JP2013190388A - Automatic analyzer and analysis method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic analyzer and an analysis method that are capable of setting current for driving a motor to rotate a turn table for a reagent, according to the number of reagent bottles stored in a reagent tray and an amount of the reagent in the reagent bottles.SOLUTION: An automatic analyzer comprises: a reagent tray with a reagent bottle stored; a turn table for holding the reagent tray; a motor for rotating the turn table; means for setting a current value for driving the motor, on the basis of the total weight of the reagent tray, the turn table, the reagent bottle, and a reagent stored in the reagent bottle, and distance between a centroid position of the reagent tray, the turn table, the reagent bottle, and the reagent stored in the reagent bottle and a rotation center position of the turn table; means for dispensing the reagent from the reagent bottle to a reaction vessel; means for dispensing a sample to the reaction vessel; and means for analyzing a reaction liquid obtained by a reaction between the reagent and the sample when they are dispensed to the reaction vessel.

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer. In particular, the present invention relates to an automatic analyzer capable of setting a current for driving a motor for rotating a reagent turntable in accordance with a reagent bottle stored in a reagent tray and the amount of reagent in the reagent bottle. And an analysis method.

  An automatic analyzer is known as a device for biochemically or immunologically analyzing a sample such as blood or body fluid. The automatic analyzer performs analysis of sample components and the like by injecting a sample and a reagent into a reaction container and optically detecting a reaction occurring in the reaction container.

  In the conventional automatic analyzer, for example, as described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, an identification label is attached to the reagent bottle, and the reagent contained in the reagent bottle is identified by the identification label. Yes. In the conventional automatic analyzer, the reagent cooler can store a plurality of reagent bottles, and the reagents necessary for the analysis are arranged on the reagent turntable in a state of being stored in the reagent bottles. When there is a request for analysis of an analysis item, the reagent turntable is rotated to move the reagent bottle containing the reagent necessary for the measurement of the item to a predetermined position, and the reagent at the predetermined position. Inject the reagent from the bottle into the reaction vessel.

  However, in the conventional automatic analyzer described above, the maximum load state (reagent bottles are stored in all positions of the reagent tray in the reagent cooler, and the maximum amount of reagent is stored in all the reagent bottles. The motor type and output (current value) that can sufficiently rotate the reagent tray under the maximum load state are determined. The motor is always driven with an output assuming a maximum load during the rotation operation of the reagent tray.

  However, in an actual analysis operation, reagent bottles are not always stored in all positions on the reagent tray. For example, when an analysis with a small number of analysis items is performed, the number of reagent bottles stored in the reagent cooler is reduced. Further, the amount of the reagent accommodated in the reagent bottle is gradually reduced in the course of the analysis operation, and the load is reduced. Nevertheless, the conventional automatic analyzer nevertheless consumes more power than necessary because the motor is always driven with an output assuming the maximum load in any case.

  For example, if 50 reagent bottles that can hold up to 60 ml of reagent can be stored in the reagent tray of the reagent cooler, the reagent bottles are stored in all positions on the reagent tray, and all the reagent bottles are In a state where a large amount of reagents are accommodated, the reagent weight in the reagent cooler is 3000 g (= 60 × 50 × 1.00) assuming that the specific gravity of each reagent is 1.00 g / ml for illustration purposes. It becomes. On the other hand, when performing analysis using only half of the reagents in order to store the reagents used in normal analysis items in the reagent cooler, a difference of 1500 g is generated compared to the case of the maximum load. It will be.

JP-A-5-297007 JP-A-9-196925

The automatic analyzer of the present invention is
A reagent tray containing a reagent bottle containing a reagent; and
A turntable for holding the reagent tray;
A motor for rotating the turntable;
The total weight of the reagent stored in the reagent tray, the turntable, the reagent bottle, and the reagent bottle, and the gravity center position of the reagent stored in the reagent tray, the turntable, the reagent bottle, and the reagent bottle And a means for setting a current value for driving the motor based on a distance between the rotation center position of the turntable and
Means for dispensing a reagent from the reagent bottle into a reaction container; means for dispensing a sample into the reaction container;
And means for analyzing a reaction solution obtained by reacting the reagent dispensed into the reaction container and the sample.

The automatic analyzer is
Means for storing the position of the reagent bottle and the weight of the reagent stored in the reagent bottle for each of the reagent bottles stored in the reagent tray;
The apparatus may further comprise means for calculating the total weight and the distance based on the position of the reagent bottle stored in the storing means and the weight of the reagent accommodated in the reagent bottle.

The automatic analyzer is
Each time the reagent is dispensed from the reagent bottle into the reaction container, the apparatus may further comprise means for updating the weight of the reagent stored in the storing means,
The setting means may update the setting of the current value in response to the update of the weight of the reagent.

