Automated analysis device and automated analysis system

Abstract

The present invention adopts the following configuration in order to provide an automated analysis device and an automated analysis system capable of acquiring operation information of a periodically replaced component, the operation information being required for failure prediction related to the periodically replaced component, at a necessary timing without increasing a load on the automated analysis device.　Provided are an automated analysis device and an automated analysis system in which the automated analysis device is connected to a host system, the automated analysis device comprising: an analysis unit that analyzes a sample; a data acquisition unit that acquires operation information of a periodically replaced component to be operated when the analysis unit performs analysis; and a control unit that changes a number of times data is acquired per unit time by the data acquisition unit.

Description

Automated Analyzer and Automated Analysis System

[0001] The present invention relates to an automated analyzer and an automated analysis system.

[0002] In an automated analyzer that automatically performs quantitative and qualitative analysis of biological samples such as blood and urine, parts that are worn due to friction during operation, such as the seal piece of a syringe pump used in a dispensing mechanism, etc., must be replaced regularly. Many parts (also referred to as "parts for regular replacement" or "parts with a limited lifespan") are used. For each part for regular replacement, a recommended replacement time is set. By a service technician replacing parts for regular replacement whose recommended replacement time is approaching during regular maintenance, or by the user replacing them himself when the recommended replacement time is reached, it is ensured that a failure does not occur during the analysis of the automated analyzer and that the device does not experience a time when it cannot operate (downtime).

[0003] However, the recommended replacement time is only an average setting. Depending on how the automated analyzer is used, there are parts that reach the end of their lifespan and fail earlier than the set recommended replacement time, and there are also parts that are still usable but are replaced anyway. To solve such problems, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, it is stated that "depending on the analysis conditions, the predetermined regular cleaning or regular replacement may be excessive or insufficient in frequency, leading to a decrease in usability and even a decrease in analysis performance (paragraph

[0012] of Patent Document 1)". It is disclosed that depending on the analysis conditions, the frequency of regular cleaning of the parts used in the analysis and the replacement frequency of parts for regular replacement are changed.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-117208

[0005] Patent Document 1 describes that it is possible to determine the necessity of maintenance of operating parts by calculating the load applied to the operating parts from the analysis conditions. However, calculating the load for all operating parts requires a large amount of information collection and regular information collection, and there is a problem that it places a great load on the automated analyzer. If a great load is placed on the automated analyzer, it may interfere with the analysis operation.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide an automated analyzer and an automated analysis system that can more accurately predict the replacement timing of regularly replaced parts without increasing the load on the automated analyzer.

[0007] The configuration of the present invention for achieving the above objective is as follows.

[0008] An automated analyzer comprising: an analysis unit for analyzing a sample; a data acquisition unit for acquiring operational information of regularly replaced parts operated during analysis in the analysis unit; and a control unit for changing the number of data acquisitions per unit time in the data acquisition unit.

[0009] Furthermore, an automated analysis system in which the above-mentioned automated analyzer is connected to a higher-level system.

[0010] The present invention provides an automated analyzer and an automated analysis system that can more accurately predict the replacement timing of regularly replaced parts without increasing the load on the automated analyzer.

[0011] Diagram showing the overall configuration of the automated analyzer in the embodiment. Functional block diagram of the overall configuration of the automated analyzer in the embodiment. Flowchart for changing the sampling mode of the automated analyzer in the embodiment. Diagram showing the pressure change of the water supply pump measured in normal sampling mode. Diagram showing the pressure change of the water supply pump measured in variable sampling mode. Diagram showing an example screen for changing the sampling mode. Diagram showing an example screen for changing the sampling mode. Diagram showing the overall configuration of the automated analysis system in the embodiment. Functional block diagram of the overall configuration of the automated analysis system in the embodiment. Functional block diagram of the overall configuration of the automated analysis system in the embodiment. Schematic diagram of the heater cleaning section of the automated analyzer. Diagram showing an example of a heater cleaning operation log in the heater cleaning section of the automated analyzer. Diagram showing an example of a heater cleaning operation log in the heater cleaning section of the automated analyzer.

[0012] The configuration and operation of an automated analysis system, including an automated analyzer and a higher-level system, according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0013] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of an automated analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention. The automated analyzer according to this embodiment includes an operation unit 101 that enables operation input for the analyzer, a device management computer 102 that performs the necessary control and analysis for the device, and an automated analyzer 103.

