Patent Description:
In an automatic analyzer, a sample (sample) is mixed with a reagent, and the absorbance of the obtained reaction liquid is measured to determine the concentration of a target substance in the sample. If there is a shortage of the reagent at this time, the reaction with the sample becomes insufficient, and accurate measurement results cannot be obtained.

Because of this, many analyzers manage remaining reagent amounts by using liquid surface sensors or software counting. As such management methods, for example, there are known methods like one described in Patent Literature <NUM> in which the down limit of a dispensing nozzle is decided automatically.

In addition, Patent Literature <NUM> describes a technique of implementing re-sensing, and altering the position of a sensing probe by approximately <NUM> to <NUM> on the basis of information about the height of the upper end of a vessel, and information about the height of a liquid surface, in order to prevent sensing errors of a sensor.

There is a wide variety of combinations of materials and shapes of reagent vessels in automatic analyzers. In particular, in recent years, there are many reagent vessels having bottle bottoms with complicated shapes so as to make it possible to precisely suck reagents in the reagent vessels in areas in the reagent vessels where the liquid volumes of the reagents are small.

In addition, there is a wide variety of properties, such as wettability and viscosity, of reagents. In the case of a reagent with low wettability of a solution in a reagent vessel relative to the reagent vessel, a phenomenon in which the meniscus has a convex shape due to a complicated shape of the bottle bottom is observed. This phenomenon can particularly occur near an area in the reagent vessel where the liquid volume of the reagent therein is small.

Regarding the problem described above, according to the method described in Patent Literature <NUM>, in a case that the meniscus in a reagent vessel has a convex shape, the actual remaining amount is smaller than a predicted remaining amount value obtained by conversion from a height at which a reagent dispensing nozzle (reagent dispensing probe) detects a liquid surface. Thereby, there are a possibility that a sudden decrease of the remaining amount of a reagent managed by an apparatus occurs, and a possibility that poor reagent dispensing (reagent shortage alarm generation, measurement skip) occurs before the number of times of tests that the remaining amount of a reagent managed by an apparatus allows becomes zero or before the remaining amount of the reagent becomes <NUM>, because of a discrepancy between the predicted remaining amount value of the reagent and the actual remaining amount of the reagent, and this brings about an inspection delay.

In addition, according to the method described in Patent Literature <NUM>, while the precision of liquid-surface sensing is enhanced, it is difficult to identify whether or not the meniscus has a convex shape; as a result, similarly to the technique described in Patent Literature <NUM>, an amelioration of the phenomenon in which an actual remaining amount becomes smaller than a predicted remaining amount value obtained by conversion from a detected height of a liquid surface is not attained.

An object of the present invention is to realize an automatic analyzer that makes it possible to set thresholds of measurement items and remaining amounts of reagents as dead volume setting values, and can avoid a situation where it is undesirably determined that there is a remaining amount of a reagent despite the fact that the remaining amount of the reagent actually is almost zero, and suppress poor reagent dispensing.

In order to achieve the object described above, the present invention is the automatic analyzer defined in Claim <NUM>.

Further advantageous features are set out in the dependent claims.

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize an automatic analyzer that makes it possible to set thresholds of measurement items and remaining amounts of reagents as dead volume setting values, and can avoid a situation where it is undesirably determined that there is a remaining amount of a reagent despite the fact that the remaining amount of the reagent actually is almost zero, and suppress poor reagent dispensing.

In the following, embodiments for carrying out the present invention are explained with reference to the drawings.

A system that is used in embodiments of the present invention manages remaining amounts of reagents close to the minimum precisely-suckable liquid volumes of the reagents. The system has the function of altering reagent dead volume setting values, and dip amounts of reagent probes below the liquid surfaces of reagents manually or automatically in accordance with user-set conditions, and prevents inspection delays due to poor reagent dispensing.

