Patent Description:
As an example of an electrolyte measurement device that is capable of accurately performing measurement with no complication of the configuration of the device, with no increase in a sample solution, regardless of the concentration of a sample solution, Patent Literature <NUM> describes an electrolyte measurement device including a measurement unit that measures electromotive forces of a standard solution and a sample solution using an electrode unit, a dilution chamber that dilutes the sample solution with a diluent to generate a sample solution, a sample supply unit that supplies the sample solution to the dilution chamber, a diluent supply unit that supplies a diluent to the dilution chamber, a standard solution supply unit that supplies a standard solution to the dilution chamber, a measurement solution supply unit that supplies the standard solution and the sample solution from the dilution chamber to the electrode unit, and a control unit that controls the standard solution and the sample solution to be alternately supplied from the dilution chamber to the electrode unit and that controls the diluent to be supplied by a predetermined amount to the dilution chamber for discharge before the sample solution is generated.

The electrolyte analyzer as set forth in Patent Literature <NUM> is a device that measures the concentration of a specific electrolyte (sodium (Na), potassium (K), chlorine (Cl), and the like) contained in an electrolytic solution such as human blood and urine, and measures concentrations with an ion selective electrode.

As a typical measurement method for electrolyte concentrations, the following flow type is mainly used. A blood serum that is an electrolytic solution is directly supplied to an ion selective electrode or a sample solution diluted with a diluent is supplied to the ion selective electrode, and the potential across the electrolytic solution and a reference electrode solution. Subsequently, or prior to the above-described measurement, a standard solution is supplied to the ion selective electrode to similarly measure the potential across the standard solution and the reference electrode solution, and the electrolyte concentration of the sample solution is calculated from the potential level between the two solutions.

In the flow type electrolyte analyzer, the ion selective electrode is used as a consumable item in addition to reagents such as a diluent, a standard solution, and a reference electrode solution, and the replacement work of these consumable items is performed by a user.

In the conventional electrolyte analyzer, although the measurable number of times and the expiration date are defined in consumable items such as an electrode and a reagent, the management of the measurable number of times or the expiration date is rarely performed except the reagent.

Moreover, in an electrolyte analyzer including a plurality of analysis chambers, matching of remaining measurable numbers between the analysis chambers is extremely rare, and many different cases occur. Regardless of such situations, in regard to the analysis chamber to be used, appropriate allocation has not been performed such as simple alternate measurement, or measurement from one analysis chamber all the time.

Therefore, it has become apparent from investigation by the present inventors that cases occur where the replacement frequency of consumable items by the user increases more than necessary or the maximum processing performance fails to be exerted.

Patent Literature <NUM> discloses an automatic analyzer that performs qualitative and quantitative analysis of biological samples such as blood and urine.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems. It is an object to provide an electrolyte analyzer that is capable of appropriately replacing consumable items while exerting the analysis processing performance as compared with a conventional electrolyte analyzer.

The present invention includes a plurality of units that solve the problems. The invention relates to an electrolyte analyzer according to claim <NUM>. Advantageous options are disclosed in the dependent claims.

According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately replace consumable items while exerting the analysis processing performance as compared with a conventional electrolyte analyzer. Problems, configurations, and effects except ones described above will be apparent from embodiments below.

In the following, embodiments of an electrolyte analyzer according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that in the drawings used in the present specification, the same or the corresponding components are designated with the same, or similar reference signs, and a duplicate description of these components is sometimes omitted.

Moreover, in the embodiments shown below, the electrolyte analyzer will be described in the case in which a device that analyzes electrolyte items is constituted of one device or a plurality of devices. However, the device configuration is not limited to these forms, and the device can be mounted on the automatic analyzer. Examples of the automatic analyzer include a biochemical automatic analyzer, an automatic immune analyzer, and the like. Alternatively, the device can be mounted on a mass spectrometer used for clinical examinations, a clotting analyzer that measures clotting time of blood, or a complex system of these devices with a biochemical automatic analyzer and an automatic immune analyzer, or an automatic analysis system that applies these devices and systems.

An electrolyte analyzer according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to <FIG>.

