Abstract:
A configuration of detecting light from the front face of a light source is the best for confirming the variation of a light quantity, but when a plurality of light sources are present, as many detectors for checking a light quantity as the light sources are necessary and the apparatus configuration becomes complex. In the present invention, a detector for checking a light source light quantity is installed in a reaction container transfer mechanism used commonly for a plurality of detection sections, and the light quantities of light sources are checked with the detector.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates: to an automatic analysis apparatus to automatically analyze a biological sample component such as blood; and in particular to a method for confirming an output light quantity of a scattered light light source used for blood coagulation measurement and the like. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    In an automatic analysis apparatus that measures on the basis of scattered light quantity change caused by blood coagulation and the like, a reaction liquid is irradiated with light and measured. In a light source however, it sometimes happens that a light quantity reduces by usage conditions, aging, dirt, and so on. Consequently, various methods for confirming a light quantity are adopted in conformity with apparatuses. Further, in blood coagulation measurement of a type based on scattered light measurement, a configuration of arranging a detector at an angle of about 90° to a light source and receiving scattered light is generally adopted and an apparatus having measurement sections at multiple places for increasing processing ability is the main stream. Furthermore, reaction containers are non-reusable in many blood coagulation items and a reaction container transfer mechanism to place and discard reaction containers is installed. 
         [0003]    Meanwhile, in recent years an automatic analysis apparatus is required to be an apparatus capable of downsizing, low cost, high reliability, and high processing ability. With regard to the confirmation of the variation of a light source light quantity too, downsizing, low cost, high reliability, and others are required likewise. 
         [0004]    In Patent Literature 1, a configuration of arranging a light source under a reaction container and two detectors laterally is disclosed. Further, a technology of installing a detector to compensate a light quantity variation portion laterally to a light source is disclosed. 
         [0005]    Further, in Patent Literature 2, a technology of placing a light source beside a reaction container and installing a photodetector in a direction perpendicular to the incident direction of measurement light is disclosed. 
       CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
       [0006]    Patent Literature 1: Japanese Published Unexamined Application No. S59-28642 
         [0007]    Patent Literature 2: Japanese Published Unexamined Application No. 2001-165937 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
       [0008]    In the technology of Patent Literature 1, a detector for checking a light quantity has to be installed for each light source and, when a plurality of light sources are present, the problem is that detectors for checking light quantities of a number equal to the light sources are necessary, the apparatus configuration gets complex, and the apparatus becomes costly. Further, the technology of Patent Literature 2 is a method of projecting light from a side of a reaction container, whole agglutination reaction cannot be measured in the case of this method, and hence blood agglutination reaction measurement comes to be uneven due to the unevenness of agglutination reaction such as blood coagulation. 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0009]    The representative features of the present invention are as follows. 
         [0010]    (1) The present invention is an automatic analysis apparatus provided with: a plurality of detection sections, each of which has a reaction container installation section in which a reaction container in which a sample and a reagent react is placed; a light source being installed at the bottom of the reaction container installation section and projecting light; a first detector being installed in the reaction container installation section and detecting the light scattered from the reaction container in the light projected from the light source; a reaction container transfer mechanism being used commonly for the detection sections and holding, transferring, and placing the reaction containers; and a second detector being installed in the reaction container transfer mechanism and detecting the light projected from the light sources. 
         [0011]    (2) In an automatic analysis apparatus according to the item (1), the automatic analysis apparatus is provided with a control section to raise an alarm stating that the light quantity of the light source is insufficient or facilitating the exchange of the light source when the light quantity detected with the second detector is smaller than a predetermined threshold value. 
         [0012]    (3) In an automatic analysis apparatus according to the item (1) or (2): the automatic analysis apparatus is provided with an auxiliary tool of a material and a shape making it possible to detect the light projected from the light source and shield light from exterior; and the auxiliary tool is held by the reaction container transfer mechanism, is transferred above the light source, and detects the light projected from the light source with the second detector in the state of shielding the light from the exterior. 
         [0013]    (4) In an automatic analysis apparatus according to any one of items (1) to (3): an empty reaction container is placed in the reaction container installation section; and an alarm stating that the empty reaction container has an abnormality is raised when the light quantity detected with the second detector in the light having been transmitted through the empty reaction container is smaller than a predetermined second threshold value. 
         [0014]    (5) In an automatic analysis apparatus according to any one of the items (1) to (4), the drive of the reaction container transfer mechanism in the horizontal direction stops on the basis of the light quantity detected with the second detector. 
