U.S. patent application number 11/715958 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-13 for centralized monitoring system, analyzing system and centralized monitoring method.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sysmex Corporation. Invention is credited to Hiroyoshi Nishio, Hiroyuki Tanaka.
Application Number | 20070212261 11/715958 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38283150 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070212261 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tanaka; Hiroyuki ; et
al. |
September 13, 2007 |
Centralized monitoring system, analyzing system and centralized
monitoring method
Abstract
The present invention is to present a centralized monitoring
system that can efficiently monitor information regarding the
remaining amount of a reagent used for each reagent supplying
apparatus. The centralized monitoring system comprises: a plurality
of reagent supplying apparatuses, each of the reagent supplying
apparatuses comprising supplying means for supplying a reagent to
an analyzer for analyzing a measurement sample prepared from a
sample and the reagent, and transmitting means for transmitting
information regarding remaining amount of the reagent; generation
means for generating integrated information by integrating the each
remaining amount of the reagent in the reagent supplying
apparatuses based on the information regarding the remaining amount
of the reagent transmitted by the transmitting means; and display
means for displaying the each remaining amount of the reagent in
the reagent supplying apparatuses based on the integrated
information generated by the generation means.
Inventors: |
Tanaka; Hiroyuki; (Kobe,
JP) ; Nishio; Hiroyoshi; (Himeji, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUGHRUE MION, PLLC
2100 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W., SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20037
US
|
Assignee: |
Sysmex Corporation
Kobe-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
38283150 |
Appl. No.: |
11/715958 |
Filed: |
March 9, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
422/67 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01N 33/491 20130101;
G01N 35/00663 20130101; G01N 2035/00217 20130101; G01N 33/49
20130101; G01N 35/1002 20130101; G01N 2035/00326 20130101; G01F
23/56 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
422/67 |
International
Class: |
G01N 35/00 20060101
G01N035/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 10, 2006 |
JP |
2006-065927 |
Claims
1. A centralized monitoring system, comprising: a plurality of
reagent supplying apparatuses, each of the reagent supplying
apparatuses comprising supplying means for supplying a reagent to
an analyzer for analyzing a measurement sample prepared from a
sample and the reagent, and transmitting means for transmitting
information regarding remaining amount of the reagent; generation
means for generating integrated information by integrating the each
remaining amount of the reagent in the reagent supplying
apparatuses based on the information regarding the remaining amount
of the reagent transmitted by the transmitting means; and display
means for displaying the each remaining amount of the reagent in
the reagent supplying apparatuses based on the integrated
information generated by the generation means.
2. The centralized monitoring system of claim 1, further comprising
a monitoring apparatus for monitoring the each remaining amount of
the reagent in the reagent supplying apparatuses, the monitoring
apparatus being communicatively connected to each of the reagent
supplying apparatuses, wherein the display means is provided in the
monitoring apparatus.
3. The centralized monitoring system of claim 2, wherein the
generation means is provided in the monitoring apparatus.
4. The centralized monitoring system of claim 2, further comprising
an information collecting apparatus for collecting the information
regarding each remaining amount of the reagent in the reagent
supplying apparatuses, the information collecting apparatus being
communicatively connected to each of the reagent supplying
apparatuses and the monitoring apparatus, wherein the generation
means is provided in the information collecting apparatus.
5. The centralized monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the
reagent supplying apparatus further comprises remaining amount
acquiring means for acquiring a remaining amount of the reagent,
and the transmitting means transmits the remaining amount of the
reagent acquired by the remaining amount acquiring means.
6. The centralized monitoring system of claim 5, wherein the
reagent supplying apparatus further comprises: a storing part for
storing the reagent; and a weight detector for detecting a weight
of the storing part, wherein the remaining amount acquiring means
acquires the remaining amount of the reagent, based on a weight of
the storing part detected by the weight detector.
7. The centralized monitoring system of claim 5, wherein the
reagent supplying apparatus further comprises: a storing part for
storing the reagent; and a liquid level detector for detecting a
liquid level in the storing part, wherein the remaining amount
acquiring means acquires the remaining amount of the reagent, based
on the liquid level in the storing part detected by the liquid
level detector.
8. The centralized monitoring system of claim 6, wherein a
plurality of the storing parts are provided in the reagent
supplying apparatus, and the reagent supplying apparatus further
comprises: a switching part for switching the storing part which is
a supplying source of the reagent; determining means for
determining whether or not the storing part is switched, based on
the remaining amount of the reagent acquired by the remaining
amount acquiring means; and a controller for controlling an
operation of the switching part so as to switch the storing part,
when the determining means so determines that the storing part is
switched.
9. The centralized monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the
reagent supplying apparatus further comprises: a storing part for
storing the reagent; and a weight detector for detecting a weight
of the storing part, wherein the information regarding the
remaining amount of the reagent transmitted by the transmitting
means includes weight information indicating the weight of the
storing part detected by the weight detector, and the centralized
monitoring system further comprises remaining amount acquiring
means for acquiring the remaining amount of the reagent, based on
the weight information transmitted by the transmitting means.
10. The centralized monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the
reagent supplying apparatus further comprises: a storing part for
storing the reagent; and a liquid level detector for detecting a
liquid level in the storing part, wherein the information regarding
the remaining amount of the reagent transmitted by the transmitting
means includes liquid level information indicating the liquid level
in the storing part detected by the liquid level detector, and the
centralized monitoring system further comprises remaining amount
acquiring means for acquiring the remaining amount of the reagent,
based on the liquid level information transmitted by the
transmitting means.
11. The centralized monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the
transmitting means further transmits information indicating an
operation state of the reagent supplying apparatus, and the
generation means generates the integrated information further
including the operation state of the reagent supplying apparatuses,
based on the information regarding the remaining amount of the
reagent and the information indicating the operation state
transmitted by the transmitting means, and the display means
further displays the operation state of the reagent supplying
apparatuses, based on the integrated information generated by the
generation means.
12. The centralized monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the
reagent supplying apparatus further comprises: a preparation part
for preparing the reagent; a preparation state information
acquisition part for acquiring preparation state information
indicating a preparation state of the reagent prepared by the
preparation part; and preparation state information transmitting
means for transmitting the preparation state information acquired
by the preparation state information acquisition part, wherein the
generation means generates the integrated information further
including the preparation state of the reagent, based on the
preparation state information transmitted by the preparation state
information transmitting means, and the display means further
displays the preparation state of the reagent in the reagent
supplying apparatuses, based on the integrated information
generated by the generation means.
