U.S. patent application number 10/614105 was filed with the patent office on 2004-06-03 for automatic analyzer.
Invention is credited to Takahashi, Katsuaki, Tao, Ryuji, Yamazaki, Isao.
Application Number | 20040105783 10/614105 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29728447 |
Filed Date | 2004-06-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040105783 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yamazaki, Isao ; et
al. |
June 3, 2004 |
Automatic analyzer
Abstract
An automatic analyzer according to the present invention is
compact, mounting great number of reagents, having high processing
ability. Reagent disks are arranged at inside and outside of a
reaction disk. A reagent probe can inject a reagent into the
position which is common position of both reagent disks. One of
plural reagent probes approaches to one of reagent disks at one
cycle. Plural reagent probes alternatively approach to the reagent
disk. Therefore, the first reagents and the second reagents can be
placed on both reagent disks. The mounting number of reagents can
be increased without enlarging an analyzer. The cycle time can be
shortened to make an automatic analyzer to have high processing
ability.
Inventors: |
Yamazaki, Isao; (Ryugasaki,
JP) ; Tao, Ryuji; (Hitachinaka, JP) ;
Takahashi, Katsuaki; (Hitachinaka, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MATTINGLY, STANGER & MALUR, P.C.
Suite 370
1800 Diagonal Road
Alexandria
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
29728447 |
Appl. No.: |
10/614105 |
Filed: |
July 8, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
422/64 ;
422/62 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 436/12 20150115;
Y10T 436/116664 20150115; G01N 35/1083 20130101; G01N 2035/0094
20130101; Y10T 436/11 20150115; Y10T 436/119163 20150115; Y10T
436/113332 20150115; Y10T 436/115831 20150115; G01N 35/1002
20130101; G01N 35/025 20130101; G01N 2035/1076 20130101; G01N
35/0092 20130101; G01N 21/75 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
422/064 ;
422/062 |
International
Class: |
G01N 035/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 10, 2002 |
JP |
2002-200724 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An automatic analyzer having a reagent disk for arranging on a
circumference thereof plural reagent containers, a reaction disk
for arranging on a circumference thereof plural reaction cells,
said automatic analyzer reacting a reagent received in said reagent
containers with a sample in said reaction cell to analyze the
reaction of said sample, comprising: a plurality of reagent disks;
and a reagent dispensing probe for sucking said reagent from said
one reagent container and injecting the said reagent into said
reaction cell, wherein said reagent dispensing probe sucks said
reagents from each of said reagent containers on said plurality of
said reagent disks, injecting said reagents into said reaction cell
on a same dispensing position.
2. An automatic analyzer having a reagent disk for arranging on a
circumference thereof plural reagent containers, a reaction disk
for arranging on a circumference thereof plural reaction cells,
said automatic analyzer reacting a reagent received in said reagent
containers with a sample in said reaction cell to analyze the
reaction of said sample, comprising: a plurality of reagent disks;
and a system arranged such that desired plural reagents can be
aspirated from their corresponding ones of said reagent containers
on said plural reagent disks and can then be injected into said
reaction cell at the same dispensing position on said reaction disk
and also such that a cycle, in which a reagent aspirated from a
reagent container on specific one of said reagent disks can be
injected at the same dispensing position into said reaction cell,
and another cycle, in which a reagent aspirated from a reagent
container on another one of said reagent disks can be injected at
the same dispensing position into said reagent cell, are
periodically repeated.
3. An automatic analyzer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in a
course of said reaction within said reaction cell, said desired
plural reagents and said sample can be reacted in said reaction
cell, and said desired plural reagents for use in said reaction are
arranged on the same one of said plural reaction disks.
4. An automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1-3,
comprising a plurality of sets each of which is composed of a
sampling probe for dispensing samples, a reagent dispensing probe
as defined in said claim and a reagent disk as defined in said
claim, and a controller for controlling said automatic analyzer
such that no combination of said sampling probes, said reagent
dispensing probes and said reagent disk in plural ones of said sets
is used for a single analysis.
5. An automatic analyzer having a reagent disk for arranging on a
circumference thereof plural reagent containers, a reaction disk
for arranging on a circumference thereof plural reaction cells,
said automatic analyzer reacting a reagent received in said reagent
containers with a sample in said reaction cell to analyze the
reaction of said sample, comprising: a plurality of reagent disks;
and a reagent dispensing probe capable of dispensing desired plural
reagents from their corresponding ones of different reagent
containers, which are arranged on circumferences of said reagent
disks, into desired one of said plural reaction cells on said
reaction disk without moving said reaction disk.
6. An automatic analyzer provided with a reagent disk for arranging
on a circumference thereof plural reagent containers, a reaction
disk for arranging on a circumference thereof plural reaction
cells, and a system for subjecting a reagent, which is placed in
one of said reagent containers, and a sample to a reaction in one
of said reaction cells and analyzing said reaction, comprising: a
plurality of reagent disks; and a plurality of
independently-operable reagent dispensing probes capable of
dispensing desired plural reagents from their corresponding ones of
different reagent containers, which are arranged on circumferences
of said reagent disks, into desired one of said plural reaction
cells on said reaction disk without moving said reaction disk.
