Automated analysis device, management system, and analysis scheduling method for automated analysis device

Abstract

According to the present invention, when an error is detected during analysis of a sample in an analysis unit 111, a combination of conditions of operation patterns including information relating to an operating mechanism of interest in which the error was detected, operation content of the operating mechanism at the time the error was detected, and operation content of the operating mechanism before the error was detected are stored, and an analysis plan for subsequent samples is made on the basis of the stored combination of conditions. The present invention thereby provides an automated analysis device, a management system, and an analysis scheduling method for an automated analysis device that are capable of suppressing a suspension of analysis due to errors to a greater extent than in the past.

Description

Automatic analyzer, management system, and analysis scheduling method for automatic analyzer

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that performs qualitative and quantitative analysis of components in body fluids such as blood and urine, an analysis scheduling method therefor, and a management system for the automatic analyzer.

[0002] As an example of an analysis system that can reduce the time and effort required to identify the cause of an error based on the test results, Patent Document 1 describes a system that includes a recording unit that records the occurrence time and content of an event that occurs in the analysis system as a log, an extraction unit that, when an error occurs in a test performed on the analysis system, extracts relevant logs related to the error from the logs acquired between the time the previous test was successful and the time the error occurred, and a presentation unit that presents the relevant logs extracted by the extraction unit to the user.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-139805

[0004] In recent years, there has been a demand for automated medical analyzers to reduce the burden on users and strengthen security, etc. To meet these needs, the devices are being equipped with many high-value-added functions.

[0005] This inevitably increases the complexity of software, and many functions must be developed in a short period of time, but problems can also arise during operation.If a problem does arise during operation, there is a concern that the equipment will not operate and users' inspections will come to a halt.

[0006] To solve the above problem, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for recording the time and content of an event as a log, extracting related error logs, and presenting the cause to the user in order to reduce the time and effort required to identify the cause of an error based on test results. This method is believed to enable the cause of an error to be identified quickly and to reduce the time that testing is stopped.

[0007] However, in Patent Document 1, when an error occurs due to device control, such as a defect due to the order of analysis operations, it is difficult for the user to avoid the cause.

[0008] Specifically, although the cause is presented, it is often a malfunction of the software that operates the automatic analyzer, and it is extremely difficult for the user to resolve the cause themselves. Therefore, until the cause is resolved, there is a high possibility that the same error will occur again if the same situation occurs again, and there is room for improvement.

[0009] The present invention provides an automatic analyzer, a management system, and an analysis scheduling method for an automatic analyzer that can more effectively prevent analysis from being stopped due to errors than ever before.

[0010] The present invention includes multiple means for solving the above-mentioned problems. One example is an automatic analyzer comprising an analysis unit having multiple operating mechanisms used in analyzing samples, and a control unit that controls the operation of the operating mechanisms of the analysis unit, wherein when an error is detected during analysis of the sample in the analysis unit, the control unit stores a combination of operating pattern conditions that includes information on the operating mechanism in which the error was detected, the operation content of the operating mechanism at the time the error was detected, and the operation content of the operating mechanism before the error was detected, and creates a plan for subsequent analysis of the sample based on the stored combination of conditions.

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to further prevent analysis from being stopped due to an error compared to the prior art. Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments.

[0012] 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the overall configuration of the automatic analyzer of Example 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of general measures to be taken when an error occurs and the apparatus is stopped. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing functional blocks for correcting the contents of the sample dispensing mechanism operation table when an error occurs during a sample dispensing operation in the automatic analyzer of Example 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an outline of the location and timing of an error, which is the starting point of the process of registering error contents in the error avoidance table, and an analysis table thereof in the automatic analyzer of Example 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an outline of the error avoidance table in which error contents are registered by the automatic analyzer of Example 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an analysis table after processing for error avoidance has been taken in the automatic analyzer of Example 1, and an outline of that processing. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a processing flow for error avoidance in the automatic analyzer of Example 1. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the order in which an operation is avoided by referring to the error contents registered in the error avoidance table and another analysis item is assigned instead. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the order in which an operation is avoided by referring to the error contents registered in the error avoidance table and another analysis item is assigned instead. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in the automatic analyzer of Example 1 to notify the user that an error has been avoided. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in the automatic analyzer of Example 1, on which a service person checks error information. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a screen displayed in the automatic analyzer of Example 2, on which a combination pattern of error avoidance tables is set and checked. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display screen displayed in the automatic analyzer of Example 2, on which it is determined that there are only two causes of an error. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a method of setting the error avoidance table of a device in the error avoidance table of another device in the management system of Example 3. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a method of setting the error avoidance table of a device in the error avoidance table of another device in the management system of Example 3. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a method of setting the error avoidance table of a device in the error avoidance table of another device in the management system of Example 3.