13. The centralized monitoring system of claim 12, wherein the
reagent supplying apparatus further comprises a concentration
detector for detecting a concentration of a specific substance in
the liquid in the preparation part, and the preparation state
information acquisition part acquires the preparation state
information, based on the concentration detected by the
concentration detector.
14. An analyzing system, comprising: an analyzer for analyzing a
measurement sample prepared from a sample and a reagent; a
plurality of reagent supplying apparatuses, each of the reagent
supplying apparatuses comprising supplying means for supplying the
reagent to the analyzer, and transmitting means for transmitting
information regarding remaining amount of the reagent; generation
means for generating integrated information by integrating the each
remaining amount of the reagent in the reagent supplying
apparatuses based on the information regarding the remaining amount
of the reagent transmitted by the transmitting means; and display
means for displaying the each remaining amount of the reagent in
the reagent supplying apparatuses based on the integrated
information generated by the generation means.
15. The analyzing system of claim 14, further comprising a
monitoring apparatus for monitoring the each remaining amount of
the reagent in the reagent supplying apparatuses, the monitoring
apparatus being communicatively connected to each of the reagent
supplying apparatuses, wherein the display means is provided in the
monitoring apparatus.
16. The analyzing system of claim 15, wherein the generation means
is provided in the monitoring apparatus.
17. The analyzing system of claim 15, further comprising an
information collecting apparatus for collecting the information
regarding each remaining amount of the reagent in the reagent
supplying apparatuses, the information collecting apparatus being
communicatively connected to each of the reagent supplying
apparatuses and the monitoring apparatus, wherein the generation
means is provided in the information collecting apparatus.
18. The analyzing system of claim 14, wherein the transmitting
means further transmits information indicating an operation state
of the reagent supplying apparatus; the generation means generates
the integrated information further including the operation state of
the reagent supplying apparatuses, based on the information
regarding the remaining amount of the reagent and the information
indicating the operation state transmitted by the transmitting
means; and the display means further displays the operation state
of the reagent supplying apparatuses, based on the integrated
information generated by the generation means.
19. A centralized monitoring method, comprising steps of: (a)
collecting information regarding each remaining amount of a reagent
in a plurality of reagent supplying apparatuses, each of the
reagent supplying apparatuses being configured to supply the
reagent to an analyzer for analyzing a measurement sample prepared
from a sample and the reagent; and (b) displaying the each
remaining amount of the reagent in the reagent supplying
apparatuses based on the information collected by the step (a).
20. The centralized monitoring method of claim 19, further
comprising: (c) collecting information indicating operation state
of the reagent supplying apparatuses, and (d) displaying the
operation state of the reagent supplying apparatuses based on the
information collected by the step (c).
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a centralized monitoring
system, an analyzing system and a centralized monitoring method.
Especially, the present invention relates to a centralized
monitoring system, an analyzing system which comprise a reagent
supplying apparatus for supplying a reagent to an analyzer for
analyzing a measurement sample prepared from a sample and the
reagent, and a centralized monitoring method.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Conventionally, in an inspection facility such as a
large-scale inspection center, a plurality of analyzers for
analyzing a sample such as blood and urine, and a plurality of
reagent supplying apparatuses for supplying a reagent to each
analyzer are provided. In such an inspection facility, the reagent
is supplied to each analyzer from the reagent supplying
apparatuses, and on the side of the analyzer, the supplied reagent
and the sample are blended, and a measurement sample for analysis
is thereby prepared and analyzed. Then, generally a monitor for
confirming a remaining amount of the reagent is provided in each
reagent supplying apparatus, and an operator confirms the remaining
amount of the reagent displayed on the monitor of each reagent
supplying apparatus and performs maintenance such as an exchange of
the reagent.
[0003] Then, conventionally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,428,993 proposes a
technique of detecting the remaining amount of the reagent in the
reagent supplying apparatuses and displaying the remaining amount
of the reagent thus detected on the monitor. A reagent container
placed on a weight sensor is connected through the tube to an
automatic analyzer disclosed in this U.S. Pat. No. 5,428,993, and
the reagent used for analysis is supplied to the automatic analyzer
through the tube from inside the reagent container. In addition,
the weight sensor has a function of transmitting to the automatic
analyzer total weight data of the reagent container in which the
reagent is stored. Then, the automatic analyzer that receives the
total weight data transmitted from the weight sensor displays on
the monitor of the reagent supplying apparatus the remaining amount
of the reagent and a warning of shortage of reagent calculated from
the total weight data.
[0004] However, in the aforementioned conventional inspection
facility, the remaining amount of the reagent is displayed on the
monitor of each reagent supplying apparatus, thus involving a
problem that an operator must move to each reagent supplying
apparatus to confirm the remaining amount of the reagent. In
addition, in order to grasp the remaining amount of the reagent in
the whole inspection facility, the operator needs to move around
all the reagent supplying apparatuses to confirm the remaining
amount of the reagent in each reagent supplying apparatus and
record it on paper, etc. Therefore, labor and time are required for
confirming information regarding the remaining amount of the
reagent used for each reagent supplying apparatus, thus making it
difficult to efficiently monitor the information regarding the
remaining amount of the reagent.
SUMMARY
[0005] A first aspect of the present invention is a centralized
monitoring system, comprising: a plurality of reagent supplying
apparatuses, each of the reagent supplying apparatuses comprising
supplying means for supplying a reagent to an analyzer for
analyzing a measurement sample prepared from a sample and the
reagent, and transmitting means for transmitting information
regarding remaining amount of the reagent; generation means for
generating integrated information by integrating the each remaining
amount of the reagent in the reagent supplying apparatuses based on
the information regarding the remaining amount of the reagent
transmitted by the transmitting means; and display means for
displaying the each remaining amount of the reagent in the reagent
supplying apparatuses based on the integrated information generated
by the generation means.
