Automatic analysis device, method for controlling automatic analysis device, and program

Abstract

This automatic analysis device makes it possible to automatically set a plurality of setting items when a specific specimen is carried into the device.　This automatic analysis device comprises: a first storage unit; a second storage unit; a third storage unit; a reading unit; and a setting change unit. The first storage unit stores setting information for determining the setting of a plurality of setting items related to an analysis module. For the identifiers of objects to be transferred which are loaded onto a conveyance path of a rack of a sample container, the second storage unit stores correspondence information in which the following are mutually associated: the identifiers; setting content to be set for the plurality of setting items; and a priority. The reading unit reads the identifiers of the objects to be transferred that have been loaded onto the conveyance path. The third storage unit stores the identifiers read by the reading unit. The setting change unit refers to the correspondence information stored in the second storage unit, and changes the setting information stored in the first storage unit on the basis of the setting contents corresponding to the identifier having the highest priority among the identifiers stored in the third storage unit.

Description

Automatic analyzer, method and program for controlling automatic analyzer

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

[0002] There are known automatic analyzers that automatically analyze components of specimens such as blood or urine. Here, Patent Document 1 describes switching between enabling and disabling an automatic retest function or an abnormal data value check function when a specific rack holding specimen containers containing specimens is loaded into the automatic analyzer.

[0003] International Publication No. 2016 / 136390

[0004] However, the automatic analyzer described in Patent Document 1 is designed to switch one of the multiple setting items associated with the analyzer, so even when a specific sample is loaded into the automatic analyzer and it is necessary to finely switch the settings of the multiple setting items to suit the specific sample, the settings must be made manually, requiring cumbersome operations.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to enable an automatic analyzer to automatically set a plurality of setting items when a specific sample is carried in.

[0006] A representative embodiment of the present application is an automatic analyzer comprising: a transport path for a rack that holds sample containers; an analysis module for analyzing samples in the sample containers; a first memory unit that stores setting information that defines settings for multiple setting items related to the analysis module; a second memory unit that stores, for each identifier, correspondence information that associates an identifier of an object to be transported input into the transport path with setting contents to be set for the multiple setting items and a priority; a reading unit that reads the identifier of the object to be transported input into the transport path; a third memory unit that stores the identifier read by the reading unit; and a setting change unit that refers to the correspondence information stored in the second memory unit and changes the setting information stored in the first memory unit based on the setting contents corresponding to the identifier with the highest priority among the identifiers stored in the third memory unit.

[0007] According to a representative embodiment of the present application, when a specific sample is carried into an automatic analyzer, a plurality of setting items can be automatically set.

[0008] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an automatic analyzer. A diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a central control unit. A diagram showing an example of a current system setting information table. A diagram showing an example of a system setting information table at the start of an analysis operation. A diagram showing an example of a rack information table. A diagram showing an example of a rack ID registration table. A diagram showing an example of a rack ID registration screen. A diagram showing an example of a rack ID confirmation screen. A flow diagram showing an example of the processing flow by the setting change unit when a rack is detected by the input unit ID reader. A flow diagram showing an example of the processing flow by the setting change unit when a rack is discharged to the discharge unit. A diagram showing an example of a system setting confirmation screen.

[0009] <Background of the Study by the Inventors> An automated analyzer automatically analyzes specific components contained in a specimen, such as a biological sample such as blood or urine from a subject, in a qualitative or quantitative manner.

[0010] Automated analyzers have various functions, such as reagent remaining amount management, automatic maintenance, bubble detection, and retesting. The automatic maintenance function automatically cleans dispensing nozzles, piping, etc. periodically or in response to detection of contamination. The bubble detection function determines whether or not there are bubbles in the sample that could interfere with sample analysis, and if bubbles are detected, notifies the user that bubbles have been detected. The retesting function is a function that repeats a measurement or test when, for example, an inappropriate event occurs or a measurement value becomes abnormal during measurement or testing for sample analysis, which may result in an unexpected accuracy of the analysis results.

[0011] Generally, various functions of an automated analyzer are provided with multiple setting items that allow detailed control of the operation of the function. Information representing the settings of these multiple setting items is called system setting information or simply system settings. A user changes the system settings for each function depending on the intended use of the automated analyzer.

[0012] The system settings are changed by a user manually operating the operation screen of the automatic analyzer. The automatic analyzer changes the control of each function according to the system settings. For example, the user registers the conditions for performing automatic maintenance from the operation screen as part of the system settings. Another example of a method for switching system settings without going through the operation screen is to enable or disable the automatic retest function or the data abnormal value check function when a specific rack is loaded into the automatic analyzer.