The means for storing may further store a table for converting the total weight and the distance into a corresponding current value,
The setting means may acquire the set current value by converting the total weight and the distance into a corresponding current value using the table.

The reagent bottle may be attached with an identification label for identifying the type of the reagent bottle and the specific gravity of the reagent contained in the reagent bottle,
The automatic analyzer is
The apparatus may further comprise means for detecting an identification label attached to a reagent bottle at a predetermined position on the reagent tray.

The means for dispensing the reagent into the reaction container may comprise means for detecting the liquid level of the reagent contained in the reagent bottle,
The weight of the reagent contained in the reagent bottle is calculated from the liquid level detected by the means for detecting the liquid level and the specific gravity of the reagent acquired from the identification label detected by the detecting means. May be.

The automatic analyzer is
There may be further provided means for detecting whether or not there is a reagent bottle at a predetermined position of the reagent tray.

The analysis method of the present invention comprises:
A turntable for holding a reagent tray containing a reagent bottle containing a reagent, the reagent tray, the reagent bottle, a total weight of reagents stored in the reagent bottle, the turntable and the reagent tray And setting the current value for driving the motor based on the distance between the center of gravity of the reagent bottle and the reagent contained in the reagent bottle and the rotation center position of the turntable;
Rotating the turntable by driving the motor with the set current value;
Dispensing a reagent from the reagent bottle into a reaction container;
Dispensing a sample into the reaction vessel;
Analyzing the reaction solution obtained by the reaction of the reagent dispensed into the reaction vessel and the sample.

  According to the present invention, the reagent tray can be rotated with the optimum motor drive output corresponding to the amount of the reagent bottle stored in the reagent tray and the reagent in the reagent bottle without affecting the analysis performance in the automatic analyzer. it can.

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram illustrating an automatic analyzer 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the first reagent cold box 7a used in the automatic analyzer 1 of FIG. FIG. 3 shows a detailed configuration around the first reagent cool box 7a used in the automatic analyzer 1 of FIG. FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of the pre-analysis reagent information acquisition process of the automatic analyzer 1 of FIG. FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of the reagent dispensing process during the analysis operation of the automatic analyzer 1 of FIG. FIG. 6 shows a detailed configuration around the first reagent cool box 7a used in the automatic analyzer 1 of FIG. 1, and is an alternative configuration of the configuration of FIG. FIG. 7 shows an example showing the relationship between the arrangement of reagent bottles and the rotation distance.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, an automatic analyzer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall schematic view illustrating an automatic analyzer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic analyzer 1 includes a sampler 2, a reaction disk 5, a first reagent cool box 7a, a second reagent cool box 7b, a sample probe 9, a first reagent probe 10, and a second reagent. A probe 11, an input unit 12, and a display unit 13 are provided.

  The sampler 2 is configured to rotate intermittently at a constant period by a driving means (not shown). The sampler 2 includes a holder chain 4, and the holder chain 4 holds a plurality of sample cups 3 that store samples (for example, collected serum and urine). As the holder chain 4 moves, the sample cup 3 moves intermittently.

  Similar to the sampler 2, the reaction disk 5 is configured to rotate intermittently at a constant period by a driving means (not shown). The reaction disk 5 holds a plurality of reaction containers 6 along the circumferential direction, and the reaction disk 5 is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise by driving means (not shown) to move the reaction container 6. . The reaction container 6 is formed from an optically transparent material and is a container that holds a liquid.

  The first reagent cold box 7a and the second reagent cold box 7b are arranged apart from each other. Reagent bottles 100 each containing a predetermined reagent necessary for a desired analysis item are detachably mounted on the reagent tray 8 of the first reagent cool box 7a and the reagent tray 8 of the second reagent cool box 7b. .

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the first reagent cold box 7a used in the automatic analyzer 1 of FIG. A plurality of reagent bottles 100 and a reagent tray 8 are detachably mounted in the first reagent cool box 7a. 2 indicates a reagent aspirating position by the first reagent probe 10.

  Similar to the sampler 2 and the reaction disk 5, the reagent tray 8 is configured to rotate intermittently at a constant period by a driving means (not shown). The reagent tray 8 is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise by a driving unit (not shown) to convey the reagent bottle 100.

  Further, the automatic analyzer 1 is provided with various probes connected to a dispenser (not shown) as an inhalation probe. A sample probe 9 is provided in the vicinity of the sampler 2, a first reagent probe 10 is provided in the vicinity of the first reagent cold box 7a, and a second reagent in the vicinity of the second reagent cold box 7b. A reagent probe 11 is provided. Each probe has a liquid level detection function. Even if the liquid level of the liquid to be dispensed changes, only the required amount of the probe tip is put into the liquid to maintain the liquid dispensing accuracy. At the same time, contamination of the probe can be prevented. Although not shown, each probe is provided with a cleaning mechanism for cleaning the probe with cleaning water.