In an example explained in a first embodiment, a user (operator) manually performs setting of management of a remaining reagent amount. The first embodiment is explained with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is an overall schematic configuration diagram of an automatic analyzer to which the first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

In <FIG>, in an automatic analyzer, a plurality of reaction vessels <NUM> in which reagents and samples such as blood or urine are mixed together are arrayed along the circumference of a reaction disc <NUM>. In a reagent disc <NUM>, a plurality of reagent bottles (reagent vessels) <NUM> can be placed on the circumference of the reagent disc <NUM>. Rotatable and vertically movable reagent dispensing mechanisms <NUM> and <NUM> are installed between the reaction disc <NUM> and the reagent disc <NUM>, and the reagent dispensing mechanisms <NUM> and <NUM> include reagent probes 7a and 8a. A reagent syringe <NUM> is connected with the reagent probes 7a and 8a. The reagent dispensing mechanism <NUM> and <NUM> suck reagents from the reagent bottles <NUM>, and dispense (discharge) the reagents to the reaction vessels <NUM>.

Transfer mechanisms <NUM> and <NUM> that move a sample storage vessel <NUM> on which sample vessels <NUM> such as test tubes containing samples are placed are installed near the reaction disc <NUM>. Rotatable and vertically movable sample dispensing mechanisms <NUM> and <NUM> are installed between the reaction disc <NUM> and the transfer mechanisms <NUM> and <NUM>, and the sample dispensing mechanisms <NUM> and <NUM> include sample probes 11a and 12a.

A sample syringe <NUM> is connected with the sample probes 11a and 12a. The sample probes 11a and 12a move along arcs about rotation axes to suck samples from the sample vessels <NUM>, and discharge the samples to the reaction vessels <NUM>.

A cleaning mechanism <NUM>, a light source (not illustrated), a spectrophotometer <NUM>, stirring mechanisms <NUM> and <NUM>, the reagent disc <NUM> and the transfer mechanisms <NUM> and <NUM> are arranged around the reaction disc <NUM>, and a cleaning pump <NUM> is connected with the cleaning mechanism <NUM>. Cleaning tanks <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are correspondingly installed on the operation ranges of the reagent dispensing mechanisms <NUM> and <NUM>, sample dispensing mechanisms <NUM> and <NUM> and stirring mechanisms <NUM> and <NUM>. Samples are included in the sample vessels <NUM>, and the sample vessels <NUM> are placed on the sample storage vessel <NUM>, and carried by the transfer mechanisms <NUM> and <NUM>.

Light emitted from the light source (not illustrated) is emitted onto a mixture liquid of a sample and a reagent mixed in a reaction vessel <NUM>. The emitted light is received by the spectrophotometer <NUM>. An overall management computer <NUM> includes an analyzing unit <NUM>. The analyzing unit <NUM> computes the concentration of a predetermined component included in the sample on the basis of an amount of light (the light amount of light transmitted through the mixture liquid or light scattered by the mixture liquid) received by the spectrophotometer <NUM>, and analyzes the sample. Note that different reagents are used for different measurement items. Automatic analysis is performed in this manner.

The overall management computer <NUM> includes: a display unit <NUM> that displays results of analysis, and settings of reagent dead volume setting values; and a storage unit <NUM> that stores settings of the automatic analyzer. In addition, the overall management computer <NUM> includes (or is connected to): a manipulation unit through which necessary information is input; a control unit <NUM> that controls the reagent dispensing mechanisms <NUM> and <NUM>, the display unit <NUM> and the like on the basis of settings stored in the storage unit <NUM>; and the like.

Next, mechanisms to sense liquid surfaces in the reagent bottles <NUM> to be used in a case that the reagent dispensing mechanisms <NUM> and <NUM> suck reagents from the reagent bottles <NUM> are explained.

Methods of liquid-surface sensing by the mechanisms to sense liquid surfaces in the reagent bottle <NUM> include a method in which sensing is performed on the basis of pressure changes in the reagent dispensing probes 7a and 8a, and a method in which sensing is performed on the basis of electrostatic capacitance changes between the reagent dispensing probes 7a and 8a and the earth.

<FIG> is a figure for explaining the reagent dispensing mechanism <NUM> having a liquid-surface sensing mechanism adopting the method of sensing a liquid surface on the basis of pressure changes in the reagent dispensing probe 7a, and <FIG> is a figure for explaining the reagent dispensing mechanism <NUM> having a liquid-surface sensing mechanism adopting the method of sensing a liquid surface on the basis of electrostatic capacitance changes between the reagent dispensing probe 7a and the earth. The reagent dispensing mechanism <NUM> also can have a configuration similar to that of the reagent dispensing mechanism <NUM>.