[0013] However, the method of manually changing system settings from the operation screen has the following problems. For example, suppose a user supplies a rack (hereinafter referred to as an "emergency rack") that requires urgent measurement to the system in order to obtain measurement results as quickly as possible. If automatic maintenance is being performed at this time, the automatic analyzer must place the emergency rack on standby until the automatic maintenance is completed and measurement resumes. To temporarily disable the automatic maintenance function while measuring samples in the emergency rack, the user must manually disable the automatic maintenance function from the operation screen before loading the emergency rack into the automatic analyzer. Then, after the measurement of the samples in the emergency rack is completed, the user must manually enable the automatic maintenance function as needed.

[0014] Furthermore, regardless of whether automatic maintenance is required or not, if a user wishes to measure samples in sample containers held in a specific rack without performing bubble detection, the user must disable the bubble detection function from the operation screen before loading the rack into the automated analyzer. After completing the measurement of the rack, the user must then re-enable the bubble detection function as needed.

[0015] As described above, it is conceivable that the system settings may be changed manually during the analysis operation of the automated analyzer. However, if a user who is unfamiliar with the operation of the automated analyzer changes the system settings, it may take time to change the system settings, which may result in delays in the supply of racks. Furthermore, changing the system settings from the operation screen may tie the user to the automated analyzer when supplying racks, which may reduce the user's work efficiency.

[0016] Furthermore, the method of changing system settings upon rack detection described in Patent Document 1 has the following problem. In the embodiment of Patent Document 1, when a rack is detected, one setting item in the system settings is switched between enabled and disabled. However, the system settings include settings for various functions such as an automatic maintenance function and a bubble detection function. Therefore, there may be cases where the settings of multiple setting items in the system settings need to be changed depending on the situation.

[0017] When multiple system setting items are associated with a specific rack and the system settings are changed when the rack is detected, it becomes difficult for the user to manage the racks. For example, if there are multiple racks in an automated analyzer to which some of the system setting items are associated, it is difficult to know which rack and which setting item are currently being changed.

[0018] Furthermore, in the method described in Patent Document 1, the order in which the settings of the setting items are changed depends on the order in which the racks are placed in the input unit of the automatic analyzer. Therefore, if an external transport system is connected to the input unit or if there are multiple rack supply ports, the user needs to understand and manage the order in which the racks are supplied to the automatic analyzer and how the settings of the setting items are changed. However, such management by the user is not realistic, and it is practically difficult to apply this method to an automatic analyzer.

[0019] In view of these circumstances, the inventors conducted research with the aim of enabling multiple setting items to be automatically set in an automatic analyzer when a specific sample is brought in, and came up with the present invention.

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. Note that each embodiment described below is an example for carrying out the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, in each embodiment below, components having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated description thereof will be omitted unless particularly necessary.

[0021] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, an automatic analyzer will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0022] <Configuration Example of an Automatic Analyzer> Fig. 1A is a diagram showing a configuration example of an automatic analyzer. As shown in Fig. 1A, the automatic analyzer 100 includes an integrated control unit 101, an input unit 102, a transport line 103, an input unit ID reader 104, an output unit 105, an analysis module 106, and an analysis module ID reader 107. The automatic analyzer 100 includes one or more analysis modules 106. Here, as an example, the automatic analyzer 100 includes three analysis modules 106.

[0023] The loading unit 102 is a portion into which the racks 108 are loaded. The racks 108 are an example of an object to be transported by the transport line 103, and are configured to hold sample containers. The racks 108 may be loaded into the loading unit 102 manually by a user, or automatically by an external transport system.

[0024] The rack 108 is provided with a rack ID, which is an identifier for the rack. For example, a label on which a barcode or two-dimensional code representing the rack ID is printed is affixed to the rack 108. Alternatively, for example, an RF tag storing the rack ID is attached to the rack 108. The rack ID is associated with the reception number, subject name, requested measurement items, etc., related to the samples in the sample containers held by the rack 108. The requested measurement items are measurement items requested by the analysis requester.

[0025] The transport line 103 is a transport path for transporting objects to be transported, such as racks 108. The racks 108 loaded into the loading unit 102 are transported by the transport line 103 to the loading unit ID reader 104, the analysis module 106, the discharge unit 105, etc., as appropriate.

[0026] The input unit ID reader 104 is a device that reads the rack ID attached to the rack 108. The input unit ID reader 104 is, for example, a barcode reader, an RFID reader, or the like. The input unit ID reader 104 transmits the rack ID read from the rack 108 to the integrated control unit 101. The input unit ID reader 104 is an example of the "reading unit" in this application.

[0027] The analysis module 106 is a device that analyzes samples in sample containers held in the rack 108 based on operational instructions and requested measurement items received from the integrated control unit 101. The analysis module 106 uses a dispensing nozzle to dispense the sample from the sample container into a reaction container and dispense a reagent into the reaction container. The analysis module 106 then analyzes the sample by measuring, for example, a physical quantity associated with the mixture of the sample and reagent in the reaction container, such as light transmittance.

[0028] The analysis module ID reader 107 is a device that reads the rack ID of the rack 108 that has arrived at the analysis module 106. The analysis module ID reader 107 transmits the read rack ID to the integrated control unit 101.