[0013] The following describes embodiments of the automatic analyzer, management system, and analysis scheduling method for the automatic analyzer of the present invention with reference to the drawings. In the drawings used in this specification, identical or corresponding components are designated by the same or similar reference numerals, and repeated description of these components may be omitted.

[0014] First Embodiment A first embodiment of the automatic analyzer, management system, and analysis scheduling method for the automatic analyzer of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11. FIG.

[0015] First, the overall configuration of the automatic analyzer of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic view of the overall configuration of the automatic analyzer according to this embodiment.

[0016] The automatic analyzer (100) in FIG. 1 is an apparatus for performing qualitative and quantitative analysis of biological samples such as blood and urine, and is mainly composed of a transport unit (101), an analysis unit (111), and an operation unit (121).

[0017] The transport unit (101) is a unit for loading and recovering a sample rack (104) containing one or more sample containers containing biological samples such as blood or urine to be analyzed into the automatic analyzer (100), and transporting the sample rack to the analysis unit (111).

[0018] The transport unit (101) includes a rack buffer (103), a rack supply tray (102), a rack storage tray (107), a transport line (106), and a transport control unit (105).

[0019] In the transport unit (101), a sample rack (104) placed on a rack supply tray (102) is transported to a rack buffer (103) via a transport line (106). A sample presence / absence determination sensor (not shown) is located along the transport line (106), which detects the presence or absence of a sample container on the sample rack (104). If it is determined that a sample container is present, a sample barcode reader (not shown) reads the sample barcode (not shown) affixed to the sample container, and the sample's identification information is recognized. In an actual system, this identification information is used to identify the patient.

[0020] The rack buffer (103) is intended to temporarily store racks. For example, it has a rotor structure that performs circular motion and has slots that hold multiple sample racks (104) radially arranged on the outer circumference, each containing multiple sample containers. By rotating these slots using a motor, any sample rack (104) can be loaded or unloaded to the requested destination. This structure eliminates the need to process sample racks (104) in the order they were loaded first. In other words, if a sample rack with a higher priority is available, it can be processed first. Another example of a rack buffer is one that holds racks in order in a rectangular storage area.

[0021] A transport line (106) is connected to a point on the radial circumference of this rack buffer (103), and sample racks (104) are loaded and unloaded through this transport line (106). If this point is taken as the 0-degree position on the circumference, a sample dispensing line (112) for drawing samples into an analysis unit (111) (described later) is connected at a position 90 degrees on the circumference from the position where the transport line (106) is connected, and sample racks (104) are loaded and unloaded through this line.

[0022] The sample racks (104) that have been dispensed in the respective analysis units (111) wait in this rack buffer (103) for the output of the measurement results, and can be processed, for example, automatically retested, if necessary. After processing is complete, the sample racks are transported to the rack storage tray (107) via the transport line (106).

[0023] The transport control unit (105) controls the operation of transporting an appropriate sample rack (104) from the rack buffer (103) to the sample dispensing line (112) based on a transport request signal from the control unit (122) of the analysis unit (111) described later, and the operation of returning the sample rack (104) from the sample dispensing line (112) to the rack buffer (103), and controls the transport operation for transporting the sample to the analysis unit (111).

[0024] The operation unit (121) is a computer equipped with a CPU, memory, storage device, a display device (121a) that displays an operation screen for ordering measurement items to be measured for a sample and an operation screen for confirming the measurement results, an input device (121b) that inputs various instructions, and other user interfaces, and is connected to the analysis unit (111) and the transport unit (101) via a wired or wireless network. This operation unit (121) is responsible for managing information about the units of the entire automatic analyzer, thereby indirectly controlling the operation of the operating mechanism of the analysis unit (111).

[0025] In the operation section (121) of this embodiment, when an error is detected during sample analysis in the analysis unit (111), the operation section (121) stores a combination of conditions for the operating mechanism in which the error was detected, the operation of the operating mechanism at the time the error was detected, an operation pattern having information on the operation of the operating mechanism before the error was detected, and more preferably, the operation of the operating mechanism after the error was detected, and creates a plan for subsequent sample analysis based on the stored combination of conditions. Details of this will be described later using Figure 2 and subsequent figures.

[0026] Although the operation unit (121), the transport control unit (105), and the control unit (122) are shown as separate units, the three may be implemented by a single computer, or any two of them may be integrated, and the form is not particularly limited.

