Automated analysis device and method for registering reagent in automated analysis device

Abstract

A piercer 205 is attachable to and detachable from a reagent-dispensing nozzle 206. A control unit 121 sets a piercing condition suitable for perforating a lid 204a among a plurality of piercing conditions, on the basis of container information related to a reagent container 204 identified by an identification label-reading device 116. When the identification label-reading device 116 determines that the lid 204a has not been opened, the piercer 205 is attached to the reagent-dispensing nozzle 206 and the descending motion of the piercer 205 is controlled, on the basis of the set piercing condition. Thus, provided are: an automated analysis device with which deterioration of a reagent to be reacted with a specimen can be inhibited compared to a conventional product; and a method for registering a reagent in the automated analysis device.

Description

Automated Analyzer and Method for Registering Reagents in an Automated Analyzer 【0001】 The present invention relates to an automated analyzer for analyzing specimens such as blood and urine, and a method for registering reagents in the automated analyzer. 【0002】 Patent Document 1 describes an automated analyzer including a reagent container in which a reagent is stored and a pierceable lid is attached, a piercing portion for piercing the lid, and a reagent suction nozzle inserted into a hole formed by the piercing for sucking the reagent. The automated analyzer further includes a state storage unit for storing whether the state of the reagent container is unused or in use, and a state update unit for updating the state stored in the state storage unit to in use when the lid is pierced by the piercing portion when the state of the reagent container is unused. 【0003】 International Publication No. 2020 / 054336 【0004】 A variety of reagents are used for analyzing specimens by an automated analyzer. There are mainly two methods for opening the reagent container that houses the reagent: the piercing method and the opening method. 【0005】 The piercing method is a method of piercing a pierceable lid attached to a reagent container during use and sucking the reagent through a nozzle inserted into the formed hole. The opening method is a method of removing an openable / closable lid attached to the opening of the reagent container during use and sucking the reagent through a nozzle inserted into the opening. 【0006】 Patent Document 1 describes a technique regarding the piercing method for a reagent container of the piercing type, in which piercing is performed when the state of the reagent container is unused, and information regarding the state is updated to in use. 【0007】 When adopting the piercing method, although deterioration of the reagent can be suppressed by piercing immediately before use, it is necessary to consider the deterioration of the reagent after piercing. However, in Patent Document 1, although deterioration of the reagent can be suppressed by appropriately timing the piercing, it has been clarified by the study of the present inventors that there is room for improvement because the deterioration of the reagent after piercing is not considered. 【0008】For example, while some perforated reagent containers are characterized by their large capacity, these large-capacity reagents may be stored for long periods in an opened state within the reagent disk. As the reagent is used repeatedly after the lid is perforated, there is a risk of deterioration of the reagent, which can negatively affect the analytical results. This highlights the need for improvement. 【0009】 The present invention aims to provide an automated analyzer capable of suppressing the degradation of reagents reacted with a sample compared to conventional methods, and a method for registering reagents in an automated analyzer. 【0010】 The present invention includes multiple means for solving the above problems, but to give one example, it includes a reagent disk on which multiple reagent containers containing reagents and having perforated lids are mounted, an identification unit for identifying information attached to the reagent containers, one or more piercing needles for penetrating the lids, a dispensing nozzle for being inserted into the holes formed in the lids by the piercing needles and for aspirating the reagents contained in the reagent containers, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the piercing needles, the dispensing nozzle and the reagent disk, wherein the piercing needles are detachable from the dispensing nozzle, and the control unit sets a piercing condition suitable for perforating the lid from among a plurality of piercing conditions based on the container information relating to the reagent containers identified by the identification unit, and when the identification unit identifies that the lids are unopened, it attaches the piercing needles to the dispensing nozzle and controls the downward movement of the piercing needles based on the set piercing conditions. 【0011】 According to the present invention, the degradation of reagents reacted with the sample can be suppressed compared to conventional methods. Other problems, configurations, and effects will be clarified by the following description of the examples. 【0012】A top view showing the main configuration of the automated analyzer according to Embodiment 1. A perspective view showing the analysis mechanism of the automated analyzer according to Embodiment 1. A diagram showing some of the information stored in the identification label attached to the reagent container in the automated analyzer according to Embodiment 1. A schematic diagram of the piercing operation in the automated analyzer according to Embodiment 1. A schematic diagram of the piercing operation in the automated analyzer according to Embodiment 1. A schematic diagram of the piercing operation in the automated analyzer according to Embodiment 1. A diagram showing an overview of the piercer in the automated analyzer according to Embodiment 1. A correspondence diagram between reagent application and information related to piercing condition setting in the automated analyzer according to Embodiment 1. A schematic diagram of the piercing operation in the automated analyzer according to Embodiment 1. A schematic diagram of the piercing operation in the automated analyzer according to Embodiment 1. A flowchart of the basic operation of reagent registration in the automated analyzer according to Embodiment 1. A perspective view showing the analysis mechanism of the automated analyzer according to Embodiment 2. A diagram showing an overview of the piercer in the automated analyzer according to Embodiment 2. A schematic diagram of piercing in the automated analyzer according to Embodiment 2. A schematic diagram of the configuration for housing the piercer and related configurations in the automated analyzer according to Embodiment 2. A flowchart of an example of reagent registration in the automated analyzer according to Embodiment 2. 