[0029] The general control unit 101 is a device that outputs control signals that control the operation of each unit included in the automatic analyzer 100, and also executes processes related to the analysis of samples.

[0030] The overall control unit 101 includes a storage unit 109, an operation control unit 110, a setting change unit 111, and a display control unit 112. The storage unit 109 is an example of a "first storage unit," a "second storage unit," and a "third storage unit" in this application. The overall control unit 101 is connected to an operation unit 113, a display unit 114, etc.

[0031] FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the overall control unit. As shown in FIG. 1B, the overall control unit 101 is configured by, for example, a computer 101C. The computer 101C includes a processor 1011, a memory 1012, a storage 1013, an interface 1014, and a communication bus 1015. The processor 1011 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor unit (MPU), or a microcontroller unit (MCU). The memory 1012 is, for example, a ROM, a RAM, or the like. The storage 1013 is, for example, a solid state drive (SSD), a hard disk drive (HDD), or the like. The interface 1014 is a device for electrically connecting to an external device.

[0032] The processor 1011, memory 1012, storage 1013, and interface 1014 are each connected to a communication bus 1015 and can transmit and receive information to and from each other. A program PG is stored in the memory 1012 or the storage 1013. The processor 1011 reads the program PG, loads it into the memory 1012, and executes it, thereby causing the computer 101C to function as the storage unit 109, operation control unit 110, setting change unit 111, and display control unit 112. It can also be said that the computer 101C functions as the storage unit 109, operation control unit 110, setting change unit 111, and display control unit 112 by executing the program PG.

[0033] The operation unit 113 is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, etc. The display unit 114 is a liquid crystal monitor, an organic EL monitor, etc. The operation unit 113 and the display unit 114 may be an integrated touch panel.

[0034] The storage unit 109 stores current system setting information, system setting information at the start of an analysis operation, information about racks carried into the automatic analyzer 100, or system setting changes associated with rack IDs. The system setting at the start of an analysis operation is stored in advance, for example, by a user operating the operation unit 113. The current system setting, i.e., the current system setting, corresponds to the table contents in FIG. 2, which will be described later. The system setting at the start of an analysis operation corresponds to the table contents in FIG. 3, which will be described later. The system setting changes associated with rack IDs correspond to the table contents in FIG. 5, which will be described later.

[0035] The operation control unit 110 periodically reads the current system setting information stored in the storage unit 109 and transmits operation instructions to the analysis module 106 based on the current system setting information.

[0036] The analysis module 106 operates based on instructions received from the operation control unit 110. For example, if the automatic maintenance and foam detection functions are set to "enabled" in the current system settings, the analysis module 106 performs automatic maintenance, foam detection, etc. On the other hand, if the automatic maintenance and foam detection functions are set to "disabled" in the current system settings, the analysis module 106 does not perform automatic maintenance, foam detection, etc. When a function setting is switched from "enabled" to "disabled" in the system settings, if the switched function is in operation and the operation related to that function can be interrupted, the operation is interrupted. For example, automatic maintenance is a function whose operation cannot be interrupted, while foam detection is a function whose operation can be interrupted.

[0037] When the input unit ID reader 104 reads a rack ID, the setting change unit 111 acquires correspondence information associated with the read rack ID from the information stored in the storage unit 109. Thereafter, the setting change unit 111 changes the current system setting information based on the setting contents to be changed in the system setting that are included in the acquired correspondence information.

[0038] The display control unit 112 cooperates with the operation unit 113 and the display unit 114 to form a graphical user interface, or GUI. The display control unit 112 causes the display unit 114 to display a rack ID registration screen (corresponding to the screen in FIG. 6 , described later) in response to a user's operation of the operation unit 113, etc. The user can register information associating a rack ID with any or desired system settings on the rack ID registration screen. Furthermore, the display control unit 112 causes the display unit 114 to display a rack ID confirmation screen (corresponding to the screen in FIG. 7, described later) in response to a user's operation of the operation unit 113, etc. The user can confirm and delete registered information on the rack ID confirmation screen.

[0039] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a current system setting information table. The current system setting information table 201 is stored in the storage unit 109. The current system setting information table 201 stores information that defines the current system settings. As shown in FIG. 2, the current system setting information table 201 is configured with the following items: priority 202, first analysis module automatic maintenance setting 203, first analysis module bubble detection setting 204, second analysis module automatic maintenance setting 205, second analysis module bubble detection setting 206, and applicable rack ID 207. The first analysis module is one of the three analysis modules 106, and the second analysis module is the other of the three analysis modules 106.

[0040] The priority of the current system setting is stored in the priority 202 field. Here, the higher the value of the priority 202, the higher the priority. The priority 202 is used in the process of detecting a rack (the process flow shown in FIG. 8 ) and the process of ejecting a rack (the process flow shown in FIG. 9 ), which will be described later.