[0027] The analysis unit (111) is a unit that performs measurement operations for requested measurement items on the sample that has been carried in and outputs the measurement results, and is connected to the transport unit (101). This analysis unit (111) has multiple operating mechanisms used for analyzing the sample, such as a reaction disk (115), a reagent disk (117), a sample dispensing line (112), a reagent dispensing mechanism (116), a sample dispensing mechanism (113), a biochemical measurement unit (118), and an electrolyte measurement unit (114).

[0028] A plurality of reaction vessels (115a) for mixing samples and reagents, which are one of the operating mechanisms, are arranged circumferentially on the reaction disk (115). A sample dispensing line (112) is installed near the reaction disk (115) to which a sample rack (104) carrying sample vessels is transported.

[0029] Between the reaction disk (115) and the sample dispensing line (112) is installed a sample dispensing mechanism (113) which is one of the reaction vessel access mechanisms that constitutes a rotating and vertically movable operating mechanism and is configured to be able to access each of the plurality of reaction vessels (115a). The sample dispensing mechanism (113) moves in an arc around its rotation axis to dispense samples from the sample rack (104) into the reaction vessels (115a).

[0030] The reagent disk (117) is a storage container on which a plurality of reagent bottles (not shown) containing reagents can be placed on the circumference. The reagent disk (117) is kept cold.

[0031] A reagent dispensing mechanism (116), which constitutes a rotating and vertically movable operating mechanism and is one of the reaction vessel access mechanisms, is installed between the reaction disk (115) and the reagent disk (117). The reagent dispensing mechanism (116) moves in an arc around its rotation axis, accesses the inside of the reagent disk (117) through a suction port for accessing a probe provided on the reagent dispensing mechanism (116), and dispenses reagent from a reagent bottle into the reaction vessel (115a).

[0032] Furthermore, washing tanks (not shown) are installed within the operating ranges of the reagent dispensing mechanism (116) and the sample dispensing mechanism (113).

[0033] An electrolyte measuring unit (114) and a biochemical measuring unit (118) are further arranged around the reaction disk (115).

[0034] The electrolyte measurement unit (114) is an analytical section that measures the electrolyte concentration in a sample using an ion-selective electrode.

[0035] The biochemical measurement unit (118) is an analysis section that measures the absorbance of the reaction solution produced by mixing and reacting in the reaction vessel (115a) on the reaction disk (115) to analyze the biochemical components in the sample, and is composed of a light source, a spectrophotometer, etc.

[0036] The cleaning mechanism (119) is a mechanism for cleaning the reaction vessel (115a) containing the reaction liquid after the analysis in the electrolyte measurement unit (114) or the biochemical measurement unit (118) is completed, and constitutes an operating mechanism, and is one of the reaction vessel access mechanisms configured to be able to access each of the multiple reaction vessels (115a).

[0037] The stirring mechanism (120) is a mechanism for stirring the mixture of sample and reagent dispensed into the reaction vessel (115a), constitutes an operating mechanism, and is one of the reaction vessel access mechanisms configured to be able to access each of the multiple reaction vessels (115a).

[0038] The control unit (122) disposed in the analysis unit (111) is connected to each mechanism in the analysis unit (111) described above and controls the operation thereof.

[0039] The configuration of the automatic analyzer 100 is not limited to a biochemical analyzer that performs analysis of biochemistry and electrolyte analysis items as shown in Fig. 1, but may be an analyzer that performs analysis of other analysis items, such as an immunological analyzer that performs analysis of immune analysis items. The biochemical analyzer is also not limited to the form shown in Fig. 1, and may omit the electrolyte measurement unit (114) or the biochemical measurement unit (118).

[0040] Furthermore, the automatic analyzer (100) is not limited to a single analysis module configuration as shown in FIG. 1, but may be configured to connect two or more analysis modules capable of measuring various identical or different analysis items and pretreatment modules for performing pretreatment via a transport device.

[0041] Next, the mechanical operation of the automatic analyzer (100) shown in FIG. 1 will be outlined.

[0042] The transport unit (101) sends the sample racks (104) placed on the rack supply tray (102) of the automatic analyzer (100) one by one onto the transport line (106) and loads them into the rack buffer (103). The sample racks (104) transported to the rack buffer (103) are transported to the sample dispensing line (112) of the analysis unit (111).

[0043] When a sample rack (104) arrives at the sample dispensing line (112) of the analysis unit (111), a sample dispensing mechanism (113) performs a dispensing operation on each sample loaded on the sample rack (104) according to the measurement items requested by the operation unit (121).