【0013】 Examples of the automated analyzer and the method for registering reagents in the automated analyzer of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings used herein, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals, and repeated descriptions of these components may be omitted. 【0014】 <Example 1> Example 1 of the automated analyzer and the method for registering reagents in the automated analyzer of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 13. 【0015】 First, the overall configuration of the automated analyzer will be explained using Figure 1. Figure 1 is a schematic top view showing the overall configuration of the automated analyzer according to this embodiment. 【0016】The automated analyzer 150 shown in Figure 1 is a device for quantitative or qualitative analysis of components contained in patient blood, urine, and other samples, and comprises an analysis module 100, a sample transport module 110, and a control module 120. 【0017】 The sample transport module 110 is a module that transports the sample rack 112 to the analysis module 100 and retrieves it from the analysis module 100. The sample container 111 and the sample rack 112 are equipped with identification labels such as barcodes or RFID tags. The sample rack 112, once placed in the rack supply unit 113, is transported by the rack transport line 114, and the identification label reader 115 reads the identification labels on the sample rack 112 and the sample container 111. 【0018】 The analysis module 100 is a module that dispenses a sample onto the reaction disk 101, mixes it with reagents, and then performs quantitative or qualitative analysis. 【0019】 In the analysis module 100, the sample is contained in the sample container 111. The sample rack 112, which holds multiple sample containers, is transported from the sample transport module 110 to the analysis module 100 by a rack transport mechanism. The transported sample is dispensed onto the reaction disk 101 by the sample dispensing nozzle of the sample dispensing mechanism 102. The reagent is dispensed onto the reaction disk 101 from the reagent container 204, which contains the reagent and has a perforated lid 204a and is located inside the reagent disk 104, by the reagent dispensing nozzle of the reagent dispensing mechanism 103. The solution obtained by mixing the sample and reagent is analyzed as a reaction solution. 【0020】 The control module 120 is a module that controls the operation of each mechanism of the automatic analyzer 150, and comprises a control unit 121, a storage unit 122, a display unit 123, and an input unit 124. 【0021】The control unit 121 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and controls the operation of each mechanism. In this embodiment, the control unit 121 controls the operation of each instrument in the automated analyzer 150, including the piercer 205 (see Figure 2), reagent dispensing nozzle 206 (see Figure 2), reagent disk 104, etc. Based on container information related to the reagent container 204 identified by the identification label reader 116 (see Figure 2), it sets a piercing condition suitable for piercing the lid 204a from among multiple piercing conditions. When the identification label reader 116 identifies that the lid 204a is unopened, it attaches the piercer 205 to the reagent dispensing nozzle 206 and controls the downward movement of the piercer 205 based on the set piercing condition. 【0022】 Furthermore, the control unit 121 sets piercing conditions based on the container information and container correspondence stored in the storage unit 122, which will be described later. In this case, the control unit 121 can set piercing conditions based on numerical correspondence. It can also set piercing conditions based on the lid 204a correspondence between the stored lid information and information on multiple piercing conditions. Moreover, it can set dispensing operation conditions when inserting the reagent dispensing nozzle 206 into the lid 204a and dispensing based on the container information and dispensing correspondence. 【0023】 The storage unit 122 is a memory or hard disk, and stores various analysis parameters, analysis results, etc. In this embodiment, the storage unit 122 stores the container correspondence relationship between the container information and condition information related to multiple piercing conditions. Furthermore, the stored container information may include lid information related to the lid 204a. 【0024】 Furthermore, the memory unit 122 can store the number of holes made by the piercer 205, the numerical correspondence between the number of holes and numerical information relating to multiple piercing conditions, and the dispensing correspondence between container information and dispensing information relating to multiple dispensing operation conditions. 【0025】The multiple piercing conditions are piercing operation conditions relating to the piercing operation of the piercer 205 to drill the lid 204a, and the multiple piercing operation conditions may include downward information relating to the downward movement of the piercer 205 during the drilling operation, and upward velocity information of the piercer 205 during the drilling operation. Of these, the downward information may include information on the downward velocity of the piercer 205 during the drilling operation. 【0026】 These details will be discussed later. 【0027】 The display unit 123 is a liquid crystal display or the like, and is used to check various analysis parameters, analysis results, etc. The input unit 124 is a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, etc., and is used to operate the device, such as setting various analysis parameters and starting the analysis. 【0028】 Next, the details of the reagent disk 104 and reagent dispensing mechanism 103 related to the present invention will be described using Figure 2. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an overview of the analytical mechanism of an automated analyzer. 