Analyzer, conveyance device, and transport anomaly determination method

Analyzers are described that include a conveyance device for transporting containers which contain analyte, each container having identification information; an identification information reader for reading an identification information of a container transported at a first position by the conveyance device; an analyzer body for acquiring an analyte from a container transported at a second position by the conveyance device and analyzing the analyte; and an anomaly notification device for reporting an anomaly if the identification information reader consecutively reads the same identification information. Conveyance device and transport anomaly determination method are also described.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an analyzer including conveyance devices for transporting containers accommodating analyte, a conveyance device, and transport anomaly determination method.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, analyzing systems which analyze specimens via an analyzer while specimen containers are transported by a conveyance device have become widespread in the effort for more efficient examinations. Specimen inspection systems which read a barcode as identification information from a transported specimen container and subsequently transport the container and suction the specimen are well known as examples of such analyzing systems (for example, refer to Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 7-239333).

In the specimen inspection system disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 7-239333, each analysis item to be analyzed is determined after a barcode is read and before a sample is suctioned, such that it is possible for the analyzer to quickly suction a sample when the sample container has arrived at the suction position. In this way the examination speed can be increased since the analyzer does not enter a standby state when the suctioning process is performed.

In the specimen inspection system disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 7-239333, however, there are occasions when an anomaly of the conveyance device may occur after the barcode of the transported sample container has been read but before the sample has been suctioned from the sample container whose barcode has been read, such that the sample container remains stopped at the barcode reading position and is not transported; in this case an inconvenience arises inasmuch as the sample container cannot be transported normally. Furthermore, there are occasions when, after the barcode of a sample container being transported has been read but before the sample has been suctioned from the container whose barcode has been read, a user may remove the sample container from the rack and return it one position behind a specific position in the rack, such that the sample container is not transported normally.

When a sample container is not transported normally after the barcode has been read from the sample container being transported but before the sample has been suctioned from the container whose barcode has been read, a problem arises which causes a reduction in the examination reliability inasmuch as a sample accommodated in a sample container which is different than the sample container whose barcode has been read may be erroneously suctioned as the sample of the container whose barcode has been read.

SUMMARY

First analyzer, conveyance device, and transport anomaly determination method embodying features of the present invention improve reliability of examinations.

Second analyzer embodying features of the present invention includes a conveyance device for transporting containers which contain analyte, each container having identification information; an identification information reader for reading an identification information of a container transported at a first position by the conveyance device; an analyzer body for acquiring an analyte from a container transported at a second position by the conveyance device and analyzing the analyte; and an anomaly notification device for reporting an anomaly if the identification information reader consecutively reads the same identification information.

Second conveyance device embodying features of the present invention includes an identification information reader for reading at a first position an identification information of a transport object, each transport object having an identification information; a conveyor for transporting to a second position the transport object whose identification information has been read; and an anomaly notification device for reporting an anomaly if the identification information reader consecutively reads the same identification information.

Second transport anomaly determination method embodying features of the present invention includes a first reading process for reading at a first position an identification information of a transport object, each transport object having an identification information; a transport process for transporting a transport object whose identification information has been read to a second position; a second reading process for reading an identification information from a transport object present at the first position after the transport process has been executed; and ananomaly determining process for determining that an anomaly has occurred during the transport of a transport object if the identification information read in the second reading process is identical to the identification information read in the first reading process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

The embodiments of the present invention are described hereinafter based on the drawings.

FIG. 1is a block diagram showing the relationship between the user side host computer and the analyzing system of an embodiment of the present invention;FIG. 2is a perspective view showing the overall structure of the analyzing system of the embodiment shown inFIG. 1.FIG. 3is a brief illustration showing a sample barcode of a sample container used in the analyzing system of the embodiment shown inFIG. 1.

First, the overall structure of the analyzing system100of the present embodiment is described with reference toFIGS. 1 through 3. The analyzing system100of the present embodiment is provided with a first analyzer including a body110and first conveyance device120, and a second analyzer including a body130and a second conveyance device140.