[0041] "Enabled" or "Disabled" is stored in each of the items: first analysis module automatic maintenance setting 203, first analysis module bubble detection setting 204, second analysis module automatic maintenance setting 205, and second analysis module bubble detection setting 206. Functions for which "Disabled" is stored are disabled and do not operate during sample analysis.

[0042] The rack ID that triggered the change in system settings is stored in the applicable rack ID 207. When the automatic analyzer 100 starts an analysis operation, "none" is stored as the initial value.

[0043] In this embodiment, the system settings include automatic maintenance and bubble detection functions. However, the system settings are not limited to switching between enabling and disabling the automatic maintenance and bubble detection functions, but also include whether or not the transport system is connected, and analysis module mask information for temporarily disabling the operation of the analysis module.

[0044] 3 is a diagram showing an example of an analytical operation start system setting information table. The analytical operation start system setting information table 301 is stored in the storage unit 109. The analytical operation start system setting information table 301 stores information representing system settings that should be set at the start of an analytical operation. As shown in FIG. 3, the analytical operation start system setting information table 301 is composed of the following items at the start of an analytical operation: start priority 302, start-time first analysis module automatic maintenance setting 303, start-time first analysis module bubble detection setting 304, start-time second analysis module automatic maintenance setting 305, and start-time second analysis module bubble detection setting 306.

[0045] At the start of an analysis operation, the central control unit 101 stores the information in the analysis operation start system setting information table 301 in the current system setting information table 201. The start priority 302 field stores the value "0", which indicates the lowest priority.

[0046] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a rack information table. The rack information table 401 is stored in the storage unit 109. The rack information table 401 stores information related to racks that have been brought into the automatic analyzer 100. As shown in FIG. 4, the rack information table 401 is composed of an entry for a carry-in sequence 402 and an entry for a rack ID 403. The entry for the carry-in sequence 402 stores an order indicating which rack was brought in and in what order during operation. The rack information table 401 is used in the process at the time of rack detection (the process flow shown in FIG. 8) and the process at the time of rack ejection (the process flow shown in FIG. 9), which will be described later.

[0047] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a rack ID registration table. The rack ID registration table 501 is stored in the storage unit 109. The rack ID registration table 501 stores information that indicates the content of system setting changes that are associated with the rack ID. As shown in FIG. 5, the rack ID registration table 501 includes the following items: rack ID 502, priority 503, system setting information 504, and reuse information 505.

[0048] The rack ID is stored in the Rack ID 502 field. The priority for applying the system settings is stored in the Priority 503 field. The Priority 503 is used in the process when a rack is detected (the process flow in FIG. 8 ) and the process when a rack is ejected (the process flow in FIG. 9 ), which will be described later.

[0049] The system setting information 504 item stores information indicating how to change the current system setting information table 201 when a rack ID is detected by the input unit ID reader 104. For example, in this embodiment, when rack ID: 50100 is detected by the input unit ID reader 104, information is stored in the rack ID registration table 501 that indicates that the automatic maintenance and bubble detection functions of the first analysis module are enabled and the automatic maintenance and bubble detection functions of the second analysis module are disabled.

[0050] The reuse information 505 item stores information indicating whether or not the system settings are to be changed again with the same setting information when the user supplies a rack that has been ejected once again to the automated analyzer 100. In other words, when the same rack ID is read again after the start of an analysis operation, a determination is made based on the reuse information 505 as to whether or not the rack ID can be reused.

[0051] For example, suppose that after the rack 108 with rack ID: 50100 is ejected from the automatic analyzer 100, the user supplies the rack 108 with rack ID: 50100 to the automatic analyzer again. In this case, "invalid" is stored in the reuse information 505 field for rack ID: 50100, so the system setting information is not changed. On the other hand, suppose that the user supplies the rack 108 with rack ID: 50200 to the automatic analyzer 100 again. In this case, "valid" is stored in the reuse information 505 field for rack ID: 50200, so the system setting information is changed again.

[0052] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a rack ID registration screen. The rack ID registration screen 601 is a screen for registering system setting information to be associated with a rack ID. As shown in FIG. 6, the rack ID registration screen 601 is composed of a rack ID input field 602, a system setting input field 603, a register button 604, and a cancel button 605. The user enters the rack ID to be registered in the rack ID input field 602 and enters the corresponding system settings in the system setting input field 603. The user then presses the register button 604, which stores the entered information in the rack ID registration table 501. The user can also cancel information that has been partially entered by pressing the cancel button 605.

[0053] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a rack ID confirmation screen. The rack ID confirmation screen 701 is a screen for confirming or deleting information stored in the rack ID registration table 501. As shown in FIG. 7 , the rack ID confirmation screen 701 is composed of a check box 702, a rack ID registration list 703, and a delete button 704. The rack ID confirmation screen 701 displays information from the rack ID registration table 501 in the rack ID registration list 703. The user can confirm which rack IDs are currently registered from the rack ID registration list 703. Furthermore, the user can select a rack ID using the check box 702 and press the delete button 704 to delete the selected rack ID and the information associated with that rack ID from the rack ID registration table 501.

