Abstract:
A reagent loading mechanism includes a reagent loading unit and a reagent holding unit serving as a rotating mechanism. A reagent cover opening mechanism and a reagent transferring mechanism are disposed on the circumference of the reagent holding unit. A position at which the reagents can be continuously loaded from the reagent loading unit can be selected from accommodating positions in the reagent holding unit by setting the number (X) of held reagents and an offset number (Y) of the opening mechanism and the transferring mechanism to satisfy a relationship of X=nY+1 (n is arbitrary). In addition, the opening operation and the transferring operation are performed during the same period so that unnecessary operations of the mechanisms can be suppressed by controlling the sequence such that opening of the reagent covers and transferring of the reagents can be continuously performed.

Description:
[0001]    The present application is the U.S. National Phase of International Application No. PCT/JP2010/007042, filed Dec. 3, 2010, which claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-283570, filed Dec. 15, 2009, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to an automatic analyzing device that performs quantitative and qualitative analysis of biogenic samples including blood and urine. In particular, the present invention relates to an automatic analyzing device having a replacement reagent container holding mechanism that holds a plurality of replacement reagent containers. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0003]    In general, automatic analyzing devices, which automatically perform quantitative and qualitative analysis of biogenic samples including blood and urine, are provided with a reagent container repository on the device that keeps a plurality of reagents corresponding to analysis items, in order to enable measuring a plurality of analysis items. The reagent container repository is managed by a person in charge of management of the device so that a reagent necessary for analysis for one day is kept therein, and in the event of occurrence of reagent shortage during the analysis, the analysis is once interrupted for reagent replacement. 
         [0004]    On the other hand, the number of items analyzed by the automatic analyzing device has been increasing, and in order to deal with analysis of other items, it is common to downsize one reagent container to thereby allow placement of many reagent containers. In this case, as compared to conventional devices, it is more likely that the reagent runs short during the analysis. Therefore, an automatic analyzing device having a mechanism that can automatically add a reagent in a reagent container repository is described in Patent Literature 1. 
       CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
       [0005]    Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2008-203004 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
       [0006]    While the automatic analyzing device described in Patent Literature 1 allows automated reagent addition during analysis, it is not provided with a function to automatically open the reagent cover. Therefore, it has been required to dispose the reagent container in the reagent loading mechanism with the reagent cover having been opened in advance. 
         [0007]    When the reagent cover is left open, the reagent in the reagent container vaporizes to change the concentration of the reagent, and as a result of that, measurement might be unstable. 
         [0008]    Further, since the reagent loading operation requires the reagent container repository to temporarily stop, it is necessary to shorten the time of stop as far as possible. 
         [0009]    Further, since the reagent container itself is to be moved, lowering the operation speed of the mechanism as far as possible to prevent bubbling or rolling of the liquid surface of the reagent within the container can result in prevention of changes in the concentration of the reagent, as well as stabilizing the results of measurements. 
         [0010]    In other words, it is necessary to keep the reagent cover unopened in stand-by until the reagent is needed, and at the timing when it is determined that reagent is needed, the cover is opened to rapidly dispose the reagent within the reagent repository of analyzing device, and it is necessary that the number of times of operation by the mechanism is reduced as far as possible. 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0011]    A reagent loading mechanism is divided into a reagent loading unit and a loaded reagent holding unit, and the loaded reagent holding unit is configured as a rotating mechanism. Further, on the circumference of the loaded reagent holding unit, a reagent cover opening mechanism and a reagent transportation unit are provided, so that opening of the held reagent to the movement thereof to a transportation unit can be performed in series. 
         [0012]    Further, on assumption that reagents are loaded in succession, by selecting positions in which reagents can be successively loaded among accommodation positions in the reagent holding unit when the reagents are loaded from the reagent loading unit, it is possible to perform opening the reagent and transportation continuously and at a same period. 
       Advantageous Effects of Invention 
       [0013]    According to the present invention, by preparing reagents necessary for analysis performed in one day, it is possible not only to allow continuous analysis without a halt of the device but to prevent reagent evaporation of the reagents to a maximum extent. 