[0044] Here, when the measurement item is a biochemical item, the sample dispensing mechanism (113) dispenses the aspirated sample into a reaction vessel (115a) on the reaction disk (115), and the reagent dispensing mechanism (116) further adds a reagent aspirated from the reagent disk (117) to the reaction vessel (115a), followed by stirring by the stirring mechanism (120). Thereafter, the absorbance is measured by the biochemical measurement unit (118), and the measurement result is transmitted to the operation unit (121).

[0045] Furthermore, if the requested measurement item is an electrolyte item, the sample dispensing mechanism (113) dispenses the aspirated sample onto the electrolyte measurement unit (114), which measures the electromotive force and transmits the measurement results to the operation unit (121).

[0046] The operation unit (121) calculates the concentration of the specific component in the sample from the transmitted measurement results by performing calculations.

[0047] After the measurement, the reaction vessel (115a) is washed by the washing mechanism (119) to prepare for the analysis of the next sample.

[0048] Next, the flow of the analysis scheduling method in the automatic analyzer (100) of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2 and subsequent figures.

[0049] For reference, FIG. 2 shows a typical flow of steps to be taken when a problem occurs during operation of a typical automatic analyzer.

[0050] First, when a problem occurs at a customer facility (150) on the user (160) side, the user (160) contacts the manufacturer's (200) service desk (210) ((1) Report of the problem, (2) Report of the problem). After that, the manufacturer (200) starts an investigation into the problem in the manufacturer's department (220) or the like ((3) Start of investigation) to identify the cause.

[0051] After identifying the cause, if it became necessary to correct the software, a corrective version was created ((4) Create corrective version), and the corrective version software was applied as an update to the automatic analyzer (100) operating in the facility (150) ((5) Apply corrective version), thereby completing the response.

[0052] However, various inspections and authentication procedures are required before the countermeasure version can be applied to the automatic analyzer (100) operating under the user (160), which means that it takes time to apply the countermeasure version.

[0053] To resolve this issue, the manufacturer (200) notifies the user (160) of a temporary workaround to prevent the problem from occurring ((3)' Workaround notification).

[0054] However, if the defect occurs due to the order of analysis operations, it is difficult for the user 160 to avoid it. Therefore, the analysis item causing the error cannot be measured, and there is a risk that the problem of the test stopping until the corrective version is applied will continue to occur.

[0055] As an alternative to "(3) 'Notification of workaround'" in Figure 2, in the present invention, as described above, when an error is detected during sample analysis in the analysis unit (111), the operation unit (121) stores a combination of operation patterns containing information on the operating mechanism in which the error was detected, the operation of the operating mechanism at the time the error was detected, the operation of the operating mechanism before the error was detected, and more preferably the operation of the operating mechanism after the error was detected, and plans for subsequent sample analyses are made based on the stored combination of operation conditions.

[0056] This control by the operation unit (121) prevents the occurrence of defects due to the order of analysis operations for the same reason until the countermeasure version is applied (5), and minimizes the occurrence of analysis stoppages. In this case, "(3) 'Notification of workaround'" becomes unnecessary.

[0057] The procedure for registering error details in the error avoidance table and avoiding operation by referring to the error details registered in the error avoidance table will be described below with reference to Figures 3 to 6. Figure 3 is a diagram showing a functional block for correcting the contents of the sample dispensing mechanism operation table when an error occurs during sample dispensing operation, Figure 4 is a diagram showing the location and timing of the error, which are the starting point for the process of registering error details in the error avoidance table, and an outline of the analysis table, Figure 5 is a diagram showing an outline of the error avoidance table in which the error details have been registered, and Figure 6 is a diagram showing the analysis table after the process for avoiding the error has been taken and an outline of that process.

[0058] Here, a sample dispensing mechanism is shown as an example, as shown in Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 3, the functional block controlling the sample dispensing mechanism (113) is part of the functions of the operation unit (121) or the control unit (122), and includes an operation planning unit (1121) that creates an operation plan in response to a sample analysis request, a sample dispensing mechanism operation table (1122) that creates an operation table that realizes the operation of the sample dispensing mechanism (113) that realizes the operation plan created by the operation planning unit (1121), and a sample dispensing operation control unit (1123) that generates an operation signal for executing the operation table created by the sample dispensing mechanism operation table (1122) and outputs it to the sample dispensing mechanism (113). In this embodiment, the functional block further includes an error avoidance table (1125) and a registered operation pattern determination unit (1124) that compares the error avoidance table (1125) with the operation table created by the sample dispensing mechanism operation table (1122) to determine whether the operation table matches a pattern that caused an error in the past (a pattern recorded in the error avoidance table).