【0029】 Each mechanism is connected to the control unit 121 described above in Figure 1 in a communicative manner. The sample is contained in the sample container 111 and transported to the sample suction position by the rack transport line 114. The sample in the sample container 111 is sucked up by the sample dispensing nozzle 201 of the sample dispensing mechanism 102 and discharged into the reaction vessel 202 on the reaction disk 101. The reaction vessel 202 is arranged on the circumference of the reaction disk 101. The sample dispensing mechanism 102 is capable of rotation and vertical movement, and moves between the sample suction position and the sample discharge position on the reaction vessel 202 by the rotation of the sample dispensing arm, and moves up and down at the above position. The sample dispensing nozzle 201 is washed and dried by the sample dispensing nozzle washing and drying mechanism 203. 【0030】 The reagent disk 104 is equipped with a reagent container 204 fitted with a lid 204a. While the example shown illustrates the reagent container 204 containing two or more analytical reagents separated by partitions, the configuration is not limited to this example. 【0031】An identification mark, consisting of a barcode or RFID tag, is attached to the outer circumference of the reagent container 204. The identification mark stores information related to the reagent contained in the reagent container 204 (hereinafter referred to as reagent application information). Furthermore, it stores information such as the usage status of the reagent container 204, i.e., whether the lid 204a is not perforated and unused, or whether the lid 204a is perforated and in use. 【0032】 For example, as shown in Figure 3, the identification label information 300 includes numbers such as "1 to 9999999" as reagent application code information 301, and numbers such as "0: unused, 1: in use" as reagent container usage status information 302. 【0033】 When registering reagents with the automated analyzer 150, the identification label is read by the identification label reader 116, which consists of an RFID reader / writer, and the identification label is stored in the storage unit 122 along with its location on the reagent disk 104. The identification label reader 116 also reads and writes information to the identification label and updates it. 【0034】 Before the start of the analysis, the lid 204a is perforated by a piercer 205 attached to the reagent dispensing nozzle 206 of the reagent dispensing mechanism 103. Hereafter, in this specification, the action by which the piercer 205 perforates the lid 204a of the reagent container 204 may be referred to as "piercing". 【0035】 The reagent dispensing nozzle 206 is inserted into the hole formed in the lid 204a by the piercing by the piercer 205, and aspirates the reagent contained in the reagent container 204. 【0036】 The piercer 205 is detachable from the tip of the reagent dispensing nozzle 206. During reagent registration, it is removed from the piercer holder 207 and attached to the piercer to perforate the lid 204a of the reagent container 204. Once the perforation of the reagent container 204 to be registered is complete, it is removed from the reagent dispensing nozzle 206. The reagent contained in the reagent container 204 is drawn in by the reagent dispensing nozzle 206 inserted into the hole formed by the piercer 205 and dispensed into the reaction vessel 202, which already contains the sample. 【0037】The reagent dispensing mechanism 103 is rotatable and can move up and down. It moves between the reagent aspiration position on the reagent disk 104 and the reagent discharge position on the reaction vessel 202 by the rotation of the reagent dispensing arm, and moves up and down at the above position. The reagent dispensing nozzle 206 and piercer 205 are washed and dried by the reagent dispensing nozzle washing and drying mechanism 208. 【0038】 The reaction vessel 202, containing the sample and reagents, is moved to the vicinity of the stirring mechanism 215 by the rotation of the reaction disk 101, where the sample and reagents are stirred to produce a reaction solution. Next, the reaction vessel 202 containing the reaction solution is moved to the vicinity of the spectrophotometer 216 by the rotation of the reaction disk 101, where the absorbance of the reaction solution is measured. The concentration of a specific component in the sample is calculated from the obtained absorbance. 【0039】 The perforated reagent container 204 used in the above-described apparatus configuration can suppress the concentration of reagents due to evaporation compared to an open-type reagent container without a lid 204a. 【0040】 On the other hand, if we assume that the perforated reagent container 204 will be stored in the reagent disk 104 for a long period of time, we need to consider the effects of reagent degradation due to various factors during that time. 【0041】 For example, when the reagent dispensing nozzle 206 rises after reagent aspiration, reagent may adhere to the area around the hole in the lid 204a. The reagent adhering to the hole may be degraded by sliding friction with the reagent dispensing nozzle 206. The degraded reagent may adhere to the reagent dispensing nozzle 206 during subsequent dispensing and be carried back into the reagent, where it may aggregate and cause turbidity. As the turbidity in the reagent gradually increases, the device may acquire absorbance values ​​that deviate from what it should acquire when dispensing the reagent, making it impossible to calculate correct measurements and potentially outputting unintended abnormal values. 【0042】 Furthermore, there is a risk of reagent degradation over time due to evaporation of the reagent from the hole in the lid 204a, dilution of the reagent due to washing water adhering to the reagent dispensing nozzle 206 being introduced into the reagent container 204, and dissolution of atmospheric components into the reagent. As a result, the measurement results may drift over time before the reagent is completely used up. 【0043】As a result of intensive studies on such new problems clarified by the present inventors, it has been clarified that the problems can be solved by using the following configurations and controls. 【0044】 Next, the details of the piercing operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7. FIGS. 4 to 7 are diagrams schematically showing the piercing operation of the automatic analyzer according to the embodiment of the present invention. 【0045】 As shown in FIG. 4, at timings other than the piercing timing, the piercer 205 waits in the piercer holder 207 that exists on the rotation path of the reagent dispensing nozzle 206. 【0046】 When the control of the piercing is started, as shown in FIG. 5, the reagent dispensing nozzle 206 descends to the piercer holder 207, and the piercer 205 is attached to the tip of the reagent dispensing nozzle 206. 【0047】 The reagent dispensing nozzle 206 to which the piercer 205 is attached moves to the reagent suction position on the reagent disk 104 (directly above the reagent container 204 to be pierced), and as shown in FIG. 6, the lid 204a is pierced by descending in the set piercing operation. 