First, the overall structure of the electrolyte analyzer and the configuration of main components will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. <FIG> is a diagram showing the overall structure of the electrolyte analyzer according to the first embodiment, and <FIG> is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of an analysis chamber in the electrolyte analyzer according to the first embodiment.

An electrolyte analyzer <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes a transport line <NUM>, a gripper <NUM>, dispensing lines <NUM> and <NUM>, a pre-analysis buffer <NUM>, a post-analysis buffer <NUM>, two analysis chambers <NUM>, a sample probe <NUM>, a display device <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, and the like.

The transport line <NUM> is installed at the end part of the analyzer, and is a device that transports a transport vessel <NUM> mounting a plurality of sample vessels <NUM> accommodating a sample to a transfer position by the gripper <NUM>, the plurality of sample vessels <NUM> being injected by a sample rack injection unit (not shown in the drawing), and that unloads the transport vessel <NUM> that ends measurement.

Note that in the present embodiment, an example is described in which the plurality of sample vessels <NUM> is mounted on the transport vessel <NUM>. However, one or more sample vessels <NUM> only have to be mounted on the transport vessel <NUM>. Another example of the transport vessel <NUM> includes a sample holder and the like that is capable of mounting one sample vessel <NUM>.

The gripper <NUM> is a mechanism that transfers the transport vessel <NUM> from the transport line <NUM> to the dispensing lines <NUM> and <NUM> or from the dispensing lines <NUM> and <NUM> to the transport line <NUM>.

The dispensing lines <NUM> and <NUM> are mechanisms that transports the sample vessel <NUM>, which is a dispensing target, in the transport vessel <NUM> to a dispensing position by the sample probe <NUM>, or that transports the transport vessel <NUM> accommodating the sample vessel <NUM> after dispensing to the post-analysis buffer <NUM>.

The pre-analysis buffer <NUM> and the post-analysis buffer <NUM> are spaces where a sample vessel <NUM> waiting for dispensing to the analysis chamber <NUM> or a sample vessel <NUM> after the completion of the analysis operation wait for transportation to another place.

The analysis chamber <NUM> is an analysis unit having an ISE electrode <NUM> that measures the concentration of the electrolyte of a sample, and two analysis chambers <NUM> are provided, sharing the sample probe <NUM> that dispenses the sample to the analysis chamber <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the detail will be described. Note that the number of the analysis chambers <NUM> to be provided on the electrolyte analyzer <NUM> only has to be two or more, and the number can be three or more.

The analysis chamber <NUM> shown in <FIG> is a flow type using an ion selective electrode (in the following, which is written in the ISE electrode (Ion Selective Electrode)).

In <FIG>, the main mechanism of the analysis chamber <NUM> includes five mechanisms, a sample dispensing unit, an ISE electrode unit, a reagent unit, a mechanism unit, and a waste fluid mechanism, and the controller <NUM> that controls these mechanisms and executes the arithmetic operation and display control of the electrolyte concentration from measurement results.

The sample dispensing unit includes the sample probe <NUM>. With the sample probe <NUM>, a sample such as a patient sample retained in the sample vessel <NUM> is dispensed and drawn into the inside of the analyzer. Here, the sample is a general term of analysis targets extracted from patient living bodies, which are blood and urine, for example. Analysis targets, which the extracted analysis targets are subjected to predetermined pre-processing, are also referred as samples.

The ISE electrode unit includes a dilution chamber <NUM>, a sipper nozzle <NUM>, a diluent 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 by the sample dispensing unit is discharged to the dilution chamber <NUM>, and diluted and stirred with a diluent discharged from the diluent nozzle <NUM> to the inside of the dilution chamber <NUM>. The sipper nozzle <NUM> is connected to the ISE electrode <NUM> through a passage, and the diluted sample solution aspirated from the dilution chamber <NUM> is delivered to the ISE electrode <NUM> through the passage. On the other hand, the reference electrode solution accommodated in a reference electrode solution bottle <NUM> is delivered to the reference electrode <NUM> by operating the sipper syringe <NUM> in a state in which the pinch valve <NUM> is closed. The diluted sample solution delivered to the passage of the ISE electrode contacts the reference electrode solution delivered to the passage of the reference electrode, and thus the ISE electrode <NUM> electrically conducts the reference electrode <NUM>. The ISE electrode unit measures the concentration of a specific electrolyte contained in the sample by the potential difference between the ISE electrode <NUM> and the reference electrode <NUM>.