  The first reagent probe 10 sucks the reagent in the reagent bottle 100 held at a predetermined position P of the reagent tray 8 of the first reagent cool box 7a, and is rotated by a driving means (not shown), so that the reaction disk 5 The aspirated reagent is dispensed into the reaction vessel 6 held in the container. The sample probe 9 sucks the sample in the sample cup 3 held at a predetermined position from the sampler 2, is rotated by a driving means (not shown), and is sucked into the reaction container 6 held on the reaction disk 5. Dispense the prepared sample. The second reagent probe 11 sucks the reagent in the reagent bottle 100 held at a predetermined position P of the reagent tray 8 of the second reagent cool box 7b, and is rotated by a driving means (not shown), so that the reaction disk 5 The aspirated reagent is dispensed into the reaction vessel 6 held in the container.

  The input unit 12 is for causing the storage unit 26 to previously store analysis conditions (sample dispensing amount, reagent dispensing amount, photometric wavelength, concentration conversion coefficient, etc.) for each analysis item. In FIG. 1, a keyboard is shown as the input unit 12, but the input unit 12 is not limited to a keyboard as long as it can input analysis conditions and store the analysis conditions in the storage unit 26. .

  The display unit 13 is for displaying information input by the input unit 12, analysis data, and the like. In FIG. 1, a CRT display is shown as the display unit 13, but the display unit 13 is not limited to a CRT display as long as it can display information input by the input unit 12, analysis data, and the like. .

  The automatic analyzer 1 further includes a control unit 14 that controls the operation of each part of the automatic analyzer 1. For example, a microcomputer or the like is used as the control unit 14. The control unit 14 also controls the analysis operation according to the analysis conditions for each analysis item. Based on the identification signal from the identification label detection unit 19, the control unit 14 reads the analysis item and the analysis condition corresponding to the identified reagent from the storage unit 26, and controls the analysis operation of the required analysis item. It is configured.

  In the automatic analyzer 1 configured as described above, the sample is dispensed into the reaction vessel 6 held in the reaction disk 5 by using the sample probe 9 under the control of the control unit 14, and the first reagent is kept cool. The reagent is dispensed by using the probe 10 for the chamber and the probe 11 for the second reagent cold storage, and the sample and the reagent are reacted to create an analysis solution. The analyte liquid accommodated in 6 is measured at a predetermined wavelength according to the analysis item. The measured value is stored in the storage unit 26, and necessary analysis data is calculated from the measured value by using a concentration conversion coefficient corresponding to the analysis item. The calculated analysis data is stored in the storage unit 26 and later. The analysis data may be taken out, the calculated analysis data may be displayed on the display unit 13, or the calculated analysis data may be output from a printer or the like (not shown). In this way, the corresponding reagent bottle among the plurality of reagent bottles 100 stored in the reagent tray 8 is moved so as to reach the predetermined position (reagent suction position P) shown in FIG. The necessary reagents are dispensed.

  In preparing the analyte liquid, the automatic analyzer 1 may be provided with a stirring mechanism in order to stir and mix the sample and the reagent. As the stirring mechanism, a stirring rod may be used, vibration may be used, or a sound wave may be used.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration around the first reagent cool box 7a used in the automatic analyzer 1 of FIG.

  The reagent bottle 100 in the first reagent cool box 7 a is stored in a reagent tray 8 attached to the upper part of the turntable 17. The reagent bottle 100 has a first reagent cold storage as the driving force from the motor 22 at the bottom of the first reagent storage 7a is transmitted to the turntable 17 via the gear 20 and the gear 21, and the turntable 17 rotates. The storage probe 10 is rotated to a position where the reagent is aspirated.

  A reagent bottle detection sensor 18 and an identification label detection unit 19 are provided on the side surface of the first reagent cool box 7a. The reagent bottle detection sensor 18 detects whether or not the reagent bottle 100 is present at the reagent suction position P. An identification label for identifying the reagent contained in the reagent bottle 100 is affixed to the reagent bottle 100, and the identification label detection unit 19 reads the identification label of the reagent bottle at the reagent suction position P, and obtains the ID information. get. Here, the identification label is, for example, a barcode, and the identification label detection unit 19 is, for example, a barcode reader. However, the identification label and the identification label detection unit 19 are not limited to these. Moreover, the reagent bottle detection sensor 18 and the identification label detection part 19 are connected to the control part 14 which controls the automatic analyzer 1, as FIG. 3 shows.

  The reagent dispensing mechanism unit 23 is connected to the motor drive control unit 25. The reagent dispensing mechanism unit 23 moves the first reagent cooler probe 10 attached to the reagent dispensing mechanism unit 23 through the arm up and down and rotates in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 14, so that a reagent suction hole is formed. 15 and the first reagent cool box probe 10 is moved to the reagent suction position on the first reagent cool box 7a. The first reagent cold storage probe 10 is connected to a liquid level detection unit (not shown), and the liquid level detection unit is such that the tip of the first reagent cold storage probe 10 is a reagent solution in the reagent bottle 100. A signal indicating that the surface has been touched is output to the control unit 14.