[0006] A second aspect of the present invention is an analyzing
system, comprising: an analyzer for analyzing a measurement sample
prepared from a sample and a reagent; a plurality of reagent
supplying apparatuses, each of the reagent supplying apparatuses
comprising supplying means for supplying the reagent to the
analyzer, and transmitting means for transmitting information
regarding remaining amount of the reagent; generation means for
generating integrated information by integrating the each remaining
amount of the reagent in the reagent supplying apparatuses based on
the information regarding the remaining amount of the reagent
transmitted by the transmitting means; and display means for
displaying the each remaining amount of the reagent in the reagent
supplying apparatuses based on the integrated information generated
by the generation means.
[0007] A third aspect of the present invention is a centralized
monitoring method, comprising steps of: (a) collecting information
regarding each remaining amount of a reagent in a plurality of
reagent supplying apparatuses, each of the reagent supplying
apparatuses being configured to supply the reagent to an analyzer
for analyzing a measurement sample prepared from a sample and the
reagent; and (b) displaying the each remaining amount of the
reagent in the reagent supplying apparatuses based on the
information collected by the step (a)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a whole constitution of
an analyzing system according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an inspection line in an
inspection center of the analyzing system according to one
embodiment as shown in FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a reagent preparation apparatus
of the analyzing system according to one embodiment as shown in
FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a reagent feeding apparatus of
the analyzing system according to one embodiment as shown in FIG.
1;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a server of the analyzing
system according to one embodiment as shown in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a client computer of the
analyzing system according to one embodiment as shown in FIG.
1;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a view showing a screen (apparatus state screen)
displayed on a display part of the client computer of the analyzing
system according to one embodiment as shown in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a view showing a screen (preparation apparatus
state detailed screen) displayed on the display part of the client
computer of the analyzing system according to one embodiment as
shown in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a view showing a screen (reagent feeding apparatus
state detailed screen) displayed on the display part of the client
computer of the analyzing system according to one embodiment as
show in FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a view showing a screen (preparation history
screen) displayed on the display part of the client computer of the
analyzing system according to one embodiment as shown in FIG.
1;
[0018] FIG. 11 is a view showing a screen (preparation error
history screen) displayed on the display part of the client
computer of the analyzing system according to one embodiment as
shown in FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 12 is a view showing a screen (reagent feeding error
history screen) displayed on the display part of the client
computer of the analyzing system according to one embodiment as
shown in FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the
reagent preparation apparatus of the analyzing system according to
one embodiment as shown in FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining details (sub-routine)
of preparation of diluted solution as shown in step S3 of FIG.
13;
[0022] FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining details (sub-routine)
of a detection method of the remaining amount of the reagent as
shown in step S4 of FIG. 13;
[0023] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation flow of the
reagent feeding apparatus in the analyzing system according to one
embodiment as shown in FIG. 1; and
[0024] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an exchange between a sever
and a client in the analyzing system according to one embodiment as
shown in FIG. 1.
DETAILE DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT
[0025] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
explained based on the drawings hereunder.
[0026] First, an analyzing system 1 according to one embodiment of
the present invention will be explained with reference to FIG. 1 to
FIG. 6.
[0027] The analyzing system 1 according to one embodiment of the
present invention is a system introduced to a facility where large
numbers of samples (blood) are treated, such as an inspection room
and an inspection center of a large scale hospital, and a
constitution can be changed in accordance with a scale of an
installed facility. In this analyzing system 1, as shown in FIG. 1,
a server 100 in a sample processing center, a client computer 200
provided on a place separated from the sample processing center,
and a plurality of reagent supplying apparatuses 2 are connected by
a cable or radio through a communication network 300 such as a wire
LAN and a wireless LAN, so as to communicate data with each
other.
[0028] In the sample processing center, as shown in FIG. 2,
inspection lines 1 to 7 for processing a plurality of collected
samples and a re-inspection line 8 for processing the sample
requiring re-inspection out of the samples inspected by the
inspection lines 1 to 7 are provided in addition to the server 100
connected to the client computer 200. Each of the inspection lines
1 to 7 is composed of a reagent supplying apparatus 2 including a
single reagent preparation apparatus 10 (see FIG. 1) and a single
reagent feeding apparatus 30 (see FIG. 1); five hematocyte counting
apparatuses 3 for analyzing a measurement sample for analysis
prepared from the reagent (diluted solution and hemolytic agent)
supplied from the reagent supplying apparatus 2 and the sample
(blood); and a conveying apparatus 5 for conveying the sample to
each hematocyte counting apparatus 3. Also, the re-inspection line
8 is composed of the aforementioned reagent supplying apparatus 2,
three hematocyte counting apparatuses 3, and the conveying
apparatus 5 for conveying the sample to each hematocyte counting
apparatus 3. Note that the hematocyte counting apparatuses 3
function to calculate the number of red blood cells and the number
of white blood cells in the blood. Further, separately from the
inspection lines 1 to 7 and the re-inspection line 8, an inspection
line 9 is provided, which is composed of a single reagent
preparation apparatus 10, and three blood sample smearing
apparatuses 4 for smearing a blood sample on a slide glass by using
the diluted solution supplied from this reagent preparation
apparatus 10. Note that in the blood sample smearing apparatus 4 of
the inspection line 9, the reagent feeding apparatus 30 is not
provided, unlike the inspection lines 1 to 7 and the re-inspection
line 8.
[0029] The reagent preparation apparatus 10 provided in the
inspection lines 1 to 7, the re-inspection line 8 and the
inspection line 9 are provided for preparing the reagent (referred
to as a diluted solution hereafter) by blending a concentrated
saline solution for dilution (referred to as a concentrated
reagent) and pure water, and thereafter supplying a diluted
solution thus prepared to the hematocyte counting apparatuses 3 and
the blood sample smearing apparatus 4. In this reagent preparation
apparatus 10, as shown in FIG. 3, a pure water tank 11 for
quantitatively measuring and supplying the pure water, a pure water
quantity measuring tank 12, and a pure water quantity measuring
pump (diaphragm pump) 13 are provided. In addition, in the reagent
preparation apparatus 10, a reagent quantity measuring tank 14 and
a concentrated reagent quantity measuring pump (diaphragm pump) 15
for quantitatively measuring and supplying the concentrated reagent
are provided. Note that the concentrated reagent blended with the
pure water by the reagent preparation apparatus 10 is stored in
external storing parts 31a to 31c of the reagent preparation
apparatus 10. In addition, the reagent preparation apparatus 10
includes a controller 23 that controls operations of a dilution
part 16, a stirring part 17, an electric conductivity meter 18, a
reagent storage tank 19, a circulation pump 20, a filter 21, a
reagent supplying tank 22, and the reagent preparation apparatus
10. In addition, the reagent preparation apparatus 10 of this
embodiment is connected to three storing parts 31a to 31c in which
the concentrated reagent is respectively stored, and three sets of
pure water quantity measuring tank 12, pure water quantity
measuring pump 13, reagent quantity measuring tank 14, concentrated
reagent quantity measuring pump 15, dilution part 16, stirring part
17, electric conductivity meter 18, reagent storage tank 19,
circulation pump 20, filter 21, and reagent supplying tank 22,
excluding the pure water tank 11 and the controller 23, are
provided so as to correspond to the three storing parts 31a to 31c.