7. An automatic analyzer provided with a reagent disk for arranging
on a circumference thereof plural reagent containers, a reaction
disk for arranging on a circumference thereof plural reaction
cells, and a system for subjecting a reagent, which is placed in
one of said reagent containers, and a sample to a reaction in one
of said reaction cells and analyzing said reaction, comprising: a
plurality of reagent disks; and a plurality of
independently-operable reagent dispensing probes capable of
dispensing desired plural reagents from their corresponding ones of
different reagent containers, which are arranged on circumferences
of said reagent disks, into desired plural ones of said plural
reaction cells on said reaction disk, respectively, without moving
said reaction disk, said plurality of independently-operable
reagent dispensing probes corresponding to said desired plural
reaction cells, respectively.
8. An automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1-7,
wherein each reagent dispensing probe is provided with a moving
mechanism capable of reciprocating said reagent dispensing probe
along a rail extending over said plural reagent disks.
9. An automatic analyzer according to claim 8, wherein each reagent
dispensing probe is provided with a moving mechanism capable of
reciprocating said reagent dispensing probe along a rail extending
over said plural reagent disks.
10. An automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1-9,
wherein at least one of said plural reagent disks is arranged
inside said reaction disk with their central axes extending along
the same line.
11. An automatic analyzer according to claim 9 to 10, wherein at
least one of said reagent dispensing probes is provided with a
moving mechanism capable of moving said at least one reagent
dispensing probe in a direction substantially vertical to said
rail.
12. An automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1-11,
wherein said reagent containers can each store in a single package
both of a first reagent and a second reagent to be used for the
same analysis item, and can each be replaced package by package.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to an automatic analyzer for
automatically analyzing components in blood or the like, and
especially to an automatic analyzer permitting a greater number of
reagents thereon and having a high analytical capacity per unit
time.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Automatic analyzers, which automatically analyze biological
samples such as blood and output results, have become indispensable
for large hospitals, which receive a great number of patients, and
clinical laboratories, which conduct tests by undertaking them from
medium and small hospitals and doctors' offices, to perform
analyses efficiently.
[0005] Desired as such automatic analyzers are those having a
compact structure, permitting a variety of analyses, and having a
high processing speed, and a variety of automatic analyzers have
been proposed. For example, JP-A-5-10957 discloses an automatic
analyzer provided with two reagent disks, which allow to mount
reagents in concentric circles, and reagent probes independently
movable corresponding to respective concentric trains of individual
reagent containers. Namely, the reagent disks are arranged in
concentric circles to increase a number of reagents to be mounted
on the reagent disk. The reagent dispensing probes can move
independently with each other corresponding to the respective
trains of the reagent to avoid a reduction in processing speed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to the technology disclosed in JP-A-5-10957,
however, the plural reagent probes accessing to the train of
reagent containers on one reagent disk are operable about the same
axis of rotation.
[0007] In this case, reagents from reagent containers on the same
reagent disk can be dispensed only into reaction cells placed at
the same dispensing position on the reaction disk. On the other
hand, reagents from reagent containers on one reagent disk can be
dispensed one position on the reaction disk, and reagents from
reagent cells on the other reagent disk can be dispensed the other
position different from one position on the reaction disk.
[0008] Namely, in the automatic analyzer disclosed in JP-A-5-10957,
the reagent probe can suck reagents only in combinations specified
by the arrangement of the reagent containers, so that analysis with
a random combination of reagents cannot be performed with high
handling capacity.
[0009] An object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide
an automatic analyzer, which permits arrangement of reagents with a
high degree of freedom on reagent disks, allows to mount a great
number of reagents, and has a high analytical capacity per unit
time.
[0010] The object of the present invention can be achieved by the
following automatic analyzer:
[0011] An automatic analyzer having a reagent disk for arranging on
a circumference thereof plural reagent containers, a reaction disk
for arranging on a circumference thereof plural reaction cells, and
a section for reacting the reagent in the reagent and sample in the
reaction cell and for analyzing the reaction. The automatic
analyzer includes plural reagent disks and a reagent dispensing
probe for sucking the reagent from the reagent container and
injecting the same into the reaction cell. The reagent dispensing
probe sucks reagents from each of reagent containers on plural
reagent disks, injecting the reagent into a reaction cell on same
dispensing position on the reaction disk. This automatic analyzer
can be rephrased as described below.