  The motor 22 is connected to the control unit 14 via the current control unit 30 and the motor drive control unit 31. The motor drive control unit 31 performs control for rotating the reagent bottle 100 on the reagent tray 8 to a specified position according to an instruction from the control unit 14, and the current control unit 30 performs motor control according to an instruction from the control unit 14. 22 exciting current is controlled.

  The storage unit 26 stores a reagent information table 28 used for analysis items. The reagent information table 28 is a table that stores information on the reagent assigned to each ID. The reagent information table 28 includes, as reagent information, a reagent name corresponding to the ID information acquired by the identification label detection unit 19, The size of the reagent bottle and the specific gravity of the reagent are included. Table 1 shows an example of the reagent information table 28. In the example of the reagent information table 28 shown in Table 1, a reagent ID is associated with a reagent name, a reagent type, a bottle type, a lot number, a specific gravity, and the like corresponding to the reagent ID.

The storage unit 26 further stores a reagent weight management table 29. The reagent weight management table 29 is a table for storing information on the reagents stored in the reagent trays 8 in the reagent containers 7a and 7b. The reagent weight management table 29 is used for moving the reagent weight for each reagent bottle 100 and the like. Information to manage automatically. Table 2 shows an example of the reagent weight management table 29. In the example of the reagent weight management table 29 shown in Table 2, the reagent tray position number, the presence / absence of a reagent bottle at the reagent tray position number, the reagent ID of the reagent bottle at the reagent tray position number when there is a reagent bottle, the reagent solution The amount, reagent weight, and the like are associated with each other in a table. Note that the reagent liquid amount and the reagent weight included in the reagent weight management table 29 change during the analysis operation, and therefore the reagent weight management table 29 is dynamically updated by a method described later with reference to FIG. The Here, the reagent tray position number is a number for specifying the position where the reagent bottle is stored on the reagent tray. In the case of Table 2, N reagent bottles can be stored in the reagent tray. 2,... N identifies the position on the reagent tray.

The storage unit 26 further stores a current value setting table 27. The current value setting table 27 includes loads applied to the motor 22 (reagent tray 8, turntable 17, all reagent bottles 100 on the turntable 17, and all reagents contained in all reagent bottles 100 on the turntable 17. ) And the set current value for driving the motor with respect to the distance between the center of gravity position of the load applied to the motor 22 and the rotation center position of the turntable 17. Generally, as the total weight of the load applied to the motor 22 becomes lighter, the moment of inertia becomes smaller and the rotation becomes easier. Therefore, the set current required for the rotation can be reduced, and the gravity center position of the load applied to the motor 22 and the turntable 17 The shorter the distance from the center of rotation, the smaller the moment of inertia and the easier it is to rotate, so the set current required for rotation can be reduced. Conventionally, as described in the background art section, the current value is always the maximum load state (reagent bottles are stored in all positions of the reagent tray in the reagent cooler and all The current value is set to a value required when the maximum amount of reagent is stored in the reagent bottle. Table 3 shows an example of the current value setting table 27 when reagent bottles are stored in all positions of the reagent tray. In this case, only the total weight of the reagent and the distance from the center of gravity position of the load applied to the motor 22 to the rotation center position of the turntable 17 can vary among the total weight of the load applied to the motor 22. It is a table according to the total weight and the distance from the center of gravity. Conventionally, the current value was always 2.00 A. In the present invention, a lower set current value is used as the total weight of the reagent is lighter (upward in Table 3), and the distance from the center of gravity is shorter (Table A lower set current value is used as the value goes to the left at 3). In Table 3, the set current value is not described in the column of the distance of 5 cm or more from the center of gravity when the reagent weight is 4000 g or more, but here, when the reagent weight is 4000 g or more, almost all reagent bottles Assuming that the maximum amount of reagent is accommodated, and when the reagent weight is 4000 g or more, the center of gravity position of the reagent tray substantially coincides with the rotation center position of the turntable 17, so that part of the set current The value is not listed. Here, the table as shown in Table 3 has been described. However, the total weight of the load applied to the motor 22, the center of gravity of the load applied to the motor 22, and the rotation center position of the turntable 17 without using the table. A function that calculates a set current value for driving the motor based on the distance between the two may be used.

In addition, although the 1st reagent cool box 7a was demonstrated with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, since the 2nd reagent cool box 7b also has the structure similar to the 1st reagent cool box 7a, it is the 2nd reagent cool box. A description of the storage 7b is omitted.