Then, the pure water tank 11 and the controller 23 are shared by
the aforementioned each part, three sets of which are provided as
described above. Note that a concentrated reagent A is stored in
the storing parts 31a and 31b respectively, and a concentrated
reagent B is stored in the storing part 31c.
[0030] Also, in this embodiment, the storing parts 31a to 31c, in
which the concentrated reagent is stored, are placed on weight
sensors 32a to 32c having a function of detecting the weight of the
storing parts 31a to 31c. In addition, the weight sensors 32a to
32c are connected to the controller 23, and detected weight data of
the storing parts 31a to 31c is transmitted to the controller
23.
[0031] The pure water tank 11 is provided for storing the pure
water supplied from outside the apparatus, and is connected to the
pure water quantity measuring tank 12 and the pure water quantity
measuring pump 13. Also, the pure water quantity measuring tank 12
has a function of sending the pure water stored in the pure water
tank 11 to the dilution part 16, after quantitatively measuring the
water. Further, the pure water quantity measuring pump (diaphragm
pump) 13 has a function of discharging a fixed quantity of liquid,
and discharges a fixed quantity of pure water from the pure water
quantity measuring tank 12 to the dilution part 16.
[0032] The reagent quantity measuring tank 14 has a function of
quantitatively measuring and storing the concentrated reagent
stored in the external storing parts 31a to 31c. Also, the
concentrated reagent quantity measuring pump (diaphragm pump) 15
has a function of discharging a fixed quantity of liquid, and
discharges a fixed quantity of concentrated reagent from the
reagent quantity measuring tank 14 to the dilution part 16.
[0033] The dilution part 16 is provided for receiving and blending
the pure water and the concentrated reagent. In the inside the
dilution part 16, a stirring wing 17a of the stirring part 17, and
a detector 18a of the electric conductivity meter 18 are disposed.
Also, the stirring part 17 has the stirring wing 17a for stirring
the pure water and the concentrated reagent in the dilution part
16.
[0034] Further, in this embodiment, the electric conductivity meter
18 has the detector 18a that comes in contact with the dilution
solution stored in the dilution part 16, and measures electric
conductivity of the diluted solution in the dilution part 16. Then,
the electric conductivity thus measured by the electric
conductivity meter 18 is transmitted to the controller 23 which
will be described later, and in the controller 23, whether or not
measured electric conductivity is within a desired range is
determined. Note that the electric conductivity is defined by an
inverse number of an electric resistance of an electrolyte aqueous
solution between electrodes filled with the electrolyte aqueous
solution (diluted solution in this embodiment), and is an index
showing a flowability of electricity flowing through the
electrolyte aqueous solution. The electric conductivity is measured
in this embodiment. This is because the electric conductivity
changes depending on an amount (ion amount) of the concentrated
reagent supplied to the dilution part 16, and therefore a change of
the electric conductivity of a prepared diluted solution can be
regarded as a change of a concentration of salts in the diluted
solution. In addition, an electric conductivity value changes
depending on a change of a temperature of the electrolyte aqueous
solution, and therefore the temperature of the diluted solution is
monitored by a temperature meter not shown. Then, the electric
conductivity that fluctuates by temperature is corrected by the
controller 23 which will be described later.
[0035] The reagent storage tank 19 is provided for receiving the
diluted solution of a predetermined concentration (electric
conductivity) in the dilution part 16. Accordingly, even when the
concentrated reagent stored in the storing parts 31a to 31c runs
out, a situation that the diluted solution is not supplied to the
hematocyte counting apparatuses 3 (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) or the
blood sample smearing apparatus 4(see FIG. 2) from the reagent
preparation apparatus 10 is prevented immediately, because a
predetermined amount of diluted solution is stored in the reagent
storage tank 19.
[0036] The circulation pump 20 is provided for circulating the
diluted solution stored in the reagent storage tank 19 to the
reagent supplying tank 22 and the reagent storage tank 19 through
the filter 21. Then, the diluted solution passed through the filter
21 is partially stored in the reagent supplying tank 22, and is
supplied to each hematocyte counting apparatus 3 (see FIG. 1 and
FIG. 2) or the blood sample smearing apparatus 4 (see FIG. 2) from
the reagent storage tank 19.
[0037] Here, in this embodiment, the controller 23 is connected to
the weight sensors 32a to 32c on which the storing parts 31a to 31c
storing the concentrated reagent are placed and the server 100, and
has a function of receiving the weight data detected by the weight
sensors 32a to 32c and transmitting it to the server 100. At this
time, based on the weight data thus received, the controller 23
calculates the remaining amount (remaining amount data) of the
concentrated reagent stored in the storing parts 31a to 31c, and
thereafter transmits the calculated remaining amount data to the
server 100.
[0038] Then, the reagent feeding apparatus 30 provided on the
inspection lines 1 to 7 and the re-inspection line 8 are provided
for supplying a hemolytic agent, whereby blood corpuscles in the
blood is broken, to the hematocyte counting apparatuses 3.
Accordingly, the reagent feeding apparatus 30 is not provided on
the inspection line 9 where the hematocyte counting apparatuses 3
are not provided. As shown in FIG. 4, this reagent feeding
apparatus 30 includes a switching valve 25a connected to a reagent
tank 33a and a reagent tank 33b, a switching valve 25b connected to
a reagent tank 33c and a reagent tank 33d, a switching valve 25c
connected to a reagent tank 33e and a reagent tank 33f, a switching
valve 25d connected to a reagent tank 33g and a reagent tank 33h, a
switching valve 25e connected to a reagent tank 33i and a reagent
tank 33j which are outside the apparatus, and a controller 26 for
controlling an operation of the reagent feeding apparatus 30.