[0059] The upper part of FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a situation (301) when an error occurs in the sample dispensing mechanism (113) of the automatic analyzer (100).

[0060] In the sample dispensing mechanism (113), the operation planning unit (1121) plans an operation pattern in the sample dispensing mechanism operation table (1122) based on an analysis request from a user (step S401).

[0061] Next, the sample dispensing mechanism (113) is controlled by the sample dispensing operation control unit (1123) based on the planned operation pattern, and the sample dispensing operation for the analysis item to be measured is performed for each reaction vessel (115 a) in each cycle. After the sample dispensing operation for all reaction vessels (115 a) has been performed, the cycle completes and the sample dispensing operation is performed again for the reaction vessel (115 a) that has been washed by the washing mechanism (119).

[0062] In the example of situation (301) in Figure 4, it is assumed that the sample dispensing operation is planned and performed as described in the sample dispensing mechanism operation table (302), and when the sample operation for item "Test D" is performed in the third cycle of the second round, an error occurs and the device is brought to an emergency stop.

[0063] At this time, in this embodiment, the mechanism in which the error occurred, the operation content at that timing, and the operations before and after the occurrence are automatically stored in the error avoidance table (303) shown in FIG.

[0064] In this example, the mechanism where the error occurred is the "sample dispensing mechanism," and the operation information is focused on the "item" and "container number." When an abnormality occurs, the "item" and "container number" related to the previous operation, the next operation, and the previous operation of the same reaction container (115a) are stored. Note that the operation information is not limited to this, and it may also be the "lot number of the sample used," "type of reagent used and its lot number," etc.

[0065] In this way, the combination conditions of the operation pattern having information on the operation content of the operating mechanism before the error is detected can further include information on the reaction vessel (115a) accessed by the reaction vessel access mechanism at the time the error is detected, and the reaction vessel (115a) accessed by the reaction vessel access mechanism before the error is detected.

[0066] Furthermore, multiple errors with different conditions may be registered. For example, it is possible to register an error occurrence mechanism as a "reagent dispensing mechanism" in the error avoidance table (1125).

[0067] 6, in this embodiment, each time an operation for the sample dispensing mechanism is planned, the registered operation pattern determination unit 1124 checks whether the current operation is registered in the error avoidance table 1125. In this way, the operation unit 121 can create an analysis plan so that the operating mechanism in which an error was detected does not perform an operation that matches the operation pattern in the combination conditions.

[0068] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, it is checked whether the currently planned operation corresponds to an "item" of "when an abnormality occurs" in the error avoidance table (1125) (step S402).

[0069] If it is checked that the condition does not apply, the process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is checked that the condition applies, it is checked whether the "items" of the previous operation and the next operation of the operation currently planned on the sample dispensing mechanism operation table (1122) apply to this condition (step S403).

[0070] If it is checked that the condition does not apply, the process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is checked that the condition applies, it is checked whether or not the "item" of the previous operation of the same container as the operation currently planned in the sample dispensing mechanism operation table (1122) applies to this condition (step S404).

[0071] If the item is checked as not applicable, the process is terminated. On the other hand, if the item is checked as applicable, there is a possibility that an error will occur as in the previous cycle, so in the present invention, the plan for the item in the cycle is postponed and the error is automatically avoided (step S405).

[0072] Here, a match in the error operation pattern may be a state in which it is determined that multiple pieces of information such as container numbers and items match, or it may be a state in which rough information such as consecutive container numbers matches, and this can be changed as appropriate depending on the situation of the device.

[0073] In the case of Fig. 6, when the sample operation for item "Test D" is planned for the third cycle of the second round, the condition falls under condition number 1 in the error avoidance table (303) shown in Fig. 5. Therefore, by postponing the planning of item "Test D" for the third cycle of the second round and planning item "Test D" again for the next fourth cycle, the error is automatically avoided, i.e., the sample dispensing operation and the subsequent analysis operation can be performed without generating an error for item "Test D".

[0074] The above example shows that either the previous-next operation or the previous container operation condition may be satisfied. Also, in the above example, when an error condition is satisfied, the plan for that cycle is postponed and the timing is shifted.

[0075] Furthermore, if there is another unplanned item for the same sample, that item may be assigned instead.