[0012] An automatic analyzer having a reagent disk for arranging on
a circumference thereof plural reagent containers, a reaction disk
for arranging on a circumference thereof plural reaction cells, and
a section for reacting the reagent in the reagent and sample in the
reaction cell and for analyzing the reaction. The automatic
analyzer includes plural reagent disks and a reagent dispensing
probe capable of dispensing a reagent to a reaction cell on the
same position on the reaction disk with no movement of the reaction
disk from various position of the reagent containers arranged on
circumferences of the reagent disks. The expression "a reagent
dispensing probe capable of dispensing . . . containers arranged on
circumferences of the reagent disks" is a rephrase of the
possibility that reagents can be dispensed to the same dispensing
position on the reaction disk, and does not mean that the reaction
is fixed to prevent its movement. The expressions "reagent disks"
and "reaction disk" do not absolutely require that they are
disk-shaped, so that the expression "on a circumference of a disk"
is used. In the case of a disk-shaped disk, this expression may
therefore be rephrased as "on a circular circumference". Further,
the reagent containers may be arranged on the circular
circumference of a circular disk and rotating the disk. Further,
the reagent containers may be arranged on a closed-loop belt
conveyor, being moved by driving the belt conveyor. In the latter
instance, the movement track of the reagent containers is not
required to be circular, thereby allowing to set a movement track
of a desired shape.
[0013] Further, an automatic analyzer can include a plurality of
independently-operable reagent dispensing each of which corresponds
to each of reagent containers. The reagent dispensing probes can
dispense a reagent to a reaction cell on the same position on the
reaction disk with no movement of the reaction disk from various
position of the reagent containers arranged on circumferences of
the reagent disks. The expression "a reagent to a reaction cell . .
. containers arranged on circumferences of the reagent disks" is
synonymous with the existence of plural reagent dispensing
positions. In other words, this expression means that the automatic
analyzer includes provided with reagent dispensing probes arranged
corresponding to plural reagent dispensing positions,
respectively.
[0014] The reagent dispensing probes includes a moving mechanism
capable of reciprocating the reagent dispensing probe along a rail
extending over the plural reagent disks. The rail may be linear or
curved in configuration insofar as it permits sucking of a reagent
from one of the reagent containers on the plural reagent disks.
Further, no limitation is imposed on the moving mechanism for each
reagent dispensing probe insofar as it can move the reagent
dispensing probe along the rail. For example, it is possible to
adopt such a construction that the reagent dispensing probe is
equipped with a motor and is arranged pendant from the rail
disposed above the reagent disks such that the reagent dispensing
probe is movable along the rail, or such a construction that the
reagent dispensing probe is equipped with a motor and runs on the
rail disposed below the reagent disks.
[0015] Further, plural reagent dispensing probes may be arranged
such that they can reciprocate along a rail and further, a
plurality of such rails may be arranged. The number of reagent
dispensing probes arranged on one rail may desirably be the same as
the number of reagent disks, because an excessively large number of
reagent dispensing probes leads to mutual interference in operation
between the reagent dispensing probes. An analysis can be performed
faster with the number of rails. Nonetheless, it is desired to
choose an adequate number of rails depending upon the kinds and
numbers of reagents to be mounted, the analytical capacity, etc.,
because an excessively large number of rails develops a problem
such that the reagent disks would be required to stop longer upon
dispensing reagents.
[0016] At least one of the plural reagent disks may preferably be
arranged inside the reaction disk with their central axes extending
along the same line. To construct an automatic analyzer compact,
its space efficiency has to be increased. The space efficiency can
be improved, for example, by constructing a reaction disk in the
form of a ring and arranging a disk-shaped reagent disk inside the
ring. Needless to say, plural reagent disks can be arranged
concentrically. Arrangement of a reaction disk and a reagent disk
with their central axes extending along the same line permits a
simpler mechanical structure, although they can of course be
arranged with their central axes being shifted from each other as
needed.
[0017] At least one of the reagent dispensing probes may be
provided with a moving mechanism capable of moving the at least one
reagent dispensing probe in a direction substantially vertical to
the rail. This construction requires a more complex mechanism for
the reagent dispensing probe, but the positional range of
accessible reagent containers becomes wider, leading to an
improvement in the freedom of analysis. Whether or not this
mechanism is arranged should be chosen depending on its need. The
reagent containers may each be constructed such that it can store
in a single package both of a first reagent and a second reagent to
be used for the same analysis item and can be replaced package by
package.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automatic analyzer
according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the automatic analyzer of the
first embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary schematic illustration of the
automatic analyzer of the first embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a construction diagram of a reagent disk in an
automatic analyzer according to a second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a construction diagram of a reagent disk in an
automatic analyzer according to a third embodiment of the present
invention;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of an automatic analyzer according
to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and
[0024] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of an automatic analyzer according
to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0025] With reference to the accompanying drawings, the embodiments
of the present invention will be described hereinafter. FIG. 1 is a
perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 2 being a top view of the first embodiment. Fifty-four
reaction cells 35 are arranged along a circular circumference of a
reaction disk 36 disposed on a housing 62. A reagent disk 42 is
arranged inside the reaction disk 36, a reagent disk 41 is arranged
outside the reaction disk 36. The reagent disks 41,42 can each
mount a plurality of reagent containers 40 along a circular
circumference. Two reagents are received in one reagent container
40. In the neighborhood of the reaction disk 36, a transport
mechanism 12 is arranged to move a rack 11 with sample containers
10 mounted thereon. Rails 25,26 are arranged over the reagent disks
41,42. Reagent dispensing probes 20,21 are arranged on the rail 25
moving in parallel and vertical directions relative to the rail 25.