[0014] The automated analyzer 103 performs quantitative and qualitative analysis of biological samples such as blood and urine. To perform the analysis, the automated analyzer 103 dispenses the biological sample into a reaction cell (also called a "reaction vessel"), dispenses reagents, stirs, detects the absorbance of the reaction cell, calculates the reaction process from the absorbance, and washes the reaction cell.

[0015] The control unit 101 is connected to the device management computer 102. The device management computer 102 can convert input information from the control unit 101 into control information for the automatic analyzer 103. The control unit 101 also has a monitor that can display the results measured by the automatic analyzer 103. Furthermore, the automatic analyzer 103 can transmit data acquired through the operation of the automatic analyzer 103 to the device management computer. The device management computer can transmit acquired component operation information to the higher-level system 104, which will be described later, and can receive input information from the higher-level system 104.

[0016] Figure 2 shows a functional block diagram of the automatic analyzer of the present invention. The automatic analyzer according to this embodiment comprises an automatic analyzer 200, an operation unit 210 that enables operation input for the automatic analyzer 200, a control unit 220 that controls the automatic analyzer 200, and an analysis unit 230 that performs analysis operations.

[0017] The operation unit 210 includes an input display unit 211 into which the operator of the automatic analyzer 200 inputs information for operation and control, and an operation communication unit 212 that communicates operation information of the automatic analyzer 200 and instructions for operation changes between the control unit 220 and the higher-level system 104.

[0018] The control unit 220 includes a communication unit 221 that communicates operational information of the automatic analyzer 200 and instructions for changing operations with the operation unit 210, an operation control unit 222 that controls the mechanical operation of the analysis unit 230 based on the instructions for changing operations, and a data acquisition unit 223 that acquires operational information of regularly replaced parts of the analysis unit 230. Here, regularly replaced parts refer to parts (limited-life parts) that are known to become unusable in a shorter period (e.g., six months to two years) compared to the service life of the automatic analyzer body (e.g., 10 to 15 years). Although it is called "regularly replaced," it is not intended to be limited to parts with a clearly defined service life, and the replacement timing will vary depending on factors such as the conditions under which it is used (whether it is operated 24 hours a day or only on weekdays, etc.) and the environment in which it is used (temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, etc.).

[0019] The analysis unit 230 includes a mechanism operation unit 231 that controls component operation based on operational information instructions from the operation control unit 222, a water supply pump 232 that supplies cell cleaning water to the reaction cell, a heater for supplying heated reaction tank water to a reaction tank (constant temperature bath) that keeps the reaction cell at a predetermined temperature (around 37°C), and periodically replaced parts 233 and 234 such as a DC power supply used in the automatic analyzer.

[0020] The number of data acquisitions per unit time (also referred to as the "variable sampling frequency") for the operation information 235 of the water supply pump 232, the number of data acquisitions per unit time for the operation information 236 of the regularly replaced part 233, and the number of data acquisitions per unit time for the operation information 237 of the regularly replaced part 234, all belonging to the analysis unit 230, are pre-set as initial values ​​appropriate to the characteristics of each part. If the mechanism operation unit 231 does not receive an instruction to change the sample analysis operation, the number of data acquisitions per unit time for each of the operation information 235, operation information 236, and operation information 237 will be set to the pre-set initial values. In the following, the operation of the automatic analyzer 200 with the number of data acquisitions per unit time set to the pre-set initial values ​​will be referred to as the "normal sampling mode".

[0021] In this embodiment, the initial values ​​for the number of data acquisitions per unit time in normal sampling mode are set to 10 for operation information 235, 10 for operation information 236, and 10 for operation information 237. Note that the number 10 as the number of data acquisitions per unit time is merely a relative indicator value and does not represent an absolute value such as sampling 10 times per minute. For example, assuming that the data acquisition unit 223 has a sampling capacity of 120 points per hour, and that this is allocated to acquiring data for three regularly replaced parts: the water supply pump 232, regularly replaced part 233, and regularly replaced part 234, then the above value of 10 means that 40 data points can be acquired per hour for each regularly replaced part. In other words, the absolute value will change depending on the sampling capacity of the data acquisition unit 223, etc.