The body110is connected to a user side host computer200and the first conveyance device120, and the body130is connected to the user side host computer200and the second conveyance device140. Furthermore, the first conveyance device120is connected to the user side host computer200, body110, and second conveyance device140. In addition, the second conveyance device140is connected to the body130and the first conveyance device120.

The body110and the body130of the present embodiment are, for example, urine analyzers. In this case, as shown inFIG. 2, the body110is connected to the latter part of the body130, and is installed to perform analysis and examination more detailed than the urinalysis result of the body130. The first conveyance device120automatically supplies samples to the body110, and the second conveyance device140automatically supplies samples to the body139. Furthermore, the body110includes a controller110a, a suction unit (assay unit)111and display unit112, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. The suction unit111is provided to suction a sample accommodated in a sample container151which has been delivered to the suctioning position161b(refer toFIG. 1). The body130includes an assay unit131and display unit132, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2.

In the present embodiment, the suction unit111of the body110is positioned a predetermined distance on the upstream side of the conveyance device120, and is provided with a barcode reader113, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. The barcode reader113is positioned to read a sample barcode on a sample barcode label152adhered to a sample container151shown inFIG. 3. A sample number is provided as information included in the sample barcode. The sample numbers are allocated such that each sample has a different number to identify each sample. Furthermore, a sensor (optical sensor)123for detecting the presence of a sample container151at the barcode reading position161ais provided at the position of the first conveyance device120opposite the barcode reader113.

In the present embodiment, a setting unit121is provided on the first conveyance device120for setting the operation of the first conveyance device120and displaying the setting content and transport anomaly of the first conveyance device120. The setting unit121includes a key input unit121ahaving a plurality of setting keys, and an LCD display unit121bfor displaying the setting content and transport anomaly and the like. Furthermore, the first conveyance device120is provided with a controller121cfor storing the setting content and transport anomaly of the first conveyance device120. The controller121cincludes a memory121dhaving a ROM and RAM, and a CPU121e.

The first conveyance device120is provided with a built-in speaker124for providing audible notification, such as a beeping sound, when a transport anomaly occurs in the first conveyance device120.

The first conveyance device120is provided with a conveyor122for transporting a sample rack150holding a plurality of sample containers151(ten in the present embodiment) which accommodate samples, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. The conveyor122includes a transport part122a, transverse feed part122b, and collection part122c. As shown inFIG. 2, the second conveyance device140includes a setting unit141for setting the operation of the second conveyance device140, conveyor142for transporting a sample rack150holding a plurality of sample containers151which accommodate samples, and an interrupt sample processing unit143used when interrupting the normal sample assay for a special assay. The setting unit141includes a key input unit141ahaving a plurality of setting keys, and an LCD display unit141bfor displaying the setting content and the like. The conveyor142includes a transport part142a, transverse feed unit142b, and discharge unit142c.

FIG. 4briefly illustrates the assay operation of the analyzing system of the present embodiment shown inFIG. 2.FIG. 5is a flow chart showing the control flow of the first conveyance device in the analyzing system of the present embodiment, andFIG. 6is a flow chart showing details of the transverse feed control in the control flow of the first conveyance device shown inFIG. 5.FIG. 7briefly illustrates the relationship between the position of the sample container within the sample rack and the barcode reading position and suction position at each step in the transverse feed control routine shown in.FIG. 6. The assay operation of the analyzing system of the present embodiment is described below with reference toFIGS. 1 through 7. The controller121cruns programs for performing the process shown in the flow charts ofFIGS. 5 and 6.

In the analyzing system100of the present embodiment, the sample rack150holding a plurality of sample containers151accommodating samples (urine) is automatically transported in the arrow direction as shown inFIG. 4. Specifically, first, the sample rack150, which holds a plurality of sample containers151accommodating samples, is placed in the transport unit142aof the second conveyance device140. Then, the start key is pressed on the setting unit141. In this way the sample rack150placed in the transport unit142aof the second conveyance device140is transported to the transverse feed unit142b. Then, the sample rack150is transported to the assay unit131of the body130via the transverse feeding of the sample rack150one sample container151at a time by the transverse feed unit142b. Next, in the assay unit131of the body130, all the samples accommodated in the sample containers151held in the sample rack150are sequentially assayed. As shown inFIG. 1, the assay data are transmitted from the body130to the host computer200. Furthermore, after the sample rack150is transported from the transverse feeding unit142bto the discharge unit142c, the sample rack150is transported to the transport unit122aof the first conveyance device120.