Namely, the reagent feeding apparatus 30 of this embodiment is
connected to 10 reagent tanks 33a to 33j. In addition, different
kinds of hemolytic agents can be stored in the reagent tanks 33a
and 33b, the reagent tanks 33c and 33d, the reagent tanks 33e and
33f, the reagent tanks 33g and 33h, and the reagent tanks 33i and
33j, respectively, and five kinds of the hemolytic agents in total
can be set.
[0039] Further, in this embodiment, the switching valves 25a to 25e
are controlled by the controller 26, and have a function of
supplying the hemolytic agent from either one of the reagent tank
33a (33c, 33e, 33g, 33i) or the reagent tank 33b (33d, 33f, 33h,
33j). Then, the switching valve 25a is provided with an
electromagnetic valve 251a for opening and closing the flow passage
through which the hemolytic agent sent out from the reagent tank
33a flows, and an electromagnetic valve 252a for opening and
closing the flow passage through which the hemolytic agent sent out
from the reagent tank 33b flows. Also, the switching valves 25b to
25e are provided with two same electromagnetic valves as the
electromagnetic valve 251a and the electromagnetic valve 252a,
respectively. Thus, by the switching valves 25a to 25e, after the
hemolytic agent is supplied to the hematocyte counting apparatuses
3 until the hemolytic agent in one of the reagent tanks becomes
empty, the hemolytic agent in the other tank can be continuously
supplied to the hematocyte counting apparatuses 3. Note that
whether or not the hemolytic agent in each of the reagent tanks 33a
to 33j is empty is detected by float switches 34a to 34j disposed
in each of the reagent tanks 33a to 33j.
[0040] Next, the constitution of the server 100 will be explained.
The server 100 (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) is a Web server, and is
provided for storing information transmitted from the reagent
preparation apparatus 10 and the reagent feeding apparatus 30 of
each inspection line 1 to 9, and transmitting the stored
information through a communication network 300 responding to a
request of the client computer 200. As shown in FIG. 5, the server
100 is mainly composed of a server main body part 101, a display
part 102, and an input part 103. The server main body part 101 is
mainly composed of a CPU 101a, a ROM 101b, a RAM 101c, a hard disk
101d, a reading device 101e, an input/output interface 101f, a
communication interface 101g, and an image output interface 101h,
wherein the CPU 101a, the ROM 101b, the RAM 101c, the hard disk
101d, the reading device 101e, the input/output interface 101f, the
communication interface 101g, and the image output interface 101h
are connected by a bus 101i.
[0041] The CPU 101a is capable of executing a computer program
stored in the ROM 101b and a computer program loaded into the RAM
101c. Then, by executing a Web server program by this CPU 101a, the
server 100 functions as the Web server.
[0042] The ROM 101b is composed of a mask ROM, PROM, EPROM, and
EEPROM, etc., and stores the computer program executed by the CPU
101a and data used therefore.
[0043] The RAM 101c is composed of a SRAM or a DRAM, etc. A RAM
101c is used for reading the computer program recorded in the ROM
101b and the hard disk 101d. When these computer programs are
executed, the RAM 101c is used as a working area of the CPU
101a.
[0044] The hard disk 101d has installed therein various kinds of
computer programs to be executed by the CPU 101a, such as the
operating system, application programs" etc., and data used for
executing these computer programs.
[0045] A reading device 101e is constituted of a flexible disk
drive, a CD-ROM drive, or a DVD-ROM drive, etc., and is capable of
reading the computer program or data recorded on a portable
recording medium 101j. In addition, the portable recording medium
101j has stored therein an application program whereby the server
100 functions as a server device, and the server 100 can read the
application program according to this embodiment from this portable
recording medium 101j and install this application program on the
hard disk 101d.
[0046] Note that the application program is not only supplied by
the portable recording medium 101j, but also can be supplied
through the electric communication circuit (whether it is by a
cable or radio) from an external apparatus connected to the client
computer 200 so as to be communicated with each other by the
aforementioned electric communication circuit. For example, when
the application program is stored in the hard disk of the server
computer on the internet, it is possible to access this server
computer by the server 100 of this embodiment, download the
corresponding application program, and install it on the hard disk
101d.
[0047] On the hard disk 101d, for example, an operating system of
providing a graphical user interface environment by a window system
such as a Windows (registered trademark) produced and distributed
by US Microsoft, or an Unix (registered trademark) operating system
and an X window system, being a window system operating on this
operating system, are installed.
[0048] The input/output interface 101f is constituted of, for
example, a serial interface such as an USB, an IEEE1394, an
RS-232C, a parallel interface such as a SCSI, an IDE, and an
IEEE1284, and an analogue interface composed of a D/A converter and
an A/D converter, etc. The input part 103 composed of a keyboard
and a mouse is connected to the input/output interface 101f, and by
using this input part 103 by a user such as an operator, a manager,
a user supervisor, and a maintenance technician, etc., the data can
be inputted in the server 100.
[0049] The communication interface 101g is an Ethernet (registered
trademark) interface, for example. By this communication interface
101g, data transmission/reception by the server 100 is possible
between the server and apparatuses (the reagent preparation
apparatus 10, the reagent feeding apparatus 30, and the client
computer 200) connected to the communication network 300 by using a
predetermined communication protocol.
[0050] The image output interface 101h is connected to the display
part 102 constituted of an LCD or a CRT, etc., and outputs an image
signal to the display part 102 in accordance with image data
supplied from the CPU 101a. The display part 102 displays an image
(screen) by following the image signal thus inputted.
[0051] Next, the constitution of the client computer 200 will be
explained. The client computer 200 is connected to the server 100
(see FIG. 1), being a Web server, through the communication network
300 (see FIG. 1), and serves as a personal computer on which a Web
browser for browsing the information stored in the server 100 is
installed. As shown in FIG. 1, this client computer 200 is mainly
constituted of a main body part 201, a display part 202, and an
input part 203. The main body part 201 is mainly constituted of a
CPU 201a, an ROM 201b, an RAM 201c a hard disk 201d, a reading
device 201e, an input/output interface 201f, a communication
interface 201g, and an image output interface 201h, wherein the CPU
201a, the ROM 201b, the RAM 201c, the hard disk 201d, the reading
device 201e, the input/output interface 201f, the communication
interface 201g, and the image output interface 201h are connected
by a bus 201i.