[0022] Furthermore, the total data is 30, which is the sum of the operating information of the water supply pump 232, periodic replacement part 233, and periodic replacement part 234, whose mechanism operation unit 231 belongs to the analysis unit 230. The control unit 220 stores the total data, which is the sum of the operating information of each periodic replacement part, in the storage unit 243. The analysis unit 242 analyzes the operating information stored in the storage unit 243 and performs a replacement timing prediction analysis based on the operating status of the periodic replacement parts. If the analysis unit 242 determines that it is necessary to change the number of data acquisitions per unit time, the analysis unit 242 instructs the operation control unit 222 to change the operation via the communication unit 221.

[0023] Next, we will describe an example of device operation when the operation control unit 222 receives an instruction to change the operation, and the number of data acquisitions per unit time changes (hereinafter referred to as "variable sampling mode"). In this embodiment, the case in which the sampling operation of the consumables of the automatic analyzer 200 enters variable sampling mode is set up as follows: when the analysis unit 242 gives an instruction to change the operation based on the results of the analysis, and when the operator of the automatic analyzer 200 gives an instruction to change the operation to the input display unit 211. The analysis method of the analysis unit 242 will be described later.

[0024] When the operation control unit 222 receives an instruction to change the operation via the communication unit 221, the operation control unit 222 notifies the mechanism operation unit 231 of the change in operation. The mechanism operation unit 231 changes the number of times per unit time that data is acquired for the operation information 235 of the water supply pump 232, the operation information 236 of the regularly replaced part 233, and the operation information 237 of the regularly replaced part 234, which belong to the mechanism operation unit 231.

[0025] In the variable sampling mode of this embodiment, the number of data acquisitions per unit time for operation information 235 is set to 30, the number of data acquisitions per unit time for operation information 236 is set to 0, and the number of data acquisitions per unit time for operation information 237 is set to 0. The control unit 220 stores the total data, which is the combined operation information of each regularly replaced part, in the storage unit 243, and the analysis unit 242 performs an analysis to predict the operation status and replacement timing of the regularly replaced parts.

[0026] Focusing on the number of data acquisitions per unit time for the water supply pump in normal sampling mode and variable sampling mode, the number of data acquisitions per unit time for the water supply pump is 10 in normal sampling mode, while it is 30 in variable sampling mode. This means that the operating information of the water supply pump has tripled per unit time. Furthermore, focusing on the total data in both normal sampling mode and variable sampling mode, the total data is the same at 30 in both cases, and it is possible to increase the number of data acquisitions per unit time for the water supply pump without increasing (changing) the load on the equipment.

[0027] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the data acquisition rate adjustment process per unit time in the automated analyzer according to this embodiment.

[0028] In step S301, the system checks whether there is a request (input) for a change in operation control from the operation unit 210. If there is a change, the system proceeds to step S302. If there is no change, the system proceeds to step S303.

[0029] In step S302, the operation control unit 222 changes the sampling mode of the mechanism operation unit 231. In step S303, the mechanism operation unit 231 operates the water supply pump 232, the regularly replaced part 233, and the regularly replaced part 234.

[0030] In step 304, the data acquisition unit 223 acquires total data, which is the sum of the operating information of the water supply pump 232 (operating information 235), the regularly replaced part 233 (operating information 236), and the regularly replaced part 234 (operating information 237).

[0031] In step S305, the total data is stored in the storage unit 243. In step S306, the analysis unit 242 performs a replacement timing prediction analysis based on the information in the storage unit 243.

[0032] In step 307, based on the results of the analysis by the analysis unit 242, it is determined whether or not to change the number of data acquisitions per unit time. If a change is necessary, the sampling mode is changed in step S308 and the process returns to step S301. If no change is necessary, the process proceeds to step S309.

[0033] In step S309, the operation control unit 222 changes the sampling mode of the mechanism operation unit 231 to a preset initial value and then terminates.

[0034] Figure 4 shows the pressure value of the water supply pump measured in normal sampling mode, and Figure 5 shows the pressure value of the water supply pump measured in variable sampling mode.

[0035] In this embodiment, the analysis unit 242 calculates an approximate straight line of the time change of the pressure value based on the operating information obtained from the water supply pump. The time at which the pressure value indicated by the approximate straight line falls below a certain level is defined as the appropriate replacement time for the water supply pump. In this embodiment, the pressure value for the appropriate replacement time is set to 40, the number of data acquisitions per unit time in the normal sampling mode in Figure 4 is set to 10, and the number of data acquisitions per unit time in the variable sampling mode in Figure 5 is defined to be 30.