[0076] For example, in the operation timetable case (601) shown in Figure 8, if an error shown in the error avoidance table (303) shown in Figure 5 occurs, the operation planned for "Test D" corresponds to the "item" for "When an abnormality occurs" in the error avoidance table.

[0077] In this case, as shown in the error avoidance table (602) in Figure 9, by planning an analysis of the unplanned "Test E" item of the same sample at the time when "Test D" was scheduled, and then planning the analysis of "Test D" in the next cycle, it is possible to perform operations that avoid errors while minimizing the reduction in throughput.

[0078] Furthermore, if the error is avoided, the user or a service person is notified (step S406). In this way, the operation unit (121) can notify the user of the avoidance when the operating mechanism in which the error was detected avoids the operation that matches the operation pattern in the combination condition.

[0079] As shown in Fig. 10, the means for notifying the user may be a notification screen (701) displayed on the display device (121a) of the operation unit (121) and having a comment field (702) indicating that the error has been avoided, a comment field (703) indicating that the analysis plan has been changed, and a field (704) for the reason for avoiding the error and the corresponding mechanism name and operation information. This notification screen (701) can display a button (705) for moving to the corresponding combination condition setting screen and a button (706) for closing the error notification screen.

[0080] 11 includes a pre-avoidance action table (802) containing information on the operating mechanism in which the error was detected (here, the reagent dispensing mechanism (113)), the operation of the operating mechanism at the time the error was detected, and the operation of the operating mechanism before the error was detected, an error cause display area (803) containing information on the mechanism and test item that caused the stop, the number of the reaction vessel (115a), etc., and a post-avoidance action table (804) after the avoidance. Furthermore, a combination condition button (805) for displaying the combination conditions and a close button (806) can be included.

[0081] In addition, the details of how the error was avoided can be recorded in a log and made available for reference.

[0082] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0083] An automatic analyzer (100) and an analysis scheduling method therefor, which are equipped with an analytical unit (111) having a plurality of operating mechanisms used in analyzing samples according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, and an operation unit (121) that controls the operation of the operating mechanisms of the analytical unit (111), wherein when an error is detected during analysis of a sample in the analytical unit (111), the operation unit (121) stores a combination of operating pattern conditions that includes information on the operating mechanism in question in which the error was detected, the operation content of the operating mechanism at the time the error was detected, and the operation content of the operating mechanism before the error was detected, and creates a plan for analyzing subsequent samples based on the stored combination of conditions.

[0084] As a result, even if an error occurs due to the sequence of analysis operations, the device automatically takes measures to avoid the error immediately after it occurs, eliminating the need to wait for a software update to implement the countermeasures, and significantly reducing the number of analysis stoppages due to errors compared to conventional methods.In addition, because measurements of analysis items that result in an error are not restricted unless they match the corresponding operation pattern, testing can continue with minimal reduction in testing efficiency.

[0085] Furthermore, the operation unit (121) creates an analysis plan so that the operating mechanism in which an error is detected does not perform an operation that matches the operating pattern in the combination conditions, thereby more reliably significantly reducing analysis stoppages due to errors and minimizing the decrease in testing efficiency.

[0086] Furthermore, the analysis unit (111) has, as its operating mechanism, a plurality of reaction vessels (115a) for mixing samples and reagents, and a reaction vessel access mechanism configured to be able to access each of the plurality of reaction vessels (115a). In particular, the combination conditions further include information on the reaction vessels (115a) accessed by the reaction vessel access mechanism at the time the error was detected, and the reaction vessels (115a) accessed by the reaction vessel access mechanism before the error was detected. This makes it possible to target the mechanism that has the most opportunities to operate and interfere with the most, thereby further enhancing the above-mentioned effect.

[0087] Furthermore, the reaction vessel access mechanism is at least one of a sample dispensing mechanism (113) that dispenses a sample or reagent into a reaction vessel (115a), a reagent dispensing mechanism (116), a cleaning mechanism (119) that cleans the reaction vessel (115a), and a stirring mechanism (120) that stirs the mixture of the sample and reagent dispensed into the reaction vessel (115a). Since the order of analysis operations varies depending on the order of analysis items and there is little regularity in the operations, the above-mentioned effect can be further enhanced by targeting configurations that are prone to errors due to the order of analysis operations.

[0088] Furthermore, when an operating mechanism in which an error has been detected avoids performing an operation that matches the operating pattern in the combination conditions, the operating unit (121) notifies the user of the avoidance, thereby enabling the user to understand the analysis status and providing a sense of security to the user.