       Advantageous Effects of Invention 
       [0015]    The present invention makes it possible to: eliminate the need for detectors for checking light quantities of a number equal to light sources; avoid the complexity of an apparatus configuration; and provide an inexpensive automatic analysis apparatus. Further, by commonly using a detector for checking a light quantity, it is possible to reduce variation between detectors. Furthermore, by installing a light source at the bottom of a reaction container installation section, it is possible to measure whole agglutination reaction, suppress the unevenness of blood agglutination reaction measurement caused by the unevenness of agglutination reaction such as blood coagulation, and obtain a highly accurate measurement result. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a general blood coagulation automatic analysis apparatus. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a representative example of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is an example of using an auxiliary tool for detecting the variation of a light source light quantity. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0019]      FIG. 1  is an example of a general blood coagulation apparatus configuration. The function of each section is publicly known and hence detailed descriptions are omitted. A sampling mechanism  101  is configured so that: a sampling arm  102  moves vertically and rotatably; and a sample dispensing probe  103  attached to the sampling arm  102  sucks a sample in a sample container  105  placed in a sample disk  104  rotating horizontally and discharges the sample to a reaction container  106 . The sample dispensing probe  103  carries out the operations of sucking and discharging a sample in response to the operation of a sample syringe pump  107 . Likewise, a reagent dispensing mechanism  108  is configured so that: a reagent dispensing arm  109  moves vertically and rotatably; a reagent dispensing probe  110  sucks a reagent in a reagent container  112  placed in a reagent disk  111  and discharges the sample to a reaction container  106 ; and a reagent heating mechanism  113  is incorporated in the interior. A sample and a reagent discharged to a reaction container  106  react. The reagent dispensing probe  110  carries out the operations of sucking and discharging a reagent in response to the operation of a reagent syringe pump  114 . A reaction container  106  is retained by a reaction container retaining section  118  of a rotating reaction container transfer mechanism  117 , moves rotatably from a reaction container supply section  115 , and is placed in a reaction container installation section  120  of a detection section  119 . The reaction container installation section  120  has a recess so as to be able to place a reaction container  106  and the reaction container  106  can be inserted into the recess. Here, two or more reaction container installation sections  120  are installed although it is not shown in the figure and the present apparatus has a plurality of detection sections  119 . The reaction container transfer mechanism  117  is a mechanism used commonly for the detection sections and holds, transfers, and places a reaction container  106 . 
         [0020]    The flow of measurement is explained hereunder. Firstly, analysis items to be analyzed for each sample are inputted from an input device such as a keyboard  121  or the screen of a CRT  122 . The operation of the unit is controlled by a computer (control section)  123 . By the sampling mechanism  101 , a sample in a sample container  105  placed in the sample disk  104  is sucked and dispensed to a reaction container  106  placed in the reaction container installation section  120  in the detection section  119 . Successively likewise, by the reagent dispensing mechanism  108 , a reagent is sucked from a reagent container  112  placed in the reagent disk  111 , heated to an appropriate temperature by the reagent heating mechanism  113 , and dispensed to the reaction container  106 . Blood coagulation reaction starts promptly by the reagent discharge pressure. Light from the light source  124  is projected to the reaction container  106 , the light scattered by a reaction solution in the reaction container is detected with the detector  125  such as a photodiode, a photometric signal enters the computer (control section)  123  via an interface  127  through an A/D converter  126 , and coagulation reaction time is computed. The result is, through the interface  127 , outputted by printing with a printer  128  or outputted on the screen of the CRT  122  and stored in a hard disk as a memory  129 . The reaction container  106  after finishing the photometry is retained by the reaction container transfer mechanism  117  and discarded to a reaction container disposal section  116 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a view explaining a reaction container transfer mechanism and a mechanism related to checking a light source light quantity according to the present invention. A light source  124  is installed at the bottom of a reaction container installation section  120  and a detector  125  to detect the light scattered from a reaction container in the light projected from the light source  124  is installed. For example, the detector  125  is installed on a side and in a recess of the reaction container installation section  120  as shown in the figure. Here,  FIG. 2  shows the case of installing two detectors. A reaction container transfer mechanism  117  holds a reaction container  106 , inserts the reaction container  106  into a recess of the reaction container installation section  120  while descending, and places the reaction container  106 . A detector  130  for checking a light source light quantity to detect the light projected from the light source  124  is installed in the reaction container transfer mechanism  117 . The detector  130  is installed at the root of two hold arms to hold the reaction container  106  of the reaction container transfer mechanism  117  so as to be able to detect light in  FIG. 2  but the detector  130  may not necessarily be installed at the position as long as the detector  130  can detect the light projected from the light source  124 . 