More specifically, the ISE electrode <NUM> is attached with an ion sensitive membrane having a property that electromotive force changes corresponding to the concentration of a specific ion in a sample solution (e.g. sodium ion (Na+), potassium ion (K+), chloride ion (Cl-), and the like). The ISE electrode <NUM> outputs electromotive force corresponding to the concentrations of ions in the sample solution, and acquires the electromotive force between the ISE electrode <NUM> and the reference electrode <NUM> by the voltmeter <NUM> and the amplifier <NUM>. The controller <NUM> computes the concentrations of the ions in the sample from the acquired electromotive force for display. The sample solution remaining in the dilution chamber <NUM> is discharged by the waste fluid mechanism.

In the present invention, the ISE electrode <NUM> is provided with an identification medium 1A that performs individual identification, and the ISE electrode unit includes a reader 1B that reads individual identification information recorded on this identification medium 1A. The identification information read by the reader 1B is sent to the controller <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the ISE electrodes <NUM> of the two the analysis chambers <NUM> analyze the same analysis item, and have the same specifications.

Note that the potential difference between the ISE electrode <NUM> and the reference electrode <NUM> has a property that is easily affected by a temperature change and the like. In order to correct potential fluctuations affected by such a temperature change and the like, the internal standard solution nozzle <NUM> discharges the internal standard solution to the inside of the dilution chamber <NUM> until the subsequent sample measurement after one sample measurement, and measurement is performed similar to the case of measuring the sample as described above. Preferably, with the use of the measurement result of the internal standard solution performed during sample measurement, correction corresponding to the amount of fluctuations is performed. Moreover, in this case, the internal standard solution is not diluted.

The reagent unit includes an aspiration nozzle <NUM> that aspirates a reagent from a reagent vessel, a degassing mechanism <NUM>, and a filter <NUM>, and supplies a reagent necessary for measurement. In the case of measuring an electrolyte, three kinds of reagents, an internal standard solution, a diluent, and a reference electrode solution, are used, and an internal standard solution bottle <NUM> that accommodates the internal standard solution, a diluent bottle <NUM> that accommodates the diluent, and the reference electrode solution bottle <NUM> that accommodates the reference electrode solution are set in the reagent unit. <FIG> shows this state. Moreover, in the case of washing the analyzer, a washing fluid bottle that stores a washing fluid is set in the reagent unit.

The internal standard solution bottle <NUM> and the diluent bottle <NUM> are respectively connected to the internal standard solution nozzle <NUM> and the diluent nozzle <NUM> via a passage through the filter <NUM>, and the nozzles are installed with the tip end introduced into the inside of the dilution chamber <NUM>. Moreover, the reference electrode solution bottle <NUM> is connected to the reference electrode <NUM> via a passage through the filter <NUM>. To the passage between the diluent bottle <NUM> and the dilution chamber <NUM> and to the passage between the reference electrode solution bottle 5and the reference electrode <NUM>, the degassing mechanism <NUM> is connected, and a degassed reagent is supplied to the inside of the dilution chamber <NUM> and the inside of the reference electrode <NUM>. Since the pressure of the passage is reduced to a negative pressure by a syringe to aspirate the reagent from the bottle, a gas dissolved in the reagent appear as bubbles in the reagent. The degassing mechanism is provided such that the reagent including bubbles is not supplied to the dilution chamber <NUM> or the reference electrode <NUM>.

Note that in the present invention, the two analysis chambers <NUM> are described in a form in which the reagent is supplied from the internal standard solution bottle <NUM>, the diluent bottle <NUM>, and the reference electrode solution bottle <NUM>, which are used exclusively. However, a form can be provided in which one bottle is shared.

The mechanism unit includes an internal standard solution syringe <NUM>, a diluent syringe <NUM>, a sipper syringe <NUM>, solenoid valves <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, and a preheater <NUM>, and responsible for the operation of liquid delivery in each mechanism or between the mechanisms, for example. For example, the internal standard solution and the diluent are delivered to the dilution chamber <NUM> by the operation of the internal standard solution syringe <NUM> and the diluent syringe <NUM> and the operation of the solenoid valve provided on the passage. The preheater <NUM> controls the temperatures of the internal standard solution and the diluent reaching the ISE electrode <NUM> within a certain range, and thus the influence of the temperature on the ISE electrode <NUM> is supposed.