  The automatic analyzer 1 has been described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, but the automatic analyzer 1 is not limited to the configuration described above. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the number of reagent trays is two, but the number of reagent trays is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the pre-analysis reagent information acquisition process of the automatic analyzer 1 of FIG. Before the normal analysis operation, a process for confirming that the necessary amount of reagent for the analysis item is stored in the reagent refrigerating chamber is performed. The flowchart shown in FIG. 4 shows the flow in this process. Is.

  Step S401: The reagent tray 8 is rotated to move the reagent tray 8 to the origin position.

  Step S402: The reagent bottle detection sensor 18 detects whether or not the reagent bottle 100 is present at the reagent suction position P. If the reagent bottle 100 is present at the reagent suction position P, the process proceeds to step S403. If the reagent bottle 100 is not present at the reagent suction position P, the process proceeds to step S407.

  Step S403: The identification label detection unit 19 reads an identification label (for example, a barcode) attached to the reagent bottle 100 at the reagent suction position P, and acquires ID information.

  Step S404: Reagent information corresponding to the ID information acquired in step S403 is acquired. For example, from the ID information acquired in step S403 and the reagent information stored in advance in the storage unit 26, the shape (size) of the reagent bottle 100 at the reagent suction position P, the type of reagent, the specific gravity of the reagent, etc. Information can be acquired.

  Step S405: Using the probe liquid level detection function, obtain the liquid level height of the reagent bottle 100 at the reagent suction position P. For example, the probe is inserted into the reagent bottle 100 at the reagent suction position P until the reagent liquid level is reached using the liquid level detection function, and the probe is stopped when the tip of the probe reaches the reagent liquid level. Then, the probe movement distance from the probe insertion start to the probe stop is calculated from the number of pulses accompanying the drive by the motor drive control unit 25 from the probe insertion start to the probe stop, and is at the reagent suction position P. The liquid level of the reagent bottle 100 can be calculated.

  Step S406: The reagent liquid amount and reagent weight of the reagent bottle 100 at the reagent suction position P are calculated from the liquid level obtained in step S405. For example, the amount of the reagent liquid in the reagent bottle 100 at the reagent suction position P is calculated from the liquid level obtained at step S405 and the shape of the reagent bottle 100 at the reagent suction position P acquired at step S404. The reagent weight in the reagent bottle 100 at the reagent suction position P can be calculated from the calculated amount of the reagent solution and the specific gravity of the reagent in the reagent bottle 100 at the reagent suction position P acquired in step S404. .

  Step S407: The reagent weight management table 29 stored in the storage unit 26 is updated based on the information acquired in steps S402 to S406. For example, the position on the reagent tray of the reagent bottle 100 at the reagent suction position P, the reagent ID of the reagent stored in the reagent bottle 100 stored at that position, the amount of reagent solution, the reagent weight, etc. It can be updated by storing it in the reagent weight management table 29 stored in H.26. If it is determined in S402 that there is no reagent bottle 100 at the reagent suction position P, it is stored as no reagent bottle (reagent tray position number 2 in Table 2 corresponds to this case).

Step S408: It is confirmed whether or not detection of all the reagent bottles has been completed. The case where the detection of all the reagent bottles is completed means a case where steps S402 to S407 are executed for all the reagent tray position numbers on the reagent tray. If all the reagent bottles have been detected, the process proceeds to step S410. If all the reagent bottles have not been detected, the process proceeds to step S409. Step S409: The reagent tray is rotated by one reagent bottle. Return to step S402.

  Step S410: Using the reagent weight management table 29, the total weight (total weight) of the load applied to the motor 22 and the distance between the gravity center position of the load applied to the motor 22 and the rotation center position of the turntable 17 are calculated. And stored in the storage unit 26. Information on the positions of all the reagent bottles stored on the reagent tray 8, the weights of the reagent bottles, and the weights of the reagents in the reagent bottles is acquired from the reagent weight management table 29, and the acquired information, the reagent tray and the turntable , The total weight of the load applied to the motor 22 and the distance between the center of gravity of the load applied to the motor 22 and the rotation center position of the turntable 17 can be calculated. Since there is no change in the weight distribution of the reagent tray and the turntable, these weight distributions may be stored in advance in the storage unit 26 and used.

  Step S411: Referring to the current value setting table 27, the total weight of the load applied to the motor 22 calculated in Step S410, the distance between the center of gravity position of the load applied to the motor 22 and the rotation center position of the turntable 17 The current value necessary for driving the motor 22 is acquired based on the current value, and the current value is set in the current control unit 30.

  When the reagent tray 8 is rotated after step S411, the motor 22 is driven with the current value set in step S411.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the reagent dispensing process during the analysis operation of the automatic analyzer 1 of FIG.

  Step S501: The reagent tray 8 is rotated to move the designated reagent bottle (reagent bottle 100 used in the analysis item) to the reagent suction position P.