The first conveyance device120detects the sample rack150transported to the transport unit122a, and starts the transport operation in the arrow direction shown inFIG. 4. The operation of the first conveyance device120is briefly described below with reference toFIGS. 1,4and5. First, the sample rack150, which has been transported from the discharge unit142cof the second conveyance device140, is received by the transport unit122aof the first conveyance unit120via the rack reception control in step1(S1) shown inFIG. 5. Thereafter, the sample rack150, which has been transported to the transport unit122aof the first conveyance device120, is transported to the transverse feed unit122bof the first conveyance device120via the feed control of step2(S2). Next, the sample rack150is transported to the suction unit111of the body110by the transverse feeding of the sample containers151one container at a time by the transverse feed unit122b. In the suction unit111of the body110, only the samples determined to require detailed examination by the body110are assayed based on the urinalysis results of the body130. Thereafter, the assay result is transmitted from the body110to the host computer200(refer toFIG. 1). Then, the sample rack150is transported from the transverse feed unit122bto the collection unit122cby the feed control in step4(S4).

Details of the transverse feed control in the first conveyance device120are described below with reference toFIGS. 1,3,6, and7. This control is executed by the controller121c. First, the start time of the transverse feed control routine in step11(S11) shown inFIG. 6corresponds to the state directly after the end of the feeding of the sample rack150from the transport unit122ato the transverse feed unit122bof the first conveyance120. In this case, the first sample container151accommodated at the left end of the sample rack150is positioned three container spaces in front of the barcode reading position161a, as shown inFIG. 7. From this state, the sample rack150approaches the barcode reading position161aone sample container151space at a time in one cycle of the transverse feed routine in step12(S12), as shown inFIG. 7. The first sample container151positioned at the left end of the sample rack150arrives at the barcode reading position161a, as shown inFIG. 7, via the transverse feed control executed in step13(S13) and step14(S14), shown inFIG. 6.

In this state, the sensor123(refer toFIG. 1) determines whether or not a sample container151is present in step15(S15), as shown inFIG. 6. When a sample container151is determined to be present in step15, a flag corresponding to the first sample container151is raised in step16(S16). This flag is stored in a first region of the memory121d.

Thereafter, the sample barcode of the sample barcode label152(refer toFIG. 3) of the first sample container151positioned at the left end of the sample rack150is read by the barcode reader113(refer toFIG. 1) via the barcode reading control (1) of step17(S17). Subsequently, the second sample container151from the left end of the sample rack150arrives at the barcode reading position161a, as shown inFIG. 7, via the transverse feed control of step18(S18).

When it is determined that the first sample container151positioned at the left end of the sample rack150is not present in step15, the sample barcode reading is not performed and the second sample container151arrives at the barcode reading position161avia the transverse feed control of step18.

Thereafter, the sensor123(refer toFIG. 1) determines whether or not a sample container151is present at the position of the second sample container151from the left end of the sample rack150in step19(S19). When it is determined that a sample container151is present in step19, then a flag corresponding to the second sample container151is raised in step20(S20). This flag is stored in a second region of the memory121d. Then, the sample barcode of the sample barcode label152(refer toFIG. 3) of the second sample container151is read by the barcode reader113(refer toFIG. 1) via the barcode reading control (2) of step21(S21).

Next, a determination is made in step22(S22) as to whether or not the barcode of the first sample container151read in step17matches the barcode of the second sample container151read in step21, and when the barcodes match, an error process is executed in step23(S23).

The specific content of the error process includes the execution of error notifications via an error display on the LCD display unit121bof the setting unit121and an audible error notification using the speaker124shown inFIG. 1, as well as suspending the transport operation of the first conveyance device120. The error display shown on the LCD display unit121bmay be a displayed message such as, for example, “rack feed error.” Furthermore, when the transport of the conveyor122of the first conveyance device120is suspended, the conveyor122does not receive the sample rack150even when a sample rack150is transported from the conveyor142of the second conveyance device140to the conveyor122of the first conveyance device120.