The waste fluid mechanism includes a first waste fluid nozzle <NUM>, a second waste fluid nozzle <NUM>, a vacuum bin <NUM>, a waste fluid receiver <NUM>, a vacuum pump <NUM>, and solenoid valves <NUM> and <NUM>, and discharges the sample solution remaining in the dilution chamber <NUM> and the reaction solution remaining in the passage of the ISE electrode unit.

Returning to <FIG>, the display device <NUM> is a part on which various screens such as an operation screen on which a measurement item to measure a sample to remeasured is ordered and a screen on which a measured result is confirmed, and is constituted of a liquid crystal display and the like. Specifically, a remaining measurable number management screen <NUM> and analysis chamber selection screens <NUM> and <NUM> shown in <FIG> and the like. The detail will be described later.

Note that the display device <NUM> does not necessarily have to be a liquid crystal display, and may be replaced by a printer and the like, may be formed of a display, a printer, and the like, or may be formed as a touch panel type display in which various parameters and settings, measurement results, measurement request information, instructions of start analysis or stop analysis, and the like are input based on a displayed operation screen.

The controller <NUM> is connected to the analysis chamber <NUM> and the like via a cable or wireless network line, and control the operation in the electrolyte analyzer <NUM> including the analysis chamber <NUM>. Moreover, the controller <NUM> performs arithmetic operation using the potential of the ISE electrode <NUM> measured on the sample solution, and calculates electrolyte concentration in a sample. At this time, calibration is performed based on the potential of the ISE electrode measured on the internal standard solution, and thus it is possible to more accurately measure the electrolyte concentration.

This controller <NUM> can be configured of 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 operable to perform data exchange with the CPU. The I/O port is connected to the mechanisms described above, and controls their operation. The operation control is performed by reading a program stored in the storage device to the RAM and executing the program by the CPU. Moreover, to the controller <NUM>, an input/output device is connected, and this enables inputs from a user and display of a measurement result.

Next, the electrolyte concentration measurement operation performed by the electrolyte measurement device shown in <FIG> will be described. The measurement operation is controlled by the controller <NUM>.

First, the sample probe <NUM> of the sample dispensing unit discharges a sample dispensed from the sample vessel <NUM> to the dilution chamber <NUM> of the ISE electrode unit. After the sample is dispensed to the dilution chamber <NUM>, a diluent is discharged out of the diluent bottle <NUM> from the diluent nozzle <NUM> by the operation of the diluent syringe <NUM> to dilute the sample. As described above, in order to prevent bubbles from occurring due to the temperature of the diluent in the passage or a change in the pressure, the degassing mechanism <NUM> mounted in the midway point of the passage of the diluent performs a degassing process. The diluted sample solution is aspirated to the ISE electrode <NUM> by the operation of the sipper syringe <NUM> or the solenoid valve <NUM>.

On the other hand, by the pinch valve <NUM> and the sipper syringe <NUM>, the reference electrode solution is delivered to the inside of the reference electrode <NUM> from the reference electrode solution bottle <NUM>. The reference electrode solution is a potassium chloride (KCl) aqueous solution at a predetermined concentration, for example, and the sample solution contacts the reference electrode solution to electrically conduct the ISE electrode <NUM> with the reference electrode <NUM>. Note that the electrolyte concentration of the reference electrode solution is desirably a high concentration in order to suppress the influence of the concentration of fluctuations during the delivery of the sample. However, since there is a possibility of a cause of crystallization and clogging near saturation concentration, desirably, the concentration ranges from <NUM> mmol/L to <NUM> mmol/L. The potential of the ISE electrode based on the potential of the reference electrode is measured using the voltmeter <NUM> and the amplifier <NUM>.

Moreover, the internal standard solution of the internal standard solution bottle <NUM> set before and after sample measurement on the reagent unit is discharged to the dilution chamber <NUM> by the internal standard solution syringe <NUM>, and the measurement of the electrolyte concentration of the internal standard solution is performed similarly to the sample measurement.