【0048】 After the piercing, as shown in FIG. 7, it moves to the reagent dispensing nozzle cleaning and drying mechanism 208 and cleaning and drying are performed. After drying, it moves directly above the piercer holder 207, and the piercer 205 is removed from the tip of the reagent dispensing nozzle 206. 【0049】 In the present invention, based on the above reagent registration operation, a system and method for controlling the hole diameter of the lid 204a of the reagent container 204 according to the characteristics of each reagent are provided. 【0050】 Next, the details around the piercer in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11. FIGS. 8 to 11 are diagrams schematically showing an embodiment in which piercing is performed with a plurality of hole diameters using one piercer. 【0051】As shown in Figure 8, the piercer 205 has a stepped shape in which multiple regions of different diameters are formed on the side that perforates the lid 204a. Specifically, the tip side of the piercer 205 has a step at the tip, with a region 205a of diameter A and a region 205b of diameter B which is larger than diameter A. 【0052】 Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, when piercing is performed at the position of diameter A of the piercer 205, the piercer 205 is lowered by the lowering operation A to the lowering position A specified in the piercing condition information 902. 【0053】 Figure 9 shows an example of a correspondence table in which reagent application information and piercing condition setting information are stored in association. The set piercing operation is the piercing condition information 902, such as whether piercing is possible, piercer diameter, descent position, and descent operation, which corresponds to the reagent condition record information 901, as shown in the correspondence table 900 in Figure 9, and refers to the piercer diameter, descent position, and descent operation. As shown in Figure 9, the piercer diameter, descent position, and descent operation are a set, and one of the diameters A and B of the piercer 205 is selected and set. 【0054】 Similarly, as shown in Figure 11, when piercing is performed at the position of diameter B of the piercer 205, the piercer 205 is lowered by the lowering operation B to the lowering position B specified in the piercing condition information 902. 【0055】 Furthermore, the number of steps and the compatible pier diameters can be increased to three or more types as needed. 【0056】 In this way, by selecting a hole diameter from two or more types to be used for perforating the lid 204a of the reagent container 204, it becomes possible to store each reagent in a state that reduces the risk of deterioration according to its characteristics. 【0057】 In the configuration described above, reagent application information and piercing conditions are associated. An example of setting piercing operating conditions is described below. 【0058】Our investigations have revealed that in automated analyzers like the one in this embodiment, controlling the hole shape plays a significant role in controlling the factors that cause deterioration of reagents in use. 【0059】 For example, in the case of reagents where changes in reagent concentration easily affect the measurement result, a piercer with a small hole diameter is selected to reduce concentration due to evaporation, or, in the case of piercer 205 as shown in Figure 8, piercing at position A of diameter is selected. Similarly, in the case of reagents where dissolution of components in the atmosphere easily affects the measurement result, a piercer with a small hole diameter is selected to reduce air inflow. 【0060】 On the other hand, in the case of reagents where denaturation due to sliding friction of the reagent components is likely to affect the measurement values, it is possible to use a piercer with a larger hole diameter to reduce sliding friction between the hole in the lid 204a and the reagent dispensing nozzle 206, or, in the case of a piercer 205 as shown in Figure 8, to select piercing at position B of diameter. 【0061】 Furthermore, during the downward movement, the downward speed can be slowed down when drilling a hole with a larger diameter in the lid 204a. For example, with a piercer 205 like the one in Figure 8, the downward movement speed can be reduced when piercing at diameter B compared to when piercing at diameter A. 【0062】 With Piercer 205, when perforating with a diameter of B, perforation is performed in two stages. In this case, the descent speed when inserting the first stage of Piercer 205 (speed A) and the descent speed when inserting the second stage (speed B) can be set so that speed A > speed B. This has the effect of reducing the load on the reagent dispensing mechanism when inserting a Piercer with a larger diameter. In addition, by slowing down the operation when widening the hole diameter from A to B, the perforation force applied to the center of the lid 204a is stabilized, resulting in the effect of creating a uniform hole with each perforation, regardless of the hole diameter. 【0063】 Similarly, during the upward movement after piercing, the upward speed when piercing at diameter B can be made slower than the upward speed when piercing at diameter A. 【0064】Furthermore, as shown in Figure 12, during the piercing descent, the descent can be controlled to perform the descent and stop at least once each, that is, to descend in small increments. 【0065】 Furthermore, a key feature of the Piercer 205 is that it utilizes the stepped shape of its tip to modify the piercing operation, enabling piercing of multiple hole diameters. Therefore, when the need arises to pierce a new hole diameter, it can be implemented simply by adding a step to the Piercer 205 and adding a corresponding table for setting piercing conditions, without significantly changing the device configuration. 【0066】 Furthermore, if the Piercer 205 deteriorates, it is possible to change the piercing operation. 【0067】 Specifically, prolonged use of the Pierce 205 can cause the tip to wear down and deterioration due to the adhesion of detergents and reagents. Consequently, the cutting performance of the Pierce 205 may decrease. 【0068】 Therefore, the number of times the piercer 205 is used is counted and stored in the memory unit 122 as numerical information regarding the number of piercings made by the piercer 205 and multiple piercing conditions related to the number of piercings. Then, when a certain count is reached, the control unit 121 recommends replacing the piercer 205 on the display unit 123 and can also slow down the downward movement. 