Specimen analysis device

Abstract

This specimen analysis device (10) comprises a first conveyance path (16) and a second conveyance path (18) for conveying a cartridge which accommodates a reagent and into which a specimen is injected. The first and second conveyance paths (16, 18) have a plurality of accommodation parts (26, 28) for accommodating cartridges. A first reaction process is executed in the cartridge in the conveyance process of the first conveyance path (16). In the conveyance process of the second conveyance path (18), a second reaction process is executed on the specimen after the first reaction process in the cartridge. Furthermore, the specimen analysis device (10) includes a cartridge transfer mechanism (20) for transferring the cartridge, on which the first reaction process has been executed, from the first conveyance path (16) to the second conveyance path (18).

Description

Specimen analysis device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a specimen analysis device, and particularly to the configuration of a conveyance path that accommodates reagents and conveys a cartridge into which a specimen is injected.

[0002] As specimen analysis devices, immunoassay devices, biochemical analyzers, etc. are known. Specimens to be analyzed are blood, urine, tissues, etc. collected from a living body. In the following, an immunoassay device that performs chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay (CLEIA) will be described.

[0003] An immunoassay device is a device that analyzes a specimen by utilizing an immune reaction (specifically, an antigen-antibody reaction). In an immunoassay device, a plurality of reagents (or a plurality of sets) corresponding to a plurality of analysis items are prepared. Also, in an immunoassay device, a plurality of processing sequences are prepared in order to actually execute a plurality of analysis items.

[0004] For example, in the one-step method, a processing sequence composed of a reagent dispensing step, a specimen dispensing step, an immune reaction step, a BF (Bound / Free) washing step (BF separation step), a substrate solution dispensing step, an enzyme reaction step, and a measurement step is executed. Also, in the two-step method (sandwich method), a processing sequence composed of a first reagent dispensing step, a specimen dispensing step, a first immune reaction step, a first BF washing step, a second reagent dispensing step, a second BF washing step, a substrate solution dispensing step, an enzyme reaction step, and a measurement step is executed. It may also be that after going through a step of pretreating the specimen, the first reagent dispensing step, the first immune reaction step, the first BF washing step, etc. are executed.

[0005] The immune reaction proceeds in a cartridge, which is a reaction container, according to the processing sequence. The cartridge is pre-filled with reagents, and the specimen is injected therein. Then, the cartridge is conveyed along the conveyance path, and each step is sequentially executed during conveyance.

[0006] Patent Document 1 below discloses an apparatus that separates a transport path (pre-treatment line) in which a pre-treatment process for preparing the sample for a subsequent immunoassay is performed on the sample, and a transport path (measurement line) in which the immunoassay processing sequence is performed. The pre-treated sample is drawn into a nozzle, the nozzle is moved to the measurement line, and the sample is injected from the nozzle into a cartridge on the measurement line.

[0007] International Publication No. 2023 / 233915

[0008] The processing sequence for immunoassays involves numerous steps, resulting in longer cartridge transport paths and larger analytical instruments. Dividing the transport paths increases the flexibility of the transport path layout and is expected to improve the efficiency of transport path arrangement. However, when transferring samples between divided transport paths using a nozzle—that is, when a sample is aspirated from a cartridge on the source transport path using a nozzle and discharged from the nozzle to a cartridge on the destination transport path—there is a possibility of contamination of the surrounding area by dripping sample from the nozzle during transport.

[0009] This disclosure aims to provide a sample analyzer that increases the layout flexibility of the cartridge transport path and suppresses contamination of the surrounding area.

[0010] The sample analyzer of this disclosure has a plurality of storage compartments for receiving and holding cartridges into which reagents are contained and into which samples are injected, and comprises a first transport path and a second transport path for transporting the held cartridges, and a cartridge transfer mechanism for transferring the cartridges from the first transport path to the second transport path. In the first transport path, a first reaction process is performed within the cartridge during the transport process, and a second reaction process is performed on the sample after the first reaction process is performed within the cartridge during the transport process. The cartridge transfer mechanism transfers the cartridges in which the first reaction process has been performed in the first transport path from the first transport path to the second transport path.

[0011] By separating the transport paths, the layout of the sample analysis device, including the transport paths, becomes more flexible. Furthermore, by transferring samples between transport paths while they are contained in cartridges, contamination of the area around the device can be suppressed compared to the case where samples are aspirated from a cartridge on the first transport path by a nozzle and injected into a cartridge on the second transport path.

