Automatic analysis device and analysis method therefor

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an automatic analysis device that enables easy finding of, at a taking-out destination, a specimen rack for which taking-out has been designated by a user. For this purpose, the present invention is an automatic analysis device comprising: an insertion unit for inserting specimen racks on which a specimen container for storing a specimen can be mounted; a conveyance line for conveying the specimen racks; an analysis unit for analyzing the specimens; a plurality of taking-out units for taking out the specimen racks; a control unit for controlling operation of the conveyance line; and a display unit for displaying information pertaining to analysis. The control unit causes the display unit to output a screen for designating a taking-out target from among the specimen racks inserted into the insertion unit, and when the taking-out target is designated, causes the display unit to output a screen for designating the taking-out destination, of the taking-out target, from among the plurality of taking-out units.

Description

Automated analyzer and analysis method

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that automatically performs quantitative and qualitative analysis of biological samples such as blood and urine, and an analysis method therefor.

[0002] Some automatic analyzers have a function to interrupt an analysis and remove a sample rack when an abnormality such as a reading error of a barcode attached to a sample container or an insufficient amount of sample occurs, even if samples in other sample containers loaded on the same sample rack are being analyzed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic analyzer that allows a user to select a specific sample rack from among the sample racks loading the abnormal sample container and request (specify) its collection (removal).

[0003] JP 2016-14686 A

[0004] In the automatic analyzer disclosed in Patent Document 1, the destination of the sample rack designated for removal is the same as the destination of the normal sample rack, so the sample rack designated for removal is mixed with the normal sample rack at the same destination, which may require time for the user to find and may make it difficult to quickly collect the sample rack.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer that can easily find a sample rack that a user has specified for removal at the destination.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an automatic analyzer comprising an input section for inputting a sample rack capable of mounting sample containers containing samples, a transport line for transporting the sample rack, an analysis section for analyzing the samples, a plurality of output sections for outputting the sample rack, a control section for controlling the operation of the transport line, and a display section for displaying information related to the analysis, wherein the control section outputs a screen on the display section that allows the user to specify which of the sample racks inputted into the input section is to be exported, and when the sample rack is specified, outputs a screen on the display section that allows the user to specify a destination of the sample rack from among the plurality of output sections.

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an automatic analyzer that can easily find a sample rack that a user has specified to be transported at the destination.

[0008] Schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an automatic analyzer. An example of a screen for specifying a sample rack to be sent out. An example of a screen for specifying a sample rack destination. A flowchart showing the process of specifying an output unit to be the destination of a sample rack. An example of a screen for confirming the sample rack destination. An example of a screen for completing sample rack sending out. An example of a screen for showing the status of sample rack sending out.

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an automatic analyzer. As shown in Fig. 1, the automatic analyzer includes a rack loading unit A103 and a rack loading unit B104, an ID reading unit 107, a transport line 108, a rack output unit A105 (first output unit) and a rack output unit B106 (second output unit), a rack standby unit A111 and a rack standby unit B121, an analysis unit output unit A112 (third output unit) and an analysis unit output unit B122 (fourth output unit), an analysis unit A113 and an analysis unit B123, a display unit 101, an operation unit 102, and a control unit 109. The rack standby unit A111, analysis unit output unit A112, and analysis unit A113 are collectively referred to as analysis module A114, and the rack standby unit B121, analysis unit output unit B122, and analysis unit B123 are collectively referred to as analysis module B124.

[0011] The rack loading section A103 and the rack loading section B104 are sections into which sample racks, each capable of holding a plurality of sample containers containing samples (specimens), are loaded. The analysis module A114 and the analysis module B124 are arranged along the transport line 108 and are detachably connected to the transport line 108. The number of analysis modules can be set arbitrarily, and in this embodiment, two analysis modules are used.

[0012] The transport line 108 transports sample racks loaded at the rack loading unit A103 or rack loading unit B104 to the analysis module A114 or analysis module B124 in accordance with the analysis request. The sample racks transported to the analysis module A114 or analysis module B124 temporarily wait in the rack standby unit A111 or rack standby unit B121. The sample racks are then transported to the analysis unit A113 or analysis unit B123. If the remaining analysis requests can be analyzed in another analysis unit, the sample racks carrying the sample containers are transported to another analysis module A114 or analysis module B124, where the analysis is performed in the same manner. Sample racks for which no analysis requests have been made are transported by the transport line 108 to the rack output unit A105 or rack output unit B106.