[0036] In the normal sampling mode shown in Figure 4, the analysis unit 242 calculates an approximate line 401. The appropriate replacement time predicted by the approximate line 401 is approximately 48 hours. In the variable sampling mode, the analysis unit 242 calculates an approximate line 501. The appropriate replacement time predicted by the approximate line 501 is approximately 37 hours.

[0037] Comparing the predicted appropriate replacement time in the normal sampling mode (Figure 4) with the predicted appropriate replacement time in the variable sampling mode (Figure 5), the amount of data acquired triples due to the change in the number of data acquisitions per unit time. Therefore, the variable sampling mode can acquire actual operating information of the water supply pump more accurately than the normal sampling mode. The predicted appropriate replacement time can be determined to be 37 hours, which is predicted based on the approximate straight line created from the operating information obtained in the variable sampling mode, rather than 48 hours, which is determined based on the approximate straight line created from the operating information obtained in the normal sampling mode.

[0038] In this way, for regularly replaced parts that are judged to be nearing the end of their lifespan (standard replacement time), the accuracy of predicting the appropriate replacement time can be improved by temporarily increasing the sampling frequency (number of data acquisitions per unit time) of information indicating the operating status (information that includes "physical quantities related to the lifespan" of regularly replaced parts, such as pressure values ​​for feedwater pumps, temperature of reaction tank water for reaction tank heaters, and voltage for DC power supplies; or, it can also be expressed as "physical quantities related to the degree of deterioration").

[0039] Furthermore, in order to determine the appropriate replacement time, the sampling frequency may be increased when a physical quantity related to the lifespan (in the case of the water supply pump explained in Figure 4, the time to replace the part is when the pressure value falls below 40) falls below, for example, 60, before the end of its lifespan. For example, if the pressure value of the water supply pump was 110 when it started to be used and it is time to replace it when the pressure value falls below 40, the decrease in the pressure value is 110-40=70, and when the pressure value approaches 40 by 30% of 70, that is, 70×0.3=21, the pressure value is 40+21=61, so the timing to switch the sampling frequency is set to when the pressure value falls below 61. Since the slope of change is likely to differ depending on the physical quantity being monitored, it is preferable to set the switching timing based on the slope of the time change of that physical quantity. This makes it possible to avoid situations inconvenient for the device user, such as when the automatic analyzer malfunctions due to the lifespan of regularly replaced parts during analysis, forcing the analysis to be interrupted.

[0040] In the above, an approximate straight line was used to determine the appropriate replacement timing, but various other approximate curves, such as exponential, linear, logarithmic, polynomial, and power approximations, can also be applied. The physical quantities that serve as indicators for determining the appropriate replacement timing differ for each regularly replaced part, and the way these physical quantities fluctuate also exhibits unique characteristics. It is desirable to appropriately select and apply an approximate curve (or approximate straight line) depending on the regularly replaced part for which the appropriate replacement timing is being determined.

[0041] Figure 6 shows an example of an operation input section (hereinafter referred to as User Interface Example 1) that allows the user to change the number of data acquisitions per unit time.

[0042] User interface example 1 includes a screen 601 that draws a regular replacement part acquisition screen area, a part label 602 that displays the name of the regular replacement part, toggle buttons 603 and 604 that enable ON / OFF operations for acquiring the operation information of the regular replacement part corresponding to the part label 602, a scroll bar 605 that enables scrolling of the drawable area that can be drawn inside the screen 601, and an execution button 606 that stores the ON / OFF information of the toggle buttons set on the screen and instructs the operation control unit 222 to perform the control operation for acquiring the operation information of the regularly replaced parts set to ON.

[0043] In the case of parts where regular replacement part A and regular replacement part B cannot operate simultaneously, that is, mutually exclusive parts, when the toggle button 603 corresponding to regular replacement part A is selected to be ON, the toggle button 604 corresponding to regular replacement part B is automatically selected to be OFF. When the toggle button 604 corresponding to regular replacement part B is selected to be ON, the toggle button 603 corresponding to regular replacement part A is automatically selected to be OFF. Note that the state where both the toggle button 603 and the toggle button 604 are OFF is permitted.

[0044] In user interface example 1, the operator can set whether to acquire operation information for each part. This makes it possible to collect information only for the parts specified by the operator, thereby reducing the load on the control unit.

[0045] FIG. 7 shows an example of an operation input unit (hereinafter, user interface example 2) that enables an operation for changing the number of data acquisitions per unit time.

