Patent Description:
The electrolyte analysis apparatus is an apparatus that measures the concentration of a specific electrolyte included in the electrolyte solution such as blood and urine of the human, and the concentration is measured by using an ion selective electrode. As a general measurement method, a sample solution obtained by diluting serum as an electrolyte solution directly or with a diluent is supplied to an ion selective electrode to measure the liquid junction potential of the reference electrode solution, and subsequently (prior to the measurement), the liquid junction potential of the reference electrode solution is measured in the same manner as supplying the standard solution to the ion selective electrode, so that the electrolyte concentration of the sample solution from the two liquid junction potential levels is calculated.

In this manner, in the flow-type electrolyte analysis apparatus, the dilute solution, the standard solution, and the reference electrode solution are used as consumables, and the replacement operation of these reagents is performed by the user. In the flow-type electrolyte analysis apparatus, suction nozzles dedicated to each of these reagents are provided in many cases, while the reagent is mounted on the apparatus, the dedicated suction nozzles and the reagents are generally in a state of being in contact with each other. In the replacement operation by the user, an arrangement of the dedicated suction nozzles into the reagent containers respectively becomes a series of operations.

Since these reagents have different components, due to a mistake made by the user when a reagent container is replaced, if contamination between reagents occurs because different reagents are in contact with a suction nozzle, or the reagent scatters during the replacement operation, there is a problem that a correct measurement result cannot be obtained, a reagent which is a consumable cannot be used, or a flow path of the apparatus is required to be re-cleaned. Particularly, it is desirable that the reference electrode solution is an aqueous solution with a higher concentration than the dilute solution or the standard solution in view of the stability of the analysis by the ion selective electrode, or the measures to prevent contamination with other reagents are indispensable.

<CIT> (PTL <NUM>) discloses that, as a measure for preventing contamination, a sample analysis apparatus includes an information storage medium such as a radio frequency identifier (RFID) attached to a reagent container, and an information reading part that reads the information to an analysis apparatus, so that the sample analysis apparatus has a function of notifying the user of a wrong reagent, a reagent with insufficient remaining amount, and a reagent of which the expiration date is elapsed. Further, in PTL <NUM>, a cover is provided to a container setting unit that sets the reagent container, and a locking mechanism that accepts or prohibits closure of the cover and a control unit thereof are included, to perform the measure for preventing a mistake by the user.

<CIT>) (PTL <NUM>) is provided with a shutter that operates in conjunction with a nozzle, in order to prevent scattering of a sample from a nozzle tip end in a lateral direction, in a dispensing apparatus that dispenses and discharges the sample. A recess part that can insert the nozzle tip end is provided to the shutter, and except for the time other than the suction or the discharge of the sample, the nozzle tip end is inserted to a recess part of the shutter and surrounded, so that the scattering of the sample from the nozzle tip end can be prevented.

<CIT> discloses an electrolytic concentration measuring apparatus for measuring electrolytic concentration in liquid comprising a bottle switching unit.

In the sample analysis apparatus of PTL <NUM>, in order to prevent misplacement, it is required to supply the power to the sample analysis apparatus. In the configuration of PTL <NUM>, by applying an electric current to a solenoid of a reagent container setting unit, the cover of the reagent container setting unit is controlled to be locked in a closed state or an open state, to prevent the misplacement of the reagent container. Meanwhile, in a state in which an electric current is not applied to the solenoid, the cover of the reagent container setting unit is in an unlocked state. Therefore, in a state in which power is not supplied to the sample analysis apparatus, without performing locking control of the cover by the control unit, the user opens and closes the cover of the reagent container setting unit, so that the replacement operation of the reagent container can be performed.

If the reagent container can be replaced during the time when the analysis apparatus is not in operation, the measurement is not required to be interrupted, and there is an advantage that the operating rate of the analysis apparatus can be increased. Meanwhile, even if the analysis apparatus manages the reagent information with an RFID, in a state in which the power is not supplied to the apparatus, each mechanism cannot be controlled. Therefore, if a suction nozzle comes into contact with another reagent due to a mistake by a human or the like, a contamination risk as described above occurs. Therefore, in a state in which the power is not supplied to the analysis apparatus, the reagent replacement operation is not caused to be completely impossible, but it is desirable that, a portion of the replacement operation, specifically, operations until the suction nozzle is brought into contact with the reagent are able to be performed in a state in which the power is not supplied to the apparatus.

In the case of the dispensing nozzle disclosed in PTL <NUM>, it is required to strictly manage the contamination risk. In contrast, in the case of a nozzle that suctions a reagent according to the present embodiment, a contamination risk differs depending on the type of the reagent. In the case of the electrolyte analysis apparatus targeted in the present embodiment, the influence on a measurement result by the mixture of a small amount of the reagent accompanied by the scattering from the nozzle depends on reagents. Specifically, as described above, the reference electrode solution with a higher concentration has great influence on a measurement result due to the mixture to other reagents, and thus more strict management of a contamination risk is required. However, the dilute solution and the internal standard solution with comparatively lower concentrations have lower contamination risks. Therefore, it is desirable to configure the reagent container setting with a simple mechanism corresponding to the contamination risk.

However, in a case of the electrolyte measurement apparatus, it is required to insulate a flow path from the surroundings according to the measuring principle thereof. In the case of the flow-type electrolyte analysis apparatus, the suction nozzle that suctions the reagent from the reagent container is only introduced into the reagent container to be coupled to the flow path for the measurement. Therefore, if the suction nozzle is a conductor such as metal, it is concerned that electrical noise from the apparatus propagates to the flow path via the suction nozzle, and if the flow path receives such an electrical effect, the measurement accuracy deteriorates.

An object of the present invention is to provide an electrolyte analysis apparatus that suppresses an electrical effect to the measurement by insulating a flow path, even if a suction nozzle is a conductor.