Reagent dispensing probes 22,23 are arranged on the rail 26 moving
in three axis directions of the rail 26. The reagent dispensing
probes 20,21,22,23 are connected to a reagent pump 24 respectively.
Sampling probes 15,16 are arranged between the reaction cells 35
and the transport mechanism 12 being rotatable and movable up and
down. The sampling probes 15,16 are each connected to a sampling
pump 14. Around the reaction disk 36, mixing units 30,31, a light
source 50, a detection unit 51 and a washing unit 45 are arranged.
The washing unit 45 is connected to a washing pump 46. A washing
port 54 is arranged within an operational range of the sampling
probes 15,16, reagent dispensing probes 20,21,22,23 and mixing
units 30,31. The sampling pump 14, reagent pump 24, washing pump
46, detection unit 51, reaction cells 35, reagent disk 41, reagent
dispensing probes 20,21,22,23 and sampling probes 15,16 are each
connected to a controller 60.
[0026] As illustrated in FIG. 3, a sample dispensing position, a
first-timing reagent dispensing position, a second-timing reagent
dispensing position, a third-timing reagent dispensing position, a
mixing position, a measuring position and a washing position are
set on the reaction disk 36. Using a predetermined cycle time as a
unit, the reaction disk rotates counterclockwise over 11 pitches
and stops. For example, a reaction cell which is located at
Position 1 in a certain cycle advances to Position 2 in the
following cycle.
[0027] With the automatic analyzer, an analysis is performed in the
following procedure.
[0028] Samples to be tested, such as blood samples, are received in
the sample containers 10, the sample container being mounted on the
rack 11, the rack 11 being conveyed by the transport mechanism 12.
The sampling probe 15 firstly sucks the sample in an amount
required for a first test from the sample container 10 located at a
specific position. In a first cycle, a predetermined amount of the
sample is injected from the sampling probe 15 into the reaction
cell 35 located on the reaction disk 1. In the meantime, the
reagent dispensing probe 20 sucks a first reagent, which
corresponds to the first test in a predetermined amount, from a
reagent containers 40 on the reagent disk 41.
[0029] In a second cycle, the reaction cell advances to Position 2
on the reaction disk. At this position, the reagent dispensing
probe 20 injects the predetermined amount of the first reagent into
the reaction cell. In the meantime, the sampling probe 15 is
washed.
[0030] In a third cycle, the reaction cell advances to Position 3
on the reaction disk, and at this position, the reagent and the
sample are mixed with each other by the mixing unit 30. In the
meantime, the reagent dispensing probe 20 is washed.
[0031] In a fourth cycle, the reaction cell, in the course of its
advance to Position 4 on the reaction disk, passes between the
light source 50 and the detection unit 51 to perform an optical
measurement. During the rotation of the reaction disk, the mixing
unit 30 is washed in the washing port 54.
[0032] In 9th, 14th, 19th, 24th, 29th, 34th and 39th cycles,
optical measurements are also performed likewise.
[0033] When the first test is designed to dispense the second
reagent at a second timing, the reagent dispensing probe 22, in a
16th cycle, sucks the second reagent from the reagent container 40
on the reagent disk 41, and in a 17th cycle, the probe 22 injects
the second reagent into the reaction cell located at Position 17 on
the reaction disk. In an 18th cycle, the mixing unit 31 mixes the
liquid in the reaction cell located at Position 18 on the reaction
disk. In the meantime, the reagent dispensing probe 22 is
washed.
[0034] When the first test is designed to dispense the second
reagent at a third timing, the reagent dispensing probe 22, in a
26th cycle, sucks the second reagent from the reagent container 40
on the reagent disk 41, and in a 27th cycle, the probe 22 injects
the second reagent into the reaction cell located at Position 27 on
the reaction disk. In a 28th cycle, the mixing unit 31 the liquid
in the reaction cell located at Position 28 on the reaction disk.
In the meantime, the reagent dispensing probe 22 is washed.
[0035] After repeating an optical measurement subsequent to the
dispensing and mixing of the second reagent, the washing unit 45,
at Position 44 or 49 on the reaction disk, sucks the liquid from
the reaction cell and injects a washing solution into the reaction
cell in a 44th cycle and a 49th cycle, respectively. Further, in a
54th cycle, the washing solution is completely sucked.
[0036] The results of the plural optical measurements performed by
the detection unit 51 are fed to the controller 60, and the
controller 60 calculates the concentration of the measurement items
of the first test.
[0037] In the second test, the sampling probe 16, firstly in a 1st
cycle, sucks the sample in an amount required for the second test
from the sample container 10 located at the specific position. In a
2nd cycle, a predetermined amount of the sample is injected from
the sampling probe 16 into the reaction cell 35 located at Position
1 on the reaction disk. In the meantime, the reagent dispensing
probe 21 sucks a first reagent, which corresponds to the second
test, in a predetermined amount from the corresponding one of the
reagent containers 40 on the reagent disk 42.