[0052] The CPU 201a can execute the computer program stored in the
ROM 201b and the computer program loaded on the RAM 201c. Then, by
executing the application program of the Web browser by this CPU
201a, the client computer 200 functions as a client.
[0053] The ROM 201b is constituted of a mask ROM, a PROM, an EPROM,
and an EEPROM, etc., and the computer program executed by the CPU
201a and the data used therefore are stored therein.
[0054] The RAM 201c is constituted of a SRAM or a DRAM, etc. The
RAM 201c is used for reading the computer program recorded in the
ROM 201b and the hard disk 201d, and is used as the working area of
the CPU 201a when these computer programs are executed.
[0055] The hard disk 201d has installed therein various computer
programs to be executed by the CPU 201a, such as the operating
system and an application program of the Web browser, and the data
used for executing these computer programs.
[0056] In addition, on the hard disk 201d, for example, the
operating system of providing the graphical user interface
environment by the window system such as a Windows (registered
trademark) produced and distributed by US Microsoft, or the Unix
(registered trademark) operating system and the X window system,
being a window system that operates on this operating system, are
installed. In the explanation given hereunder, the application
program of the Web browser is assumed to be operated on such a
window system.
[0057] The reading device 201e is constituted of a flexible disk
drive, a CD-ROM drive, or a DVD-ROM drive, etc.
[0058] The input/output interface 201f is, for example, constituted
of the serial interface such as USB, IEEE1394, RS-232C, the
parallel interface such as SCSI, IDE, and IEEE1284, and the
analogue interface composed of the D/A converter and the A/D
converter, etc. The input part 203 composed of the keyboard and
mouse is connected to the input/output interface 201f, and by using
this input part 203 by the operator, manager, user supervisor, and
maintenance technician, etc., the data can be inputted in the
client computer 200.
[0059] The communication interface 201g is, for example, the
Ethernet (registered trademark) interface. By this communication
interface 201g, the client computer 200 is connected to the
communication network 300 by using a predetermined communication
protocol, to make it possible to transmit/receive data between the
client computer and the apparatuses (the reagent preparation
apparatus 10, the reagent feeding apparatus 30, and the server
100).
[0060] The image output interface 201h is connected to the display
part 202 constituted of the. LCD or the CRT, etc., and outputs to
the display part 202 the image signal corresponding to the image
data supplied from the CPU 201a. The display part 202 displays the
image (screen) by following the image signal thus inputted.
[0061] The CPU 201a requests a transmission of the information
stored in the server 100 by using the installed Web browser, and
thus receives the information transmitted from the server 100 that
receives a transmission request, and displays the information thus
received on the display part 202.
[0062] FIG. 7 to FIG. 12 are views showing the screen displayed on
the display part of the client computer of the analyzing system
according to one embodiment shown in FIG. 1. Next, with reference
to FIG. 7 to FIG. 12, an explanation will be given to details of
the screens (an apparatus state screen 400a (initial screen), a
preparation apparatus state detailed screen 400b, a reagent feeding
apparatus state detailed screen 400c, a preparation history screen
400d, a preparation error history screen 400e, and a reagent
feeding error history screen 400f) that are displayed on the
display part 202 of the client computer 200.
[0063] The apparatus state screen 400a (see FIG. 7) is the initial
screen when activating the client computer 200 connected to the
server 100 so as to be communicated with each other. In this
apparatus state screen 400a, it is possible to confirm an operation
state of nine reagent preparation apparatuses 10 provided on each
of the inspection lines 1 to 9, the remaining amount of the
concentrated reagent used in the reagent preparation apparatuses
10, an operation state of eight reagent feeding apparatuses 30
provided on each of the inspection lines 1 to 8, and
existence/non-existence of the hemolytic agent sent out by the
reagent feeding apparatuses 30.
[0064] As shown in FIG. 7, an apparatus state button 401 for
displaying the screen (apparatus state screen 400a), a preparation
history button 402 for displaying the preparation history screen
400d (see FIG. 10), a preparation error history button 403 for
displaying the preparation error history screen 400e (see FIG. 11),
and a reagent feeding error history button 404 for displaying the
reagent feeding error history screen 400f (see FIG. 12) are
displayed on the apparatus state screen 400a.
[0065] Then, the apparatus state screen 400a as shown in FIG. 7 is
provided with a preparation apparatus information display part 410
for displaying each kind of information regarding the reagent
preparation apparatus 10, and a reagent feeding apparatus
information display part 420 on which each kind of information
regarding the reagent feeding apparatus 30 is displayed.
[0066] The preparation apparatus information display part 410 is
provided with an inspection line information display part 411 on
which the operation state of the reagent preparation apparatus 10
provided in the inspection line 1 (see FIG. 2) in the inspection
center, and the remaining amount of the concentrated reagent used
in the reagent preparation apparatus 10 are displayed. Then, the
inspection line information display part 411 displays an icon 411a
showing an outer appearance of the reagent preparation apparatus
10, and a remaining amount display part 411b showing by a graph the
remaining amount of the concentrated reagent stored in each of the
three storing parts 31a to 31c (see FIG. 3). In addition, the icon
411a shows the operation state of the reagent preparation apparatus
10 by changing a background color of the outer appearance of the
apparatus. Specifically, yellow color is displayed when the reagent
preparation apparatus 10 is initialized, green color is displayed
when the reagent preparation apparatus 10 is set in stand-by mode,
blue color is displayed when the reagent preparation apparatus 10
is in the middle of operating, red color is displayed when
abnormality occurs, and gray color is displayed when the
communication is interrupted, as the color of the outer appearance
of the apparatus of the icon 411a. Also, in the preparation
apparatus information display part 410, the same inspection line
information display part 411 as the inspection line information
display part 411 for the aforementioned inspection line 1 is
provided for each reagent preparation apparatus 10 provided on the
inspection lines 2 to 9.