[0089] Furthermore, the combination conditions further include an operation pattern having information on the operation content of the operating mechanism after the relevant error is detected, which makes it possible to construct an error avoidance table that includes operation patterns that may cause errors, thereby more reliably avoiding stoppages due to errors.

[0090] Second Embodiment An automatic analyzer, a management system, and an analysis scheduling method for an automatic analyzer according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. FIG.

[0091] The automatic analyzer of this embodiment is capable of editing the error avoidance table (1125) manually or via a network.

[0092] To set a combination pattern, a selection screen (901) can be displayed on the display device (121a) of the operation unit (121) as shown in FIG. 12, which includes a table (902) for setting combinations of mechanisms and operations, buttons (903) for selecting them, a button (904) for reflecting the selected items in the table, a button (905) for deleting the selected contents, and a button (906) for closing the combination pattern condition setting screen.

[0093] For example, it may be assumed that, as a result of investigation by the manufacturer, it has been found that an error occurs only when the "item" at the time of the abnormality occurrence and the "item" of the previous operation in the error avoidance table (303) are combined.

[0094] In this case, it is possible to check whether there are any unnecessary items in the device, and by operating the input device (121b), delete unrelated next operations and previous container operations as shown in the updated error avoidance table (1001) as shown in Figure 13, thereby minimizing the decrease in throughput while allowing the device to be operated.

[0095] The other configurations and operations are substantially the same as those of the automatic analyzer, management system, and analysis scheduling method for the automatic analyzer of the first embodiment, and details thereof will be omitted.

[0096] The automatic analyzer, management system, and analysis scheduling method for an automatic analyzer according to the second embodiment of the present invention also provide substantially the same effects as those of the automatic analyzer, management system, and analysis scheduling method for an automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment described above.

[0097] In addition, the operation unit (121) displays a selection screen (901) that allows editing of operation patterns, making it possible to delete unrelated next operations and previous container operations, thereby minimizing the decrease in throughput.

[0098] Third Embodiment An automatic analyzer, a management system, and an analysis scheduling method for an automatic analyzer according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 16. FIG.

[0099] This embodiment is a management system for managing an automatic analysis system equipped with two or more automatic analyzers (100) each having one or more analytical units (111) each having a plurality of operating mechanisms used for sample analysis. Even in this management system, when an error is detected during sample analysis in the analytical unit (111) of any one of the multiple automatic analyzers (100), a combination of operating pattern conditions is stored, which includes information on the operating mechanism in which the error was detected, the operation of the operating mechanism at the time the error was detected, and the operation of the operating mechanism before the error was detected, and a plan for subsequent sample analysis in the corresponding automatic analyzer (100) is created based on the stored combination of operating patterns.

[0100] Furthermore, in the monitoring system of this embodiment, it is desirable to create a plan for subsequent sample analyses in automatic analyzers (100) other than the relevant automatic analyzer (100) based on the stored combination of conditions.

[0101] Examples of this management system include an LIS (Laboratory Information System), a HIS (Hospital Information System), which is a system used by clinical personnel and is positioned above the LIS, and a server system managed by the manufacturer, distributor, or operation management manufacturer of the automatic analyzer (100).

[0102] Specifically, if an error occurs in an automatic analyzer (100) at a certain facility due to the sequence of analysis operations, the management system assumes that there is a possibility that the error may have occurred in a different automatic analyzer (100) at the same facility that has a similar configuration, or in an automatic analyzer (100) at another facility.Therefore, by adding the contents of the error avoidance table (1102) at another facility shown in Figure 15 to the error avoidance table (1101) of the automatic analyzer (100) at a certain facility as shown in Figure 14, and setting the conditions in advance as shown in the updated error avoidance table 1103 (1103) shown in Figure 16, it is possible to prevent operation stop errors in automatic analyzers (100) at other facilities, etc.

[0103] Other configurations and operations are substantially the same as those of the automatic analyzer, management system, and analysis scheduling method for the automatic analyzer of the first or second embodiment, and details thereof will be omitted.

[0104] The automatic analyzer, management system, and analysis scheduling method for an automatic analyzer according to the third embodiment of the present invention also provide substantially the same effects as those of the automatic analyzer, management system, and analysis scheduling method for an automatic analyzer according to the first or second embodiment described above.

[0105] <Others> The present invention is not limited to the above-described examples, and includes various modifications. The above-described examples 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.

[0106] It is also possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, or to add the configuration of one embodiment to the configuration of another embodiment.It is also possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of each embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment.