[0038] In a 3rd cycle, the reaction cell advances to Position 2 on
the reaction disk. At this position, the reagent dispensing probe
21 inject the predetermined amount of the first reagent into the
reaction cell. In the meantime, the sampling probe 16 is
washed.
[0039] In a 4th cycle, the reaction cell advances to Position 3 on
the reaction disk, and at this position, the reagent and the sample
are mixed with each other by the mixing unit 30. In the meantime,
the reagent dispensing probe 21 is washed.
[0040] In a 5th cycle, the reaction cell, in the course of its
advance to Position 4 on the reaction disk, passes between the
light source 50 and the detection unit 51 to perform an optical
measurement. During the rotation of the reaction disk, the mixing
unit 30 is washed in the washing port 54.
[0041] In 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th, 35th and 40th cycles,
optical measurements are also performed likewise.
[0042] When the second test is designed to dispense the second
reagent at the second timing, the reagent dispensing probe 23, in a
17th cycle, sucks the second reagent from the reagent container 40
on the reagent disk 42, and in an 18th cycle, the probe 23 injects
the second reagent into the reaction cell located at Position 18 on
the reaction disk. In a 19th cycle, the mixing unit 31 mixes the
liquid in the reaction cell located at Position 18 on the reaction
disk. In the meantime, the reagent dispensing probe 23 is
washed.
[0043] When the second test is designed to dispense the second
reagent at the third timing, the reagent dispensing probe 23, in a
27th cycle, sucks the second reagent from the corresponding reagent
container 40 on the reagent disk 42, and in a 28th cycle, the probe
23 injects the second reagent into the reaction cell located at
Position 27 on the reaction disk. In a 29th cycle, the mixing unit
31 mixes the liquid in the reaction cell located at Position 28 on
the reaction disk. In the meantime, the reagent dispensing probe 23
is washed.
[0044] After repeating the optical measurement subsequent to the
dispensing and mixing of the second reagent, the washing unit 45,
at Position 44 or 49 on the reaction disk, sucks the liquid from
the reaction cell and injects a washing solution into the reaction
cell in a 45th cycle and a 50th cycle, respectively. Further, in a
55th cycle, the washing solution is completely sucked.
[0045] The results of the plural optical measurements performed by
the detection unit 51 are fed to the controller 60, and
concentrations of measurement items in the second test are
calculated.
[0046] In a third test, the same steps as in the first test are
repeated with a delay of 2 cycles. In the fourth test, the same
steps as in the second test are repeated with a delay of 2 cycles.
Similar steps are then repeated successively, and in plural tests,
concentrations of measurement items in samples are analyzed.
[0047] In this embodiment, the reagent dispensing probe 20
approaches or accesses to the reagent disk 41 in an odd-numbered
cycle to suck a reagent, while the reagent dispensing probe 22
approaches to the same reagent disk in an even-numbered cycle to
suck a reagent. Accordingly, the two probes do not simultaneously
approach to the reagent disk in the same cycle. Similarly, the
reagent dispensing probe 23 approaches to the reagent disk 42 in an
odd-numbered cycle to suck a reagent, while the reagent dispensing
probe 21 approaches to the same reagent disk in an even-numbered
cycle to suck a reagent. Accordingly, the two probes do not
simultaneously approach to the reagent disk in the same cycle. It
is, therefore, possible to shorten the time of each cycle and
hence, to increase the number of samples to be analyzed per unit
time.
[0048] In a single cycle, regents are sucked with only one reagent
dispensing probe from the respective reagent disks. It is,
therefore, possible to set longer the reagent-sucking time and
probe-moving time and hence, to stably dispense the reagents with
high accuracy.
[0049] The two reagent disks can rotate independently with each
other, and in a single cycle, reagents are sucked with only one
reagent dispensing probe from the respective reagent disks. It is,
therefore, possible to freely choose a combination of regents to be
sucked at the same time and hence, to perform an analysis with such
a high analytical capacity as permitting the analysis even in the
case of an irregular combination of analysis items.
[0050] In this embodiment, a first reagent and a second reagent are
both sucked from the reagent disk 41 in an odd-numbered test, and a
first reagent and a second reagent are both sucked from the reagent
disk 42 in an even-numbered test. Accordingly, the first reagent
and the second reagent, which are to be used for the same test
item, can be mounted on the reagent disk. It is, therefore, only
necessary to perform reagent replacements to the same reagent disk.
This can reduce the labor for the reagent replacement, and can also
decrease potential errors.
[0051] In this embodiment, two reagents can be received in the same
reagent container 40. Therefore, the first reagent and second
reagent, both of which correspond to a single test item, can be
received in the same one of the reagent containers 40, and the
first reagent and second reagent can be replaced at once. This can
reduce the labor for the reagent replacement, and can also decrease
potential errors.