In <FIG>, a metering pump <NUM> has a drive mechanism <NUM> and a plunger <NUM>, and is connected to a pump <NUM> through a valve <NUM>. In addition, the metering pump <NUM> is controlled by a control unit <NUM>, and sucks and discharges a reagent. The metering pump <NUM> and the reagent dispensing probe 7a are connected via a dispensing flow path <NUM>. A pressure sensor <NUM> is arranged between the plunger <NUM> and the reagent dispensing probe 7a via the dispensing flow path <NUM>, and detects the pressure inside the reagent dispensing probe 7a.

The pressure sensor <NUM> is connected to an AD converter <NUM>. The AD converter <NUM> performs digital conversion of analog voltage data output from the pressure sensor <NUM>.

A data extracting unit <NUM> receives digital data with a pressure waveform from the AD converter <NUM>, and passes the digital data over to an abnormality judging unit <NUM>. The abnormality judging unit <NUM> uses the data to judge whether liquid sucking at the reagent dispensing probe 7a is normal or abnormal. Judgement results of the abnormality judging unit <NUM> are transmitted to the control unit <NUM>. The AD converter <NUM>, the data extracting unit <NUM>, the abnormality judging unit <NUM> and the control unit <NUM> can be configured as part of the overall control computer <NUM>.

Before sucking a reagent, the control unit <NUM> opens the valve <NUM> to fill the insides of the dispensing flow path <NUM> and the reagent dispensing probe 7a with a system liquid <NUM> supplied from the pump <NUM>. Next, in a state that the tip of the reagent dispensing probe 7a is in the air, the control unit <NUM> uses the drive mechanism <NUM> to cause the plunger <NUM> to perform lowering operation, and sucks in segmented air <NUM>.

The reagent dispensing probe 7a is moved vertically by a reagent probe vertical drive mechanism <NUM> driven by a motor <NUM>. The operation of the motor <NUM> is controlled by the control unit <NUM>.

The control unit <NUM> causes the reagent dispensing probe 7a to be lowered to a predetermined height in a reagent vessel <NUM>, and, in a state that the tip of the reagent dispensing probe 7a is immersed in a reagent, lowers the plunger <NUM> by a predetermined amount, and sucks the reagent into the reagent dispensing probe 7a. Thereby, the reagent is sucked as a sucked liquid <NUM> into the reagent dispensing probe 7a. The pressure sensor <NUM> detects a pressure change in the reagent dispensing probe 7a, and, on the basis of the pressure waveform, judges whether or not the probe is contacting the reagent liquid surface at the time of the sucking operation of the probe.

Next, the reagent dispensing mechanism <NUM> adopting the method of sensing a liquid surface on the basis of electrostatic capacitance changes is explained with reference to <FIG>.

In the example illustrated in <FIG>, the pressure sensor <NUM>, the AD converter <NUM>, the data extracting unit <NUM> and the abnormality judging unit <NUM>, which are included in the example illustrated in <FIG>, are not included. The example in <FIG> includes: an electrostatic capacitance detecting unit <NUM> that detects the electrostatic capacitance between the reagent dispensing probe 7a and the earth; and an abnormality judging unit <NUM> that inverts whether or not the electrostatic capacitance detected by the electrostatic capacitance detecting unit <NUM> is abnormal.

A control unit <NUM> detects a change of the electrostatic capacitance detected by the electrostatic capacitance detecting unit <NUM>, and, when the reagent dispensing probe 7a is lowered, determines whether or not the reagent dispensing probe 7a has contacted the liquid surface of a reagent. The control unit <NUM>, the electrostatic capacitance detecting unit <NUM> and the abnormality judging unit <NUM> can be configured as part of the overall control computer <NUM>.

The present invention may be applied to any of the method of sensing a reagent liquid surface on the basis of pressure changes illustrated in <FIG>, and the method of sensing a reagent liquid surface on the basis of electrostatic capacitance changes illustrated in <FIG>.

Note that, in the method of sensing a reagent liquid surface on the basis of pressure changes illustrated in <FIG>, the reagent dispensing probe is lowered to a preset height, and it is judged whether or not the reagent dispensing probe has reached a reagent liquid surface on the basis of a pressure waveform at the time of sucking operation. On the other hand, in the method of sensing a reagent liquid surface on the basis of electrostatic capacitance changes illustrated in <FIG>, the reagent dispensing probe is lowered while the electrostatic capacitance is being sensed, and a height at which a change of the electrostatic capacitance is detected is judged as the position of the reagent liquid surface.

The automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment of the present invention has a remaining-reagent-amount management function like the one described below.

In the present first embodiment, reagent information such as reagent names and remaining amounts of reagents used in measurement is registered in the storage unit <NUM> of the overall management computer <NUM>. The overall management computer <NUM> manages the remaining amounts of reagents in the reagent vessels <NUM> mounted on the reagent disc <NUM> by converting the remaining amounts into the number of remaining tests, by adopting a software counting method in which the remaining amounts are computed by subtracting the amounts of used reagents from reagent amounts registered in the storage unit <NUM>, or a method in which liquid surfaces are sensed by sensors attached to the reagent probes 7a and 8a or by detecting units.

In order to avoid a phenomenon in which poor reagent dispensing (reagent shortage alarm generation, measurement skip) occurs before the number of remaining tests allowed by the remaining amount of a reagent in a reagent vessel <NUM> close to the minimum precisely-suckable liquid volume of the reagent in the reagent vessel <NUM> becomes zero, it is necessary to alter a dead volume setting value in a case that the phenomenon occurs.

In a method proposed in the present first embodiment, a user sets, as desired, a dead volume setting value for each measurement item, each shape of the reagent vessels <NUM>, each level of reagent wettability, and each apparatus-specific amount of dipping of the reagent probe 7a and 8a below a reagent liquid surface. The overall management computer <NUM> ends sucking from a reagent bottle <NUM> when a user-set reagent dead volume setting value is reached.

Note that dead volumes in the present specification mean minimum precisely-suckable liquid volumes of reagents in the reagent vessels <NUM>, and dead volume setting values mean values set as the dead volumes by a user.

<FIG> is a figure illustrating one example screen on which a user sets a dead volume setting value for each measurement item. The dead volume setting screen illustrated in <FIG> is displayed on the display unit <NUM> (dead volume setting screens in examples in <FIG> mentioned below are also displayed on the display unit <NUM>).

In <FIG>, the setting of dead volume setting values is performed by using a keyboard, a mouse or the like, which is a manipulation unit, on a setting screen (dead volume setting screen) of a remaining-reagent-amount management method displayed on the screen. This setting screen displays: a setting method selecting portion <NUM> on which a setting method is selected; and an applicable condition setting portion <NUM> on which conditions under which settings are applied are set.

In a case that a setting method is set for each measurement item, the applicable condition setting portion (measurement item name setting portion) <NUM> includes fields in which a user selects target measurement items for which he/she is to perform setting. In addition, a dead volume setting value setting portion <NUM> in which dead volume setting values are set is a portion where a user can set target dead volume setting values. In addition, check boxes may be provided in order to facilitate switching of settings. On the example screen in <FIG>, three check boxes are displayed on the left side of the applicable condition setting portion <NUM>, and two check boxes are checked.

That is, according to the settings of those whose settings are made effective, in a case that the number of remaining tests falls below <NUM> about the setting No. <NUM>, the measurement item IgA, or in a case that the number of remaining tests falls below <NUM> about the setting No. <NUM>, the measurement item ALB, measurement of a reagent from a reagent bottle <NUM> in use is ended.

Because the check box corresponding to the setting No. <NUM>, the measurement item Fe, is not checked, that is, because the setting is made ineffective, according to this setting, measurement by sucking of a reagent from a reagent bottle <NUM> in use is ended in accordance with the number of remaining tests set by default, not in accordance with "<NUM> tests" displayed on the screen. The number of remaining tests set by default is ten, for example.

By allowing a user to set, as desired, measurement items on the dead volume setting value setting screen illustrated in <FIG>, it is possible to manage remaining reagent amounts close to dead volumes only for measurement items that require setting. Thereby, measures against poor reagent dispensing, as well as the management of reagents, can be executed efficiently.

<FIG> is a figure illustrating one example screen on which a dead volume setting value is set for each measurement item and for each bottle shape (vessel shape) of the reagent bottles <NUM>.