Next, the detail of control and procedures that allocate analysis to a plurality of analysis chambers <NUM> according to the present invention will be described with reference to <FIG>. <FIG> and <FIG> show a determination flow of request status and processing performance, <FIG> is a diagram showing a screen that manages remaining measurable numbers displayed on the display device, <FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams showing a screen that is displayed on the display device and that selects an analysis chamber used in priority.

In the present embodiment, when the analysis of a sample is instructed from the input unit of the controller <NUM> or the operation screen of the display device <NUM>, the controller <NUM> selects the analysis chamber <NUM> to be used for measurement from the two analysis chambers <NUM> corresponding to the remaining measurable numbers and the measurement request status of the ISE electrodes <NUM> of the two analysis chambers <NUM>.

For example, in the case in which it is determined that the number of measurement requests processed by the electrolyte analyzer <NUM> within a predetermined time period is less than the maximum processing performance, allocation is performed such that the analysis chamber <NUM> having a largest remaining measurable number is used in priority. At this time, in addition to or instead of the remaining measurable numbers, allocation can be performed using the valid expiration date of the ISE electrode <NUM>. Note that in this case, Step S203 in <FIG>, described later, is replaced by the step of "determining whether the valid expiration date of the ISE electrode <NUM> of the analysis chamber <NUM> having a large remaining measurable number is longer than the other analysis chamber <NUM>.

Here, in the present embodiment, desirably, the controller <NUM> manages the remaining measurable numbers based on individual identification information read by the reader 1B.

Such a determination flow will be described with reference to <FIG>.

First, when it is determined that an analysis request is arrived, the controller <NUM> determines whether the maximum processing is necessary (Step S101). When it is determined that the maximum processing is necessary, the process goes to Step S102, and analysis is executed in all the analysis chambers <NUM> (Step S102). In contrast to this, when it is determined that the maximum processing is unnecessary, the process goes to Step S103, and the analysis chamber <NUM> having a large remaining measurable number is used in priority (Step S103).

More specifically, the maximum processing performances of the analysis chambers <NUM> are set to <NUM> samples/hour, i.e., <NUM> samples/minute. Under such conditions, in the case in which the number of samples that have to be processed for two minutes exceeds <NUM> samples, i.e., <NUM> samples/(minute × chamber) × two chambers × two minutes, allocation is performed such that both of the two analysis chambers <NUM> perform processing at the maximum performance.

Moreover, in the case in which the number of samples that have to be processed for two minutes is <NUM> samples and the remaining measurable number of one of the analysis chambers <NUM> is smaller, when no control is performed, the allotment is <NUM> : <NUM> and the like, whereas in the present embodiment, the analysis chamber <NUM> having a large remaining measurable number is to perform the maximum processing (ten measurements), and the analysis chamber <NUM> having a smaller remaining measurable number is to analyze only five measurements. Note that in the case in which the remaining measurable numbers are almost the same and the like, allotment is equal.

Further, in the case in which a request is a single analysis request and the remaining measurable number of one of the analysis chambers <NUM> is small, the analysis operation of the analysis chamber <NUM> having a large remaining measurable number is to be performed.

In the execution of such control, in order that the user can grasp the status of the remaining measurable numbers and the like of the analysis chambers <NUM>, desirably, the remaining measurable number management screen <NUM> shown in <FIG> is displayed on the display device <NUM>.

The remaining measurable number management screen <NUM> shown in <FIG> is a screen displayed on the display device <NUM> displaying a chamber display region <NUM> on which the type of the target analysis chamber <NUM>, a species display region <NUM> on which the types of ion sensitive membranes are displayed in the ISE electrode <NUM>, a remaining measurement number display region <NUM> on which the remaining measurement numbers of the ion sensitive membranes are displayed, an expiration date display region <NUM> on which the expiration date of the ion sensitive membranes is displayed, and a close button <NUM> that is pressed down when the remaining measurable number management screen <NUM> is closed. According to such screens, the user can easily grasp which state the analysis chambers <NUM> presently are.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, in addition to the remaining measurable numbers, desirably, the controller <NUM> selects the analysis chamber <NUM> used for measurement also based on the remaining liquid amount of the reagent used in the analysis chamber <NUM>.