         [0014]    Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the time for reagent replacement to a maximum extent while preventing bubbling or rolling of the liquid surface of the reagent. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a configuration diagram of an automatic analyzing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  shows steps of a reagent replacement operation. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  shows an operation of reagent loading steps. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  shows an operation of reagent cover opening steps. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  shows an operation of reagent transferring steps. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  shows steps of causing a reagent cover opening operation and a reagent transferring operation to function in parallel with each other. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  shows a difference in operating time in successively loading reagent to the analyzer unit. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  shows a flowchart in which the loading position for loading a reagent container is determined. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  shows a flowchart for in which the order of operations for reagent container opening and reagent container movement is determined. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a trihedral figure showing a replacement reagent container used in one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]      FIG. 1  is a configuration diagram showing one embodiment of the device of the present invention, that is, a configuration diagram showing as a whole the configuration of multi-item chemical analyzing device that analyzes a plurality of analysis items of a specimen sample by using a photometric measurement scheme. 
         [0026]    In  FIG. 1 , a reagent cover opening mechanism  11 , a reagent container loading mechanism  13 , a reagent discarding mechanism  14  and a reagent replacement position transferring mechanism  12  are radially arranged with respect to a replacement reagent container holding mechanism  10 . The operations of reagent cover opening mechanism  11 , the reagent container loading mechanism  13 , the reagent discarding mechanism  14 , the reagent replacement position transferring mechanism  12 , and the replacement reagent container holding mechanism  10  are controlled via an interface  6  by a microcomputer  1  that performs operation control of each unit of the mechanisms and computation of measurement data. 
         [0027]    The reagent cover opening mechanism  11  opens the cover of the replacement reagent container disposed on the replacement reagent container holding mechanism  10 . The reagent replacement position transferring mechanism  12  transports a reagent container disposed on the replacement reagent container holding mechanism  10  to other reagent container holding mechanisms or analysis units that are not illustrated. The reagent container loading mechanism  13  loads the replacement reagent container  20  to the replacement reagent container holding mechanism  10  from the outside. The reagent discarding mechanism  14  discards the reagent container on the replacement reagent container holding mechanism  10 . 
         [0028]    In the present embodiment, within the replacement reagent container holding mechanism  10 ,  10  (ten) number at the maximum of the replacement reagent containers  20  can be on stand-by. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , as a normal reagent replacement operation, reagent loading steps  101 , reagent cover opening steps  102 , and reagent replacement position transferring steps  103  take place in this order. 
         [0030]    In the reagent loading steps  101  shown in  FIG. 3 , at the time point when the disposed replacement reagent container  20  is recognized, the replacement reagent container holding mechanism  10  is rotationally transferred so that the reagent container loading mechanism  13  and the replacement position where the accommodation is possible within the replacement reagent container holding mechanism  10  are on a straight line. This replacement reagent container holding mechanism  10  is rotated by the replacement reagent container holding mechanism driving motor  10 - 1 . Next, the replacement reagent container  20  is moved inside the replacement reagent container holding mechanism  10 . Having moved inside the replacement reagent container holding mechanism  10 , the reagent container  20  is subjected to reading of the opening status of the reagent cover  22  on the replacement reagent container and reading of the reagent bar code  21  on the replacement reagent container by the reagent cover detection mechanism  16  and the reagent bar code reading mechanism  15 . The information appendant to the reagent is compared with information within the external storage medium  3  via the interface  6 , and when it is determined that the replacement reagent container  20  can be used, the device places the reagent container  20  in the replacement reagent holding mechanism  10  in sand-by. When it is determined that the reagent container  20  is unusable, the device rotates the replacement reagent holding mechanism  10  to be on a straight line with the reagent discarding mechanism  14  and the reagent container  20  is discarded via the reagent discarding mechanism  14 . 
         [0031]    In the reagent cover opening steps  102  shown in  FIG. 4 , the replacement reagent container holding mechanism  10  is rotated so that the standby positions of the reagent cover opening mechanism  11  and replacement reagent container  20  to be opened within the replacement reagent container holding mechanism  10  are on a straight line. Next, the reagent cover opening mechanism  11  is moved on the reagent cover  22  of the replacement reagent container  20 . The reagent cover opening chuck  11 - 1  is moved down to catch the reagent cover  22 . The reagent cover opening chuck  11 - 1  in the state of having caught the reagent cover  22  is raised to remove the reagent cover  22  from the replacement reagent container  20 . The reagent cover opening mechanism  11  is moved to the position above the reagent cover discarding box  11 - 2  and releases the reagent cover  22  from the reagent cover opening chuck  11 - 1 . 