On the dead volume setting screen illustrated in <FIG>, in a case that a user is using reagents managed by using barcodes or the like that are associated with stored reagent bottle shapes, a remaining amount management method can be set for each combination of a reagent bottle shape and a measurement item. At the time point when a user specifies a bottle shape of a reagent vessel <NUM> in a bottle shape setting portion (vessel shape setting portion) <NUM>, a measurement item having the specified bottle shape is chosen from application information registered by the user, and is displayed in a measurement item name setting portion <NUM>.

In addition, check boxes similar to those illustrated in <FIG> may be provided in order to facilitate switching of settings. On the example screen in <FIG>, two check boxes are checked. That is, regarding the settings of those whose settings are made effective, as illustrated in a dead volume value setting portion <NUM>, in a case that the number of remaining tests falls below <NUM> about the setting No. <NUM>, the bottle shape type A and the measurement item IgA, and in a case that the number of remaining tests falls below <NUM> about the setting No. <NUM>, the bottle shape type B and the measurement item ALB, measurement by reagent sucking from a reagent bottle <NUM> in use is ended.

The check box for the setting No. <NUM>, the bottle shape type C and the measurement item ALB, is not checked. That is, the setting is made ineffective, and so measurement of a reagent from a reagent bottle <NUM> in use is ended in accordance with the number of remaining tests set by default, not in accordance with "<NUM> tests" displayed on the screen. The number of remaining tests set by default is ten, for example.

By allowing a user to preset, as desired, bottle shapes measurement items on the dead volume setting screen illustrated in <FIG>, it is possible to manage remaining reagent amounts close to dead volumes only for bottle shapes and measurement items that require setting.

Thereby, the length of time that a user needs for setting can be made shorter. In addition, a user can set target dead volume setting values in the dead volume setting value setting portion <NUM>.

<FIG> is a figure illustrating one example screen on which a dead volume setting value is set for each level of reagent wettability. In the case of the example illustrated in <FIG>, a user can set target measurement items to either of two groups, a low-wettability display portion <NUM> representing "Wettability: Low" of reagents, and a medium-wettability display portion <NUM> representing "Wettability: Medium" of reagents. Note that the low-wettability display portion <NUM> and the medium-wettability display portion <NUM> are collectively referred to as a reagent wettability display portion.

In addition, check boxes similar to those illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> may be provided in order to facilitate switching of settings. On the example screen illustrated in <FIG>, the dead volume setting value of "Wettability: Low" measurement items is set to <NUM> tests, and the dead volume setting value of "Wettability: Medium" measurement items is set to <NUM> tests, in a dead volume setting value setting portion <NUM>.

Regarding the settings of those whose check boxes are checked on the example screen illustrated in <FIG>, that is, whose settings are made effective, in a case that the number of remaining tests of the "Wettability: Low" measurement item setting No. <NUM>, the measurement item IgA, falls below <NUM> in accordance with the "Wettability: Low" setting, or in a case that the number of remaining tests of the "Wettability: Medium" measurement item setting No. <NUM>, the measurement item CRE, or the "Wettability: Medium" measurement item setting No. <NUM>, the measurement item CRP, falls below <NUM>, measurement of a reagent from a reagent bottle <NUM> in use is ended.

Regarding the "Wettability: Low" measurement item setting No. <NUM>, the measurement item ALB, and the "Wettability: Low" measurement item setting No. <NUM>, the measurement item Fe, whose check boxes are not checked, that is, whose settings are made ineffective, measurement by reagent sucking from a reagent bottle <NUM> in use is ended in accordance with the number of remaining tests set by default. The number of remaining tests set by default is ten, for example.

In addition, in the dead volume setting value setting portion <NUM>, a user can set a dead volume setting value for each group within a manufacturer-specified range. By performing group-by-group setting, a setting value of a target group can be altered collectively, and so the length of time that an operator needs for setting can be made shorter.

As another method of setting of dead volume setting values for reagents in the reagent bottles <NUM>, there is setting by using apparatus-specific values. In a case that apparatus-specific values are selected, manufacturer-specified values are reflected in all measurement items collectively. Note that apparatus-specific values are values that are set depending on dip amounts of the reagent dispensing probes 7a and 8a below reagent liquid surfaces. In this case, instead of the measurement item name setting portion <NUM> in <FIG>, a dip amount setting portion is displayed to allow an operator to set a dead volume setting value for each dip amount of the reagent dispensing mechanism <NUM> or <NUM> below a reagent liquid surface, in one possible configuration. This setting is applied to all measurement items, and so it is possible to save the labor of the operator most, as compared with other choices of the setting of dead volume setting values.