[0013] The rack output unit A105 and the rack output unit B106 output the transported sample rack. If there are no vacant racks in the rack output unit A105 or the rack output unit B106, the sample rack waits in the rack standby unit A111 or the rack standby unit B121 until these rack output units become available, or is output from the analysis unit output unit A112 or the analysis unit output unit B122. The rack standby unit A111 and the rack standby unit B121 connected to the transport line 108 can hold one or more sample racks for any period of time and can supply sample racks to the analysis unit A113 or the analysis unit B123, the rack output unit 105A or the rack output unit B106, the analysis unit output unit A112 or the analysis unit output unit B122 at any timing.

[0014] The display unit 101 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays information related to analysis, such as a confirmation screen for requested analysis items, analysis results, maintenance information, etc., a screen for specifying the sample rack to be transported and the transport destination, a screen for checking the status of the transport destination, and various setting screens. The operation unit 102 is, for example, a keyboard or mouse, and accepts operations from the user. The control unit 109 controls the operation of each component constituting the automated analyzer, such as the transport line 108, and is composed of storage devices such as a CPU and memory.

[0015] Each sample container is assigned a sample ID indicating attribute information (reception number, patient name, requested analysis items, etc.) related to the sample contained therein, and the sample rack on which the sample container is mounted is also assigned a rack ID indicating rack identification information such as the rack number. The sample racks placed in the rack loading unit A 103 and the rack loading unit B 104 are transported by the transport line 108. When the sample rack is transferred to the transport line 108, the sample ID and sample rack ID are read by the ID reading unit 107 and sent to the control unit 109. Based on the attribute information, the control unit 109 determines which analysis module should be used to perform the requested analysis items.

[0016] Furthermore, when the sample ID is read by the ID reader 107, the controller 109 activates a rack transport scheduler. The rack transport scheduler compares the read sample ID with rack export request information and rack transport status information stored in the control device within the controller 109. The rack export request information is information specified by the user, including information on the sample rack to be exported and information on the destination of the sample rack. The rack transport status information is information created by the controller 109 based on reports on the transport status of the sample rack and the progress of analysis received from the rack loading unit A103, rack loading unit B104, ID reader 107, transport line 108, analysis module A114, analysis module B124, rack export unit A105, rack export unit B106, etc.

[0017] If the sample ID does not match the information of the sample rack to be exported as a result of the comparison with the rack export request information, the control unit 109 creates a rack transport schedule to the analysis module scheduled for analysis and transports the sample rack. On the other hand, if the sample ID matches the information of the sample rack to be exported included in the rack export request information as a result of the comparison, the control unit 109 suspends the transport of the sample rack to the analysis module scheduled for analysis, creates a rack export schedule, and exports the sample rack. When creating the rack export schedule, information on the export destination of the sample rack included in the rack export request information is used. Note that if the sample rack has already been exported as a result of the comparison with the rack transport status information, export is not performed.

[0018] Next, a method for specifying a sample rack to be removed from the automated analyzer having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 2 . FIG. 2 shows an example of a screen for specifying a sample rack to be removed (a sample rack to be removed specification screen). The screen shown in FIG. 2 is displayed on the display unit 101 by the control unit 109 in response to an operation on the operation unit 102 when a user wants to check a sample rack containing at least one abnormal sample container (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as an "abnormal rack"). Furthermore, tabs 201 at the top of the screen allow the user to narrow down the results to either sample containers containing only sample containers for which dispensing has been completed (dispensing completed only) or sample containers containing at least one sample container for which dispensing has not been completed (dispensing incomplete). Furthermore, in the abnormality type selection field 202, the user can individually specify a reading error of an identification medium such as a barcode attached to a sample container, an insufficient sample volume, a clog detected in the probe of the sample dispensing mechanism, etc., to narrow down the abnormality type.