[0012] In the sample analyzer described above, the first transport path may be a rotary transport path in which the storage units are arranged along the circumferential direction and the cartridges to be held are transported along the circumferential direction, and the second transport path may be a linear transport path in which the storage units are arranged along a straight line and the cartridges to be held are transported along a straight line.

[0013] By employing a rotary transport path for the first transport path, it becomes easier to accommodate cartridges with different processing times. Furthermore, by employing a linear transport path for the second transport path, devices for operating the cartridges can be placed on both sides of the transport path.

[0014] In the sample analyzer described above, in the first transport path, pre-treatment of the sample before the first reaction treatment may be performed in a cartridge separate from the cartridge in which the first reaction treatment is performed, and a sample transfer mechanism may be provided that aspirates the pre-treated sample from the cartridge in which the pre-treatment has been performed and injects it into the cartridge in which the first reaction treatment is performed.

[0015] This method allows for shorter transport distances for pre-treated samples, thereby reducing contamination of the surrounding environment.

[0016] In the sample analyzer described above, the first transport path has N storage compartments, and the N storage compartments may sequentially receive the cartridges one by one along the circumferential direction. In this case, the sample transfer mechanism may transfer the pre-treated sample from the preceding cartridge to a subsequent cartridge that is received in a storage compartment after the Nth of two cartridges, after the preceding cartridge on which pre-treatment has been performed has been received in a storage compartment.

[0017] This allows for a longer sample preparation time while shortening the sample transport distance.

[0018] In the sample analyzer described above, the angular distance between the two housing sections that house the preceding cartridge and the succeeding cartridge, respectively, related to the transfer of the sample by the sample transfer mechanism, may be 90° or less.

[0019] In the sample analyzer described above, the position where the cartridge is loaded into the first transport path and the position where the cartridge is unloaded from the first transport path by the cartridge transport mechanism may be the same.

[0020] This makes it possible to load and unload cartridges into and out of the first transport path using a common mechanism.

[0021] In the sample analyzer described above, the cartridge in which pretreatment is performed may be a pretreatment cartridge containing only pretreatment reagents for pretreatment.

[0022] This is a plan view showing the schematic configuration of the sample analyzer according to this disclosure. This is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the cartridge used in the sample analyzer. This is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the first transport path, which is a rotary transport path. This is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the first transport path, which is a rotary transport path. This is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the first transport path, which is a rotary transport path. This is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the first transport path, which is a rotary transport path. This is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the first transport path, which is a rotary transport path. This is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the first transport path, which is a rotary transport path.

[0023] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of the sample analyzer 10 of this embodiment. The sample analyzer 10 includes a transport device 14 for transporting cartridges 12 (see Figure 2) containing reagents. Samples are injected into the cartridges 12 during the transport process, and a processing sequence including a reaction process with reagents is performed on the samples in the cartridges 12 during the subsequent transport process. The transport device 14 includes a transport path that sequentially transports a plurality of cartridges 12 to a position where a predetermined process is performed on the cartridges 12. In this sample analyzer 10, the transport path has two independent first transport paths 16 and second transport paths 18. The transport device 14 further includes a transport mechanism 20 for transporting the cartridges 12 from the first transport path 16 to the second transport path 18. Furthermore, the sample analyzer 10 includes a preheater 22 for warming the cartridges 12 before the processing sequence is performed, and a dispensing device 24 for dispensing samples into the cartridges 12. The preheater 22 heats the refrigerated cartridge 12 to a predetermined temperature or room temperature. The preheater 22 may be located adjacent to the second transport path 18. The transfer mechanism 20 may have the function of transferring the cartridge 12 from the preheater 22 to the first transport path 16.