         [0032]    As described above, it is possible to perform the opening operation. In the drawings, although two reagent covers are depicted, any number of one or more reagent covers may be used. 
         [0033]    In the reagent replacement position transferring steps  103  shown in  FIG. 5 , the replacement reagent container holding mechanism  10  is rotated so that the reagent replacement position transferring mechanism  12  and the standby position of the replacement reagent container  20  moving within the replacement reagent container holding mechanism  10  are on a straight line. Next, the replacement reagent container  20  is moved by using the reagent replacement position transferring mechanism  12 . The reagent replacement position transferring mechanism  12  is composed of a reagent replacement position transferring support part  12 - 1  and a reagent replacement position transferring mechanism driving motor  12 - 2 . The reagent replacement position transferring mechanism driving motor  12 - 2  is operated to convert, by the motor operation thereof, the operation of the reagent replacement position transferring support part  12 - 1  into linear movement, and the replacement reagent container  20  is moved to the reagent replacement position transferring mechanism  12 . In this way, the position of the replacement reagent container holding mechanism  10  is vacated to again receive another replacement reagent container  20 . 
         [0034]    Although not shown in the drawings, after the above-described operation, an operation is performed in which the replacement position transferring mechanism driving motor  12 - 2  is revolved in the reverse direction, and the reagent replacement position transferring support part  12 - 1  is moved to the initial position. 
         [0035]    By causing steps  101 , steps  102  and steps  103  to sequentially take place, the replacement reagent container  20  can be moved to the replacement position. However, since the replacement reagent container holding mechanism  10  is rotated, a replacement reagent container  20  is on the straight line with the reagent replacement position transferring mechanism  12  while another replacement reagent container  20  is subjected to the opening operation, 
         [0036]    Then, the rotations of replacement reagent container holding mechanism  10  in steps  101 , steps  102  and steps  103  are determined to be one independent step  200  and referred respectively as steps  201 , steps  202 , step  203  that are independent. This makes it possible, at the point where the operation of step  200  is completed, to perform steps  201 , steps  202  and step  203  simultaneously. 
         [0037]    Here, when one replacement reagent container  20  is focused on, it is assumed that the replacement reagent container  20  is usually loaded before an inspection in the morning is initiated. That is, as shown in  FIG. 6 , it can be considered that the action of the reagent loading steps  201  is rarely performed during the time when the device is being operated. On the other hand, it is desirable that the reagent cover  22  of the replacement reagent container  20  is kept unopened until immediately before the actual use of the device. This is in order to suppress the change of a reagent concentration caused by vaporization of the reagent filled in the replacement reagent container  20  as far as possible. Then, it can be said that it is desirable that the reagent cover opening steps  202  and the reagent replacement position transferring step  203  for one replacement reagent container  20  are continuously performed. 
         [0038]    The replacement reagent container holding mechanism  10  of the present invention for continuously performing the reagent cover opening steps  202  and the reagent replacement position transferring step  203  will be explained. 
         [0039]    The replacement reagent container holding mechanism  10  shown in  FIG. 1  has at the maximum  10  (ten) holding slots, and the reagent cover opening mechanism  11  and the reagent replacement position transferring mechanism  12  are radially arranged with respect to the replacement reagent container holding mechanism  10 , and has a position that is offset by  3  slots in the counterclockwise direction. That is, the mechanisms  11  and  12  have offsets of  3  slots in between them. The number,  10  (ten), of the reagent containers held by the replacement reagent container holding mechanism, and the offset of the mechanism arrangement,  3  (three), are in an undividable numerical relationship, which is 10=3×3+1. By being designed so, if the replacement reagent containers  20  are loaded in succession on another reagent container holding mechanism or another analysis unit that is not illustrated and arranged in succession at positions with three offsets between the replacement reagent containers in the clockwise direction, it is possible to continuously perform the above-stated movement from the reagent cover opening to the reagent replacement positions. Further, by arranging the reagent containers in this way, opening the reagent container covers and loading the reagent containers to another reagent holding mechanism or analysis unit can be preformed substantially at the same timing to thereby minimize the rotation of the replacement reagent container holding mechanism  10 . 