[0019] FIG. 2 shows abnormal racks with incomplete dispensing narrowed down by tab 201 and listed in the rack selection field 203. Note that abnormal racks that have already been automatically transported to a designated outlet are not listed in the rack selection field 203. The rack selection field 203 also allows the status of each of the multiple sample containers loaded in the abnormal rack to be identified (e.g., whether dispensing is incomplete, whether analysis is complete, whether a barcode error has occurred, etc.). While the screen in FIG. 2 displays the status of each sample container using text, it may also be displayed with icons or colors to distinguish between them. Since each abnormal rack contains sample containers for which dispensing has not been completed and the samples contained in those sample containers may be able to be analyzed normally, the user can decide not to transport the abnormal rack. However, the user may also decide to transport the abnormal rack after checking the status of other sample containers for which dispensing has been completed.

[0020] 2, the sample rack with rack ID 50001 is selected as a candidate for removal, and the sample container in the first position of that sample rack is selected, so detailed information about that sample container is displayed in the detailed information display field 204. The detailed information display field 204 also displays the ID of the sample contained in that sample container, the progress of the analysis, and the progress of each requested analysis item for that sample. In this way, being able to check the status of each of the multiple sample containers loaded in the abnormal rack is useful for the user in determining whether removal is necessary.

[0021] Here, when the user checks the checkbox in front of a specific rack ID in the rack selection field 203 and operates the rack export button 205, the sample rack with that rack ID is designated as the sample rack to be exported. In the example of Fig. 2, the user designates the sample rack to be exported from among the abnormal racks, but the user may also designate the sample rack to be exported from among sample racks that do not contain any sample containers in which an abnormality has occurred (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as "normal racks"). Examples of normal racks that may be designated as the sample rack to be exported include sample racks that need to be exported urgently, such as those containing samples that also need to be analyzed on another automatic analyzer or samples that need to be analyzed on another automatic analyzer due to a reagent shortage on the current automatic analyzer, etc.

[0022] Next, a method for specifying the destination of a sample rack to be exported using the above-described method will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is an example of a screen for specifying the output unit to which the sample rack is to be exported (sample rack output destination specification screen). The control unit 109 outputs the screen shown in Fig. 3 to the display unit 101 when the rack export button 205 in Fig. 2 is operated. An output destination selection field 301 is formed at the top of the screen, allowing the user to select one of rack output unit A, rack output unit B, analysis unit output unit A, and analysis unit output unit B as the output destination. Furthermore, exported rack display fields 302 to 305 are formed at the bottom of the screen for each output unit, and the sample racks that have been exported to each output unit are displayed. 3, it is displayed that three sample racks with rack IDs 50001, 50002, and 50003 have been sent to rack output unit A, and that a sample rack with rack ID 50004 has been sent to analysis unit output unit B. The control unit 109 identifies the sample racks that have been sent to each output unit based on the rack transport status information.

[0023] The arrow 306 indicates which output unit is the automatic output destination. In the example of FIG. 3 , rack output unit A is the automatic output destination. However, any method that can clearly indicate the automatic output destination is not limited to the arrow 306. For example, a method that distinguishes the background color of the output rack display field from other racks may be used. The automatic output destination is the output unit to which a sample rack that is not designated as an output target (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "non-designated rack") is automatically output. The control unit 109 determines the automatic output destination in real time based on a preset priority and the availability of the output units. For example, if the output unit set with the highest priority is full and further output is not possible, if the output unit with the next highest priority has availability, that output unit becomes the automatic output destination. The priority of the output destination may be unique to each device or may be arbitrarily set by the user. In the following description, it is assumed that the order of priority is set in advance as rack output unit A, rack output unit B, analysis unit output unit A, and analysis unit output unit B.

[0024] 3, the sample racks that have been sent out, including non-designated racks, are displayed in the sent-out rack display fields 302 to 305, so the user can select the desired send-out unit (for example, an empty unit where it is easy to find the sample rack to be sent out) as the send-out destination while checking the status of each send-out unit. In particular, even in an automatic analyzer that does not have a dedicated send-out unit for abnormal racks (a destination for both abnormal and normal racks may be shared) for the purpose of reducing the size and cost of the device, it is possible to minimize the mixing of abnormal racks with normal racks, and this facilitates the recovery of abnormal racks.