[0024] The first transport path 16 and the second transport path 18 each have a plurality of storage compartments 26, 28 for receiving and holding cartridges 12. The storage compartments of the first transport path 16 are denoted by reference numeral 26, and the storage compartments of the second transport path are denoted by reference numeral 28. In this sample analyzer 10, the first transport path 16 is a rotary transport path, and its storage compartments 26 are arranged in an annular, particularly circular, shape. Specifically, the first transport path 16 has a rotating table 30 that is driven to rotate in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions, and 12 storage compartments 26 arranged circumferentially on the rotating table 30. The rotating table 30 may be disc-shaped, and the storage compartments 26 may be recesses or holes formed in this disc. The storage compartments 26 may also be holes that penetrate the disc. As the rotating table 30 rotates, the storage compartments 26 move circumferentially. The cartridges 12 stored in the storage compartments 26 are then transported circumferentially. The second transport path 18 is a straight transport path, and its storage sections 28 are arranged along a straight line. The storage sections 28 may be recesses or holes formed in storage blocks 29 arranged linearly on the second transport path 18. One storage section 28 may be formed in one storage block 29. The storage blocks 29 are driven along the direction in which the straight transport path 18 extends, and the storage sections 28 move along the straight line accordingly. The storage blocks 29 of the second transport path 18, with the cartridges 12 inside, move from the side closer to the first transport path 16 to the side further away. When the storage block 29 reaches the far end, i.e., the distal end, the cartridge 12 is removed from the storage section 28, and the empty storage block 29 is returned to the near end, i.e., the proximal end. A return transport path for returning the empty storage blocks 29 to the proximal end may be located below the second transport path 18. A linear transport path is advantageous in terms of space efficiency because it allows devices that perform predetermined operations on the cartridge 12 to be placed on both the left and right sides of the transport path.

[0025] The direction along the extension of the second transport path 18 is defined as the X-axis direction, the direction perpendicular to the X-axis in the horizontal plane is defined as the Y-axis direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the X-axis and Y-axis is defined as the Z-axis direction.

[0026] The transfer mechanism 20 includes a gripping hand 32 for gripping the cartridge 12, a Y-direction guide 34 for moving the gripping hand 32 along the Y-axis, and an X-direction guide 36 for moving the Y-direction guide 34 along the X-direction. The dispensing device 24 dispenses the sample from the sample container containing the sample into the cartridge 12 on the first transport path 16. The dispensing device 24 also functions as a sample transfer mechanism that aspirates the sample that has undergone predetermined processing from the cartridge 12 within the first transport path 16 and transfers it to another cartridge 12.

[0027] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the cartridge 12. The cartridge 12 includes a plurality of wells 38, 40, and 42 for containing reagents, etc., and a connecting part 44 that connects these wells at the top. This cartridge 12 has three wells, but the number of wells may be other than three. The three wells are labeled from left to right in the figure as the first well 38, the second well 40, and the third well 42. Of the three wells, the first well 38 is relatively deep, and the second and third wells are relatively shallow. Three openings are formed on the upper surface of the connecting part 44, each communicating with the space inside the three wells 38, 40, and 42. Before use, a seal is attached to the upper surface of the connecting part 44, sealing the internal space of each well 38, 40, and 42. When using the cartridge 12, a pin is inserted to puncture the seal, opening each well 38, 40, and 42.

[0028] The cartridge 12 used by this sample analyzer 10 includes a measurement cartridge in which an immunoassay against the sample proceeds and measurements of the reaction substance are performed, and a pretreatment cartridge in which pretreatment is performed to prepare the sample for the subsequent immunoassay. Furthermore, the measurement cartridge 12 may include two types: one with a short processing time for the first reaction treatment described later, and one with a long processing time.

[0029] In the case of the measurement cartridge 12, the deepest first well 38 contains a solid-phase reagent to which an antibody or antigen corresponding to the substance to be measured is immobilized. More specifically, the solid-phase reagent contains magnetic particles to which the antibody or antigen is bound. The third well 42 contains a labeling reagent containing a label (enzyme) to which an antibody or antigen for the substance to be measured is bound.

[0030] In sample processing using the measurement cartridge 12, the so-called two-step method involves first dispensing the sample into the first well 38 containing the solid-phase reagent. The cartridge 12 is then shaken to mix the sample and the solid-phase reagent, and after mixing, the reaction between the target substance in the sample and the solid-phase reagent proceeds within the cartridge 12 (first reaction process). The first reaction process forms a first complex in which the target substance and the solid-phase reagent are bound together.

[0031] Next, a washing process (B / F separation) is performed to remove unreacted components that did not react with the solid-phase reagent (first washing). Specifically, a magnet is first brought close to the first well 38, and the first composite containing magnetic particles is attracted through the wall of the first well 38 and collected on the inner wall. Then, the liquid in the first well 38 is aspirated and discharged, and washing solution is injected into the first well 38. The washing solution is aspirated and discharged. The injection and aspiration of the washing solution may be repeated multiple times. During the washing process, the first composite is held in the first well 38 by the magnet.

