119, 123, 127...Liquid transfer device 116, 120, 124, 128...Treatment unit flow path (first flow path, second flow path) 129...Flow path between pretreatment unit and separation unit 130...Flow path between separation unit and detection unit (third flow path) 131...Washing pump 132...Waste liquid unit 133: Control unit 201: Input unit 202: Planning unit 205: Execution processing unit 206: Verification unit 207: Notification unit 208: Display unit 701: Operation information 702, 703: Parts 704: Operation information 705: Execution information 1501: Operation information 1502: Operation information

Claims

1. An automatic analyzer comprising: an analysis unit that analyzes components of a first liquid and a second liquid different from the first liquid; a first liquid delivery unit that delivers the first liquid to the analysis unit via a first flow path; a second liquid delivery unit that delivers the second liquid to the analysis unit via a second flow path; a switching unit that connects either the first flow path or the second flow path to a third flow path leading to the analysis unit; a memory unit that stores plan information related to a series of processes for analyzing the first liquid, which is planned before the first liquid delivery unit delivers the first liquid; and a control unit that controls the switching unit in accordance with the plan information, wherein the control unit confirms whether or not the first flow path and the third flow path should be connected via the switching unit after the first liquid delivery unit has delivered the first liquid.

2. An automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the memory unit is composed of a first memory unit which stores a processing step defined for each analysis item of the first liquid, and a second memory unit which stores the plan information created based on the processing steps and relating to the operations to be performed by the first liquid delivery unit and the switching unit a predetermined time after an analysis instruction for the first liquid is given, and the control unit, after the first liquid delivery unit delivers the first liquid to analyze the first analysis item, obtains the first processing step relating to the first analysis item from the first memory unit based on the first plan information created for the first analysis item, and compares the first plan information and the first processing step to determine whether the switching unit should connect the first flow path and the third flow path.

3. An automatic analyzer according to claim 2, wherein the control unit determines that the switching unit should connect the first flow path and the third flow path when the operation time of the switching unit included in the first processing step matches the operation time of the switching unit included in the first planning information, there is no operation schedule of the switching unit for analysis items other than the first analysis item within the range of the operation time of the switching unit included in the first planning information, and the flow path that should be connected within the operation time of the switching unit included in the first planning information is the first flow path.

4. An automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the control unit stops analysis by the analysis unit when the switching unit determines that the first flow path and the third flow path should not be connected after the first liquid delivery unit has delivered the first liquid.

5. An automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the control unit updates the planning information when it determines that the switching unit should not connect the first flow path and the third flow path after the first liquid delivery unit has delivered the first liquid.

6. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the first liquid delivery section and the second liquid delivery section execute different processes.

7. A method for operating an automatic analyzer comprising: an analysis unit that analyzes components of a first liquid and a second liquid different from the first liquid; a first liquid delivery unit that delivers the first liquid to the analysis unit via a first flow path; a second liquid delivery unit that delivers the second liquid to the analysis unit via a second flow path; a switching unit that connects either the first flow path or the second flow path to a third flow path leading to the analysis unit; and a memory unit that stores plan information related to a series of processes for analyzing the first liquid, which is planned before the first liquid delivery unit delivers the first liquid, wherein the method for operating an automatic analyzer comprises: after the first liquid delivery unit delivers the first liquid, confirming whether or not the first flow path and the third flow path should be connected via the switching unit, and controlling the switching unit in accordance with the plan information.

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