[0067] Note that in FIG. 7, the icon 411a of the inspection line
information display part 411 of the inspection line 1 is displayed
in red color (area shown by thick hatched lines), and the operator
can confirm abnormality occurring in the reagent preparation
apparatus 10 of the inspection line 1. Also, the icon 411a of the
inspection line information display part 411 of the inspection line
3 is displayed in gray color (area shown by thin hatching lines in
an obliquely upper right direction), and the operator can confirm
that the communication between the reagent preparation apparatus 10
of the inspection line 3 and the server 100 (see FIG. 1) is
interrupted. Also, the icon 411a of the inspection line information
display part 411 of the inspection line 5 is displayed in green
color (area shown by thin hatched lines in an obliquely upper left
direction), and the operator can confirm that the reagent
preparation apparatus 10 of the inspection line 5 is set in a
stand-by mode. Then, the icon 411a of the inspection line
information display part 411 of the inspection line 2, inspection
line 4, and the inspection lines 6 to 9 is displayed in blue color
(area without hatching lines), and the operator can confirm that
each reagent preparation apparatus 10 of the inspection line 2,
inspection line 4, and the inspection lines 6 to 9 is normally
operated.
[0068] Three graphs of the remaining amount display part 411b are
displayed so as to correspond to the three storing parts 31a to 31c
(see FIG. 3) in which the concentrated reagent is stored.
Specifically, the graph corresponding to the number "A" assigned to
the remaining amount display part 411b shows the remaining amount
of the concentrated reagent A stored in the storing part 31a, and
the graph corresponding to the number "B" shows the remaining
amount of the concentrated reagent A stored in the storing part
31b, and the graph corresponding to the number "C" shows the
remaining amount of a concentrated reagent B stored in the storing
part 31c. Also, a mark "" to request an exchange of the reagent is
assigned to the number "A" of the remaining amount display part
411b of the inspection line information display part 411 of the
inspection line 5. Thus, it is possible for the operator to confirm
the mark "" assigned to the number "A" of the remaining amount
display part 411b and to confirm a necessity of exchanging the
concentrated reagent.
[0069] In addition, the preparation apparatus information display
part 410 is provided with an exchange reagent list button 411c for
displaying as a list the remaining amount of the concentrated
reagent used in the reagent preparation apparatus 10, a
presence/absence of the hemolytic agent used in the reagent feeding
apparatus 30 and the number of emptied reagents (concentrated
reagent and hemolytic agent), and an concentrated reagent name
display column 411d for displaying a name of the concentrated
reagent stored in each of the three storing parts 31a to 31c (see
FIG. 3). Accordingly, the operator can confirm that the
concentrated reagent stored in the storing part 3 la and the
storing part 31b used in each reagent preparation apparatus 10 of
the inspection lines 1 to 9 is the "concentrated reagent A", and
the concentrated reagent stored in the storing part 31c is the
"concentrated reagent B".
[0070] The reagent feeding apparatus information display part 420
is provided with an inspection line information display part 421 on
which the operation state of the reagent feeding apparatus 30
provided on the inspection line 1 (see FIG. 2) in the inspection
center and the presence/absence of the hemolytic agent sent out
from the reagent feeding apparatus 30 are displayed. Then, the
inspection line information display part 421 displays an icon 421a
showing the outer appearance of the reagent feeding apparatus 30
and a remaining amount display part 421b showing by characters the
presence/absence of the hemolytic agent stored in each of the ten
reagent tanks 33a to 33j (see FIG. 4). Also, the icon 421a shows
the operation state of the reagent feeding apparatus 30 by changing
the background color of the outer appearance of the apparatus.
Specifically, in the same way as the icon 411a of the reagent
preparation apparatus 10 as described above, yellow color is
displayed when the reagent feeding apparatus 30 is initialized,
green color is displayed when it is set in a stand-by mode, blue
color is displayed when it is in the middle of operating, red color
is displayed when abnormality occurs, and gray color is displayed
when the communication is interrupted, as the color of the outer
appearance of the apparatus of the icon 421a. Also, for each
reagent feeding apparatus 30 provided on the inspection lines 2 to
8, the reagent feeding apparatus information display part 420 is
provided with the same inspection line information display part 421
as the inspection line information display part 421 for the
aforementioned inspection line 1.
[0071] Note that in FIG. 7, the icon 421a of the inspection line
information display part 421 of the inspection line 5 is displayed
in gray color (area shown by thin hatching lines in an obliquely
upper right direction), and the operator can confirm that the
communication between the reagent feeding apparatus 30 (see FIG. 1)
of the inspection line 5 and the server 100 (see FIG. 1) is
interrupted. Then, the icon 421a of the inspection line information
display part 421 of the inspection lines 1 to 4 and the inspection
lines 6 to 8 is displayed in blue color (area without hatching
lines), and the operator can confirm that each reagent feeding
apparatus 30 of the inspection lines 1 to 4 and the inspection
lines 6 to 8 is normally operated.
[0072] The remaining amount display part 421b is provided with ten
remaining amount presence/absence display columns 421c for each of
the reagent tanks 33a to 33j (see FIG. 4). Then, in the remaining
amount presence/absence display columns 421c, "supply" is displayed
when the hemolytic agent of the reagent tanks 33a to 33j is in the
middle of supplying by the reagent feeding apparatus 30, "full" is
displayed when the hemolytic agent is present, and "empty" is
displayed when the hemolytic agent is absent. Note that the "full"
and "empty" displayed on the remaining amount presence/absence
display column 421c are displayed based on the presence/absence of
the hemolytic agent detected by the float switches 34a to 34j.
Thus, the operator can confirm the "empty" of the remaining amount
presence/absence display column 421c, and can confirm the necessity
of exchanging the hemolytic agent.
[0073] Further, the reagent feeding apparatus information display
part 420 is provided with a hemolytic agent name display column
421d for displaying the name of the hemolytic agent stored in the
reagent tanks 33a to 33j, and the operator can confirm that the
hemolytic agent stored in the reagent tanks 33a and 33b is a
"hemolytic agent A", the hemolytic agent stored in the reagent
tanks 33c and 33d is a "hemolytic agent B", the hemolytic agent
stored in the reagent tanks 33e and 33f is a "hemolytic agent C",
and the hemolytic agent stored in the reagent tanks 33g and 33h is
a "hemolytic agent D". Note that in the hematocyte counting
apparatuses 3 of this embodiment, other kind of the hemolytic agent
excluding the aforementioned hemolytic agent is not used, and
therefore the hemolytic agent is not stored in the reagent tanks
33i and 33j (see FIG. 4).