[0054] 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing by the setting change unit when a rack is detected by the input unit ID reader. The processing starts from step S801.

[0055] In step S801, when a rack is detected by the input unit ID reader 104 and the rack ID of the rack is read, the setting change unit 111 acquires the rack ID read from the input unit ID reader 104. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S802.

[0056] In step S802, the setting change unit 111 adds the acquired rack ID to the rack information table 401. Then, the process proceeds to step S803. The carry-in sequence 402 of the rack ID 403 to be added is the maximum value of the carry-in sequence 402 already registered in the rack information table 401 + 1. For example, when rack ID: 50001 is added to the rack information table 401, the maximum value of the carry-in sequence 402 already registered is "5", so "6" is stored in the carry-in sequence 402 of rack ID: 50001.

[0057] In step S803, the setting change unit 111 determines whether the acquired rack ID is registered in the rack ID registration table 501. If it is determined that the acquired rack ID is registered in the rack ID registration table 501 (S803: YES), the process proceeds to step S804. If it is determined that the acquired rack ID is not registered (S303: NO), the process ends.

[0058] In step S804, the setting change unit 111 compares the priority 202 in the current system setting information table 201 with the priority 503 in the rack ID registration table 501. The setting change unit 111 then determines whether the priority 503 corresponding to the acquired rack ID is higher than the priority 202 in the current system setting information table 201, that is, whether the value of the priority 503 is higher than the value of the priority 202. If it is determined that the value of the priority 503 corresponding to the acquired rack ID is higher than the current value of the priority 202 (S804: YES), the process proceeds to step S805. If the value of the priority 503 corresponding to the acquired rack ID is lower than the current priority 202 (S804: NO), the process ends.

[0059] In step S805, the setting change unit 111 changes the priority 202 and each system setting in the current system setting information table 201 based on the priority 503 and the system setting information 504 corresponding to the acquired rack ID. For example, in the case of rack ID: 50100, the priority is "2," the settings for the first analysis module automatic maintenance and first analysis module bubble detection functions are "enabled," and the settings for the second analysis module automatic maintenance and second analysis module bubble detection functions are "disabled." Therefore, the value of the priority 202 in the current system setting information table 201 is changed to "2," the settings for the first analysis module automatic maintenance setting 203 and first analysis module bubble detection setting 204 functions are changed to "enabled," and the settings for the second analysis module automatic maintenance setting 205 and second analysis module bubble detection setting 206 functions are changed to "disabled." In addition, the applicable rack ID 207 is updated to "50100." After step S805 is performed, the process proceeds to step S806.

[0060] In step S806, the setting change unit 111 determines whether the reuse setting for the acquired rack ID is "valid" or "invalid" based on the reuse information 505 corresponding to the acquired rack ID. If it is determined that the reuse setting for the acquired rack ID is "valid" (S806: YES), the processing ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the reuse setting for the acquired rack ID is "invalid" (S806: NO), the processing proceeds to step S807. For example, in the case of rack ID: 50200, the reuse information 505 is "valid", so the processing ends. Also, for example, in the case of rack ID: 50100, the reuse information 505 is "invalid", so the processing proceeds to step S807.

[0061] In step S807, the setting change unit 111 deletes the information of the rack ID acquired from the rack ID registration table 501. By deleting the information of the rack ID acquired from the rack ID registration table 501, in principle, the system settings currently stored in the system setting information table 201 are prevented from being changed even if the same rack or a rack with the same rack ID is detected again. After step S807 is performed, the processing ends.

[0062] 9 is a flow diagram showing an example of the processing flow by the setting change unit when a rack is discharged to the discharge unit. In this embodiment, when a rack is discharged, it is determined whether the system settings should be restored to the settings at the start of operation or updated with the system settings corresponding to the remaining rack. The processing starts from step S901.

[0063] In step S901, the setting change unit 111 deletes the rack ID of the ejected rack 108 from the rack information table 401. After that, the process proceeds to step S902.

[0064] In step S902, the setting change unit 111 checks the rack information table 401 and determines whether or not a rack 108 remains in the automated analyzer 100. If one or more rack IDs are registered in the rack information table 401, the setting change unit 111 determines that a rack 108 remains, and if no rack IDs are registered, the setting change unit 111 determines that a rack 108 does not remain. If it is determined that a rack 108 remains (S902: YES), the process proceeds to step S903. On the other hand, if it is determined that a rack 108 does not remain (S902: NO), the process proceeds to step S910.

[0065] In step S903, the setting change unit 111 acquires the rack ID with the smallest value in the carry-in order 402 in the rack information table 401. Then, the process proceeds to step S904. For example, in the case of the rack information table 401 shown in Fig. 4, the smallest value in the carry-in order 402 is "2" for rack ID: 50000, so rack ID: 50000 is acquired.