[0052] In this embodiment, the reagent dispensing probe 20
approaches to the first-timing reagent dispensing position on the
reaction disk 36 in an even-numbered cycle to inject the first
reagent, while the reagent dispensing probe 21 approaches to the
same reagent dispensing position in an odd-numbered cycle to inject
the first reagent. Accordingly, the two probes do not
simultaneously approach to the first-timing reagent dispensing
position in the same cycle. Similarly, the reagent dispensing probe
22 makes an access to the second-timing reagent dispensing position
and the third-timing reagent dispensing position on the reaction
disk 36 in odd-numbered cycles to inject the second reagent, while
the reagent dispensing probe 23 approaches to the same reagent
dispensing positions in even-numbered cycles to inject the second
reagent. Accordingly, the two probes do not simultaneously approach
to the same reagent dispensing position in the same cycle. Further,
the first-timing reagent dispensing position, the second-timing
reagent dispensing position and the third-timing reagent dispensing
position are apart from one another, so that the probes can
simultaneously approach to the individual positions. It is,
therefore, necessary to allocate only one reagent-injecting time
per cycle and hence, to shorten each cycle time and to increase the
number of samples analyzable per unit time.
[0053] Further, only one probe injects a reagent at a specific
position in a single cycle. It is, therefore, possible to set
longer the time usable for the injection and hence, to conduct the
injection with high reproducibility and high accuracy. The reagents
can hence be dispensed in highly accurate amounts, thereby
permitting a high-accuracy analysis.
[0054] In this embodiment, the reagent dispensing probe 20 and
reagent dispensing probe 23 suck reagents in an odd-numbered cycle
and inject them in an even-numbered cycle, while the reagent
dispensing probe 21 and reagent dispensing probe 22 suck reagents
in an even-numbered cycle and inject them in an odd-numbered cycle.
With respect to each probe, it is hence required perform a reagent
sucking, a reagent injection and probe washing in the time of two
cycles. The operation time can be set sufficiently long to ensure
stable performance of the operation.
[0055] As the operation time of each reagent dispensing probe can
be set long, a broad movable range can be set for the probe. As a
consequence, the reagent disks can be dimensioned large, and
reagents required for various types of tests can all be mounted on
the reagent disks.
[0056] In this embodiment, the reagent dispensing probe 20 and the
reagent dispensing probe 21 are common in the injecting position.
The first reagent can be dispensed at an equivalent timing no
matter through which one of the probes the first reagent is
injected. It is, therefore, possible to analyze the course of a
reaction under equal conditions.
[0057] In this embodiment, the reagent dispensing probe 22 and the
reagent dispensing probe 23 can move in a direction perpendicular
to the rail 26, and can approach to the common second-timing
reagent dispensing position and third-timing reagent dispensing
position to inject the second reagents, respectively. It is,
therefore, possible to analyze plural reactions different from one
another in the mixing timing of the second reagent and hence to
increase the kinds of analyzable items.
[0058] Further, the reagent dispensing probe 22 and the reagent
dispensing probe 23 are common to each other in the injecting
position, thereby permitting analyses under equivalent
conditions.
[0059] The reagent dispensing probe 20 and the reagent dispensing
probe 21 are on the common rail 25, and the reagent dispensing
probe 22 and the reagent dispensing probe 23 are on the common rail
26. A smaller area is, therefore, needed for the installation of
the probes so that the analyzer can be constructed compact.
[0060] The reagent disk 41 and the reagent disk 42 are located on
the outer and inner sides of the reaction disk 36, respectively,
with the reagent dispensing positions on the reaction disk being
located between the reagent disk 41 and the reagent disk 42.
Accordingly, the two reagent disks can be arranged at a small
interval therebetween, and as the rails 25,26 to be arranged over
the two reagent disks and the reagent injecting positions, short
rails can be used. The analyzer can therefore be constructed
compact.
[0061] As the reagent disk 41 and the reagent disk 42 are arranged
close to each other, the distances to the common reagent injection
positions are short and therefore, the moving distances of the
reagent dispensing probes are short. It is, therefore, possible to
shorten the cycle time and hence, to increase the number of samples
analyzable per unit time.
[0062] In this embodiment, the sampling probe 15 and the sampling
probe 16 alternately repeat a sample sucking operation and a sample
injection operation so that in a single cycle, only one sampling
probe approaches to the sample container 10 and the reaction cell
35. It is, therefore, possible to shorten the cycle time and hence,
to increase the number of samples analyzable per unit time.
[0063] It is only necessary for the sampling probe 15 and the
sampling probe 16 to perform the sucking operation and injection
operation of a sample and its washing in two cycles. The dispensing
and probe movements can, therefore, be performed with a margin
time, the accuracy of each dispensed amount can be heightened, and
the accuracy of the analysis can be increased.