In addition, the settings of dead volume setting values are stored in the storage unit <NUM> of the overall management computer <NUM>. A user can select a dead-volume-setting-value setting method suited for an operation environment in terms of working efficiency and amounts of waste reagents, and so the first embodiment of the present invention can be applied to a wide variety of use scenes.

Note that, on the dead volume setting screens illustrated in <FIG>, a user may select dead volume setting values from a plurality of recommended values. In addition, on the dead volume setting screens, a user may select only a setting method, and an applicable range of settings, and manufacturer-set fixed values may be used for dead volume setting values for those that are set.

<FIG> is an operation flowchart of reagent dispensing in the first embodiment. The flow of operations illustrated in <FIG> is implemented for each measurement item under the control of the overall management computer <NUM>.

In <FIG>, analysis is started (Step <NUM>), and a reagent is dispensed by the reagent dispensing probe 7a or 8a (Step <NUM>). At this time of reagent dispensing, it is checked at the storage unit <NUM> whether a dead volume setting value is set (Step <NUM>). In a case that, at Step <NUM>, a dead volume setting value is not set in the storage unit <NUM>, it is judged by management with a liquid surface sensor (liquid-surface sensing mechanism) or software counting mentioned above whether or not the amount of a reagent in a reagent bottle <NUM> is equal to or larger than a dead volume default setting value (Step <NUM>).

In a case that, at Step <NUM>, the amount of the reagent in the reagent bottle <NUM> is equal to or larger than the dead volume default setting value, the process proceeds to the measurement of the next specimen (Step <NUM>).

In a case that, at Step <NUM>, the amount of the reagent in the reagent bottle <NUM> is smaller than the dead volume default setting value, the reagent dispensing mechanism <NUM> or <NUM> is controlled to stop the sucking operation of the reagent from the reagent bottle <NUM>, the measurement by using the reagent in the reagent bottle <NUM> is completed (Step <NUM>), the reagent bottle <NUM> is replaced with the next reagent vessel, and the measurement is continued.

In a case that, at Step <NUM>, a dead volume setting value is set, it is identified by management with a liquid surface sensor or software counting mentioned above whether or not the remaining amount of the reagent in the reagent bottle <NUM> is equal to or larger than the dead volume setting value (Step <NUM>).

In a case that, at Step <NUM>, the remaining amount of the reagent in the reagent bottle <NUM> is equal to or larger than the dead volume setting value, the process proceeds to the measurement of the next specimen (Step <NUM>).

In a case that, at Step <NUM>, the remaining amount of the reagent in the reagent bottle <NUM> is smaller than the dead volume setting value, the reagent dispensing mechanism <NUM> or <NUM> is controlled to stop the sucking operation of the reagent from the reagent bottle <NUM>, the measurement by using the reagent in the reagent bottle <NUM> is completed, the use of the reagent bottle <NUM> is ended (Step <NUM>), the reagent bottle <NUM> is replaced with the next reagent bottle <NUM>, and the measurement is continued.

<FIG> is a figure illustrating a check screen (displayed on the display unit <NUM>) for checking a status, a remaining reagent amount, and whether or not a dead volume setting value is set, for each measurement item. In <FIG>, about reagents in the reagent disc <NUM>, the check screen displays: a position display portion <NUM>; a measurement item name display portion <NUM>, a use status display portion <NUM> that displays "in use," "waiting" and the like; a number-of-remaining-tests display portion <NUM> about the reagents; and a dead volume setting display portion <NUM>.

In the dead volume setting display portion <NUM>, it can be checked whether dead volume setting values are unset or set, and, if dead volume setting values are set, the types of the settings having been selected are displayed. Thereby, it is possible for a user to know whether unnecessary settings are not chosen.

As mentioned above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a user can set a dead volume setting value of a reagent in a reagent bottle <NUM> in advance for each measurement item, for bottle shape and for level of reagent wettability, and reagent dispensing operation is controlled in accordance with the set dead volume setting values (thresholds) in this configuration; as a result, an automatic analyzer that can avoid a situation where it is determined undesirably that there is a remaining amount despite the fact that the remaining amount is actually almost zero, can suppress poor reagent dispensing and can allow efficient reagent management can be realized.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention is explained.