According to the present invention, a flow-type electrolyte analysis apparatus includes a housing that provides a reference electric potential for measurement of the liquid junction potential; a first electrode, which is an ion-selective electrode (<NUM>); a second electrode, which is a reference electrode (<NUM>); a flow path that is electrically insulated from the housing, feeds the sample solution or the internal standard solution to the first electrode, and feeds the reference electrode solution to the second electrode; and a reagent container setting unit that is electrically connected to the housing and sets a dilute solution bottle which houses the dilute solution, an internal standard solution bottle which houses the internal standard solution, and a reference electrode solution bottle which houses the reference electrode solution, in which the reagent container setting unit includes : suction nozzles serving as conductors that are coupled to the flow path and are respectively inserted into or removed from the dilute solution bottle, the internal standard solution bottle, and the reference electrode solution bottle; and an insulator that electrically insulates the suction nozzles from the housing.

Other issues and novel characteristics become apparent from the description of the present specification and accompanying drawings.

Even if a suction nozzle as a conductor is used, an electrical effect does not occur in an analysis result.

<FIG> shows an overall schematic diagram of an electrolyte analysis apparatus. The electrolyte analysis apparatus is not limited to a single apparatus and may be mounted on an automatic analysis apparatus. Examples of the automatic analysis apparatus include an automatic biochemical analyzer and an automatic immunity analyzer. Another examples include a mass analysis apparatus used in clinical inspection, a coagulation analysis apparatus that measures coagulation time of the blood, a combined system of the automatic biochemical analyzer and the automatic immunity analyzer with these, and also those mounted on the automatic analysis system obtained by applying these.

The electrolyte analysis apparatus illustrated in <FIG> is a flow-type electrolyte analysis apparatus using an ion selective electrode (hereinafter, referred to as an ion selective electrode (ISE electrode)). <FIG> illustrates five mechanisms of a sample dispensing part, an ISE electrode part, a reagent part, a mechanism part, and a waste solution mechanism, as the main mechanisms of the electrolyte analysis apparatus, and also illustrates a control device that controls these and calculates and displays the electrolyte concentration from measurement results.

The sample dispensing part includes a sample probe <NUM>. With the sample probe <NUM>, a sample such as a patient sample held in a sample container <NUM> is dispensed and introduced into the analysis apparatus. Here, the sample is a general term for an analysis target collected from a patient' s living body and is, for example, blood or urine. An analysis target that has undergone a predetermined pretreatment on these is also called a sample.

The ISE electrode part includes a dilution tank <NUM>, a sipper nozzle <NUM>, a dilute solution nozzle <NUM>, an internal standard solution nozzle <NUM>, an ISE electrode <NUM>, a reference electrode <NUM>, a pinch valve <NUM>, a voltmeter <NUM>, and an amplifier <NUM>. The sample dispensed in the sample dispensing part is discharged to the dilution tank <NUM> and diluted and stirred with the dilute solution discharged from the dilute solution nozzle <NUM> into the dilution tank <NUM>. The sipper nozzle <NUM> is connected to the ISE electrode <NUM> by the flow path, and the diluted sample solution suctioned from the dilution tank <NUM> is fed to the ISE electrode <NUM> by the flow path. Meanwhile, the reference electrode solution housed in a reference electrode solution bottle <NUM> is fed to the reference electrode <NUM> by operating a sipper syringe <NUM> in a state in which the pinch valve <NUM> is closed. The diluted sample solution fed to the ISE electrode flow path and the reference electrode solution fed to the reference electrode flow path are in contact with each other, to cause the ISE electrode <NUM> and the reference electrode <NUM> to be electrically conductive. The ISE electrode part measures the concentration of the specific electrolyte included in the sample by the potential difference between the ISE electrode <NUM> and the reference electrode <NUM>.

Specifically, an ion-sensitive film having properties of changing the electromotive force according to the concentration of specific ions (for example, sodium ion (Na+), potassium ion (K+), or chloride ion (Cl-)) in the sample solution can be attached to the ISE electrode <NUM>, and thus the ISE electrode <NUM> outputs the electromotive force according to each ion concentration in the sample solution and obtains the electromotive force between the ISE electrode <NUM> and the reference electrode <NUM> by the voltmeter <NUM> and the amplifier <NUM>. With respect to each ion, a control device <NUM> calculates and displays the ion concentration in the sample from the obtained electromotive force. The sample solution remaining in the dilution tank <NUM> is discharged by the waste solution mechanism.

The potential difference between the ISE electrode <NUM> and the reference electrode <NUM> receives the influence of the temperature change. In order to correct the potential fluctuation by the influence of temperature change or the like, the internal standard solution is discharged into the dilution tank <NUM> by the internal standard solution nozzle <NUM> between the measurement of one sample and the measurement of the next sample, and the measurement is performed in the same manner as in the case of the above sample (however, the internal standard solution is not diluted). It is preferable to perform correction according to a fluctuation amount by using the result of the internal standard solution measurement performed during the sample measurement.

The reagent part includes a suction nozzle <NUM> that suctions the reagent from the reagent container, a degassing mechanism <NUM>, and a filter <NUM>, and supplies the reagent necessary for the measurement. In the case of the electrolyte measurement, three kinds of reagents of the internal standard solution, the dilute solution, and the reference electrode solution are used as the reagents, and an internal standard solution bottle <NUM> that houses the internal standard solution, a dilute solution bottle <NUM> that houses the dilute solution, and the reference electrode solution bottle <NUM> that houses the reference electrode solution are set in the reagent part. <FIG> illustrates the state. In the case of cleaning the apparatus, a cleaning liquid bottle that stores cleaning liquid is set in the reagent part.