For example, an analysis plan is allocated such that the analysis chamber <NUM> having a large remaining measurable number (the remaining liquid amount or the remaining measurement number) of the reagent is used in priority as well as the remaining measurable number of the ISE electrode <NUM>. Since the initial capacities of the internal standard solution bottle <NUM>, the diluent bottle <NUM>, and the reference electrode solution bottle <NUM> are known, the remaining measurable number of the reagent can be found by subtracting, from the initial capacity, the used amount that is the number of times of the bottle used for analyzes × one time.

In this case, as shown in <FIG>, first, when it is determined that an analysis request is arrived, the controller <NUM> determines whether the maximum processing is necessary (Step S201). When it is determined that the maximum processing is necessary, the process goes to Step S202, and analysis is executed in all the analysis chambers <NUM> (Step S202). In contrast to this, when it is determined that the maximum processing is unnecessary, the process goes to Step S203, and it is determined whether the remaining liquid amount of the reagent of the analysis chamber having a large remaining measurable number is large (Step S203). When it is determined as large, the analysis chamber <NUM> having a large remaining measurable number with a large remaining liquid amount is used in priority (Step S204). In contrast to this, it is not determined as large, the analysis chamber <NUM> having a large remaining measurable number is used in priority at an allotment about at intermediate in the case in which allotment is equal to the allotment in Step S204 (Step S205).

Moreover, desirably, in addition to the remaining measurable numbers, the controller <NUM> selects the analysis chamber <NUM> used for measurement also based on the sample holding number of the post-analysis buffer <NUM>.

For example, in the case in which it can be determined that samples pile up in the post-analysis buffer <NUM> when analysis is performed at the maximum processing performance under the conditions where the samples remain in the post-analysis buffer <NUM> and the electrolyte analysis continues, processing performance is temporarily dropped to smooth the analysis chambers <NUM> corresponding to the remaining measurable numbers. Moreover, in the case in which samples remain in the pre-analysis buffer <NUM> and a request for the analysis of the sample is further input, both the analysis chambers <NUM> can perform the maximum processing. Note that in this case, Step S203 in <FIG> is replaced by the step of "determining whether the sample holding number of the post-analysis buffer is a predetermined amount or more.

Further, desirably, the user can select the analysis chamber <NUM> to be used in priority.

For example, the analysis chamber selection screen <NUM> shown in <FIG> is a screen that selects whether priority is given to the maximum processing number or priority is given to the expiration date, a check box <NUM> of an item to which priority is given is checked to press down an apply button <NUM> for application. When the analysis chamber selection screen <NUM> is closed, a close button <NUM> is pressed down.

Moreover, the analysis chamber selection screen <NUM> shown in <FIG> is a screen that selects the analysis chamber <NUM> with analysis in priority for execution by the user, as a basis for determination whether to give priority, displaying status on a chamber display region <NUM> on which the type of the target analysis chamber <NUM> is displayed, an electrode remaining measurable number display region <NUM> on which the remaining measurement numbers of the ion sensitive membranes is displayed, an expiration date display region <NUM> on which the expiration date of the ion sensitive membrane is displayed, and a reagent state display region <NUM> on which the remaining measurable numbers of the reagents and their expiration date are displayed. The user checks a check box <NUM> based on the numerical value to be displayed, and presses down an apply button <NUM> for application. When the analysis chamber selection screen <NUM> is closed, a close button <NUM> is pressed down.

According to such analysis chamber selection screens <NUM> and <NUM>, measures are possible in the case in which all consumable items are desired to be used quickly corresponding to the intention of the user while maintaining processing performance. Furthermore, this is also effective in the case in which the ISE electrode <NUM> or the reagent has a usable (valid) date except the remaining measurable numbers and the designated analysis chamber <NUM> is used in priority to quickly use all consumable items having a short expiration date.

Next, the effect of the present embodiment will be described.