In the second embodiment, the apparatus automatically alters dead volume setting values. The automatic analyzer to which the second embodiment is applied is similar to that in the first embodiment, illustrations and detailed explanations thereof are omitted.

The second embodiment is explained with reference to <FIG>.

In the second embodiment, the automatic analyzer has a system that determines, by software counting or liquid-surface sensing of a reagent in a reagent bottle <NUM> by a liquid-surface sensing mechanism, whether or not the amount of the reagent has decreased by an amount corresponding to one test, every time the reagent is used once. In a case that there is a discrepancy between decrease information about the reagent obtained by the liquid-surface sensing mechanism, and decrease information about the reagent obtained by the software counting, the value of a corrected dead volume setting value is stored in the storage unit <NUM> of the overall computer <NUM> of the automatic analyzer.

<FIG> is a figure illustrating a dead volume setting screen in the second embodiment.

In <FIG>, the dead volume setting screen has an automatic mode setting button (automatic mode setting portion) <NUM> such as a check box that allows the switching of the automatic mode. The automatic mode setting button <NUM> may be arranged on the screens in the first embodiment. In addition, in order to lower the risk of poor reagent dispensing that occurs immediately before the number of remaining tests allowed by the remaining amount of a reagent closer to a dead volume becomes zero, the first embodiment and the present second embodiment can be implemented simultaneously. By using dead volume setting values set in the method in the first embodiment as reference values, a dead volume installation value is altered in accordance with a preset value in a case that a certain condition is satisfied, in accordance with the flow in the present second embodiment.

Although omitted in <FIG>, in the second embodiment also, dead volume setting value setting portions can be displayed like the setting screen illustrated in <FIG> or <FIG> in the first embodiment, in one possible configuration.

<FIG> is an operation flowchart of reagent dispensing in the second embodiment.

In <FIG>, after the start of analysis (Step <NUM>), reagent dispensing is performed (Step <NUM>), and at that time the overall management computer <NUM> checks, by management with a liquid surface sensor or software counting, whether or not the remaining amount of a reagent in a reagent bottle <NUM> has become equal to or smaller than a set dead volume installation value (Step <NUM>). In a case that, at Step <NUM>, the remaining amount of the reagent in the reagent bottle <NUM> is larger than the dead volume setting value, the process returns to Step <NUM>, and when it is requested to use the reagent for the next measurement, the reagent in the reagent bottle <NUM> is used.

In a case that, at Step <NUM>, the remaining amount of the reagent in the reagent bottle <NUM> is equal to or smaller than the dead volume setting value, it is checked whether or not the automatic mode is set for dead volumes (Step <NUM>). In a case that, at Step <NUM>, the automatic mode is not set for dead volumes, the measurement of the reagent from the reagent bottle <NUM> is completed, and the dead volume setting value is not altered (Step <NUM>).

In a case that, at Step <NUM>, the automatic mode is set, the amount of the reagent in the reagent bottle <NUM> is equal to or smaller than an amount preset as the dead volume setting value, and the number of remaining tests (remaining reagent amount information <NUM>) obtained from a value of liquid-surface sensing by a liquid surface sensor, and the number of remaining tests (remaining reagent amount information <NUM>) computed by software counting are compared with each other to judge, on the basis of information stored in the storage unit <NUM>, whether or not there is a discrepancy between the remaining reagent amount information <NUM> and the remaining reagent amount information <NUM> (whether or not there has been a remaining amount skip) which is equal to or greater than a certain degree in the reagent dispensing process in a number of remaining tests (e.g. <NUM> tests) that have been conducted before the dead volume setting value is reached (Step <NUM>).

In a case that, at Step <NUM>, there is not a discrepancy between the number of remaining tests obtained by the liquid-surface sensing by the liquid surface sensor, and the number of remaining tests computed by the software counting, that is, there has been no remaining amount skips, the measurement by the dispensing of the reagent in the reagent bottle <NUM> is completed, and the dead volume setting value is not altered (Step <NUM>).