The internal standard solution bottle <NUM> and the dilute solution bottle <NUM> are connected to the internal standard solution nozzle <NUM> and the dilute solution nozzle <NUM> through the flow paths via the filters <NUM>, respectively. Each nozzle is set in a shape in which the tip end is introduced into the dilution tank <NUM>. The reference electrode solution bottle <NUM> is connected to the reference electrode <NUM> through the flow path via the filter <NUM>. Each degassing mechanism <NUM> is connected to the flow path between the dilute solution bottle <NUM> and the dilution tank <NUM> and the flow path between the reference electrode solution bottle <NUM> and the reference electrode <NUM>. The degassed reagent is supplied to the inside of the dilution tank <NUM> and the inside of the reference electrode <NUM>. This is because the flow path is negatively pressured by the syringe and the reagent is suctioned up from the bottle, so that the gas dissolved in the reagent appears as bubbles in the reagent. The degassing mechanism is provided so that the reagent is not supplied to the dilution tank <NUM> or the reference electrode <NUM> with bubbles contained therein.

The mechanism part includes an internal standard solution syringe <NUM>, a dilute solution syringe <NUM>, the sipper syringe <NUM>, electromagnetic valves <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and a preheat <NUM>, and performs an operation of feeding liquid into each mechanism or between mechanisms. For example, the internal standard solution and the dilute solution are fed to the dilution tank <NUM> by the operations of the internal standard solution syringe <NUM>, the dilute solution syringe <NUM>, and the electromagnetic valves provided to the flow paths. The preheat <NUM> controls the temperatures of the internal standard solution and the dilute solution reaching the ISE electrode <NUM> within a certain range to suppress the influence of the temperature on the ISE electrode <NUM>.

The waste solution mechanism includes a first waste solution nozzle <NUM>, a second waste solution nozzle <NUM>, a vacuum bottle <NUM>, a waste solution receiver <NUM>, a vacuum pump <NUM>, and electromagnetic valves <NUM> and <NUM>, and discharges the sample solution remaining in the dilution tank <NUM> and a reaction solution remaining in the flow path of the ISE electrode part.

The electrolyte concentration measurement operation by the electrolyte measurement apparatus illustrated in <FIG> is described. The measurement operation is controlled by the control device <NUM>.

First, the sample dispensed from the sample container <NUM> by the sample probe <NUM> of the sample dispensing part is discharged to the dilution tank <NUM> of the ISE electrode part. After the sample is dispensed to the dilution tank <NUM>, the dilute solution is discharged from the dilute solution bottle <NUM> through the dilute solution nozzle <NUM> by the operation of the dilute solution syringe <NUM> and dilutes the sample. As described above, in order to prevent the bubbles from occurring due to changes in the temperature or the pressure of the dilute solution in the flow path, the degassing process is performed by the degassing mechanism <NUM> installed in the middle of the dilute solution flow path. The diluted sample solution is suctioned to the ISE electrode <NUM> by the operations of the sipper syringe <NUM> or the electromagnetic valve <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the reference electrode solution is fed from the reference electrode solution bottle <NUM> into the reference electrode <NUM> by the pinch valve <NUM> and the sipper syringe <NUM>. The reference electrode solution is, for example, an aqueous solution of potassium chloride (KCl) with a predetermined concentration, and the sample solution and the reference electrode solution are in contact with each other, to casue the ISE electrode <NUM> and the reference electrode <NUM> to be electrically conductive. The electrolyte concentration of the reference electrode solution suppresses the influence of the concentration fluctuation during the sample feeding, and thus the high concentration is desirable. However, it is likely that the electrolyte crystallizes near the saturation concentration to cause channel clogging, and thus the electrolyte concentration is desirably <NUM> mmol/L to <NUM> mmol/L. The ISE electrode potential based on the reference electrode potential is measured by using the voltmeter <NUM> and the amplifier <NUM>.

The internal standard solution of the internal standard solution bottle <NUM> set in the reagent part before and after the sample measurement is discharged to the dilution tank <NUM> by the internal standard solution syringe <NUM>, and the electrolyte concentration of the internal standard solution is measured in the same manner as the sample measurement.

The electrolyte concentration in the sample is calculated with the control device <NUM> by using the ISE electrode potential measured with respect to the sample solution. In this case, the electrolyte concentration can be more accurately measured by the correction based on the ISE electrode potential measured with respect to the internal standard solution.

In such an electrolyte measurement apparatus, the flow path through which the reagent is supplied and that is formed with the ISE electrode part, the reagent part, and the mechanism part has weak potential. In order to measure the electrolyte with high accuracy, the flow path needs to be insulated from the surrounding environment and not to receive the electrical effect. Examples of the method thereof include forming the flow path that is in contact with the reagent or the sample solution with an insulator such as a resin. However, it is required that the suction nozzle <NUM> is inserted into or removed from the reagent bottle, and thus the suction nozzle <NUM> coupled to the flow path may be desired to be formed with a conductor such as metal, as described below.

Here, in the housing of the electrolyte measurement apparatus, a power supply for driving each mechanism and AC wiring for supplying an electric power from the power supply are provided, and also a housing <NUM> is a reference electric potential (GND) to be measured by the electrolyte measurement apparatus. Therefore, when the suction nozzle <NUM> is a conductor, the suction nozzle <NUM> generates a state of being electrically connected to the housing <NUM> via a reagent container setting unit <NUM> which is a mechanism on the housing side. In this case, the potential of the flow path escapes to the housing <NUM>, or a weak noise is locally applied to the housing <NUM> if a power supply or AC wiring is provided to a portion near the reagent container setting unit <NUM>, and thus it is concerned that the potential of the flow path may fluctuate. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, in order to prevent the suction nozzle <NUM> which is a conductor from being electrically connected to the housing <NUM>, an insulator <NUM> is provided to the reagent container setting unit <NUM>. In the drawings, only the suction nozzle <NUM> inserted to the reference electrode solution bottle <NUM> is illustrated, but the same is applied to the suction nozzles <NUM> that are inserted into the other reagent bottles.