When it is determined in step22that the sample barcode of the second sample container151read in step21does not match the sample barcode of the first sample container151read in step17, then a third sample container151is delivered to the barcode reading position161a, as shown inFIG. 7and the first sample container151is delivered to the suction position161bvia the transverse feed control of step24(S24). When it is determined that a second sample container151is not present in step19, the sample barcode reading is not performed, and the third sample container151is delivered to the barcode reading position161a, and the first sample container151is delivered to the suction position161bvia the transverse feed control of step24.

In step25(S25), the sensor123(refer toFIG. 1) detects whether or not a sample container151is present at the position which accommodates the third sample container151from the left end of the sample rack150. When it is determined that a third sample container is present in step25, then a flag indicating the presence of the third sample container151is raised in step26(S26). This flag is stored in a third region in the memory121d. Next, the sample barcode of the sample barcode label152(refer toFIG. 3) of the third sample container151is read by the bar code reader113(refer toFIG. 1) via the barcode reading control (3) of step27(S27).

In step28(S28), a determination is made as to whether or not the barcode of the third sample container151read in step27matches the barcode of the second sample container151read in step21, and when the barcodes match, the same error process executed in step23is executed in step29(S29). When it is determined that the sample barcode of the second sample container151and ,the sample barcode of the third sample container151do not match in step28, then a determination is made as to whether or not a flag indicating the presence of a first sample container151is raised in step30(S30). When it is determined that a third sample container is not present in step25, the barcode reading is not performed and the routine moves to step30.

When it is determined that a flag indicting the presence of a first sample container151is raised in step30, then the flag stored in the first region of the memory121dis returned to [0] in step31(S31). Then, in step32(S32), suction instructions are issued for the first sample container151of the sample rack150positioned at the suction position161b(refer toFIG. 7). Thereafter, the second sample container151of the sample rack150is delivered to the suction position161band the fourth sample container151is delivered to the barcode reading position161avia the transverse feed control of step33(S33). Subsequently, the same operations of steps25through32are repeated. After the same controls of steps25through32have been performed for the tenth sample container151of the sample rack150, then the operations from the transverse feed control routine are repeated via the routine of step34(S34) from the first sample container151of the next sample rack150.

Since the flag for issuing the suction instruction is returned to [0] for the first through tenth sample containers151of the previous sample rack150as described above, the flag can be raised again from the first sample container151of the next sample rack150. Furthermore, since a determination is made as to whether or not the sample barcodes match between the tenth sample container151of the previous sample rack150and the first sample container151of the next sample rack150, when the barcodes match the same error process as executed in step23is executed.

In the present embodiment, an assay inquiry to determine whether or not the body110is required to perform an assay is issued after the sample barcode, of the first sample container151has been read in step17but before the suction instruction has been issued for the first sample container. The assay inquiry operation is described below with reference toFIG. 8. The assay. inquiry operation is performed by the controller110aof the body110. First, in step41(S41), the body110issues an inquiry to the host computer200as to whether or not the sample accommodated in the sample container151whose barcode has been read requires examination by the body110. Then, in step42(S42), the host computer200determines whether or not this sample requires examination by the body110based on the assay data transmitted from the body130.

When it is determined that examination by the body110is required in step42, the body110receives from the host computer200information specifying that examination is required by the body110in step43(S43). In this case, the sample is suctioned by the suction unit111of the body110based on the suction instructions of step32shown inFIG. 6.

When the host computer200determines that examination of the sample by the body110is not required in step42, then the body110receives from the host computer200information specifying that examination by the body110is not required in step44(S44). In this case, the sample is not suctioned by the suction unit111of the body110even though the suction instruction of step32has been issued.

As described above the determination as to whether or not detailed examination by the body110is required is made after the barcode has been read at the barcode reading position161abut before the sample container151is delivered to the suction position161b. In this way the suction unit111suctions only the samples determined to require detailed urinalysis by the body110among the sample containers151delivered to the suction position161b. Then, sample assay data obtained by the body110are transmitted from the body110to the host computer200, as shown inFIG. 1. The assay data transmitted from the body110to the host computer200do not include graphic data, such as large quantities of scatter data. In this way a concentration of data can be suppressed in the path from the body110to the host computer200, such that when an assay inquiry is issued from the body110to the host computer200, no response or delayed response from the host computer is avoided.