【0069】 This configuration reduces the load that a dull piercer 205 places on the reagent dispensing mechanism during the period before replacement. Furthermore, by piercing at a low speed, the piercing force applied to the center of the lid 204a is stabilized, minimizing the deterioration of the hole shape due to dullness. 【0070】 Furthermore, the reagent dispensing operation can be changed according to the hole diameter of the lid 204a of the reagent container 204. 【0071】 For example, if the hole diameter of the lid 204a is small, when the container approaches dead volume (a state where the amount of reagent remaining is low and the container becomes lighter), the reagent container 204 may lift up and fall at the same time as the reagent dispensing nozzle 206 is pulled out. Violent shaking of the reagent container 204 can cause reagent degradation. 【0072】To avoid this phenomenon, the memory unit 122 stores the dispensing correspondence relationship between the container information and dispensing information related to multiple dispensing operation conditions, and it is possible to control the system such as inserting and removing the reagent dispensing nozzle 206 at high speed when the hole diameter of the lid 204a is small. This has the effect of reducing the occurrence of dispensing abnormalities due to differences in the hole diameter of the lid 204a of the reagent container 204. 【0073】 Furthermore, if there are multiple types of lids 204a for the reagent container 204, it is possible to change the diameter of the piercer 205 and the piercing operation considering the material and shape of the lid 204a. By including information about the type of lid 204a as information about the reagent container 204, and adding it to the correspondence in the piercing condition settings, it becomes possible to select the piercer 205, the lowering position, and the lowering operation considering the information about the lid 204a. This has the effect of creating a uniform hole regardless of the type of lid 204a. 【0074】 Next, the basic control of reagent registration in the automated analyzer 150 according to this embodiment will be explained using Figure 13. Figure 13 is a flowchart showing the basic operation of reagent registration in the automated analyzer 150. 【0075】 As shown in Figure 13, when reagent registration is started, the reagent disk 104 rotates, and the identification label reader 116 reads the identification labels at all positions on the reagent disk 104 (step S301), and obtains the reagent application code information 301 and reagent container usage status information 302 from the identification label information 300 (step S302). 【0076】 Next, the control unit 121 refers to the correspondence table 900 of reagent conditions 901 and piercing conditions 902 based on reagent application information stored in the storage unit 122, and sets the piercing conditions (step S303). 【0077】 Furthermore, the control unit 121 checks for the presence or absence of a new reagent container 204 (step S304). If it is determined that there is no new reagent container, the process proceeds to step S312. If it is determined that there is a new reagent container, the process proceeds to step S305, and the piercer 205 is attached according to the settings of the piercing conditions set in step S303 (step S305). 【0078】After piercing begins, the control unit 121 moves the reagent disk 104 in order from the reagent container 204 with the smallest position number to directly below the reagent suction port (step S306), and then pierces the lid 204a of the corresponding reagent container 204 with the set piercing operation (step S307). 【0079】 After piercing, the control unit 121 moves the reagent container 204 that was to be pierced directly below the identification label reader 116 (step S308), writes "In Use" to the identification label, and updates the information (step S309). 【0080】 Subsequently, the control unit 121 determines whether or not there are any unperforated reagent containers 204 mounted on the reagent disk 104 (step S310). If it is determined that there are unperforated reagent containers 204, the process returns to step S306. If it is determined that all reagent containers 204 have been perforated, the process proceeds to step S311. 【0081】 After performing the above operation for all new reagent containers 204, the control unit 121 removes the piercer 205 from the tip of the reagent dispensing nozzle 206 (step S311). 【0082】 Subsequently, the control unit 121 updates the database screen on the display unit 123 (step S312) to complete the reagent registration. 【0083】 Although not shown in the diagram, the operation of writing "In Use" to the identification label attached to the reagent container 204 in step S309 can also be controlled to be performed all at once after all reagent containers 204 have been pierced, rather than being performed each time a reagent container 204 is pierced. This has the advantage of shortening the reagent registration time. 【0084】 Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. 【0085】The automated analyzer 150 of Embodiment 1 of the present invention described above includes a reagent disk 104 on which multiple reagent containers 204 having perforated lids 204a contain reagents, an identification label reader 116 for identifying information attached to the reagent containers 204, one or more piercers 205 for perforating through the lids 204a, a reagent dispensing nozzle 206 for being inserted into the hole formed in the lids 204a by the piercers 205 and for aspirating the reagents contained in the reagent containers 204, and the operation of the piercers 205, reagent dispensing nozzle 206, and reagent disk 104. The system includes a control unit 121 that controls the piercer 205, which is detachable from the reagent dispensing nozzle 206. The control unit 121 sets a piercing condition suitable for piercing the lid 204a from among a plurality of piercing conditions based on container information relating to the reagent container 204 identified by the identification label reader 116. When the identification label reader 116 identifies that the lid 204a is unopened, the system attaches the piercer 205 to the reagent dispensing nozzle 206 based on the set piercing condition and controls the downward movement of the piercer 205. 【0086】 When storing perforated reagent containers 204 in reagent disks 104 for extended periods, it is desirable to appropriately adjust the diameter of the holes in the lids 204a formed by perforation based on the properties of the reagents. The above configuration allows for significantly more precise diameter adjustment compared to conventional configurations, providing an automated analyzer that can suppress deterioration of reagents used in reaction with samples over extended periods compared to conventional methods. Consequently, it becomes possible to provide more reliable sample analysis data. 