  Step S502: The liquid level height of the designated reagent bottle is acquired using the liquid level detection function of the probe. For example, using the liquid level detection function, insert the probe into the specified reagent bottle until it reaches the reagent level, stop the probe when the probe tip reaches the reagent level, and insert the probe. The moving distance of the probe from the start to the stop of the probe is calculated from the number of pulses accompanying the drive by the motor drive control unit 25 from the start of probe insertion to the stop of the probe, and the liquid level of the designated reagent bottle is calculated be able to.

  Step S503: The probe is rotated to suck the amount of reagent used in the analysis item from the designated reagent bottle by the probe, and the sucked reagent is discharged to the reaction container 6. This operation is the same as the conventional reagent dispensing operation.

  Step S504: Calculate the reagent liquid amount and reagent weight in the designated reagent bottle after the suction in Step S503 from the liquid level height of the designated reagent bottle acquired in Step S502 and the reagent suction amount in Step S503. To do. The reagent liquid amount and the reagent weight can be calculated from, for example, the liquid level height, the suction amount, and information on the shape of the designated reagent bottle and the specific gravity of the reagent from the reagent information table 28.

  Step S505: The reagent weight management table 29 is updated with the reagent solution amount and reagent weight of the designated reagent bottle calculated in step S504.

  Step S506: Using the reagent weight management table 29 updated in Step S505, the total weight (total weight) of the load applied to the motor 22, the center of gravity position of the load applied to the motor 22, and the rotation center position of the turntable 17 The distance between them is calculated and stored in the storage unit 26. Information on the positions of all the reagent bottles stored on the reagent tray 8, the weights of the reagent bottles, and the weights of the reagents in the reagent bottles is acquired from the reagent weight management table 29, and the acquired information, the reagent tray and the turntable , The total weight of the load applied to the motor 22 and the distance between the center of gravity of the load applied to the motor 22 and the rotation center position of the turntable 17 can be calculated. Since there is no change in the weight distribution of the reagent tray and the turntable, these weight distributions may be stored in advance in the storage unit 26 and used.

  Step S507: Based on the information calculated in step S506, it is determined whether it is necessary to change the setting of the current value. With reference to the current value setting table 27, based on the total weight of the load applied to the motor 22 calculated in step S506 and the distance between the center of gravity of the load applied to the motor 22 and the rotation center position of the turntable 17. The current value necessary for driving the motor 22 is acquired. If the acquired current value is different from the current setting, it is determined that the current value setting needs to be changed, and the process proceeds to step S508. If the value is the same as the current setting, it is determined that there is no need to change the current value setting, and the process ends.

  Step S508: The setting of the current control unit 30 is changed and set to the current value acquired in Step S507.

  In the calculation of the total weight of the load applied to the motor 22, the method using the information from the reagent weight management table 29 and the weight distribution of the reagent tray, the turntable and the gear has been described above. Can be calculated using the configuration shown in FIG. 6 instead of the method described above. FIG. 6 shows the first reagent cold box 7a. Since the second reagent cold box 7b has the same configuration as the first reagent cold box 7a, the second reagent cold box 7b has the same configuration. Description of is omitted. The configuration shown in FIG. 6 is connected to the control unit 14 between the lower part of the shaft 16 of the first reagent cooler 7a and the housing of the automatic analyzer 1, as compared with the configuration shown in FIG. The only difference is that a weight sensor 32 is provided. When the total weight of the load applied to the motor 22 is calculated using the configuration shown in FIG. 6, the total weight of the load applied to the motor 22 is obtained by subtracting the weight of the shaft 16 from the weight measured by the weight sensor 32. Thus, the total weight of the load applied to the motor 22 can be calculated.

  According to the first embodiment, since the motor 22 can be driven with an appropriate current value according to the weight distribution, power consumption can be reduced.

(Second Embodiment)
The second embodiment is obtained by adding a function considering the rotation distance to the first embodiment.

  When analyzing the sample, the reagent bottle containing the reagent used according to the analysis item is placed on the reagent tray for analysis. Depending on the arrangement of the reagent bottle, for example, as shown in FIG. Even in the case of a mechanism in which the reagent bottle to be separated is away from the previously aspirated reagent bottle and can be rotated in both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions, it is necessary to rotate 180 degrees at the maximum. When the rotation angle is large, that is, when the rotation distance is long, if the time until reagent aspiration is limited, it is necessary to drive the motor 22 at a high speed, so it is necessary to increase the drive current of the motor 22 Occurs.

  On the other hand, in the course of analysis or from the beginning, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), when all the reagent bottles used are arranged at adjacent positions on the reagent tray, reagent aspiration is performed. The rotation distance of the reagent tray associated with the process can be short. When the rotation distance is short as described above, even if the rotation is performed at a low speed for the next reagent suction, there is a sufficient time until the next reagent suction, so that the drive current of the motor 22 can be further reduced. .