In the present embodiment, when the barcode reader consecutively reads the same barcode, an error message is displayed on the LCD display unit121bof the setting unit121and an audio error notification is issued through the speaker124, such that a user can easily recognize that a sample container151is not transported normally from the barcode reading position161ato the suction position161bwhen an anomaly occurs in the first conveyance device120and the sample container151remains stopped and is not transported to the barcode reading position161a, and when a user removes a sample container151from the sample rack150and erroneously replaces the sample container151one position behind the specified position on the rack. Since a user can manage transport anomalies in this way, a sample accommodated in a different sample container151than the sample container151that was read by the barcode reader is prevented from being erroneously suctioned as the sample of the sample container151which was read by the barcode reader. As a result, examination reliability is improved even when the barcode reading position161adiffers from the suction position161b.

Furthermore, since the transport of the sample container151is suspended when the barcode reader123has consecutively read the same sample barcode, and the transport of the sample container151does not continue when the user is unaware of the notification of an anomaly via the LCD display121band the speaker124, a sample accommodated in a different sample container151than the sample container151whose barcode was read is not erroneously suctioned as the sample of the sample container151whose barcode was read. Examination reliability is thus improved in this way.

In the present embodiment, the standby state of the body110can be suppressed by inquiring of the host computer200whether or not a sample accommodated in a sample container151requires examination while the sample container151is being transported from the barcode reading position161ato the suction position161b. The examination speed is increased in the body110in this way. Furthermore, only samples requiring examination are analyzed by the body110.

In the present embodiment, the suction operation may not be performed even when the body110receives a suction instruction from the first conveyance device120depending on the inquiry from the body110to the host computer200as to whether or not a sample requires examination.

In the present embodiment, the sample barcode of a sample container151is accurately read by providing a sensor123for detecting whether or not a sample container151is present at the barcode reading position161a.

The disclosed embodiment is in all respects an example and should not be considered as limiting in any way. The scope of the present invention is solely determined by the scope of the claims and not by the description of the embodiment described above, and all modifications included within the scope and equivalent meanings of the claims are included.

For example, although the present embodiment is an example of the present invention applied to an analyzing system including a urine analyzer and a conveyance device, the present invention is not limited to this arrangement, and may be applied to analyzing systems including a conveyance device and other type of analyzer such as a blood analyzer or the like, and analyzing systems including a conveyance device and a smear specimen preparation device. The smear specimen preparation device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,268,208 may be used as such a smear specimen preparation device.

Although the assay inquiry as to whether or not a sample requires analysis by the body is sent from the body to the host computer in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this arrangement inasmuch as the assay inquiry also may be sent from the first conveyance device to the host computer. In this case, the assay inquiry is also performed after the reading of the sample barcode.

In the present embodiment the barcode reader is provided in the body, however, the present invention is not limited to this arrangement inasmuch as the barcode reader also may be provided in the first conveyance device.

Although a sample barcode is used as an example of sample identification information in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this arrangement inasmuch as identification information other than a barcode, such as an IC chip and the like, also may be used.

In the present embodiment, a speaker is built into the first conveyance device as an example of an anomaly notification device, however, the present invention is not limited to this arrangement, and a speaker built in to the body also may be used as an anomaly notification device.

Although a speaker and LCD display are used as anomaly notification devices in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this arrangement inasmuch as a light source such as a lamp or the like may also be used as an anomaly notification device. In this case, notification of an anomaly may be accomplished by lighting or flashing the lamp.

In the present embodiment, assay data which do not include graphic data such as scatter data are transmitted from the body110to the host computer200, however, the present invention is not limited to this arrangement inasmuch as assay data which include graphic data such as scatter data also may be transmitted from the body110to the host computer200.

Although the analyzer is connected to the body110and the first conveyance device120in the present embodiment, the present invention also may be applied to an analyzer which integratedly incorporates the first conveyance device120into the body110.