[0066] In step 904, the setting change unit 111 determines whether the rack ID acquired in the previous step, or most recently, is registered in the rack ID registration table 501. If it is determined that the acquired rack ID is registered in the rack ID registration table 501 (S904: YES), the process proceeds to step S905. On the other hand, if it is determined that the acquired rack ID is not registered in the rack ID registration table 501 (S904: NO), the process proceeds to step S909.

[0067] In step S905, the setting change unit 111 compares the priority in the current system settings with the priority corresponding to the most recently acquired rack ID. That is, the setting change unit 111 compares the priority 202 in the current system setting information table 201 with the priority 503 in the rack ID registration table 501 corresponding to the rack ID acquired in step S904. The setting change unit 111 determines whether the value of the priority 503 corresponding to the most recently acquired rack ID is greater than the value of the priority 202 in the current system setting information table 201.

[0068] If it is determined that the value of the priority 503 corresponding to the most recently acquired rack ID is greater than the value of the priority 202 in the current system setting information table 201 that represents the current system settings (S905: YES), the process proceeds to step S906. On the other hand, if it is determined that the value of the priority 503 corresponding to the most recently acquired rack ID is less than the value of the priority 202 in the current system settings (S905: NO), the process proceeds to step S909.

[0069] In step S906, the setting change unit 111 updates the current system settings with the setting information corresponding to the acquired rack ID. That is, the setting change unit 111 changes the settings of the priority 202, each system setting, and the applicable rack ID 207 in the current system setting information table 201 based on the setting information of the priority 503 and the system setting information 504 corresponding to the most recently acquired rack ID. Thereafter, the processing proceeds to step S907.

[0070] In step S907, the setting change unit 111 determines whether the reuse setting for the most recently acquired rack ID is "valid" or "invalid" based on the reuse information 505 corresponding to the most recently acquired rack ID. If it is determined that the reuse setting for the most recently acquired rack ID is "valid" (S907: YES), the processing ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the reuse setting for the most recently acquired rack ID is "invalid" (S907: NO), the processing proceeds to step S908.

[0071] In step S908, the setting change unit 111 deletes the information on the most recently acquired rack ID from the rack ID registration table 501. Then, the process ends.

[0072] In step S909, the setting change unit 111 refers to the rack information table 401 and determines whether or not there is a rack whose loading order value is the next highest to the loading order value of the rack corresponding to the most recently acquired rack ID. If it is determined that there is a rack whose loading order value is the next highest (S909: YES), the process proceeds to step S911. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is not a rack whose loading order value is the next highest (S909: NO), the process proceeds to step S910.

[0073] 4 is registered in the rack information table 401, and if rack ID: 50000 was acquired most recently, the value of the carry-in sequence 402 for rack ID: 50000 is "2," and rack ID: 50302, which has the next highest carry-in sequence value of "3," is registered in the rack information table 401. Therefore, in this case, the process proceeds to step S911.

[0074] In step S910, the setting change unit 111 returns the current system settings to the settings at the start of operation. That is, the setting change unit 111 changes the current system setting information table 201 and each system setting based on the information in the analysis operation start system setting information table 301. That is, when there are no rack IDs registered in the rack information table 401 that have a higher priority than the priority in the current system settings, the current system settings are returned to the settings at the start of operation by the processing of step S910. In other words, when there are no remaining racks that have a higher priority than the priority of the current system settings, the setting change unit 111 returns the system settings to the settings at the start of operation.

[0075] In step 911, the setting change unit 111 refers to the rack information table 401 and acquires the rack ID associated with the next highest carry-in order value after the carry-in order value corresponding to the most recently acquired rack ID. For example, if the information shown in Fig. 4 is registered in the rack information table 401 and rack ID: 50000 was acquired most recently, the value of the carry-in order 402 for rack ID: 50000 is "2", and rack ID: 50302, which has the next highest carry-in order value of "3", is acquired.

[0076] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a system setting confirmation screen. As shown in Fig. 10, the system setting confirmation screen 1001 currently displays information from the system setting information table 201. Through the system setting confirmation screen 1001, the user can check, for example, which priority level of the system setting is currently being applied, which rack triggered a change in the system setting, and so on.

[0077] According to the first embodiment, the system settings in the automated analyzer 100 are automatically changed according to the supplied racks, eliminating the need for the user to manually change the system settings according to the racks. Furthermore, because it is possible to assign priorities to the racks, the user can change the system settings according to the supplied racks without being aware of the order in which the racks are supplied. In other words, the user does not need to manage the order in which the racks are supplied to the automated analyzer 100. Furthermore, since the user is less likely to be tied down to the automated analyzer, the user's work efficiency can be improved.