  In the first embodiment, the current value is set from the weight of all the reagents on the reagent tray. In the second embodiment, the control unit 14 determines the reagent bottles used in the analysis on the reagent tray. As described above, the current value set according to the first embodiment is corrected by further considering the rotation distance as described above.

  In addition, after receiving the analysis item to be executed via the input unit 12, the control unit 14 obtains an optimum arrangement that can minimize power consumption in consideration of the rotation distance, and displays the optimum arrangement. 13, the operator may be instructed to arrange the reagent bottle on the reagent tray so as to obtain an optimum arrangement.

  According to the second embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the power consumption can be further reduced.

(Third embodiment)
In the third embodiment, the value of the excitation current to the motor 22 for holding the reagent tray that is stopped from rotating without rotating is optimized in the first embodiment or the second embodiment. A function is added.

  In the third embodiment, the storage unit 26 further determines the excitation current value to the motor 22 for holding the reagent tray 8 without rotating it while the rotation of the reagent tray 8 is stopped. Also stored is a reagent weight-excitation current correction table for correction in relation to the total weight.

  In the third embodiment, the current value calculated from the total weight of the load applied to the motor 22 calculated in step S410 and step S506 and stored in the storage unit 26 and the reagent weight-excitation current correction table is used as the reagent tray. 8 is set as the excitation current value when rotation is stopped. In this reagent weight-excitation current correction table, the larger the total weight of the load applied to the motor 22, the smaller the exciting current value, and the smaller the total weight of the load applied to the motor 22, the larger the exciting current value. It is.

  In this reagent weight-excitation current correction table, the larger the total weight of the reagent bottles stored in the reagent tray 8 and the reagent weight in the reagent bottle, that is, the larger the total weight of the load applied to the motor 22 is. The larger the value, the harder the reagent tray 8 rotates. This is based on the fact that the reagent tray 8 can be held without rotating even if the excitation current value is lowered.

  For example, when the number of analysis items is large, the types of reagents used increase, and a large number of reagent bottles are stored in the reagent cool box. In this case, since the weight on the reagent tray 8 becomes large, the excitation current value while the rotation of the reagent tray 8 is stopped is set lower by using the reagent weight-excitation current correction table. Can be reliably prevented. In contrast, when the number of analysis items is small, the types of reagents used are small, and only a small number of reagent bottles are stored in the reagent cooler. In this case, since the weight on the reagent tray 8 is reduced, the excitation current value is set higher while the rotation of the reagent tray 8 is stopped using the reagent weight-excitation current correction table. Is a minimum current value necessary to reliably prevent the rotation.

  According to the third embodiment, even when the reagent tray 8 is held without being rotated by the excitation current of the motor 22 while the rotation of the reagent tray 8 is stopped, according to the total weight of the load applied to the motor 22. Since the minimum necessary excitation current value can be set, power consumption can be reduced.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the fourth embodiment, the excitation current value to the motor 22 for holding the reagent tray in the rotation stop state without rotating is optimized in the first embodiment or the second embodiment. A function is added.

  In the fourth embodiment, the storage unit 26 further determines the excitation current value to the motor 22 for holding the reagent tray 8 without rotating it while the rotation of the reagent tray 8 is stopped. Also stored is a reagent weight-excitation current correction table for correction based on the relationship between the total weight and the distance between the center of gravity of the load applied to the motor 22 and the rotation center position of the turntable 17.

  In the fourth embodiment, the total weight of the load applied to the motor 22 calculated in step S410 and step S506 and stored in the storage unit 26, the center of gravity position of the load applied to the motor 22, and the rotation center position of the turntable 17 are calculated. The current value calculated from the distance between them and the reagent weight-excitation current correction table is set as the excitation current value when the rotation of the reagent tray 8 is stopped. In this reagent weight-excitation current correction table, as in the reagent weight-excitation current correction table of the third embodiment, the excitation current value decreases as the total weight of the load applied to the motor 22 increases. In addition to increasing the excitation current value as the total weight of the load on the load decreases, the excitation current value decreases as the distance between the center of gravity position and the rotation center position increases. The smaller the distance from the position is, the larger the exciting current value is.

  In this reagent weight-excitation current correction table, the larger the total weight of the reagent bottles stored in the reagent tray 8 and the reagent weight in the reagent bottle, that is, the larger the total weight of the load applied to the motor 22 is. The larger the size, the more difficult the reagent tray 8 rotates. Therefore, even if the excitation current value is lowered, the reagent tray 8 can be held without rotating, and the center of gravity of the load applied to the motor 22 and the rotation of the turntable 17 can be maintained. This is based on the fact that the greater the distance from the center position, the more difficult the reagent tray 8 rotates, so that the reagent tray 8 can be held without rotating even if the excitation current value is lowered. .