【0087】 Furthermore, the system includes a storage unit 122 that stores the container correspondence relationship between the container information and condition information regarding multiple piercing conditions. The control unit 121 sets the piercing conditions based on the container information and the container correspondence relationship. In particular, since the multiple piercing conditions are piercing operation conditions related to the piercing operation of the lid 204a by the piercer 205, it is possible to more easily adjust the diameter of the hole in the lid 204a. 【0088】Furthermore, the piercer 205 has a stepped shape with multiple regions of different diameters formed on the side that pierces the lid 204a, and since the multiple piercing operation conditions include downward information related to the downward movement of the piercer 205 during the piercing operation, the piercing conditions can be changed with a single piercer 205, thus shortening the time required from piercing to reagent registration. 【0089】 Furthermore, the downward movement information is the downward movement speed information of the piercer 205 during the drilling operation, allowing the piercing operation to be set according to the step to be inserted, and the hole diameter of the lid 204a to be changed according to the insertion depth. 【0090】 Furthermore, the memory unit 122 stores the number of holes punched by the piercer 205 and the numerical correspondence relationship between the number of holes and numerical information related to multiple piercing conditions. The control unit 121 sets the piercing conditions based on this numerical correspondence relationship, thereby preventing step loss due to increased load caused by deterioration of the cutting edge of the piercer 205 and more reliably suppressing dispensing abnormalities caused by differences in the holes of the piercer 205. 【0091】 Furthermore, the storage unit 122 stores a distribution correspondence between the container information and the dispensing information relating to multiple dispensing operation conditions. The control unit 121 then sets the dispensing operation conditions for inserting the reagent dispensing nozzle 206 into the lid 204a and dispensing based on the container information and the distribution correspondence. As a result, the reagent dispensing operation also changes depending on the hole diameter of the lid 204a of the reagent container 204, which further suppresses the degradation of reagents that occur during the dispensing operation. 【0092】 Furthermore, the container information includes lid information related to the lid 204a. By setting piercing conditions based on the correspondence between the stored lid information and information on multiple piercing conditions for the lid 204a, it becomes possible to select the piercer 205 and piercing conditions according to the material of the lid 204a, thereby enabling the selection of more appropriate piercing conditions. 【0093】 Furthermore, the control unit 121 controls the descent operation of the piercer 205 so that it descends and stops at least once each when lowering it, thereby further reducing the load on the descent operation for drilling and thus further suppressing deterioration of the piercer 205. 【0094】 Furthermore, since the multiple piercing operation conditions include information on the upward speed of the piercer 205 during the piercing operation, reagent degradation can be further suppressed by improving the reproducibility of the shape of the pierced hole. 【0095】 <Example 2> An automated analyzer according to Example 2 of the present invention and a method for registering reagents in the automated analyzer will be explained with reference to Figures 14 to 18. 【0096】 As shown in Figures 14 to 16, the automatic analyzer 150A of this embodiment has multiple first piercers 205A and second piercers 205B with different diameters on the side that perforates the lid 204a, and piercing is performed with multiple hole diameters. The storage unit 122 stores the diameter correspondence relationship of the piercing conditions to the diameters, and the control unit 121 sets the piercing conditions based on the identified container information and the diameter correspondence relationship. 【0097】 Specifically, as shown in Figure 14, the automatic analyzer 150A of this embodiment includes a first piercer 205A having a tip portion 205a1 with diameter A, and a second piercer 205B having a tip portion 205b1 with diameter B. Here, the relationship diameter B > diameter A is assumed to hold. The first piercer 205A is stored in the first piercer holder 207A, and the second piercer 205B is stored in the second piercer holder 207B. 【0098】 Then, if piercing is to be performed with diameter A, the first piercer 205A is lowered to lower position A by downward movement A, as shown in Figure 16, according to the piercing condition information 902. Conversely, if piercing is to be performed with diameter B, the second piercer 205B is lowered to lower position B by downward movement B, as shown in Figure 17, according to the piercing condition information 902. Although not shown in the figures, the number of types of piercers used can be increased to three or more as needed. 【0099】 Here, similar to Example 1, the multiple piercing conditions can be conditions relating to the downward speed of the first piercer 205A and the second piercer 205B during the piercing operation of the lid 204a. 【0100】For example, comparing the descent speed of the first piercer 205A (speed A) with the descent speed of the second piercer 205B (speed B), speed A can be set to > speed B. This has the effect of reducing the load on the reagent dispensing mechanism when inserting a larger diameter piercer, similar to the above. In addition, by slowing down the operation of the second piercer 205B during perforation, the perforation force applied to the center of the lid 204a is stabilized, resulting in the effect of creating a uniform hole with each perforation, regardless of the hole diameter. 【0101】 Next, we will explain the system control for performing reagent registration using Figure 18. Figure 18 is an example of a flowchart for reagent registration according to this embodiment. 【0102】 In Figure 18, the control system first uses the smaller diameter first piercer 205A to puncture the lid 204a of a new reagent container 204, and then attaches the larger diameter second piercer 205B to puncture it. This control system is more efficient than a control system that switches between the first piercer 205A and the second piercer 205B as needed, and it can reduce the reagent registration time. 