The above-described electrolyte analyzer <NUM> according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of analysis chambers <NUM> having the ISE electrode <NUM> that measures the concentration of the electrolyte of the sample and the controller <NUM> that controls the operation in the electrolyte analyzer <NUM> including the analysis chamber <NUM>. The ISE electrodes <NUM> of the plurality of analysis chambers <NUM> analyze the equal analysis item. The controller <NUM> selects the analysis chamber <NUM> used for measurement from the plurality of analysis chambers <NUM> corresponding to the remaining measurable numbers and the measurement request status of the plurality of the ISE electrodes <NUM>.

In the conventional case, measurement can continue with no use of the analysis chamber <NUM> with the remaining measurable number, which is zero. However, there is a demerit that fails to maintain the maximum processing performance due to a reduction in the number of the analysis chambers <NUM>. In contrast to this, for example, the analysis chamber <NUM> to be used is selected corresponding to the remaining measurable numbers, it is possible to give priority to maintaining processing performance when the analysis request status is close to the maximum processing performance to perform the analysis operation. Moreover, in the case in which the request status is intermitted, it is possible to equalize the remaining measurable number of times of the plurality of analysis chambers <NUM> with the use of the analysis chamber <NUM> having a large remaining measurable number in priority. As described above, since the user can adjust the timing of replacing consumable items, it is possible to replace consumable items at appropriate timings compared with the conventional case, and it is possible to sufficiently exert the analysis performances of the analysis chambers <NUM>.

Furthermore, in the case in which the controller <NUM> determines that the number of measurement requests processed by the electrolyte analyzer <NUM> within a predetermined time period is less than the maximum processing performance, the analysis chamber <NUM> having a largest remaining measurable number is used in priority, and the maximum processing performance is maintained when necessary whereas the remaining measurable numbers are smoothed when unnecessary. Thus, it is possible to perform analysis also in consideration of the replacement of consumable items while further utilizing the analysis processing performance of the analyzer.

Further, the controller <NUM> selects the analysis chamber <NUM> used for measurement also based on the remaining liquid amount of the reagent used in the analysis chamber <NUM> in addition to the remaining measurable numbers, and thus it is possible to adjust the replacement frequencies of consumable items in including the reagent, and it is possible to intend to replace consumable items at timing in convenience for the user. For example, it is possible to adjust the replacement of the ISE electrode <NUM> and the reagent bottle to close and shorten the timing when analysis has to be stopped as short as possible.

Moreover, the post-analysis buffer <NUM> that transports the sample vessel <NUM> after the completion of the analysis operation to another place is further included. The controller <NUM> selects the analysis chamber <NUM> used for measurement also based on the sample holding number of the post-analysis buffer <NUM> in addition to the remaining measurable numbers. Thus, it is possible to determine processing performance adding the sample transport performance, and it is possible to execute more suited for the actual operation of the analyzer while appropriately performing smoothing the replacement frequency of consumable items.

Further, the ISE electrode <NUM> has the identification medium 1A that performs individual identification, and further includes the reader 1B that reads individual identification information recorded on the identification medium 1A. The controller <NUM> manages the remaining measurable numbers based on the individual identification information read by the reader 1B, and thus it is possible to automatically execute determination of the remaining measurable numbers on the analyzer side.

An electrolyte analyzer according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to <FIG>. <FIG> is a diagram showing the overall structure of the electrolyte analyzer according to the second embodiment, and <FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams showing a screen that is displayed on the display device of the electrolyte analyzer and that selects a dispensing mechanism used in priority.

An electrolyte analyzer 100A of the present second embodiment shown in <FIG> has a configuration in which in the electrolyte analyzer <NUM> shown in <FIG>, a configuration of the controller <NUM> and the display device <NUM> and five configurations related to a unit including the two analysis chambers <NUM> and transport are included. In the configuration shown in <FIG>, the number of the analysis chambers <NUM> provided in the unit for analysis is not necessarily two, which can be one or three or more.

In such an electrolyte analyzer 100A, a controller <NUM> selects a sample probe <NUM> to be used for dispensing or an analysis chamber <NUM> used for measurement that is the subsequent stage corresponding to the remaining measurable numbers and the of measurement request status of a plurality of analysis chambers <NUM>.

For example, a selection can be made whether among five sample probes <NUM>, any of the five sample probes <NUM> is used for dispensing, i.e., analysis can be performed in any of the analysis units.