  For example, when the reagent bottles are stored on the reagent tray 8 with a uniform weight distribution, the distance between the gravity center position of the load applied to the motor 22 and the rotation center position of the turntable 17 becomes small. Using the weight-excitation current correction table, the excitation current value during the rotation stop of the reagent tray 8 is set to a high value, but this current value is necessary to reliably prevent the rotation. The minimum current value. In contrast, when the reagent bottles are stored on the reagent tray 8 with an uneven weight distribution, the distance between the gravity center position of the load applied to the motor 22 and the rotation center position of the turntable 17 is large. For this reason, the reagent weight-excitation current correction table is used to set the excitation current value during the rotation stop of the reagent tray 8 to a low value, but it is possible to reliably prevent the rotation.

  According to the fourth embodiment, even when the reagent tray 8 is held without being rotated by the excitation current of the motor 22 while the rotation of the reagent tray 8 is stopped, the total weight of the load applied to the motor 22 and the motor 22 are kept. Since the minimum necessary excitation current value can be set according to the distance between the center of gravity position of the load applied to the rotation center position of the turntable 17, the power consumption can be reduced.

  As described above, the present invention has been exemplified using the preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention should not be construed as being limited to this embodiment. It is understood that the scope of the present invention should be construed only by the claims. It is understood that those skilled in the art can implement an equivalent range based on the description of the present invention and the common general technical knowledge from the description of specific preferred embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic analyzer 2 Sampler 3 Sample cup 4 Holder chain 5 Reaction disk 6 Reaction container 7a 1st reagent cool box 7b 2nd reagent cool box 8 Reagent tray 9 Sample probe 10 First reagent probe 11 Second reagent probe 12 Input unit 13 Display unit 14 Control unit 15 Reagent suction hole 16 Axis 17 Turntable 18 Reagent bottle detection sensor 19 Identification label detection unit 20, 21 Gear 22 Motor 23 Reagent dispensing mechanism unit 24 Liquid level detection unit 25 Motor drive control unit 26 Storage unit 27 Current value setting table 28 Reagent information table 29 Reagent weight management table 30 Current control unit 31 Motor drive control unit 32 Weight sensor 100 Reagent bottle

Claims (8)

A reagent tray containing a reagent bottle containing a reagent; and
A turntable for holding the reagent tray;
A motor for rotating the turntable;
The total weight of the reagent stored in the reagent tray, the turntable, the reagent bottle, and the reagent bottle, and the gravity center position of the reagent stored in the reagent tray, the turntable, the reagent bottle, and the reagent bottle And a means for setting a current value for driving the motor based on a distance between the rotation center position of the turntable and
Means for dispensing a reagent from the reagent bottle into a reaction container;
Means for dispensing a sample into the reaction vessel;
An automatic analyzer comprising: means for analyzing a reaction solution obtained by reacting the reagent and the sample dispensed in the reaction container. The automatic analyzer is
Means for storing the position of the reagent bottle and the weight of the reagent stored in the reagent bottle for each of the reagent bottles stored in the reagent tray;
The apparatus further comprises: means for calculating the total weight and the distance based on the position of the reagent bottle stored in the storing means and the weight of the reagent contained in the reagent bottle. The automatic analyzer described. The automatic analyzer is
Means for updating the weight of the reagent stored in the means for storing each time the reagent is dispensed from the reagent bottle into a reaction container;
The automatic analyzer according to claim 2, wherein the setting unit updates the setting of the current value in response to an update of the weight of the reagent. The means for storing further stores a table for converting the total weight and the distance into a corresponding current value,
The automatic analysis according to claim 2, wherein the setting unit acquires the set current value by converting the total weight and the distance into a corresponding current value using the table. apparatus. The reagent bottle is attached with an identification label for identifying the type of the reagent bottle and the specific gravity of the reagent contained in the reagent bottle,
The automatic analyzer is
The automatic analyzer according to claim 2, further comprising means for detecting an identification label affixed to a reagent bottle at a predetermined position of the reagent tray. The means for dispensing the reagent into a reaction container comprises means for detecting the liquid level of the reagent contained in the reagent bottle,
The weight of the reagent contained in the reagent bottle is calculated from the liquid level detected by the means for detecting the liquid level and the specific gravity of the reagent acquired from the identification label detected by the detecting means. The automatic analyzer according to claim 5. The automatic analyzer is
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, further comprising means for detecting whether a reagent bottle is present at a predetermined position of the reagent tray. A turntable for holding a reagent tray containing a reagent bottle containing a reagent, the reagent tray, the reagent bottle, a total weight of reagents stored in the reagent bottle, the turntable and the reagent tray And setting the current value for driving the motor based on the distance between the center of gravity of the reagent bottle and the reagent contained in the reagent bottle and the rotation center position of the turntable;
Rotating the turntable by driving the motor with the set current value;
Dispensing a reagent from the reagent bottle into a reaction container;
Dispensing a sample into the reaction vessel;
Analyzing the reaction solution obtained by reacting the reagent dispensed into the reaction container and the sample.