【0103】 Of the steps shown in Figure 18, steps S801 to S803 are the same as steps S301 to S303 shown in Figure 13. 【0104】 Next, the control unit 121 determines whether there is a new reagent container 204 that is to be pierced by the first piercer 205A and is not yet pierced (step S804). If it is determined that there is no such container, the process proceeds to step S813. If it is determined that there is a new one, the process proceeds to step S805, and the first piercer 205A is attached according to the settings of the piercing conditions set in step S803 (step S805). 【0105】 After piercing begins, the control unit 121 moves the reagent disk 104 in order from the reagent container 204 with the smallest position number to directly below the reagent suction port (step S806), and then pierces the lid 204a of the reagent container 204 with the set piercing operation (step S807). 【0106】After piercing, the control unit 121 determines whether or not there is a pierced reagent container 204 (step S808). If it determines that there is, the control unit 121 moves the pierced reagent container 204 directly below the identification label reader 116 (step S809), writes "In Use" to the identification label, and updates the information (step S810). The process then proceeds to step S811. 【0107】 If the reagent container 204 contains a reagent to be perforated by the second piercer 205B, the writing of "in use" to the reagent container 204 is skipped and performed after the perforation by the second piercer 205B is completed (step S818 described later). 【0108】 In contrast, if it is not determined in step S808 that there is a reagent container 204 that has been perforated, the process proceeds to step S811. 【0109】 Next, the control unit 121 determines whether or not there are any unperforated reagent containers 204 that are to be perforated by the first piercer 205A (step S811). If it is determined that there are unperforated reagent containers 204, the process returns to step S806, and if it is determined that all of the target reagent containers 204 have been perforated, the process proceeds to step S812. 【0110】 Next, the control unit 121 removes the first piercer 205A and stores it in the first piercer holder 207A. Then, it determines whether or not there are any unpierced reagent containers 204 on the reagent disk 104 that are to be pierced by the second piercer 205B (step S813). 【0111】 When it is determined that there is an unperforated reagent container 204 on the reagent disk 104 that is to be perforated by the second piercer 205B, the preprocessing is performed by steps S814 to S820, which are substantially the same as those described in steps S805 to S812 above, and finally the control unit 121 updates the database screen on the display unit 123 (step S821) to complete reagent registration. 【0112】The perforation control in this embodiment is not limited to the above. For example, there is a control method in which the reagent containers 204 with the smallest reagent disk 104 position number are perforated in order, and the first piercer 205A and the second piercer 205B are reattached as needed. This control method has the advantage that, since the writing to the identification labels is performed sequentially, if an alarm occurs during the perforation operation and the device stops, multiple unregistered perforated reagent containers 204 will not be generated. 【0113】 The other configurations and operations are substantially the same as those of the automated analyzer and reagent registration method in Example 1 described above, so details are omitted. 【0114】 In the automated analyzer and reagent registration method of Example 2 of the present invention, similar to the automated analyzer and reagent registration method of Example 1 described above, it is possible to store each reagent in a state that reduces the risk of deterioration during storage compared to conventional methods, according to the characteristics of each reagent. 【0115】 Furthermore, the system has multiple first piercers 205A and second piercers 205B with different diameters on the side that perforates the lid 204a. The storage unit 122 stores the diameter correspondence relationship of the piercing conditions to the diameters, and the control unit 121 sets the piercing conditions based on the identified container information and the diameter correspondence relationship, thereby enabling the use of multiple piercers, which has the advantage of slowing down the deterioration rate of each first piercer 205A and second piercer 205B. 【0116】 Furthermore, the multiple piercing conditions relate to the downward speeds of the first piercer 205A and the second piercer 205B during the piercing operation of the lid 204a. This allows the piercing operation to be set according to the piercer being inserted, and the diameter of the cap hole to be changed depending on the insertion depth. 【0117】 <Other> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and includes various modifications. The embodiments described above are explained in detail for clarity and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described. 【0118】Furthermore, it is possible to replace parts of the configuration of one embodiment with parts of the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add parts of the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. In addition, it is possible to add, delete, or replace parts of the configuration of each embodiment with parts of other configurations. 【0119】 100: Analysis module 101: Reaction disk 102: Sample dispensing mechanism 103: Reagent dispensing mechanism 104: Reagent disk 110: Sample transport module 111: Sample container 112: Sample rack 113: Rack supply unit 114: Rack transport line 115: Identification label reader 116: Identification label reader (identification unit) 120: Control module 121: Control unit 122: Storage unit 123: Display unit 124: Input unit 150, 150A: Automatic analyzer 201: Sample dispensing nozzle 202: Reaction vessel 203: Sample dispensing nozzle cleaning and drying mechanism 204: Reagent container 204a: Lid 205: Piercer 205A: First piercer 205a: Area 205a1: Tip 205B: Second piercer 205b: Area 205b1: Tip section 206: Reagent dispensing nozzle (dispensing nozzle) 207: Piercer holder 207A: First piercer holder 207B: Second piercer holder 208: Reagent dispensing nozzle cleaning and drying mechanism 215: Stirring mechanism 216: Spectrophotometer 300: Identification label information 301: Reagent application code information 302: Reagent container usage status information 900: Correspondence table 901: Condition record information 902: Piercing condition information