[0032] After the first wash is complete, the labeling reagent is aspirated from the third well 42 and injected into the first well 38. The first complex and the labeling reagent are stirred, and after stirring, the reaction between the first complex and the labeling reagent is allowed to proceed in the cartridge 12 (second reaction treatment). After the second reaction treatment, the substance to be measured becomes a second complex, bound to both the solid-phase reagent and the labeling reagent. To remove unreacted components, washing is performed again (B / F separation) (second wash). In the second wash, as in the first wash, a magnet is used to aspirate the magnetic particles of the solid-phase reagent, and the second complex is retained in the first well 38. In the second wash, injection into the washing solution and aspiration may be repeated multiple times.

[0033] Finally, a luminescent substrate is injected into the first well 38, and the luminescence resulting from the reaction of the luminescent substrate with the labeling reagent is used as a side light source to detect the object to be measured.

[0034] Furthermore, depending on the type of sample, pretreatment may be performed before the first reaction to prepare the sample for each subsequent reaction. Pretreatment involves, for example, resolving any binding or inclusion of the substance to be tested with other proteins in the sample by using a reagent containing specific components (solubilizers (urea, surfactants, etc.), organic solvents, etc.), i.e., a pretreatment reagent. It also extends the molecules of the substance to be tested if they are chain-like and contracted. Generally, pretreatment reagents do not contain solid-phase reagents or labeling reagents necessary for antigen-antibody reactions.

[0035] In the pretreatment cartridge 12 on which this pretreatment is performed, the third well contains a pretreatment reagent for a predetermined pretreatment. When performing pretreatment, first the sample is dispensed into the pretreatment cartridge 12, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the pretreated sample is aspirated from the pretreatment cartridge 12 and injected into the measurement cartridge 12.

[0036] In this sample analyzer 10, during the first reaction process, more specifically, while the cartridge 12 is being agitated to mix the sample and solid-phase reagent, the cartridge 12 is transferred from the first transport path 16 to the second transport path 18. The remaining first reaction process and the subsequent steps from the first washing onwards are performed in the second transport path 18. If pretreatment is required for the sample, the pretreatment and part of the first reaction process are performed in the first transport path 16. The pretreatment is performed during the transport process in the first transport path 16, and the transfer of the pretreated sample to the measurement cartridge 12 is performed on the first transport path 16.

[0037] The transport of the cartridge 12 in the first transport path 16 and the processing of the sample will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 9. Twelve storage compartments 26 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumference of the rotating table 30 of the first transport path 16. The angular distance between adjacent storage compartments 26 is referred to as one pitch. The position of a storage compartment 26 is referred to as an angular position 46. The angular position 46 is a fixed position relative to the sample analyzer 10 and is not related to the rotation of the rotating table 30. The angular position 46 at the uppermost position in the figure is denoted as angular position 46-0, and in the following description, angular positions located at a distance of n pitches clockwise from angular position 46-0 will be denoted as 46-n. The rotating table 30 can rotate clockwise and counterclockwise, and can also be stopped at predetermined positions. The clockwise rotation of the rotating table 30 and the accompanying movement of the cartridge 12 housed in the housing 26 are described as "forward rotation" and "forward," respectively, and their direction is described as "forward direction." The counterclockwise rotation and movement are described as "reverse rotation" and "reverse," respectively, and their direction is described as "reverse direction."

[0038] The cartridge 12, once loaded onto the rotating table 30, advances one pitch in four rotations of the rotating table 30. This series of movements that advances the cartridge 12 by one pitch is referred to as a "cycle." Therefore, the loaded cartridge 12 returns to its loading position after 12 cycles. The four movements belonging to each cycle are referred to as a "step." The four steps are referred to as the first step S1, the second step S2, the third step S3, and the fourth step S4, respectively, and, if necessary, the ordinal number n of the cycle to which the step belongs is enclosed in parentheses and appended to the end of the step's designation. That is, the first step S1 of the nth cycle is written as the first step S1(n).

[0039] Figures 3 to 9 illustrate the process from when a single cartridge 12-1 is brought in until it is removed. First, the operation of the measurement cartridge will be explained.

[0040] Figure 3 shows the state after the first cartridge 12-1 has been loaded. For the sake of explaining the subsequent cycles, the cycle in which cartridge 12-1 is loaded will be referred to as the 0th cycle, and the step as the 4th step S4. Cartridge 12-1 is loaded into the housing 26 located at angular position 46-0 by the transfer mechanism 20. Therefore, the 4th step S4 is the loading step in which cartridge 12 is loaded. Angular position 46-0 is the loading position 48 into which cartridge 12 is loaded.