In addition, the control device can be configured as a computer including a central processing unit (CPU), a random access memory (RAM), a storage device, and an I/O port, and the RAM, the storage device, and the I/O port are configured to exchange data with the CPU via an internal bus. The I/O port is connected to each mechanism described above, and controls these operations. The operation is controlled by reading the program stored in the storage device into the RAM and executing the program by the CPU. In addition, an input and output device is connected to the control device <NUM>, so that the input from the user or the measurement result can be displayed.

Subsequently, the reagent container setting unit of the electrolyte analysis apparatus according to the present embodiment is described. <FIG> illustrates an appearance of the electrolyte analysis apparatus (schematic view). The reagent container setting unit <NUM> in which the internal standard solution bottle <NUM>, the dilute solution bottle <NUM>, and the reference electrode solution bottle <NUM> are set can be drawn from a housing <NUM> of the apparatus through an opening <NUM> with a rail <NUM>. The opening <NUM> is generally closed by a door (not illustrated), and the door is opened when a reagent container is replaced so that the reagent container is replaced. When a reagent container is replaced, as illustrated in <FIG> (right figure), the entire reagent container setting unit <NUM> is drawn to the outside of the housing <NUM> so that the user can easily replace the reagent container. After the reagent container replacement operation, the reagent container setting unit <NUM> is stored in the housing <NUM> again (<FIG> (left figure)).

<FIG> illustrate states of the reagent container setting unit when the reagent container is replaced. <FIG> illustrates the time when the reagent container setting unit <NUM> is stored, <FIG> illustrates the time when the reagent container setting unit <NUM> is drawn, <FIG> illustrates the time when the reagent container is replaced, and all are perspective views from the side surface of the housing <NUM>. A configuration example of the reagent container setting unit <NUM> is described below.

<FIG> illustrates a first configuration example of the reagent container setting unit <NUM>. The figure illustrates a cross-sectional view (schematic view) in a state where the suction nozzle <NUM> of the reagent container setting unit <NUM> is inserted into a reagent container <NUM>. In the reagent container setting unit <NUM>, a reagent container stand <NUM> is provided on a substrate <NUM>. The reagent container <NUM> is placed on the substrate <NUM>, and simultaneously the substrate <NUM> is coupled to the rail <NUM> (not illustrated) so that the reagent container setting unit <NUM> can be taken into and out of the housing of the apparatus. The suction nozzle <NUM> is coupled to a nozzle support part <NUM> that can be raised and lowered from and to the reagent container stand <NUM> via a handle <NUM> and the insulator <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a state in which the nozzle support part <NUM> is locked by a locking mechanism <NUM>. When the user replaces the reagent container <NUM>, the user manually pulls up the handle <NUM>, so that the suction nozzle <NUM> can be separated from the reagent container <NUM> without touching the suction nozzle <NUM>. If the nozzle support part <NUM> is lifted to the upper limit point, the nozzle support part <NUM> is held by the locking mechanism <NUM> at the position as illustrated in <FIG>. This position is referred to as a reagent container replacement position. Accordingly, this allows the user to release the handle <NUM> and perform the replacement operation of the reagent container <NUM>.

The suction nozzle <NUM> is configured with a metal pipe fixed so that the nozzle tip end position is not deviated from the position where the reagent container <NUM> is placed when a user pulls up the handle <NUM>. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the reagent from scattering to the surroundings due to the deflection of a suction nozzle tip end 6a according to the operation that is assumed when the suction nozzle <NUM> is made of a flexible resin pipe. Meanwhile, an end portion 6b on the handle side of the suction nozzle <NUM> is connected to a pipe (not illustrated), and the suction nozzle <NUM> is connected to the flow path of the apparatus. By using a flexible resin pipe for the pipe connected to a suction nozzle end portion 6b, it is possible to make it easy to put the reagent container setting unit <NUM> in and out of the housing and to raise and lower the nozzle support part <NUM>.

In this manner, the reagent container setting unit <NUM> has a movable part and is required to have a certain strength, and thus metal is used in a lot of portions thereof due to the ease of processing. For example, the handle <NUM>, the nozzle support part <NUM>, the reagent container stand <NUM>, and the substrate <NUM> are parts that have many merits of being formed of metal because of the above advantages. Therefore, when the suction nozzle <NUM> is configured with a metal pipe, as described above, the suction nozzle <NUM> fixed to the handle <NUM> is electrically connected to the housing via the nozzle support part <NUM>, the reagent container stand <NUM>, and the substrate <NUM> and is likely to cause fluctuations in the potential of the flow path. Therefore, as illustrated in <FIG>, the insulator <NUM> is arranged between the handle <NUM> and the nozzle support part <NUM>. In addition, the suction nozzle <NUM> is fixed to the handle <NUM>, and is not in contact with any portion of the reagent container setting unit <NUM> other than the handle <NUM>. As a result, the suction nozzle <NUM> and the handle <NUM> can be in a state of being insulated from the apparatus.

In a state where the nozzle support part <NUM> is locked by the locking mechanism <NUM>, it is desirable that a predetermined distance ε is provided between the suction nozzle tip end 6a and a reagent suction port <NUM> of the reagent container <NUM> (<FIG>). According to this, the user does not hit the reagent container <NUM> with the suction nozzle tip end 6a or does not need to tilt and place the reagent container on the reagent container setting unit when replacing the reagent container <NUM>. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the risk of occurrence of the spillover of the reagent from the reagent container <NUM> during the replacement or the scattering of the reagent from the suction nozzle tip end 6a.