         [0040]    For example, when a reagent container whose cover has been opened and disposed in a slot  1  is loaded to another reagent container holding mechanism or another analysis unit by the reagent replacement position transferring mechanism, the reagent of slot  4  is moved to the position where the reagent cover opening mechanism performs the cover opening. That is, when the slots are numbered as  1 ,  2 ,  3  in the clockwise rotation, by placing the reagents in the slots in the order of  1 ,  4 ,  7 ,  10 ,  3 ,  6 ,  9 ,  2 ,  5 ,  8 , it is possible, as shown in  FIG. 7  ( a ), to cause the reagent cover opening mechanism  11  and the reagent replacement position transferring mechanism  12  to operate substantially at the same timing. This makes it possible to suppress the number of times of rotation operation of the replacement reagent container holding mechanism  10  to minimum, and reduce the total time required for loading a reagent to another reagent holding mechanism or analysis unit. Further, it thereby is possible to suppress bubbling in the liquid surface of the reagent. 
         [0041]    Further, since a reagent container transported by the reagent replacement position transferring mechanism  12  at one cycle is the reagent container whose cover is opened by the reagent cover opening mechanism  11  at the cycle preceding thereto, it is possible to continuously perform the movement from the reagent cover opening to the reagent replacement position. 
         [0042]    On the other hand,  FIG. 7  ( b ) shows the timing of the operation of the conventional mechanisms. Since the reagent cover opening mechanism  11  and the reagent replacement position transferring mechanism  12  are performed in different timings, it is necessary to rotate the replacement reagent container holding mechanism  10  each time therefor, and the total of the necessary process time will be extended. Further, since the rotation number of the replacement reagent container holding mechanism  10  increases, it is likely that bubbling in the liquid surface of the reagent is caused. 
         [0043]    In order to achieve the operation shown in  FIG. 7  ( a ), there are two possible methods. 
         [0044]    The replacement reagent holding mechanism  10  shown in the present embodiment is principally managed to receive in advance the disposing of the replacement reagent containers  20  for use in one day. Therefore, when the replacement reagent container  20  is loaded from one replacement reagent holding mechanism  10  to another reagent container holding mechanism or analysis unit, the position of a vacant slot is determined so that continuous loading of the replacement reagent containers  20  can be achieved. 
         [0045]    One method resides in optimally selecting the slot position number at disposing the replacement reagent container  20  in the replacement reagent container holding mechanism  10 . 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIG. 8  for explanation, each replacement reagent container  20  has its reagent container loaded time recorded. In the information, the slot position number where the last replacement reagent container  20  is loaded is registered as a previously loaded position. 
         [0047]    A value obtained by adding the offset number of the mechanism to the previously loaded position is determined as an ideal position. 
         [0048]    When the ideal position is greater than the total number of slots, the total number of slots is subtracted from the ideal position. 
         [0049]    Determination is made as to whether the slot shown by the ideal position is available, and if it is available, the slot number is determined as a loading position. 
         [0050]    If the slot is not available, a slot position registered before the time when the replacement reagent container  20  has been loaded at the previously loaded position is updated as another previously loaded position and the same process is repeated. 
         [0051]    In this way, when all the slots are available, all the replacement reagent containers  20  are loaded in the successive positions. Further, even when some of the slots are already filled with disposed containers, it is possible to establish a successive positional relationship with respect to the lastly disposed reagent. 
         [0052]    Of course, although it is not described in the present embodiment, the logic for selecting a loading slot position is not executed unless any loadable slot is available. 
         [0053]    As another method, there is an implementation in which the cover of a replacement reagent container  20  is actually opened, and which is achieved by scheduling at the time of moving the replacement reagent container  20  to another reagent container holding mechanism or analysis unit. 