[0041] Figure 4 illustrates the cycle (first cycle) in which the first cartridge 12-1, which was delivered in the previous cycle, i.e., cycle 0, is advanced by one pitch. In the first step S1, the rotating table 30 rotates 7 pitches in the backward direction, and cartridge 12-1 moves backward to angular position 46-5. After the backward rotation, the rotating table 30 stops briefly. In the second step S2, the rotating table 30 rotates 4 more pitches in the backward direction, and cartridge 12-1 moves backward to angular position 46-1 and stops again. In the third step S3, the rotating table 30 rotates 6 pitches backward, and cartridge 12-1 moves backward to angular position 46-7. Pre-magnetization processing is performed at angular position 46-7. Pre-magnetization processing is a process to ensure that the state of the magnetic particles contained in the solid-phase reagent of cartridge 12 does not differ among the cartridges 12 that are delivered sequentially, that is, to ensure that it is in a stable state without variation. Specifically, this process involves bringing a magnet close to the cartridge 12 and using magnetic force to collect the solid-phase reagent on the wall surface of the cartridge 12, particularly the first well 38. Angular position 46-7 is the pre-magnetization position 50 for pre-magnetization processing. In the fourth step, the rotating table 30 rotates forward by 6 pitches, and cartridge 12-1 moves forward to angular position 46-1. As a result, at the end of this cycle, cartridge 12-1, which was loaded in the previous cycle, moves forward by 1 pitch from the loading position 48. Also in the fourth step (loading step), the next cartridge 12-2 is loaded and housed in the storage section 26 located one position behind cartridge 12-1.

[0042] Figure 5 is a diagram showing the operation of the second cycle following the first cycle. Also in the second cycle, the rotation table 30 rotates in the same manner as in the first cycle. In the third step S3(2) of the second cycle, the cartridge 12-1 is sent to the angular position 46-8. Here, a specimen is injected into the cartridge 12-1 by the dispensing device 24. The specimen is injected into the first well 38 containing the solid-phase reagent. The angular position 46-8 is the injection position 52 where the specimen is injected. In the fourth step S4(2), the third cartridge 12-3 is carried in.

[0043] Figure 6 is a diagram showing the operation of the third cycle following the second cycle. Also in the third cycle, the rotation table 30 rotates in the same manner as in the first and second cycles. In the third step S3(3) of the third cycle, the cartridge 12-? is sent to the angular position 46-9. Here, the cartridge 12-1 is rocked so that the reagent and the specimen injected in the previous cycle are stirred. The angular position 46-9 is the stirring position 54 where the reagent and the specimen are stirred. In the fourth step S4(3), the fourth cartridge 12-4 is carried in. After the third cycle S3(3), the reaction proceeds in the cartridge 12-1.

[0044] Thereafter, the same cycle is repeated to sequentially carry in and convey the cartridges 12. For the subsequent cartridges 12-2, 12-3, 12-4,... when reaching the preliminary magnetic collection position 50, the injection position 52, and the stirring position 54 in the third step S? the processes at each position are executed. Therefore, the third step S3 is a process step where each process is executed.

[0045] It should be noted that there seems to be a typo in the "cartridge 12-?" in the translation of step 3 of figure 6 in the original Japanese text. It should probably be "cartridge 12-1".Figure 7 shows the state at the first step S1(8) of the eighth cycle. In this first step S1(8), the initially loaded cartridge 12-1 is located at angular position 46-0. If this cartridge 12-1 is a cartridge corresponding to a measurement with a short reaction time (short-time reaction cartridge), then in this first step S1(8), the cartridge 12-1 is unloaded by the transport mechanism 20 and transported to the second transport path 18. Therefore, the angular position 46-0, which is the loading position 48, is also the unloading position 56. Not only the first cartridge 12-1, but also any subsequent cartridges 12-2, 12-3, 12-4, ..., if the cartridge 12 is a short-time reaction cartridge, it will be unloaded in the first step S1 when it reaches the unloading position 56. The first step S1 is the first unloading step for unloading short-time reaction cartridges. The unloaded cartridges 12 are then transported to the second transport path 18. Cartridges designed for measurements with longer reaction times (long-reaction cartridges) are not removed in this first step S1(8), but continue to be transported along the first transport path 16.