[0078] That is, according to the first embodiment, when a specific sample is carried into the automated analyzer 100, multiple setting items can be automatically configured. For example, when an emergency rack is loaded into the automated analyzer 100, the system settings can be automatically changed to settings suitable for analyzing the samples on the emergency rack. Then, when the emergency rack is removed from the automated analyzer 100, the system settings are automatically restored to settings with a lower priority or to the settings at the start of the analysis operation, making it easy to manage the system settings.

[0079] <Variant 1> In addition to the conditions "the acquired rack ID is registered in the rack ID registration table 501" and "the priority of the acquired rack ID is higher than the priority of the current system settings," the conditions for changing the system settings of the automatic analyzer 100 may also be combined with information indicating the location at which the rack was detected, i.e., the location at which the rack ID was acquired.

[0080] For example, a column for "location where rack ID was acquired" is added to the rack ID registration table 501. Then, when a rack is detected by the input unit ID reader 104 or each analysis module ID reader 107, information on the location where the rack was detected is sent to the setting change unit 111. The setting change unit 111 changes the system settings only when all of the following conditions are met: "the acquired rack ID is registered in the rack ID registration table 501," "the priority of the acquired rack ID is higher than the priority of the current system settings," and "the location where the rack ID was acquired matches."

[0081] By adding "the location where the rack was detected," i.e., "the location where the rack ID was obtained," to the conditions for changing the system settings, it becomes possible to change the system settings more flexibly.

[0082] <Modification 2> A rack ID that triggers a change in the system settings of the automated analyzer 100 may be transportable on the transport line 103 and provided in a structure different from the rack 108. This structure, for example, does not have the function of accommodating the rack 108 but has a shape that imitates the rack 108, and is, so to speak, a pseudo rack. For example, a rack 108 holding sample containers of samples to be analyzed using the system settings associated with the rack ID may be loaded from the loading unit 102 together with the pseudo rack provided with the rack ID.

[0083] According to this modification, by inputting a pseudo rack into the automated analyzer 100, it is possible to change the system settings of the automated analyzer 100 to settings that are pre-associated with the rack ID of the pseudo rack. Therefore, for example, consider a case where an emergency pseudo rack is prepared, having a rack ID pre-associated with emergency settings, and a highly urgent sample that needs to be analyzed quickly is to be analyzed in an interruption manner. In this case, by inputting both the original rack holding the sample container containing the highly urgent sample and the emergency pseudo rack into the automated analyzer, the automated analyzer 100 can automatically change to the emergency settings. As a result, it is possible to avoid the cumbersome tasks of replacing the rack holding the sample container containing the sample from the original rack to the emergency rack or manually changing the settings of the automated analyzer 100.

[0084] <Variation 3> The system setting information may include whether to enable or disable the retest function related to the analysis module 106. As described above, the retest function refers to a function for redoing a measurement when, for example, an inappropriate event occurs or a measurement value becomes abnormal during a measurement for analyzing a sample, and it is thought that the accuracy of the analysis result will be lower than expected.

[0085] According to this modification, disabling the retest function can be included as a setting corresponding to a specific rack ID, which is effective when it is desired to obtain sample analysis results in a short time at the expense of taking the risk of reducing the accuracy of the sample analysis results. For example, this is particularly effective when it is desired to interrupt the automatic analyzer 100 to input highly urgent samples.

[0086] (Embodiment 2) A control method for an automated analyzer is also one embodiment. For example, the automated analyzer includes a transport path for a rack that holds sample containers, an analysis module for analyzing samples in the sample containers, a first memory unit that stores setting information that defines settings for multiple setting items related to the analysis module, and a second memory unit that stores, for each identifier, correspondence information that associates identifiers of objects to be transported onto the transport path of the rack, settings to be set for the multiple setting items, and priorities. The control method for such an automated analyzer includes a storage step of reading the identifiers of the objects to be transported onto the transport path and storing the read identifiers in a third memory unit, and a modification step of referring to the correspondence information stored in the second memory unit and modifying the setting information stored in the first memory unit based on the setting content corresponding to the identifier with the highest priority among the identifiers stored in the third memory unit.

[0087] (Embodiment 3) A program for causing a computer or processor included in an automatic analyzer to execute the processing of each step constituting the above control method, a program for causing a computer to function as the storage unit and setting change unit according to embodiment 1, and a non-transitory tangible storage medium storing such a program are also embodiments. When such a program according to embodiment 3 is executed by a computer or a processor, the same effect as embodiment 1 can be obtained.

[0088] Although the embodiments and their modifications of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and modifications, and the components or functions of the components may be modified within the scope of the gist of the invention. Furthermore, multiple components disclosed in the above embodiments may be appropriately combined. Furthermore, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the above embodiments.