<FIG> illustrates a state in which the nozzle support part <NUM> is unlocked by an unlocking mechanism <NUM> from the state illustrated in <FIG>. The locking mechanism <NUM> performs unlocking according to the control of the control device <NUM> by the unlocking mechanism <NUM> in a state in which the power is supplied from a power supply device <NUM> to an unlocking mechanism <NUM>. At this time, it is desirable that a damper mechanism is provided to the nozzle support part <NUM> so that the suction nozzle <NUM> and the nozzle support part <NUM> are slowly lowered, even if the user does not grip the handle <NUM>. In the present example, the nozzle support part <NUM> is stopped in a fully lowered state, and the position is referred to as a reagent suction position.

<FIG> show configuration examples of the locking mechanism <NUM> and the unlocking mechanism <NUM>. The locking mechanism <NUM> includes a base on fixed side <NUM> and a base on movable side <NUM>, and a spring <NUM> is provided between the base on fixed side <NUM> and the base on movable side <NUM>. In addition, a bearing <NUM> is connected to the surface of the base on movable side <NUM> facing the surface on which the spring <NUM> is provided. The unlocking mechanism <NUM> has a solenoid <NUM>, and the solenoid <NUM> is connected to the base on movable side <NUM>.

In this manner, regardless of whether the power is supplied or not, by using the elastic force of the spring, the nozzle support part <NUM> can be lifted to draw the suction nozzle <NUM> from the reagent container <NUM> and lock the suction nozzle <NUM> in that state. The present embodiment is not limited to the spring, and an elastic body can be used. As long as electric power is not required for the operation, the nozzle support part <NUM> may be locked by another mechanical action.

(c) The reagent container setting unit <NUM> when being unlocked is in the state of <FIG>. The solenoid <NUM> is turned on and attracts the bearing <NUM> and the base on movable side <NUM> in a direction <NUM>. As a result, the bearing <NUM> is pulled out from the lock recess part 203b, and the nozzle support part <NUM> descends in a direction <NUM>. After a predetermined time, the solenoid <NUM> is turned off, and the bearing <NUM> comes into contact with the guide part 203a of the nozzle support part <NUM>. When the nozzle support part <NUM> fully descends, the nozzle support part <NUM> returns to the normal state.

In order to operate the solenoid <NUM>, it is required that the electric power is supplied to the solenoid <NUM>, and the control device <NUM> performs control so that the solenoid <NUM> is turned on. As a result, in order to unlock the nozzle support part <NUM> and insert the suction nozzle <NUM> into the reagent container, the power supply of the apparatus must be supplied. As long as the unlocking operation is controlled by the control device <NUM>, the unlocking mechanism <NUM> may unlock the nozzle support part <NUM> by another action. For example, the lock may be released by the air pressure exceeding the elastic force of the spring.

Further, an RFID tag <NUM> in which information related to the reagent such as the type of the reagent, the remaining liquid amount, the expiration date, and the lot number is stored is attached to the reagent container <NUM> (see <FIG>). In order to exchange information with the RFID tag <NUM>, the reagent container stand <NUM> is provided with an RFID reader-writer <NUM> at a facing position in a state in which the reagent container <NUM> is placed. Further, a container detector <NUM> that detects whether the reagent container <NUM> is the reagent container is positioned at the reagent container placing position is provided. For example, the container detector <NUM> includes, for example, a light source that emits infrared light and a photodetector that detects infrared light. The light detector detects whether the reflected light from the reagent container <NUM> is present to determine whether the reagent container <NUM> is present. Further, the RFID tag and the RFID reader-writer are examples, and it is preferable that an information storage medium that stores information about the housed reagent is attached to the reagent container, and the information reader installed in the reagent container setting unit reads the information relating to the reagent housed, which is stored in the information storage medium.

Subsequently, a replacement flow of the reagent container is described. As described above, in the reagent container setting unit <NUM> of the present embodiment, regardless of the supply of the apparatus power, the original reagent container can be removed and a new reagent container can be set. However, the suction nozzle can be inserted into a new reagent container, only in a state in which the apparatus power is supplied. <FIG> shows an example of a reagent container replacement flow in an apparatus power-on state, and <FIG> shows an example of a reagent container replacement flow in an apparatus power-cutoff state.

First, the reagent container replacement flow in the apparatus power-on state (<FIG>) is described. As described above, the user grasps the handle <NUM> and lifts the nozzle support part <NUM> (S702). In the state in which the nozzle support part <NUM> is locked (S703), the reagent container <NUM> is removed (S704). Accordingly, the reagent container detection by the container detector <NUM> is turned off (S705). If the new reagent container <NUM> is again placed to the reagent container setting unit <NUM> by the user (S706), the container detector <NUM> detects the new reagent container <NUM> (S707). The RFID reader-writer <NUM> is triggered by the detection of the reagent container by the container detector <NUM> to start reading the RFID information of the reagent container <NUM>. The control device <NUM> determines whether the RFID information is normal (S708). Examples of the determination content include whether the type of the reagent is a reagent that should be originally placed in the placing location, whether the remaining liquid amount is sufficient, and whether the expiration date of the reagent is not passed. If the RFID information is normal, the control device <NUM> registers the read RFID information (S709) and performs an unlocking operation of the locking mechanism <NUM> by the unlocking mechanism <NUM> (S710). When being unlocked, the nozzle support part <NUM> automatically descends, and the suction nozzle <NUM> moves to a predetermined suction position in the reagent container <NUM>. Meanwhile, if the RFID information is not normal, the fact is display at the display portion of the control device <NUM>. Accordingly, the user can replace the reagent container with a right reagent container, before the suction nozzle <NUM> comes into contact with a wrong reagent. (S704 to S706). In this manner, since the suction nozzle <NUM> comes into contact only with a normal reagent, it is possible to prevent contamination caused by misplacement of the reagent container by the user.