[0107] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100...Automatic analyzer 101...Transport unit 102...Rack supply tray 103...Rack buffer 104...Sample rack 105...Transport control unit 106...Transport line 107...Rack storage tray 111...Analysis unit (analysis section) 112...Sample dispensing line 113...Sample dispensing mechanism (reaction vessel access mechanism, dispensing mechanism) 114...Electrolyte measurement unit 115...Reaction disk 115a...Reaction vessel 116...Reagent dispensing mechanism (reaction vessel access mechanism, dispensing mechanism) 117...Reagent disk 118...Biochemical measurement unit 119...Cleaning mechanism (reaction vessel access mechanism) 120...Agitation mechanism (reaction vessel access mechanism) 121...Operation unit (control unit) 121a...Display device 121b...Input device 122...Control unit 150...Customer facility 160...User 200...Manufacturer 210...Service desk 220... Manufacturer's department 301... Situation when an error occurred 302... Sample dispensing mechanism operation table 303... Error avoidance table 304... Situation avoided by the error avoidance program 305... Sample dispensing mechanism operation table replanned by the error avoidance program 601... Operation timetable case 602... Error avoidance table 701... Notification screen 702, 703... Comment field 704... Field 705, 706, 903, 904, 905, 906... Buttons 801... Notification screen 802... Operation table before avoidance 803... Error cause display area 804... Operation table after avoidance 805... Combination condition button 806... Close button 901... Selection screen 902... Table 1001, 1101, 1102, 1103... Error avoidance table 1121... Operation planning section 1122... Sample dispensing mechanism operation table 1123: Sample dispensing operation control unit 1124: Registered operation pattern determination unit 1125: Error avoidance table

Claims

1. An automatic analyzer comprising: an analysis unit having a plurality of operating mechanisms used in analyzing samples; and a control unit that controls the operation of the operating mechanisms of the analysis unit, wherein when an error is detected during analysis of the sample in the analysis unit, the control unit stores a combination of operating pattern conditions that includes information on the operating mechanism in which the error was detected, the operation of the operating mechanism at the time the error was detected, and the operation of the operating mechanism before the error was detected, and creates a plan for subsequent analysis of the sample based on the stored combination of conditions.

2. An automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the control unit creates the analysis plan so that the operating mechanism in which the error is detected does not perform an operation that matches the operating pattern in the combination conditions.

3. An automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the analysis unit has, as the operating mechanism, a plurality of reaction vessels for mixing the sample and reagent, and a reaction vessel access mechanism configured to be able to access each of the plurality of reaction vessels.

4. An automatic analyzer according to claim 3, wherein the combination conditions further include information on the reaction vessel accessed by the reaction vessel access mechanism at the time the error was detected, and the reaction vessel accessed by the reaction vessel access mechanism before the error was detected.

5. An automatic analyzer according to claim 4, wherein the reaction vessel access mechanism is at least one of a dispensing mechanism that dispenses the sample or reagent into the reaction vessel, a cleaning mechanism that cleans the reaction vessel, and a stirring mechanism that stirs the mixture of the sample and reagent dispensed into the reaction vessel.

6. An automatic analyzer according to claim 2, wherein the control unit notifies the user of the avoidance when the operating mechanism in which the error is detected avoids performing an operation that matches the operating pattern in the combination conditions.

7. An automatic analyzer according to claim 6, wherein the control unit displays a screen on which the operation pattern can be edited.

8. An automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the combination conditions further include an operation pattern having information on the operation details of the operating mechanism after the corresponding error is detected.

9. A management system for managing an automatic analysis system equipped with two or more automatic analyzers each having one or more analysis units each having a plurality of operating mechanisms used in analyzing samples, wherein when an error is detected during the analysis of the sample in the analysis unit, the management system stores a combination of operating pattern conditions containing information on the operating mechanism in which the error was detected, the operation of the operating mechanism at the time the error was detected, and the operation of the operating mechanism before the error was detected, and creates a plan for subsequent analysis of the sample in the corresponding automatic analyzer based on the stored combination of conditions.

10. A management system according to claim 9, which creates a plan for subsequent analysis of the sample in an automatic analyzer other than the corresponding automatic analyzer based on the stored combination of conditions.

11. An analysis scheduling method for an automatic analyzer equipped with an analysis unit having a plurality of operating mechanisms used in sample analysis, wherein, when an error is detected during analysis of the sample in the analysis unit, a combination of operation patterns containing information on the operating mechanism in which the error was detected, the operation of the operating mechanism at the time the error was detected, and the operation of the operating mechanism before the error was detected is stored, and a plan for subsequent analysis of the sample is created based on the stored combination of operation patterns.

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