Moreover, in the execution of such control, a dispensing mechanism selection screen <NUM> shown in <FIG> can be used.

The dispensing mechanism selection screen <NUM> shown in <FIG> is a screen that indirectly selects an analysis unit having an analysis chamber <NUM> that executes analysis in priority by a user by selecting a sample probe <NUM>. As a basis for determination whether to give priority, status is displayed on a dispensing mechanism selection region <NUM> on which the type of an analysis unit that is a target, an electrode remaining measurable number display region <NUM> on which the remaining measurement numbers of an ion sensitive membranes is displayed, an expiration date display region <NUM> on which the expiration date of the ion sensitive membrane is displayed, a reagent remaining measurable number display region <NUM> on which the remaining measurable numbers of reagents is displayed, and a reagent expiration date display region <NUM> on which the expiration date of the reagents is displayed. The user selects the corresponding analysis unit of the dispensing mechanism selection region <NUM> based on the numerical value to be displayed to press down an apply button <NUM> for application. When the dispensing mechanism selection screen <NUM> is closed, a close button <NUM> is pressed down.

Further, as shown in <FIG>, the analysis unit used in priority for analysis, which is an analysis unit <NUM> in <FIG>, can be displayed with a highlight.

Moreover, among ten analysis chambers <NUM> in total, a selection can be made whether to give priority to any analysis chamber <NUM>. In this case, the number of selectable analysis chamber <NUM> is not limited specifically, which can be two or more.

An analysis chamber selection screen <NUM> shown in <FIG> is a screen that selects the analysis chamber <NUM> with analysis in priority for execution by the user, as a basis for determination whether to give priority, displaying status on a chamber selection region <NUM> on which the type of the target analysis chamber <NUM> is displayed, an electrode remaining measurable number display region <NUM> on which the remaining measurement numbers of the ion sensitive membranes is displayed, an expiration date display region <NUM> on which the expiration date of an ion sensitive membrane is displayed, a reagent remaining measurable number display region <NUM> on which the remaining measurable numbers of reagents is displayed, and a reagent expiration date display region <NUM> on which the expiration date of the reagent is displayed. The user selects the corresponding analysis unit of the chamber selection region <NUM> based on the numerical value to be displayed to press down an apply button <NUM> is pressed down for application. When the analysis chamber selection screen <NUM> is closed, a close button <NUM> is pressed down.

Further, similarly to <FIG>, the analysis units used in priority for analysis, which are an analysis chamber <NUM> of an analysis unit <NUM>, an analysis chamber <NUM> of an analysis unit <NUM>, and an analysis chamber <NUM> of an analysis unit <NUM> in <FIG>, can be displayed with a highlight.

The other configurations and operations are almost the same configurations and operations as the electrolyte analyzer of the foregoing first embodiment, and the detail is omitted.

Also in the electrolyte analyzer according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the effects almost similar to those of the electrolyte analyzer according to the foregoing first embodiment can be obtained.

Claim 1:
An electrolyte analyzer (<NUM>,100A) that analyzes electrolyte concentration of a sample, the electrolyte analyzer (<NUM>,100A) comprising:
a plurality of analysis chambers (<NUM>) having consumable items (<NUM>) that measure concentration of an electrolyte of the sample; and
a control unit (<NUM>) configured to control operations in the electrolyte analyzer (<NUM>,100A) including the analysis chambers (<NUM>),
wherein: the plurality of analysis chambers (<NUM>) share a dispensing mechanism (<NUM>) configured to dispense the sample to the analysis chambers (<NUM>);
the consumable items (<NUM>) of the plurality of analysis chambers (<NUM>) analyze equal analysis items;
the control unit (<NUM>) selects an analysis chamber (<NUM>) used for measurement from the plurality of analysis chambers (<NUM>) corresponding tc remaining measurable numbers of the plurality of consumable items and measurement request status; and
when a plurality of the dispensing mechanisms (<NUM>) is included, the control unit (<NUM>) selects the dispensing mechanism (<NUM>) used for dispensing and the analysis chamber (<NUM>) used for measurement corresponding to remaining measurable numbers and measurement request status of the plurality of analysis chambers (<NUM>).