Subsequently, the reagent container replacement flow in the apparatus power-cutoff state (<FIG>) is described. Steps having the same contents as the replacement flow of <FIG> are denoted by the same reference numerals. The user grasps the handle <NUM> and lifts the nozzle support part <NUM> (S702). In a state in which the nozzle support part <NUM> is locked (S703), the reagent container <NUM> can be replaced (S704 and S706). As described above, the locking mechanism <NUM> of the present embodiment can lock the nozzle support part <NUM> mechanically without supplying power. If the apparatus power is supplied by the user (S721), the apparatus checks the state of the container detector <NUM> of the reagent container setting unit <NUM> as one of the initial process (S722). If the container detector <NUM> detects the reagent container <NUM>, the detection triggers the checking of the RFID information (S708). If the RFID information is normal, the control device <NUM> registers the read RFID information (S709) and performs the unlocking operation of the locking mechanism <NUM> by the unlocking mechanism <NUM> (S710). Meanwhile, if the reagent container is not detected, or the RFID information is not normal, the replacement is failed (S724), and the fact is displayed on the display portion of the control device <NUM>. In this case, the apparatus power is already supplied, the process proceeds to Steps S704 or S705 of <FIG> and performs the replacement process of the reagent. If the replacement is normally completed (S723), the control device <NUM> thereafter automatically performs a liquid replacement operation in the flow path, an analysis preparation operation, and the like, if necessary.

Generally, the electrolyte analysis apparatus has a function of automatically performing the liquid feeding operation into the flow path, the apparatus status check operation, the cleaning operation, and the like in the initial process after the power is turned on and proceeding to the analysis operation at a short period of time. However, if it is recognized that the remaining amount of the reagent is not sufficient after the initial process, and the reagent container is replaced, a liquid replacement operation in the flow path or the like is required again, and as a result, the time until the start of analysis is required. According to the present embodiment, the user can perform the reagent replacement operation while maintaining the effect of preventing contamination between the reagents even when the device power is turned off, and thus can use the apparatus without performing an additional operation after the power is turned on.

<FIG> illustrates a modification of the reagent container setting unit <NUM>. The difference from <FIG> is that the substrate <NUM> is used as an insulation substrate <NUM>, to fulfill the function of the insulator <NUM> of <FIG>. By changing the arrangement position of the insulator to the substrate, the entire reagent container setting unit <NUM> can be caused to be in the insulation state. In this example, there is an advantage that the substrate is insulated, and thus the configuration of the upper part of the substrate is not limited. In this manner, an insulator may be arranged at a position where the electrical connection between the suction nozzle <NUM> and the housing can be prevented. In the present embodiment, the arrangement position of the insulator <NUM> is not limited to a specific location. For example, the handle <NUM> can be configured with an insulator such as a resin. The same is applied to the following embodiment. The plurality of insulators <NUM> may be arranged between the suction nozzle <NUM> and the housing.

Further, if the reagent container <NUM> is a container made of a transparent or translucent material, and the reagent container setting unit <NUM> is configured to be easily visible to the user, it is convenient because the user can visually check the remaining amount of the reagent before the apparatus power is supplied, and thus reagent can be replaced in advance, if necessary.

<FIG> illustrates a second configuration example of the reagent container setting unit <NUM>. In a second configuration example, the main difference from the first configuration example is that two suction nozzles <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> are coupled to the nozzle support part <NUM>, the handle <NUM> is lifted by the user, and thus the two suction nozzles <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> are simultaneously lifted. In this example, the insulator <NUM> is provided between the nozzle support part <NUM> and the reagent container stand <NUM>, and the flow path is insulated by one insulator with respect to two suction nozzles provided to the handle <NUM>. The position where the insulator <NUM> is provided is not limited to the configuration illustrated in <FIG>, and may be arranged between the handle <NUM> and the nozzle support part <NUM> as in Embodiment <NUM>. In any case, it is not required to provide the insulator for each suction nozzle. Though not illustrated in <FIG>, the container detector <NUM> or the RFID reader-writer <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> are provided corresponding to reagent containers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>, respectively. The reagent container replacement flow is also as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. When one or more reagent containers are replaced by the user, and RFID information of the all reagent containers is normal, locking of the nozzle support part <NUM> is unlocked by the unlocking mechanism <NUM>, such that the suction nozzles <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> are moved to the predetermined suction positions in the reagent containers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>, respectively. In <FIG>, an example of two reagent containers is provided, but three or more reagent containers may be provided.

According to the present configuration, the user can simultaneously perform the reagent container replacement operation by the required amount by one time of the raising and lowering operation of the nozzle support part <NUM>, and thus the efficiency of the replacement operation can be increased. A plurality of reagent containers of the same reagent is stored in the reagent container setting unit <NUM>. In the analysis apparatus that can be used in a replaceable manner when the remaining amount of the reagent of one reagent container is small, even if normal reagents are not placed in all positions as the unlocking condition, that at least one reagent required for the analysis is normally placed may be considered as the condition. By causing the fact that the required reagent is correctly placed, and an abnormal reagent is not placed to be the unlocking condition, the suction nozzle <NUM> can be prevented from being brought into contact with an inappropriate reagent.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the configuration of arranging a plurality of reagent containers in the reagent container setting unit <NUM> can cause the reagent container setting unit to have a compact configuration, and thus as described in Embodiment <NUM>, the efficiency of the replacement operation can be increased. As illustrated in <FIG>, in a case of the electrolyte analysis apparatus, three reagents of the internal standard solution, the dilute solution, and the reference electrode solution are used, and thus the configuration of the reagent container setting unit <NUM> in which the three reagent containers are placed is reviewed. Since the reagent container is manually replaced, the risk of occurrence of the contamination due to the scattering of the reagent from the suction nozzle during the replacement operation or the liquid spillover from the suction port of the reagent container cannot be eliminated. Particularly, if the plurality of reagent containers are closely placed side by side, an operation mistake by the user easily causes the contamination. However, in a case of the reagent of the electrolyte analysis apparatus and a case of the internal standard solution and the dilute solution, even if some reagents are scattered, the influence is negligible in most cases. In contrast, the reference electrode solution contains ions with a higher concentration than the internal standard solution and the dilute solution, and thus the risk of the contamination is required to be more strictly managed.