[0064] In this embodiment, to a sample dispensed by the sampling
probe 15, the first reagent is dispensed by the reagent dispensing
probe 20 from the reagent disk 41 and the second reagent is
dispensed by the reagent dispensing probe 22 from the reagent disk
41. To a sample dispensed by the sampling probe 16, on the other
hand, the first reagent is dispensed by the reagent dispensing
probe 21 from the reagent disk 42 and the second reagent is
dispensed by the reagent dispensing probe 23 from the reagent disk
42. Accordingly, the sampling probe 15, the reagent disk 41, the
reagent dispensing probe 20 and the reagent dispensing probe 22 are
combined into a first set, while the sampling probe 16, the reagent
disk 42, the reagent dispensing probe 21 and the reagent dispensing
probe 23 are combined into a second set, and none of them are
combined with a set other of the first and second sets. For
analysis items corresponding to the reagents arranged on the
reagent disk 41, it is hence necessary to conduct only a
calibration which makes use of the sampling probe 15, the reagent
dispensing probe 20 and the reagent dispensing probe 22. For
analysis items corresponding to the reagents arranged on the
reagent disk 42, on the other hand, it is hence necessary to
conduct only a calibration which makes use of the sampling probe
16, the reagent dispensing probe 21 and the reagent dispensing
probe 23. It is, therefore, necessary to conduct calibrations with
the individual sets only. The number of calibrations can,
therefore, be reduced to avoid wasting of the reagents and time and
also to avoid occurrence of any difference in the result of an
analysis due to differences in characteristics among the
probes.
[0065] If the first timing of reagent dispensing and the second or
third timing of reagent dispensing were shifted from each other by
an even number of cycles, it would be necessary to suck the first
reagent and the second reagent in the same cycle. In this
embodiment, however, the first timing of reagent dispensing and the
second or third timing of reagent dispensing are shifted from each
other by an odd number of cycles, so that the a cycle in which the
first reagent is sucked and a cycle in which the second reagent is
aspirated are alternately repeated.
[0066] In this embodiment, there are fifty-four reaction cells 35,
which rotate over 11 pitches in a cycle. Each reaction cell,
therefore, rotates 360 degrees plus 1 pitch in 5 cycles.
Accordingly, it will be 5 cycles later that the reaction cell
located at a given position on the reaction disk moves to the
adjacent position which is apart from the given position by 1
pitch. If the reaction disk were constructed such that each
reaction cell would rotate 360 degrees plus 1 pitch in an even
number of cycles, it would be the even number of cycles later that
the reaction cell would move to the adjacent position which is
apart by 1 pitch. In this case, positions to which each reaction
cell would successively move at a time interval equivalent to the
even number of cycles would be located side by side. If one
attempts to allocate the timing, at which the first reagent is
dispensed, and the timing, at which the second reagent is
dispensed, to even numbers of cycles and odd numbers of cycles,
respectively, in the above-mentioned case, the positions at which
they are injected, respectively, would become apart from each
other. It would, therefore, be necessary to arrange the reagent
dispensing probes at positions which are apart from each other. In
this embodiment, however, the reaction disk is constructed such
that each reaction cell rotates 360 degrees plus 1 pitch in an odd
number of cycles. It is, therefore, possible to arrange the
positions--at which the first reagent and the second positions are
injected, respectively--close to each other, and hence, to
construct the analyzer in a small size. Construction of the
reaction disk such that each reaction cell rotates 360 degrees
minus 1 pitch in an odd number of cycles can also bring about the
same advantageous effect.
[0067] In this embodiment, the reaction disk is constructed such
that the position of each reaction cell is shifted by 1 pitch in an
odd number of cycles. Accordingly, a train of reaction cells, which
cannot be measured as they pass at an accelerated or decelerated
speed through the measurement position by the detection unit 51,
occurs at successive timings. Since these successive timings can be
brought into agreement with the reaction-cell-washing timings which
are irrelevant to the measurement of the courses of reactions,
these courses of reactions can be continuously analyzed without any
timing at which no measurement is feasible. It is, therefore,
possible to perform analyses of a wide variety of items ranging
from items each of which requires only a short time for its
reaction to items each of which requires a long time for its
reaction.
[0068] In a modified embodiment, the reaction disk 36 rotates
clockwise over 43 pitches per cycle in an analyzer of a similar
construction as that illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. In this
modified embodiment, a reaction cell located at Position 1 on the
reaction disk also moves to Position 2 on the reaction disk in the
next cycle. As the reaction cell passes through the position of the
detection unit 51 four times in 5 cycles in this case, the reaction
cell can be measured repeatedly. It is, therefore, possible to
perform an analysis at high accuracy.
[0069] FIG. 4 shows a reagent disk of the second embodiment of the
present invention. In this embodiment, reagent containers 40 are
arranged at double circles on the reagent disk 41. Reagent
containers are similarly arranged on the reagent disk 42. As this
embodiment makes it possible to arrange many reagents on small
reagent disks, the number of analyzable items can be increased
without making the size of the analyzer larger.
[0070] FIG. 5 shows a reagent disk of the third embodiment
according to the present invention. In this embodiment, reagent
containers 40 have a sectorial shape, and one reagent is received
in one container. Reagent containers of this shape are mounted on
both of the reagent disk 41 and reagent disk 42. In this
embodiment, the arrangement of the reagent containers on and along
the circular circumference of the reagent disk makes it possible to
reduce the spaces between the adjacent reagent containers. The
individual reagent containers can, therefore, be increased in
capacity so that more samples can be analyzed without replacing the
reagent containers. Further, number of items to be analyzed can be
increased without enlarging the size of an automatic analyzer.