[0025] 4 is a flowchart showing the process of specifying an output unit to be the output destination of an output target. First, when the rack output button 205 is operated with a specific sample rack selected on the output target sample rack specification screen in FIG. 2, the control unit 109 acquires a preset priority from the storage device (step S401). Next, the control unit 109 determines whether the output unit set with the highest priority is the automatic output destination (step S402). If it is determined that the output unit set with the highest priority is the automatic output destination, the control unit 109 conveniently lowers the priority of the output unit (step S403) and returns to step S402.

[0026] If it is determined in step S402 that the output unit set with the highest priority is not the automatic output destination, the control unit 109 selects the output unit by default and outputs a message to the display unit 101 prompting the user to specify the output unit as the output destination (step S404). By selecting the output destination by default, it is possible to save the user the trouble of selecting a destination. In the example of FIG. 3 , because rack output unit A is the automatic output destination, rack output unit B, which has the next highest priority, is selected as the output destination by default, rather than rack output unit A, which has the highest priority. This prevents the sample rack to be output from being lost among the many non-designated racks in rack output unit A, which is the automatic output destination, and enables the user to easily find it from rack output unit B.

[0027] Next, when the user changes the selection of the output destination from the default on the sample rack output destination designation screen of Fig. 3 as necessary and then operates the output button 307 (step S405), the control unit 109 determines whether the output destination is available (step S406). If it is determined that the output unit designated as the output destination is not available, the control unit 109 outputs the sample rack output destination confirmation screen shown in Fig. 5 to the display unit 101 (step S407). If the user allows the sample rack to be output to wait in the rack standby unit A111, rack standby unit B121, etc. until the output unit becomes available and does not want to change the output destination, the user operates the "Yes" button 501 in Fig. 5, causing the control unit 109 to proceed to step S408. On the other hand, if the output destination is to be changed to an available output unit, the user operates the "No" button 502 in Fig. 5, causing the control unit 109 to return to step S405 again.

[0028] If it is determined in step S406 that there is a vacant sample rack at the destination, the control unit 109 determines whether the sample rack designated as the target for export has already been exported (step S408). Here, the abnormal rack listed in the rack selection field 203 on the export target sample rack designation screen in FIG. 2 may be automatically exported to the destination while the user is subsequently specifying the destination. Therefore, in step S408, the control unit 109 finally confirms that the sample rack designated as the target for export has not already been exported. If the sample rack has already been exported, the control unit 109 outputs a sample rack export completion screen shown in FIG. 6 to the display unit 101 to notify the user that the sample rack has already been exported (step S409). The sample rack export completion screen clearly indicates the rack ID and destination of the exported sample rack. If it is determined in step S408 that the sample rack has not already been exported, the control unit 109 stores information about the designated sample rack to be exported and information about the designated destination in a storage device as rack export request information. After that, when the rack ID of the sample rack is read, the control unit 109 activates the rack transport scheduler and starts transporting the sample rack to the specified destination (step S410). When the transport of the sample rack is completed, the control unit 109 stores the fact that the sample rack has been transported in the storage device as rack transport status information.

[0029] Next, a method for checking the destination and status of a sample rack designated as an object to be exported will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is an example of a screen displaying the export status of a sample rack (sample rack export status screen). When a user wants to check the destination and status of a sample rack designated as an object to be exported, the control unit 109 causes the display unit 101 to output the screen shown in Fig. 7 in response to an operation on the operation unit 102.

[0030] An export target display field 701 is formed at the top of the screen, and the control unit 109 displays in this field the sample racks to be exported that have been identified based on the rack export request information. The control unit 109 also displays the correspondence between the sample racks designated as export targets and the export units designated as export destinations, as well as the export status of each sample rack, in this export target display field 701. In the example of Fig. 7, the sample rack with a rack ID of 50012 is selected, and the export destination of the sample rack is rack export unit B, and the sample rack has already been exported.