         [0054]    Refereeing to  FIG. 9  for explanation, first, an instruction of request for opening the cover and transfer of the replacement reagent container  20  is given by the microcomputer  1  via an interface  6 . In this phase, cover opening and transfer are instructed for a plurality of replacement reagent containers  20 . 
         [0055]    Since each replacement reagent container  20  has its reagent container loaded time recorded, the slot position where the oldest replacement reagent container  20  of the target replacement reagent containers  20  has been disposed is registered as a search position and scheduled to be first opened and moved. 
         [0056]    At this time, if only 1 (one) reagent container is to be subjected to cover opening and transfer, the process terminates. 
         [0057]    Next, a numeric value obtained by adding the offset number of the mechanism to the search position is determined as the next search position. 
         [0058]    When the search position is greater than the total number of slots, the total number of slots is subtracted from the search position. 
         [0059]    When the slot shown by the search position is the cover opening and transfer object, the search position is added to a scheduled order for cover opening and movement. 
         [0060]    When the slot shown by the search position is not to be subjected to the cover opening and transfer, the one that was loaded least recently of the remaining target reagent containers is added to the scheduled order according to which cover opening and transfer is performed. 
         [0061]    As long as any target reagent container is present, the offset is added to repeat the logic to determine the scheduled order. 
         [0062]    In this way, when all the replacement reagent containers  20  are subjected to cover opening and movement, all the replacement reagent containers  20  are to be subjected to cover opening and movement in a continuous sequence. Further, even when replacement reagent containers of some of the slots are not the target, and there occurs vacancy temporarily at that time, it is possible to achieve scheduling that is continuous in other parts. 
         [0063]    That is, when the replacement reagent container holding mechanism  10  is denoted as X, and the offset number of the reagent cover opening mechanism  11  and the reagent replacement position transferring mechanism  12  is denoted as Y, when the mechanism is arranged such that a relationship X=nY+1 (n is an arbitrary natural number except for 0) establishes, an operation shown in the present embodiment is made possible, and it is possible to achieve continuous scheduling and reduction of number of times of operation of the mechanism. Further, it is possible to provide an automatic analyzing device that, by reducing the number of times of the operation, can reduce the speed of the operation and suppress bubbling in the liquid surface and rolling of the liquid surface. 
         [0064]    Further, the relationship establishes also when X=nY−1. For instance, when the offset number Y of the mechanism is determined as 3 according to the above-described embodiment, X is 8. In this case, the reagent may be disposed in the order of the sequence:  1 ,  4 ,  7 ,  2 ,  5 ,  8 ,  3 ,  6 . 
         [0065]    Furthermore, the relationship establishes when X=nY±m, where m can be any natural number except for 0 and other than the divisors of Y. 
       REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       [0000]    
       
           1  microcomputer 
           2  memory employed by microcomputer 
           3  external storage medium 
           4  keyboard 
           5  display 
           6  interface 
           10  replacement reagent container holding mechanism 
           10 - 1  replacement reagent container holding mechanism driving motor 
           11  reagent cover opening mechanism 
           11 - 1  reagent cover opening chuck 
           11 - 2  reagent cover discarding box 
           12  reagent replacement position transferring mechanism 
           12 - 1  reagent replacement position transferring support part 
           12 - 2  reagent replacement position transferring mechanism driving motor 
           13  reagent container loading mechanism 
           14  reagent discarding mechanism 
           15  reagent bar code reading mechanism 
           16  reagent cover detection mechanism 
           20  replacement reagent container 
           20 - 1 ,  20 - 2 ,  20 - 3 ,  20 - 4  replacement reagent container on stand-by 
           21  reagent bar code 
           22  reagent cover 
           101 ,  201  reagent loading steps 
           102 ,  202  reagent cover opening steps 
           103 ,  203  reagent replacement position transferring step(s) 
           200  replacement reagent container holding mechanism rotation step 
           210  reagent loading position determination steps 
           301  replacement reagent container holding mechanism rotation operation time 
           302  reagent cover opening mechanism operation time 
           303  reagent replacement position transferring mechanism operation time 
           311  operating time in the continuous reagent loading operation after optimization 
           312  operating time in the continuous reagent loading operation before optimization 
           320  difference in the operating time in the continuous reagent loading operation