[0046] Figure 8 shows the state at the second step S2(12) of the twelfth cycle. In this second step S2(12), the first cartridge 12-1 is located at angular position 46-0. This cartridge 12-1 is a long-reaction cartridge (if it were a short-reaction cartridge, it would have already been removed), and in this second step S2(12), cartridge 12-1 is removed by the transfer mechanism 20 and transported to the second transport path 18. Therefore, angular position 46-0 is also the removal position 56 for long-reaction cartridges. Not only for the first cartridge 12-1, but for any subsequent cartridges 12-2, 12-3, 12-4, ..., if the cartridge 12 is a long-reaction cartridge, it will be removed in the second step S2 when it reaches the removal position 56. The second step S2 is the second removal step for removing long-reaction cartridges. The removed cartridges 12 are transported to the second transport path 18.

[0047] The unloading position 56 with respect to the second transport path 18 is determined such that the orientation of the cartridge 12 at the unloading position 56 coincides with the orientation of the cartridge 12 accommodated in the accommodation section 28 of the second transport path 18. As a result, it becomes unnecessary for the transfer mechanism 20 to have a function of rotating the cartridge 12 within a horizontal plane.

[0048] Next, the case where the cartridge 12 is a pretreatment cartridge will be described. The loading of the cartridge 12, the injection of the sample, and the stirring are the same as those of the measurement cartridge described above. The cartridge 12-1 described above will be described as being a pretreatment cartridge. Also for the pretreatment cartridge 12-1, in the third step S3(2) of the second cycle, the sample is injected at the injection position 52 and stirred in the next third cycle S3.

[0049] In the third step S3(11) of the eleventh cycle shown in FIG. 9, the cartridge 12-1 is located at the angular position 46-5. At this time, the pretreated sample in the cartridge 12-1 is sucked by the dispensing device 24 and transferred and injected into the cartridge 12-10 at the injection position 52 (angular position 46-8). This cartridge 12-10 is a measurement cartridge assuming the use of a pretreated sample. The angular position 46-5 is the suction position 58 for sucking the pretreated sample from the pretreatment cartridge 12. After the pretreated sample has been sucked, the cartridge ********** reaches the unloading position 56 in the second step S2(12) of the next twelfth cycle and is unloaded from the first transport path 16. The pretreatment cartridge 12 is transferred to the second transport path 18 and finally discarded.

[0050] The distance between the suction position 58 and the injection position 52, that is, the distance for transferring the pretreated sample between the cartridges 12, is preferably short in order to suppress ambient contamination. In this specimen analyzer, the suction position 58 and the injection position 52 are arranged at an angular interval of three pitches, that is, 90°. If the number of the accommodation sections 26 is increased, this interval becomes smaller.

[0051] It should be noted that there seems to be some missing or incorrect information in the text marked as "**********" in the translation of item . Please check and correct it if necessary.Furthermore, when transporting pre-processed samples within a linear transport path rather than a rotary transport path, the distance between the preceding source cartridge and the subsequent destination cartridge increases as the timing of their arrival increases. On the other hand, in a rotary transport path like that of this sample analyzer 10, the distance between the preceding and succeeding cartridges increases as the arrival times are close together, but once the arrival times are somewhat separated, the distance between cartridges decreases thereafter. In the first transport path 16 described above, after the preceding cartridge 12-1 is brought in, the distance to cartridges 12-8, 12-9, ... that are brought in after the sixth cartridge 12-7 is successively shortened. Therefore, by transporting samples between cartridges brought in after the sixth cartridge, it is possible to shorten the sample transport distance while allowing sufficient time for pre-processing.

[0052] The first to fourth steps S1 to S4 each include a period during which the rotating table 30 rotates and a period during which the rotating table 30 stops and a predetermined operation is performed. The time required for each step may be determined by the time required for the operation of each step. In many cases, the time for the third step S3 (processing step), which includes the oscillating operation of the cartridge 12 for stirring, is longer than that of the other steps. For example, the third step S3 may take 20 to 30 seconds, while the other steps may take only a few seconds.