[0031] Meanwhile, at the bottom of the screen, similar to the sample rack destination designation screen of Fig. 3, unloaded rack display fields 302 to 305 are formed for each output unit, and the sample racks that have been unloaded to each output unit are displayed. In the example of Fig. 7, a sample rack with a rack ID of 50012 is selected in the unload target display field 701, and since this sample rack has already been unloaded to rack output unit B, this sample rack is displayed in a manner that distinguishes it from the others in the unloaded rack display field 303. Note that the method of distinguishing it from the others may be a thicker frame, a different color, or a marker, or a combination of these methods. Furthermore, the rack output unit A105, rack output unit B106, analysis unit output unit A112, and analysis unit output unit B122 may themselves be provided with LEDs, which may be lit or flashed to distinguish them.

[0032] By providing a sample rack export status screen such as that shown in Figure 7, the user can confirm the export destination of the sample rack even if they forget to specify it after specifying it. Furthermore, since the current status of the sample rack specified for export can be confirmed, the user can easily grasp the timing of the collection operation. Furthermore, since the export status of other sample racks at the export unit specified as the export destination can be confirmed, the user can carefully collect the sample rack to be exported.

[0033] 101...display unit, 102...operation unit, 103...rack input unit A, 104...rack input unit B, 105...rack output unit A, 106...rack output unit B, 107...ID reading unit, 108...transport line, 109...control unit, 111...rack standby unit A, 112...analysis unit output unit A, 113...analysis unit A, 114...analysis module A, 121...rack standby unit B, 122...analysis unit output unit B, 123...Analysis unit B, 124...Analysis module B, 201...Tab, 202...Anomaly type selection field, 203...Rack selection field, 204...Detailed information display field, 205...Rack export button, 301...Export destination selection field, 302-305...Exported rack display fields, 306...Arrow, 307...Export button, 501..."Yes" button, 502..."No" button, 701...Export target display field

Claims

1. An automatic analyzer comprising: an input section for inputting a sample rack capable of mounting sample containers containing samples; a transport line for transporting the sample rack; an analysis section for analyzing the samples; a plurality of output sections for outputting the sample racks; a control section for controlling the operation of the transport line; and a display section for displaying information relating to the analysis, wherein the control section causes the display section to output a screen for allowing the user to specify which of the sample racks input into the input section is to be exported, and when the sample rack is specified, causes the display section to output a screen for allowing the user to specify which of the plurality of output sections is to be used as the export destination of the sample rack.

2. In the automatic analyzer described in claim 1, the multiple output sections have at least a first output section and a second output section, and when a non-designated rack, which is a sample rack that has not been designated as a target for output, is in a state where it is to be output to the first output section, when a target for output is designated, the control section outputs to the display section a message prompting the user to designate the second output section as the destination.

3. In the automatic analyzer described in claim 2, the multiple output sections further include a third output section, and when there is no vacancy in the first output section, the non-designated racks are transported to the second output section, and when an item to be transported is designated in this state, a display is output to the display section prompting the user to designate the third output section as the destination.

4. An automatic analyzer as described in claim 2, characterized in that the object to be removed is the sample rack in which at least one sample container in which an abnormality has occurred is mounted, and the non-designated rack is the sample rack in which only sample containers in which no abnormality has occurred are mounted.

5. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the control unit outputs to the display unit a screen showing the correspondence between the sample rack designated as the object to be transported and the transport unit designated as the destination.

6. The automatic analyzer according to claim 5, wherein the control unit also outputs to the screen the status of ejection of the sample rack designated as the object of ejection.

7. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the display unit to output a screen showing a list of the sample racks that have been discharged for each of the plurality of discharge units.

8. An automatic analyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that the screen for designating the sample to be removed outputs a list of the sample racks in which at least one sample container in which an abnormality has occurred is mounted, and the status of the multiple sample containers mounted on the sample rack.

9. The automatic analyzer according to claim 8, wherein the state of the sample container includes information as to whether dispensing is incomplete or not.

10. An analysis method for an automatic analyzer comprising: an input section for inputting a sample rack capable of mounting sample containers containing samples; a transport line for transporting the sample rack; an analysis section for analyzing the samples; a plurality of output sections for exporting the sample rack; a control section for controlling the operation of the transport line; and a display section for displaying information relating to the analysis, wherein the control section outputs to the display section a screen for allowing the user to specify which of the sample racks inputted into the input section is to be exported, and when the sample rack is specified, outputs to the display section a screen for allowing the user to specify which of the plurality of output sections is to be used as the export destination of the sample rack.

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