[0046] User interface example 2 includes the screen 601 of user interface example 1, the component label 602, and the scroll bar 605, and includes a score label 701 that describes the number of data acquisitions per unit time of the operation information of the regularly replaced component corresponding to the component label 602 and the upper limit value of the number of data acquisitions per unit time corresponding to the component label 602, a slider 702 that can adjust the number of data acquisitions per unit time of the operation information of the regularly replaced component corresponding to the component label 602 for each component, a total score label 703 that indicates the total number of data acquisitions per unit time that the automatic analyzer 200 can acquire, and an execution button 704 that stores the data acquisition count information per unit time set on the screen and notifies the operation control unit 222 of the control operation for acquiring operation information so that each regularly replaced component has the set number of data acquisitions per unit time.

[0047] In user interface example 2, the operator can set the variable acquisition frequency for each component. Since the slider 702 can be set from 0 to the maximum value, in addition to the effect of user interface example 1, the operator can adjust the number of data acquisitions per unit time for each component numerically, so it is possible to set priorities for the amount of information for each component. Also, the total score label 703 indicates the total amount value (upper limit value) of the number of data acquisitions per unit time that can be acquired. By checking the total score label 703, the operator can always grasp the total value of the amount of information of the number of data acquisitions per unit time currently being acquired and the remaining amount of information of the number of data acquisitions per unit time that can be acquired.

[0048] FIG. 8 shows an overall schematic configuration diagram of an automatic analysis system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The difference from Example 1 is that in Example 2, the upper system 104 is processing what the device management computer 1a of the automatic analyzer was doing, such as receiving and analyzing component operation information.

[0049] Figure 9 shows a functional block diagram of the automated analysis system of the present invention. The automated analysis system according to this embodiment comprises an automated analyzer 200, an operation unit 210 that enables operation input for the automated analyzer 200, a control unit 220 that controls the automated analyzer 200, an analysis unit 230 that performs analysis operations, and a higher-level system 104.

[0050] The operation unit 210 includes an input display unit 211 into which the operator of the automatic analyzer 200 inputs information for operation and control, and an operation communication unit 212 that communicates operation information of the automatic analyzer 200 and instructions for operation changes between the control unit 220 and the higher-level system 104.

[0051] The control unit 220 includes a communication unit 221 that communicates operating information of the automatic analyzer 200 and instructions for changing operations between the operation unit 210 and the higher-level system 104, an operation control unit 222 that controls the mechanical operation of the analysis unit 230 based on the instructions for changing operations, and a data acquisition unit 223 that acquires operating information of regularly replaced parts of the analysis unit 230.

[0052] The higher-level system 104 includes a higher-level system communication unit 941 that communicates operating information of the automatic analyzer 200 and instructions for changing operations between the operation communication unit 212 of the operation unit 210 and the communication unit 221 of the control unit 220; a storage unit 942 that stores information acquired by the data acquisition unit 223; and an analysis unit 943 that performs predictive analysis of the replacement timing of regularly replaced parts based on the information in the storage unit 942, and enables the control unit 220 to instruct the operation change if it is determined that a change in the number of data acquisitions per unit time is necessary based on the analysis results.

[0053] When the automated analyzer 200 performs a sample analysis operation, it notifies the mechanism operation unit 231 of the sample analysis operation. Subsequently, the mechanism operation unit 231 activates the water supply pump 232, which is one of several regularly replaced parts belonging to the analysis unit 230, and the regularly replaced parts 233 and 234, which are also several regularly replaced parts. During the sample analysis operation, the operation information 235 of the water supply pump 232, the operation information 236 of the regularly replaced part 233, and the operation information 237 of the regularly replaced part 234 are acquired by the data acquisition unit 223. The total data, which combines the acquired operation information, is transmitted to the higher-level system 104.

[0054] The higher-level system 104 stores the total data, including the operational information of the parts, in the storage unit 942. The analysis unit 943 analyzes the information in the storage unit 942 and performs a replacement timing prediction analysis based on the operational status of the regularly replaced parts. Furthermore, if the analysis unit 943 determines that it is necessary to change the number of data acquisitions per unit time, the analysis unit 943 instructs the operation control unit 222 to change the operation via the higher-level system communication unit 241 and the communication unit 221.