[0089] 100: Automatic analyzer 101: General control unit 102: Input unit 103: Transport line 104: Input unit ID reader 105: Discharge unit 106: Analysis module 107: Analysis module ID reader 108: Rack 109: Memory unit 110: Operation control unit 111: Setting change unit 112: Display control unit 113: Operation unit 114: Display unit 101C: Computer 1011: Processor 1012: Memory 1013: Storage 1014: Interface 1015: Communication bus 201: Current system setting information table 202: Priority 203: First analysis module automatic maintenance setting 204: First analysis module bubble detection setting 205: Second analysis module automatic maintenance setting 206: Second analysis module bubble detection setting 207: Applicable rack ID 301: System setting information table at the start of analysis operation 302: Priority at start 303: Automatic maintenance setting for first analysis module at start 304: Bubble detection setting for first analysis module at start 305: Automatic maintenance setting for second analysis module at start 306: Bubble detection setting for second analysis module at start 401: Rack information table 402: Loading order 403: Rack ID 501: Rack ID registration table 502: Rack ID 503: Priority 504: System setting information 505: Reuse information 601: Rack ID registration screen 602: Rack ID input field 603: System setting input field 604: Register button 605: Cancel button 701: Rack ID confirmation screen 702: Check box 703: Rack ID registration list 704: Delete button 1001: System setting confirmation screen

Claims

1. An automatic analyzer comprising: a transport path for a rack that holds sample containers; an analysis module for analyzing samples in the sample containers; a first memory unit that stores setting information that defines settings for a plurality of setting items related to the analysis module; a second memory unit that stores, for each identifier, correspondence information that associates an identifier of an object to be transported that is input into the transport path, setting contents to be set for the plurality of setting items, and priority; a reading unit that reads the identifier of the object to be transported that is input into the transport path; a third memory unit that stores the identifier read by the reading unit; and a setting change unit that refers to the correspondence information stored in the second memory unit and changes the setting information stored in the first memory unit based on the setting contents corresponding to the identifier with the highest priority among the identifiers stored in the third memory unit.

2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the setting change unit deletes, from the third storage unit, information on the identifier of the object to be transported that has been discharged from the automatic analyzer.

3. An automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of setting items include a setting item relating to at least one of the functions of automatic maintenance, bubble detection, and retesting in the analysis module.

4. The automatic analyzer according to claim 3, wherein the setting contents include whether the function is to be set to enabled or disabled.

5. An automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the correspondence information includes reuse information indicating whether the read identifier can be reused when changing the setting information, and when the same identifier is read again by the reading unit after the start of an analysis operation, the setting change unit determines whether the identifier can be reused based on the reuse information for the identifier.

6. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the object to be transported is the rack.

7. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the object to be transported is a structure different from the rack.

8. A control method for an automatic analyzer, comprising: a transport path for a rack that holds sample containers; an analysis module for analyzing samples in the sample containers; a first memory unit that stores setting information that defines settings for a plurality of setting items related to the analysis module; and a second memory unit that stores, for each identifier, correspondence information that associates an identifier of an object to be transported that is input into the transport path, setting contents to be set for the plurality of setting items, and priority; the control method for an automatic analyzer, comprising: a step of reading the identifier of the object to be transported that is input into the transport path, and storing the read identifier in a third memory unit; and a step of referring to the correspondence information stored in the second memory unit, and changing the setting information stored in the first memory unit based on the setting contents corresponding to the identifier with the highest priority among the identifiers stored in the third memory unit.

9. A method for controlling an automatic analyzer according to claim 8, further comprising a step of deleting, from the third memory unit, information on the identifier of the object to be transported that has been discharged from the automatic analyzer.

10. A method for controlling an automatic analyzer according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of setting items include a setting item relating to at least one of the functions of automatic maintenance, bubble detection, and retesting in the analysis module.

11. A method for controlling an automatic analyzer according to claim 10, wherein the setting contents include whether the function is to be set to enabled or disabled.

12. A method for controlling an automatic analyzer according to claim 8, wherein the correspondence information includes reuse information indicating whether the read identifier can be reused when changing the setting information, and the method comprises a step of determining whether the identifier can be reused based on the reuse information of the identifier when the same identifier is read again after the start of an analysis operation.

13. The method for controlling an automatic analyzer according to claim 8, wherein the object to be transported is the rack.

14. The method for controlling an automatic analyzer according to claim 8, wherein the object to be transported is a structure different from the rack.

15. A program to be executed by a computer or processor included in an automatic analyzer, wherein the automatic analyzer comprises: a transport path for a rack that holds sample containers; an analysis module for analyzing samples in the sample containers; a first memory unit that stores setting information that defines the settings of multiple setting items related to the analysis module; and a second memory unit that stores, for each identifier, correspondence information that associates an identifier of an object to be transported that is input into the transport path, the setting contents to be set for the multiple setting items, and a priority; and the program causes the computer or processor to execute: a storage step that reads the identifier of the object to be transported that is input into the transport path, and stores the read identifier in a third memory unit; and a modification step that refers to the correspondence information stored in the second memory unit, and modifies the setting information stored in the first memory unit based on the setting contents corresponding to the identifier with the highest priority among the identifiers stored in the third memory unit.

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