         [0022]    When a light source light quantity is checked, the reaction container transfer mechanism  117 , in the same manner as the operation at the time of reaction container supply, moves over the top face of the reaction container installation section  120  of the detection section  119  while either holding or not holding the reaction container and detects the light from the light source  124  with the detector  130  for checking a light source light quantity. On this occasion, when the light quantity detected by the detector  130  is smaller than a predetermined threshold value, the computer (control section)  123  raises an alarm stating that the light source is insufficient through the interface  127 . Otherwise, the computer (control section)  123 , through the interface  127 , raises warning such as an alarm showing the abnormality of a light quantity and facilitates the exchange of the light source or raises an alarm facilitating the confirmation of the light source. In this way, an operator can recognize light source abnormality, light quantity abnormality, etc. 
         [0023]    Meanwhile, the detector  130  for checking a light source light quantity can be used for positioning the reaction container transfer mechanism  117  in the horizontal direction in addition to the purpose of checking a light source light quantity. The computer (control section)  123  controls the reaction container transfer mechanism  117  so as to stop moving in the horizontal direction on the basis of the light quantity detected with the detector  130  and thereby the light quantity from the light source can be detected at a nearly identical position every time. For example, by controlling the reaction container transfer mechanism  117  so as to stop at a threshold value lower than the threshold value for light quantity check, the reaction container transfer mechanism  117  can stop at a nearly identical position regardless of a deteriorated state even when the output of the light source deteriorates. As a result, the computer (control section)  123  can recognize that the reaction container transfer mechanism  117  has reached immediately above the reaction container installation section  120  and it is possible to insert the reaction container into the recess accurately, hold the reaction container, and check the light quantity at a nearly identical position. 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is the case of using an auxiliary tool  131  when the light quantity of the light source  124  is checked. When a light quantity is checked, an auxiliary tool  131  for light quantity check comprising a material that does not transmit light is held by the reaction container transfer mechanism  117  and installed at the reaction container installation section  120  and light is received through the auxiliary tool  131 . That is, the auxiliary tool  131  is only required to: be able to detect light projected from the light source  124 ; and comprise a material and have a shape allowing light from exterior to be shielded. For example, the auxiliary tool  131  may comprise black resin having a cylindrical shape. The auxiliary tool  131  shown in the figure is only an example and the shape may not be cylindrical as long as the shape can effectively take in light source light. The auxiliary tool makes it possible to prevent noises caused by external light from being detected and check a light quantity accurately. The auxiliary tool  131  may also be configured so as to be always prepared in the reaction container supply section  115  and transferred from the reaction container supply section  115  to the reaction container installation section  120  by the reaction container transfer mechanism  117  in response to the request of light quantity check. 
         [0025]    An example of a method for confirmation when a flaw or dirt exists in a reaction container is explained hereunder (refer to  FIG. 1 ). The light quantity of the light source  124  is confirmed by the detector  130  for checking a light source light quantity or the like and that the light source has no abnormality is confirmed beforehand. When a reaction container is placed, the detector  130  for checking a light source light quantity detects the light source light having been transmitted through an empty reaction container and, if the light quantity is smaller than a predetermined threshold value, an alarm stating that the empty reaction container has an abnormality is raised or an alarm of indicating the exchange of the reaction container or the like is raised. In this way, by confirming that the light source does not have an abnormality beforehand, then placing an empty reaction container in the reaction container installation section  120 , and detecting the light having been transmitted through the reaction container with the detector  130 , it is possible to detect abnormality such as a flaw or dirt of the reaction container. 
         [0026]    The present invention has heretofore been explained. The present invention makes it possible to provide a less expensive automatic analysis apparatus that can avoid the complexity of the apparatus configuration by using a detector  130  for checking a light source light quantity used commonly for a plurality of detection sections  119 . Further, the present invention makes it possible to reduce variation between detectors. Furthermore, by installing a light source at the bottom of a reaction container installation section, it is possible to measure whole agglutination reaction, suppress the unevenness of blood agglutination reaction measurement caused by the unevenness of agglutination reaction such as blood coagulation, and obtain a highly accurate measurement result. 
       LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS 
       [0000]    
       
           101  Sampling mechanism 
           102  Sampling arm 
           103  Sample dispensing probe 
           104  Sample disk 
           105  Sample container 
           106  Reaction container 
           107  Sample syringe pump 
           108  Reagent dispensing mechanism 
           109  Reagent dispensing arm 
           110  Reagent dispensing probe 
           111  Reagent disk 
           112  Reagent container 
           113  Reagent heating mechanism 
           114  Reagent syringe pump 
           115  Reaction container supply section 
           116  Reaction container disposal section 
           117  Reaction container transfer mechanism 
           118  Reaction container retaining section 
           119  Detection section 
           120  Reaction container installation section 
           121  Keyboard 
           122  CRT 
           123  Computer (control section) 
           124  Light source 
           125  Detector 
           126  A/D converter 
           127  Interface 
           128  Printer 
           129  Memory 
           131  Auxiliary tool