Claims

1. An automated analyzer comprising: a reagent disk on which multiple reagent containers containing reagents and having perforated lids are mounted; an identification unit for identifying information attached to the reagent containers; one or more piercing needles for penetrating the lids; a dispensing nozzle inserted into the holes formed in the lids by the piercing needles for aspirating the reagents contained in the reagent containers; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the piercing needles, the dispensing nozzle, and the reagent disk, wherein the piercing needles are detachable from the dispensing nozzle, and the control unit sets a piercing condition suitable for perforating the lid from among a plurality of piercing conditions based on container information relating to the reagent containers identified by the identification unit, and when the identification unit identifies that the lids are unopened, attaches the piercing needles to the dispensing nozzle and controls the downward movement of the piercing needles based on the set piercing conditions.

2. An automatic analyzer according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit for storing a container correspondence relationship between the container information and a plurality of condition information relating to the piercing conditions, wherein the control unit sets the piercing conditions based on the container information and the container correspondence relationship.

3. An automated analyzer according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of piercing conditions are piercing operation conditions relating to the piercing operation of the lid by the piercing needle.

4. An automated analyzer according to claim 3, wherein the piercing needle has a stepped shape in which multiple regions of different diameters are formed on the side that pierces the lid, and the multiple piercing operation conditions include downward information relating to the downward movement of the piercing needle during the piercing operation.

5. An automatic analyzer according to claim 4, wherein the descent information is information on the descent speed of the piercing needle in the drilling operation.

6. An automatic analyzer according to claim 2, wherein the analyzer has a plurality of piercing needles with different diameters on the side for piercing the lid, the storage unit stores the diameter correspondence relationship of the piercing conditions to the diameter, and the control unit sets the piercing conditions based on the identified container information and the diameter correspondence relationship.

7. An automatic analyzer according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of piercing conditions are conditions relating to the descent speed of the piercing needle in the piercing operation of the lid.

8. An automatic analyzer according to claim 2, wherein the storage unit further stores the number of holes made by the piercing needle and the numerical correspondence between the number of holes and numerical information relating to a plurality of piercing conditions, and the control unit sets the piercing conditions based on the numerical correspondence.

9. An automatic analyzer according to claim 2, wherein the storage unit further stores a dispensing correspondence relationship between the container information and dispensing information relating to a plurality of dispensing operation conditions, and the control unit sets the dispensing operation conditions for inserting the dispensing nozzle into the lid and dispensing based on the container information and the dispensing correspondence relationship.

10. An automatic analyzer according to claim 3, wherein the container information includes lid information relating to the lid, and the automatic analyzer sets the piercing conditions based on the lid correspondence relationship between the stored lid information and information relating to a plurality of piercing conditions.

11. An automatic analyzer according to claim 3, wherein the control unit controls the descent operation such that the piercing needle is lowered and stopped at least once each.

12. An automatic analyzer according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of piercing operation conditions include information on the upward velocity of the piercing needle during the piercing operation.

13. A method for registering a reagent in an automated analyzer comprising: a reagent disk on which a plurality of reagent containers containing reagents and having perforated lids are mounted; an identification unit for identifying information attached to the reagent containers; one or more piercing needles for penetrating and perforating the lids; and a dispensing nozzle for being inserted into the holes formed in the lids by the piercing needles and for aspirating the reagents contained in the reagent containers, wherein the piercing needles are detachable from the dispensing nozzle, and the piercing conditions suitable for perforating the lids are set from among a plurality of piercing conditions based on container information relating to the reagent containers identified by the identification unit, and when the lids are identified as unopened, the piercing needles are attached to the dispensing nozzles based on the set piercing conditions and the downward movement of the piercing needles is controlled.

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