[0055] Next, we will describe an example of device operation when the operation control unit 222 receives an instruction to change the operation, and the number of data acquisitions per unit time changes. In this embodiment, the conditions for the automatic analyzer 200 to enter variable sampling mode are when the analysis unit 943 issues an instruction to change the operation based on the analysis results, and when the operator of the automatic analyzer 200 issues an instruction to change the operation to the input display unit 211.

[0056] When the operation control unit 222 receives an instruction to change the operation via the communication unit 221, the operation control unit 222 notifies the mechanism operation unit 231 of the change in operation. The mechanism operation unit 231 changes the number of times data per unit time is acquired for the operation information 235 of the water supply pump 232, the operation information 236 of the regularly replaced part 233, and the operation information 237 of the regularly replaced part 234, which belong to the mechanism operation unit 231.

[0057] In the variable sampling mode of this embodiment, the number of data acquisitions per unit time for operation information 235 is set to 30, the number of data acquisitions per unit time for operation information 236 is set to 0, and the number of data acquisitions per unit time for operation information 237 is set to 0. The higher-level system 104 stores the total data, including the operation information of the parts, in the storage unit 942, and the analysis unit 943 performs an analysis to predict the operation status and replacement timing of regularly replaced parts.

[0058] The method for predicting the replacement timing of regularly replaced parts is the same as in Example 1, so the explanation will be omitted.

[0059] In Embodiment 2 of the present invention, the same effects as in Embodiment 1 described above can be obtained. In addition to the conditions of Embodiment 1 described above, the conditions for notifying the communication unit 221 of a change in operation include notifying the automatic analyzer of a change in operation when it is determined from the operating status of the mechanism operation unit 231 that the automatic analyzer is inactive. Examples of when the automatic analyzer is determined to be inactive include when it can be statistically determined from the operating information that the device is stopped at night, or when non-operating periods (nighttime, holidays, etc.) are pre-programmed into the device. The notification of change in operation makes it possible to obtain operating information of regularly replaced parts even outside of the device's operating hours.

[0060] Figure 10 shows a functional block diagram of the automated analyzer of the present invention. The difference from Embodiment 2 is that the data acquisition unit 223 acquires the operation log 1002 of the operating component 1001.

[0061] The operation log 1002 is log data that records how the operating parts 1001 that operate within the analysis unit 230 operated when the analysis unit 230 performed an analysis operation. The operation log 1002 includes operation log 1002-1, which is detailed operation information for each operating part; operation log 1002-2, which is operation information for the components that perform a function when the operating parts act on them; and operation log 1002-3, which is operation information for the entire analysis unit, in which the operation of the operating parts and the operation of the components act on each other. Operation log 1002-1 is the most detailed log information, and operation log 1002-3 is the most general information.

[0062] In Example 3, the normal sampling mode and variable sampling mode are set up in the same way as in Example 1. Also, the process for changing between the normal sampling mode and variable sampling mode is set up in the same way as in Example 1. In the normal sampling mode of Example 3, operation log 1002 includes operation log 1002-3 and operation log 1002-2. In the variable sampling mode, operation log 1002 includes operation log 1002-3, operation log 1002-2, and operation log 1002-1.

[0063] Figure 11 shows the probe cleaning unit used for probe cleaning, which is one of the analytical operations of the automated analyzer of the present invention.

[0064] The analysis unit 230 includes a heater 1101 which is an operating component, a washing tank 1102 which is a container for storing detergent, detergent 1103 which is a component that performs a function when the operating component acts on it, and a temperature sensor 1104 which measures the temperature of the detergent in the washing tank 1102.

[0065] In the probe cleaning operation, which is one of the analytical operations, detergent 1103 is added to the cleaning tank 1102 and heated by the heater 1101. Then, the probe is immersed in the heated detergent 1103 in the cleaning tank 1102 to clean the probe.

[0066] Figure 12 shows an example of the operation log 1002 during probe cleaning operation / normal operation mode. During probe cleaning operation / normal operation mode, operation logs for the probe cleaning operation and operations other than probe cleaning operation (hereinafter referred to as other operations) will also be output.

[0067] Figure 13 shows the operation log 1002 during probe cleaning operation / variable operation mode. During heater cleaning operation / variable operation mode, only the operation log for heater cleaning operation will be output.

[0068] Comparing the operation log 1002 during heater cleaning in normal operation mode and variable operation mode, it is found that in variable operation mode, more detailed data can be obtained compared to normal operation mode by including the operation of heater 1101 related to the heater cleaning operation. In addition, by not outputting other operation logs in variable operation mode, the increase in the total amount of data is suppressed, thereby reducing the load on the equipment.