[0053] The case where the number of storage sections 26 in the first transport path 16 is N will be explained. In the first step S1, the rotating table 30 is rotated backward by m pitches. m is related to the reaction time of the short-time reaction cartridge. In the second step S2, the rotating table 30 is rotated backward by (N-m-1) pitches. As a result of the second step S2, the cartridge 12 moves forward by 1 pitch from the loading position. After moving in the second step S2, the cartridge 12 moves forward by 1 pitch with each cycle. Therefore, after N cycles in the second step S2, the cartridge 12 returns to the loading angular position 46-0 (loading position 48). On the other hand, the angular position 46-(Nm) of the cartridge 12 after moving in the first step S1 is (N-m-1) pitches ahead of the angular position 46-1 of the cartridge 12 after moving in the second step S2. Therefore, in the first step S1, the cartridge 12 reaches the loading position 48 (N-m-1) cycles earlier than it would in the second step S2. If the cartridge 12 is unloaded at this time, it can be unloaded from the first transport path 16 earlier than if it were unloaded in the second step S2.

[0054] Furthermore, in the above description, the rotating table 30 was rotated backward to reach a predetermined angular position in the first step S1 and the second step S2. However, as long as the angular position reached is the same, the direction of rotation of the rotating table 30 can be either forward or backward.

[0055] The third step S3 and the fourth step S4 are steps to move the cartridge 12 from the angular position 46-1 in the second step S2 to the position where the first processing is performed, and then return it after processing. In this sample analyzer 10, the position where the first processing is performed is the pre-magnetization position 50. The direction of rotation of the rotating table 30 in the third and fourth steps S3 and S4 may be either forward or backward, as long as it is sent to the pre-magnetization position 50 and then returned to its original position after processing.

[0056] The pre-gathering position 50, the injection position 52, and the stirring position 54 may be arranged in this order in a continuous forward direction. Furthermore, these positions may be located at any of the angular positions 46. For example, in this sample analyzer 10, the pre-gathering position 50 may be located at angular position 46-7.

[0057] 10 Sample analyzer, 12 Cartridge, 14 Transport device, 16 First transport path, 18 Second transport path, 20 Transfer mechanism, 24 Dispensing device, 26 (Storage section of the first transport path), 28 (Storage section of the second transport path), 30 Rotating table, 46 Angular position, 48 Loading position, 50 Pre-magnetization position, 52 Injection position, 54 Agitation position, 56 Discharge position, 58 Aspiration position.

Claims

1. A sample analyzer that analyzes the components in a sample by measuring a reaction solution obtained by reacting a sample with a reagent, comprising: a first transport path having a plurality of storage sections for receiving and holding a cartridge into which a reagent is contained and into which a sample is injected, and for transporting the held cartridge, wherein a first reaction process is performed within the cartridge during the transport process; a second transport path having a plurality of storage sections for receiving and holding the cartridge, and for transporting the held cartridge, wherein a second reaction process is performed on the sample after the first reaction process within the cartridge during the transport process; and a cartridge transport mechanism for transporting the cartridge in which the first reaction process has been performed from the first transport path to the second transport path.

2. A sample analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the first transport path is a rotary transport path in which the storage units are arranged along the circumferential direction and the cartridge to be held is transported along the circumferential direction, and the second transport path is a linear transport path in which the storage units are arranged along a straight line and the cartridge to be held is transported along a straight line.

3. A sample analyzer according to claim 2, comprising a sample transfer mechanism in which, in the first transport path, pre-treatment of a sample before the first reaction treatment is performed in a cartridge separate from the cartridge in which the first reaction treatment is performed, and aspirates the pre-treated sample from the cartridge in which the pre-treatment has been performed and injects it into the cartridge in which the first reaction treatment is performed.

4. A sample analyzer according to claim 3, wherein the first transport path has N storage compartments, the N storage compartments sequentially receive the cartridges one by one along the circumferential direction, and the sample transfer mechanism transfers the pre-processed sample from the preceding cartridge to a subsequent cartridge that is received in the storage compartment after the Nth of two cartridges after the preceding cartridge on which the pre-processing is performed has been received in the storage compartment.

5. A specimen analyzer according to claim 4, wherein the angular distance between two housing sections that house the preceding cartridge and the succeeding cartridge, respectively, related to the transport of the specimen by the specimen transport mechanism, is 90° or less.

6. A sample analyzer according to claim 2, wherein the position in which the cartridge is loaded into the first transport path and the position in which the cartridge is unloaded from the first transport path by the cartridge transport mechanism are the same.

7. A sample analyzer according to claim 3, wherein the cartridge on which the pretreatment is performed is a pretreatment cartridge containing only the pretreatment reagent for the pretreatment.

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