[0071] FIG. 6 shows a top view of the fourth embodiment according
to the present invention. The automatic analyzer shown in FIG. 6 is
different from an automatic analyzer shown in FIG. 2 in that the
sampling probe 15 and the sampling probe 16 inject samples into
reaction cells located at adjacent positions with each other, that
the reagent dispensing probe 20 and the reagent dispensing probe 21
inject reagents into reaction cells located at adjacent positions
with each other, that the reagent dispensing probe 22 and the
reagent dispensing probe 23 inject reagents into reaction cells
located at adjacent positions with each other, and the mixing unit
30 and the mixing unit 31 include two mixing bars respectively to
agitate the liquids in adjacent two reaction cells at the same
time.
[0072] The automatic analyzer of this embodiment operates as will
be described next. The sampling probe 15 and the sampling probe 16
suck samples from sample containers 10 at the same time, and inject
them into reaction cells located at adjacent positions with each
other on the reaction disk 36. In the next cycle, the reagent
dispensing probe 20 and the reagent dispensing probe 21 inject the
corresponding first reagents into the respective reaction cells. In
the following cycle, the mixing unit 30 mixes the liquids in the
individual reaction cells at the same time. After their optical
measurements are then repeated a few times, the reagent dispensing
probe 22 and the reagent dispensing probe 23 inject the second
regents into the respective reaction cells.
[0073] In this embodiment, the injections of samples and reagents
which relate to tests to be conducted in two reaction cells are
performed at the same time with the reaction cells arranged
adjacent with each other. It is, therefore, possible to increase
the number of samples analyzable per unit time.
[0074] In this embodiment, the injections of the samples by the two
sampling probes, the injections of the first reagents by the
corresponding reagent dispensing probes arranged in combination,
and the injections of the second reagents by the corresponding
reagent dispensing probes arranged in combination are each
performed to the adjacent reaction cells located very close to each
other. It is, therefore, possible to construct the analyzer
compact.
[0075] In this embodiment, the first reagent and the second reagent
for the sample dispensed by the sampling probe 15 can be arranged
together on the reagent disk 41, while the first reagent and the
second reagent for the sample dispensed by the sampling probe 16
can be arranged together on the reagent disk 42. This can simplify
the replacement of reagent containers, and can avoid potential
errors in replacing reagent containers.
[0076] FIG. 7 shows a top view of the fifth embodiment according to
the present invention. The automatic analyzer shown in FIG. 7 is
different from the automatic analyzer shown in FIG. 2 in that the
former automatic analyzer is provided with only one sampling probe,
only one reagent dispensing probe on the rail 25 and only one
reagent dispensing probe on the rail 26.
[0077] The automatic analyzer of this embodiment operates as will
be described next. The sample in a sample container 10 is dispensed
by the sampling probe 15 into a reaction cell 35 on the reaction
disk 36. In an even-numbered cycle, the reagent dispensing probe 20
sucks a reagent from the reagent disk 41 and injects it into a
reaction cell, while the reagent dispensing probe 22 sucks a
reagent from the reagent disk 42 and injects it into a reaction
cell. In an odd-numbered cycle, the reagent dispensing probe 20
sucks a reagent from the reagent disk 42 and injects it into a
reaction cell, while the reagent dispensing probe 22 sucks a
reagent from the reagent disk 41 and injects it into a reaction
cell. As the first-timing reagent dispensing position and the
second-timing reagent dispensing position are apart from each other
by an odd number of cycles, a reagent to be dispensed at the first
timing in a test and another reagent to be dispensed at the second
or third timing in the same test are always supplied from the
reagent disk on the same side.
[0078] In this embodiment, the reagent dispensing probe 20 and the
reagent dispensing probe 22 each aspirates reagents from both of
the reagent disk 41 and the reagent disk 42. This embodiment,
therefore, requires the smaller number of reagent dispensing
probes, thereby allowing to provide the analyzer at lower
price.
[0079] In this embodiment, an analysis making use of reagents
arranged on the reagent disk 41 and an analysis making use of
reagents arranged on the reagent disk 42 are each performed by the
common reagent dispensing probes and the common sampling probe. It
is, therefore, possible to obtain analysis results of high
reproducibility irrespective of the characteristics of the
individual probes.
[0080] In this embodiment, the aspirations of reagents from the
respective reagent disks in each cycle are performed by the
corresponding reagent dispensing probes, respectively. It is,
therefore, possible to set the time of each cycle longer and also
to increase the number of samples analyzable per unit time.
[0081] According to the present invention, plural reagent disks,
for example, two reagent disks with a first group of reagents and a
second group of reagents mounted thereon, respectively, are
disposed, and during a single cycle, one of the first group of
reagents and one of the second group of reagents are aspirated from
the corresponding reagent disks by only a single reagent dispensing
probe. It is, therefore, possible to provide an automatic analyzer,
which can mount many reagents and has a high analytical capacity
per unit time.
* * * * *