<FIG> illustrate configuration examples (third configuration example) of the reagent container setting unit <NUM> where three reagent containers are placed, and particularly illustrate the configuration suitable for the electrolyte analysis apparatus using two reagents with comparatively lower concentrations and one reagent with a comparatively higher concentration. <FIG> is a plan view, and <FIG> is a side view seen in an arrow direction illustrated in <FIG>. In <FIG>, the display of the handle <NUM> is omitted. In this example, the insulator <NUM> is provided between the handle <NUM> and the nozzle support part <NUM> in the same manner as in Embodiment <NUM>.

In the present configuration, three kinds of reagent containers of the dilute solution and the standard solution with comparatively lower concentrations and the reference electrode solution with a comparatively higher concentration can be placed so that the risk of the contamination is reduced. Specifically, as juxtaposed reagent containers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>, the dilute solution bottle and the internal standard solution bottle are placed, and the reference electrode solution bottle is placed as a reagent container <NUM>-<NUM> at a position separated from these by the reagent container stand <NUM>. Accordingly, when three reagent containers are placed in the reagent container setting unit illustrated in <FIG>, the reagent container stand <NUM> is interposed between the reagent suction port <NUM> of the dilute solution bottle or the reagent suction port <NUM> of the internal standard solution bottle and the reagent suction port <NUM> of the reference electrode solution bottle. The state in which the handle <NUM> is pulled up is the same state as illustrated in <FIG>, and in the state in which the nozzle support part <NUM> is locked, the reagent container stand <NUM> is interposed between the tip end of the suction nozzle <NUM> for the dilute solution or the tip end of the suction nozzle <NUM> for the internal standard solution and the tip end of the suction nozzle <NUM> for the reference electrode solution. Accordingly, even when the reagent scatters from the tip end of a suction nozzle <NUM>-<NUM> for the reference electrode solution during the replacement operation, or liquid is spilt over from the reagent suction port of the reagent container (reference electrode solution bottle) <NUM>-<NUM>, the reagent container stand <NUM> serves as a partition wall, to suppress the mixing risk from the reference electrode solution bottle to another reagent container. Further, if the nozzle support part <NUM> has a plate shape as illustrated in <FIG>, the reagent container is replaced in a state in which the nozzle support part <NUM> is pulled up, and thus the nozzle support part <NUM> can also serve as a partition wall.

In addition, as an additional effect of changing the setting direction of the reagent container of only the reference electrode solution, for example, if the user replaces all the three reagent containers, the dilute solution bottle and the standard solution bottle placed adjacent to each other can be held with two hands and be easily released simultaneously. With respect to the reagent with a low contamination risk, an efficient operation can be performed. Meanwhile, the reference electrode solution bottle with a high contamination risk is arranged to encourage the replacement of this reagent container singly. The risk of the contamination by the reagent scattering during the reagent container replacement by deviating the replacement timing of the reagent container with a high contamination risk from the replacement timings of the other reagent containers can be decreased.

Further, the shape of the reagent container <NUM> can be regarded as a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a rectangular upper surface (the reagent container is not prevented from being chamfered or providing unevenness), and the reagent suction port <NUM> is arranged at a position to be close to the shorter side from the center position of the upper surface. Accordingly, as illustrated in <FIG> or <FIG>, even when the reagent containers are arranged in the long direction, the distance from the nozzle support part <NUM> to the reagent suction port <NUM> can be maintained to be short. By using the reagent suction port <NUM> close to the end portion (short side), in order to enable the user to easily hold the reagent container, it is desirable that a handle of the reagent container is provided in an empty space on the upper surface of the container.

Further, in the reagent container setting unit illustrated in <FIG>, the orientation of the plurality of juxtaposed reagent containers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and the orientation of the reagent container <NUM>-<NUM> placed to separate the reagent container stand <NUM> from these are changed to be placed. That is, the reagent containers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> are set so that the short sides of the upper surfaces face each one predetermined side of the reagent container stand, and the reagent container <NUM>-<NUM> is placed so that the long sides of the upper surface face the back side of each one predetermined surface of the reagent container stand. Accordingly, the reagent container setting unit can entirely become compact, and as illustrated in <FIG>, reagent suction ports <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM> of the reagent containers <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM> can be arranged in the same distance from a predetermined position 202p of the handle <NUM>. In this case, compared to the arrangement layout in which, for example, three reagent containers are juxtaposed in the same direction, the effect of being able to align the flow path length including the length of the suction nozzle of each reagent and the effect of being able to consolidate the movable (flexible) flow path parts connected to the suction nozzle <NUM> in one place can be obtained.

In the configurations of <FIG>, in the same manner as in the configuration of <FIG>, with respect to the unlocking condition, it is desirable to perform control so that unlocking is first performed when all required reagents are prepared. For example, an LED indicator light or the like is provided near the position of placing the reagent container in the reagent container setting unit to notify the user by turning on, blinking, or turning off the LED of the reagent container that is required to be replaced.