[0069] 101: Operation Unit 102: Computer for Device Management 103: Automatic Analyzer 104: Higher-Level System 200: Automatic Analyzer 210: Operation Unit 211: Input Display Unit 212: Operation Communication Unit 220: Control Unit 221: Control Communication Unit 222: Motion Control Unit 223: Data Acquisition Unit 230: Analysis Unit 231: Mechanism Operation Unit 232: Water Supply Pump 233: Regularly Replaced Parts 234: Regularly Replaced Parts 235: Operation Information 236: Operation Information 237: Operation Information 241: Higher-Level System Communication Unit 242: Memory Unit 243: Analysis Unit 401: Approximate Line 501: Approximate Line 601: Screen 602: Part Label 603: Toggle Button 604: Toggle Button 605: Scroll Bar 606: Execute Button 701: Score Label 702: Slider 703: Total score label 704: Execute button 801: Control panel 802: Computer for device management 803: Automatic analyzer 1001: Operating parts 1002: Operation log 1002-1: Operation log 1002-2: Operation log 1002-3: Operation log 1101: Heater 1102: Washing tank 1103: Detergent 1104: Temperature sensor

Claims

1. An automatic analyzer comprising: an analysis unit that analyzes a sample; a data acquisition unit that periodically acquires operation information of a periodically replaceable component that is operated when the analysis unit performs the analysis; and a control unit that changes the number of data acquisitions per unit time in the data acquisition unit.

2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the operation information includes a physical quantity related to the degree of deterioration of the periodically replaceable component.

3. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, further comprising an analysis unit that analyzes the operation information acquired by the data acquisition unit and determines whether to change the number of data acquisitions per unit time, and based on the determination result of the analysis unit, the control unit changes the number of data acquisitions per unit time in the data acquisition unit.

4. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit that stores a standard replacement time of the periodically replaceable component, and when the operation time of the periodically replaceable component approaches within a preset time with respect to the standard replacement time stored in the storage unit, the control unit changes the number of data acquisitions per unit time in the data acquisition unit.

5. The automatic analyzer according to claim 2, further comprising a storage unit that stores the physical quantity corresponding to the replacement time of the periodically replaceable component, and when the physical quantity of the periodically replaceable component approaches within a preset physical quantity with respect to the physical quantity corresponding to the replacement time of the periodically replaceable component, the control unit changes the number of data acquisitions per unit time in the data acquisition unit.

6. The automatic analyzer according to claim 3, wherein the analysis unit determines to change the number of data acquisitions per unit time when a preset condition is satisfied.

7. The automatic analyzer according to claim 6, further comprising a mechanism operation unit that controls the operation of a component used when the analysis unit performs the analysis, and the preset condition is a case where the automatic analyzer is determined to be inoperative based on the operation state of the mechanism operation unit.

8. The automatic analysis device according to claim 6, wherein the analysis unit has a storage unit, and the preset condition is whether it is a downtime period of the automatic analysis device stored in the storage unit. An automatic analysis device characterized by this.

9. The automatic analysis device according to claim 6, having an operation unit for inputting information to the control unit, wherein the preset condition is that it is input from the operation unit so as to change the number of data acquisitions per unit time. An automatic analysis device characterized by this.

10. An automatic analysis system comprising: an automatic analysis device and a host system capable of communicating with the automatic analysis device, wherein the host system includes: a communication unit that receives data related to the operation information of the automatic analysis device transmitted from the automatic analysis device; a storage unit that stores the data received by the communication unit; and an analysis unit that analyzes the data stored in the storage unit and instructs a change in the operation of the automatic analysis device, and the automatic analysis device is the automatic analysis device according to any one of claims 1 to 9. An automatic analysis system characterized by this.

11. The automatic analysis system according to claim 10, wherein the control unit changes the number of data acquisitions per unit time based on the result of the analysis unit analyzing the data stored in the storage unit. An automatic analysis system characterized by this.

12. The automatic analysis system according to claim 10, wherein the analysis unit determines an abnormality of the automatic analysis device based on the data related to the operation information received by the communication unit after changing the number of data acquisitions per unit time. An automatic analysis system characterized by this.

13. The automatic analysis system according to claim 10, wherein the data analyzed by the analysis unit includes an operation log of the analysis unit. An automatic analysis system characterized by this.

Images