In a case that, at Step <NUM>, a discrepancy between the numbers of remaining tests described above has occurred regarding the reagent in the reagent bottle <NUM>, and the number of remaining tests obtained by the liquid-surface sensing by the sensor is larger than the number of remaining tests computed by the software counting, and the discrepancy is equal to or greater than a certain degree, that is, in a case that there has been a remaining amount skip, the reagent dead volume setting value for this type is altered by adding five tests (alteration amount) to the current setting value (Step <NUM>), and the altered information is stored in the storage unit <NUM>. Thereafter, the measurement by the dispensing of the reagent in the reagent bottle <NUM> is completed (Step <NUM>).

Because dead volume setting values are altered automatically in the present second embodiment, a user can save the labor of manual setting (alterations of dead volume setting values). In addition, in a case that it is desired not to increase the amount of waste reagents above a certain level, a dead volume upper limit alteration amount value may be set. It is also possible to alter the dead volume alteration amount from +<NUM> to another value. This alteration can be performed at a dead volume alteration amount setting portion <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. By manipulating the dead volume alteration amount installation portion <NUM>, the current dead volume upper limit alteration amount value is displayed in the dead volume alteration amount setting portion <NUM>, and the displayed value can be altered, in one possible configuration.

According to the second embodiment, in addition to advantageous effects similar to those in the first embodiment, in a case that there is a discrepancy between the number of remaining tests obtained by liquid-surface sensing by a liquid-surface sensing mechanism (liquid surface sensor) near a dead volume setting value, and the number of remaining tests computed by software counting (the count (count) of the number of times of reagent dispensing of the reagent dispensing mechanism <NUM> or <NUM> by the control unit <NUM>) also, that is, in a case that there has been a remaining amount skip also, the dead volume setting value can be altered to an appropriate value automatically; as a result, it is not necessary for a user to manually alter dead volume setting values, and the burden of the work by the user (operator) can be reduced.

Note that the setting value of the number of tests for which the presence or absence of a remaining amount skip is identified at Step <NUM> is not limited to <NUM>, but it may be made possible for a user to alter the setting value as desired, in one possible configuration.

In addition, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, remaining amounts of reagents may be managed and set not as the numbers of tests, but as the volumes or liquid surface heights of the reagents.

For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, a dead volume setting screen can be a screen on which setting values are specified not as the numbers of remaining tests, but as liquid surface heights mm of reagents.

In addition, while alterations of the settings of dead volumes are explained as one example of a solution to the problem in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, instead of the alterations of dead volume setting values, or simultaneously with the alterations of dead volume setting values, the amounts of dipping of the reagent dispensing probes 7a and 8a below the liquid surfaces in the reagent bottles <NUM> may be altered in order to reduce the running cost of a user.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a dip amount setting portion <NUM> (<FIG>), <NUM> (<FIG>) or <NUM> (<FIG>) may be displayed, and it may be made possible to set an amount of dipping of a reagent dispensing probe below a liquid surface for each measurement item, for each shape of a reagent vessel and for each level of reagent wettability. In addition, it may be made possible to be able to set dip amounts along with dead volume setting values.

Claim 1:
An automatic analyzer comprising:
a reagent dispensing mechanism (<NUM>, <NUM>) adapted to suck a reagent to be used for a measurement item out of a plurality of different measurement items in a reagent vessel (<NUM>) having a vessel shape out of a plurality of different vessel shapes, and to dispense the sucked reagent to a reaction vessel (<NUM>);
a liquid-surface sensing mechanism (<NUM>; <NUM>) adapted to sense a liquid surface of the reagent in the reagent vessel;
a display unit (<NUM>) adapted to display a setting screen on which an operator can set a value of a dead volume setting value of the reagent in the reagent vessel for each of the plurality of measurement items and each of the plurality of vessel shapes;
an analyzing unit (<NUM>) adapted to analyze a sample in the reaction vessel; and
a control unit (<NUM>) adapted to control operation of the reagent dispensing mechanism,
wherein the control unit is adapted to judge whether or not an amount of the reagent in the reagent vessel obtained from liquid-surface sensing by the liquid surface sensor mechanism is equal to or larger than the value of the dead volume installation value set on the display screen, and to control the reagent dispensing mechanism to stop the sucking of the reagent from the reagent vessel if the amount of the reagent in the reagent vessel is smaller than the dead volume setting value.