However, a larger amount of reagent that can be housed in the reagent container is more efficient, because the number of times of replacing the reagent container is reduced. Therefore, it is desirable to cause the height of the reagent container to be as high as possible according to the heights of the reagent container setting unit <NUM>, and the opening <NUM> of the housing <NUM> (see <FIG>). Otherwise, it is desirable to cause the heights of the reagent container setting unit <NUM>, and the opening <NUM> of the housing <NUM> to be as low as possible according to the height of the reagent container. Here, with respect to the reagent container setting unit <NUM>, if the state in which the nozzle support part <NUM> is locked is the state of <FIG>, and the height of the reagent container <NUM> is higher than that in the state of <FIG>, the reagent container <NUM> and the suction nozzle tip end 6a are easily brought into contact with each other, or the reagent container <NUM> has to be tilted to be placed at the placing position, when the reagent container is replaced. Therefore, the contamination risk increases. <FIG> illustrates a fourth configuration example of the reagent container setting unit <NUM> (top view) dealing with such a problem. <FIG> illustrates the state in which nozzle support parts (<NUM> and <NUM>) are drawn by the reagent container stand <NUM> and locked. Though not illustrated in the present figure, the insulator <NUM> is provided between the handle <NUM> and the pillar <NUM>.

The height of the reagent container setting unit <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is the height in which the upper end of the reagent suction port <NUM> when the reagent container <NUM> is mounted on the substrate <NUM> is slightly lower than the upper end of the reagent container stand <NUM>. That is, it is assumed to place a reagent container with a capacity as large as possible as allowed in the volume of the reagent container setting unit <NUM>. Even in such a case, in the configuration of <FIG>, the nozzle support part <NUM> is configured to include a plurality of stages of the pillars <NUM> and <NUM>, so that the predetermined distance ε is provided between the suction nozzle tip end 6a and the upper end of the reagent suction port <NUM> of the reagent container <NUM> (see <FIG>). In addition, in a state in which the nozzle support part <NUM> is locked by the locking mechanism <NUM>, if the position of the suction nozzle tip end 6a is positioned near the upper end or higher than the upper end of the reagent container stand <NUM>, it is concerned that the contamination occurs by the deflection of the suction nozzle tip end 6a. Therefore, among the plurality of stages of pillars of the nozzle support part <NUM> (two stages in the figure), the pillar <NUM> on the lower stage is caused to have a plate shape and to have a function of the shielding plate for suppressing the occurrence of the contamination. As illustrated in <FIG>, in a state in which the nozzle support part <NUM> is locked, any one of a first line connecting a suction nozzle tip end 6a-<NUM> and a suction nozzle tip end 6a-<NUM> and a second line connecting a suction nozzle tip end 6a-<NUM> and the suction nozzle tip end 6a-<NUM> is blocked by the pillar (shielding plate) <NUM> of the lower stage. Therefore, even when the reagent is scattered from the suction nozzle <NUM>-<NUM> for the reference electrode solution or the liquid is spilt over from the reagent suction port of the reagent container (reference electrode solution bottle) <NUM>-<NUM> during the reagent container replacement operation, the pillar (shielding plate) <NUM> of the lower stage serves as a partition wall in addition to the reagent container stand <NUM>, so that the risk of mixing of the reference electrode solution to another reagent container from the reference electrode solution bottle can be suppressed.

All of suction nozzle end portions 6b-<NUM> to 6b-<NUM> are set to be positioned near the center of the handle <NUM>, and flexible resin pipes that configure respective flow paths are connected thereto.

<FIG> illustrates a configuration example of a nozzle support part <NUM> applied to the reagent container setting unit <NUM> of <FIG>. The figure illustrates (a) normal time and (b) locked time. The nozzle support part <NUM> includes a first pillar <NUM> on the upper stage and a second pillar (hereinafter, referred to as a shielding plate) <NUM> on the lower stage. With respect to the shielding plate <NUM>, a pulley with damper function <NUM> is provided on the upper side thereof, a pulley <NUM> is provided on the lower side thereof, and a belt <NUM> is hung between the both. With respect to the belt <NUM>, the first pillar <NUM> is connected via a first belt holding unit 813a, and the reagent container stand <NUM> is connected via a second belt holding unit 813b to be interlocked, so that the first pillar <NUM> and the shielding plate <NUM> are pulled up. The first belt holding unit 813a is engaged to a first linear guide 812a, and the second belt holding unit 813b is engaged to a second linear guide 812b, so that the raising and lowering operation of the nozzle support part <NUM> is stably performed. With respect to the damper function of the pulley with damper function <NUM>, it is desirable that the torque is generated only in a case of descending. As a result, the load on the user can be reduced during the manual ascending operation.

Claim 1:
A flow-type electrolyte analysis apparatus which measures a liquid junction potential between a sample solution obtained by diluting a sample with a dilute solution and a reference electrode solution, or a liquid junction potential between an internal standard solution and the reference electrode solution, the electrolyte analysis apparatus comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) that provides a reference electric potential for measurement of the liquid junction potential;
a first electrode which is an ion selective electrode (<NUM>);
a second electrode which is a reference electrode (<NUM>);
a flow path that is electrically insulated from the housing (<NUM>), feeds the sample solution or the internal standard solution to the first electrode, and feeds the reference electrode solution to the second electrode; and
a reagent container setting unit (<NUM>) that sets a dilute solution bottle (<NUM>) which houses the dilute solution, an internal standard solution bottle (<NUM>) which houses the internal standard solution, and a reference electrode solution bottle (<NUM>) which houses the reference electrode solution, characterised in that
the reagent container setting unit is electrically connected to the housing (<NUM>) and includes:
suction nozzles serving as conductors that are coupled to the flow path and are respectively inserted into or removed from the dilute solution bottle (<NUM>), the internal standard solution bottle (<NUM>), and the reference electrode solution bottle (<NUM>); and
an insulator (<NUM>) that electrically insulates the suction nozzles from the housing (<NUM>).