[0074] The preparation apparatus state detailed screen 400b (see
FIG. 8) is the screen displayed by selecting (clicking by using a
mouse not shown) the icon 411a (see FIG. 7) of the aforementioned
preparation apparatus information display part 410, and the reagent
feeding apparatus information display part 420 (see FIG. 7) of the
apparatus state screen 400a shown in FIG. 7 is switched to the
preparation apparatus state detailed part 430. This preparation
apparatus state detailed part 430 has a function of displaying a
detailed state of the reagent preparation apparatus 10. Note that
this embodiment shows a case that the icon 411a (see FIG. 7)
corresponding to the reagent preparation apparatus 10 of the
inspection line 1 is clicked to display the detailed information of
the reagent preparation apparatus 10 of the inspection line 1.
[0075] The preparation apparatus state detailed part 430 displays a
table provided with a field of a reagent name, an apparatus state,
a remaining amount value, a message, a preparation complete time, a
conductivity, the number of operations of a pump and the number of
re-tries for each of three storing parts 31a to 31c (see FIG. 3). A
reagent name column 431 displays the name of the concentrated
reagent in the same way as the concentrated reagent name display
column 411d (see FIG. 7), and an apparatus state column 432
displays a state of the apparatus. Also, a remaining amount value
column 433 displays by percentage the remaining amount of the
concentrated reagent calculated based on weight data detected by
the weight sensors 32a to 32c (see FIG. 3) having the storing parts
31a to 31c placed thereon. In addition, a message column 434
displays an error message, etc., generated in the reagent
preparation apparatus 10. Note that in this embodiment, the error
message showing "a pressure declines" is displayed in the storing
part 31a, and the error message showing "suction of pure water is
impossible" is displayed in the storing part 31b. Thus, by
confirming the error message showing "a pressure declines", the
operator can confirm that the pressure added from a compressor (not
shown) for sucking the concentrated reagent A declines in the
storing part 31a in which the concentrated reagent A is stored.
Also, by confirming the error message of "suction of pure water is
impossible", the operator can confirm that the pure water blended
with the concentrated reagent A supplied from the storing part 31b
is not sucked. In addition, a preparation complete time column 435
displays the time when the diluted solution prepared by blending
pure water and the concentrated reagent shows a desired
concentration, and a conductivity column 436 displays the electric
conductivity of the diluted solution thus prepared.
[0076] Further, a number of operations of a pump column 437
displays the number of operations of the pure water quantity
measuring pump 13. Also, a number of re-tries column 438 displays
the number of re-preparations so that the electric conductivity of
the diluted solution is within a desired range when the electric
conductivity of the prepared diluted solution is not within the
desired range.
[0077] The reagent feeding apparatus state detailed screen 400c
(see FIG. 9) is the screen displayed by selecting (clicking by
using the mouse not shown) the icon 421a (see FIG. 7) of the
aforementioned reagent feeding apparatus information display part
420, and the preparation apparatus information display part 410 of
the apparatus state screen 400a shown in FIG. 7 is switched to a
reagent feeding apparatus state detailed part 440. This reagent
feeding apparatus state detailed part 440 has a function of
displaying a detailed state of the reagent feeding apparatus 30
(see FIG. 1). Note that this embodiment shows a case that the icon
421a (see FIG. 7) corresponding to the reagent feeding apparatus 30
of the inspection line 6 is clicked to display the detailed
information of the reagent feeding apparatus 30 of the inspection
line 6.
[0078] The reagent feeding apparatus state detailed part 440
displays a table provided with a field of a reagent name, an
apparatus state, a tank 1, a tank 2, and a message, corresponding
to the hemolytic agent (four kinds in this embodiment). A reagent
name column 441 displays the name of the hemolytic agent in the
same way as the hemolytic agent name display column 421d (see FIG.
7), and an apparatus state column 442 displays the state of the
apparatus. Also, a tank 1 column 443 and a tank 2 column 444
display any one of the "supply", "empty", or "full" in the same way
as the remaining amount presence/absence display column 421c (see
FIG. 7). In addition, a message column 445 displays the error
message generated in the reagent feeding apparatus 30. Note that in
this embodiment, the message showing "exchange of reagent
completes" is shown for all the hemolytic agents.
[0079] The preparation history screen 400d (see FIG. 10) is the
screen displayed by selecting the preparation history button 402
displayed on each screen shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 12. This
preparation history screen 400d is the screen for displaying a
preparation history of a normally prepared concentrated reagent in
the reagent preparation apparatus 10 (see FIG. 1) provided on each
of the inspection lines 1 to 9. This preparation history screen
400d is provided with a preparation history list part 451 of a
table format provided with a field of date, time, inspection line,
reagent name, message, conductivity, and the number of operations
of a pump and the number of re-tries; a condition setting part 452
for selecting the preparation history of the concentrated reagents
displayed in the preparation history list part 451 from the
inspection line and the reagent name; and a date/time designation
part 453 for selecting the preparation history of the concentrated
reagent displayed in the preparation history list part 451 from the
date and time of preparation.
[0080] The condition setting part 452 is provided with a box 452a
capable of selecting "inspection line 1", "inspection line 2" . . .
"inspection line 9", and "all lines", etc. For example, by
selecting the "inspection line 1" in the box 452a, by using the
mouse, etc., by the operator, the preparation history of the
concentrated reagent prepared by the reagent preparation apparatus
10 provided on the inspection line 1 is displayed in the
preparation history list part 451. In addition, the condition
setting part 452 is provided with a box 452b capable of selecting
the "concentrated reagent A", "concentrated reagent B", and "all
reagents". For example, by selecting the "concentrated reagent A"
in the box 452b by the operator by using the mouse, etc., the
preparation history of the concentrated reagent A prepared by each
reagent preparation apparatus 10 is displayed in the preparation
history list part 451. Note that this embodiment shows the state
that the "all lines" in the box 452a and the "all reagents" in the
box 452b are selected.
[0081] The date/time designation part 453 is provided with a
calendar display button 453a for displaying a calendar (not shown)
for designating the date, and by selecting the date in this
calendar, a selected date ("2005/10/03" in the screen) is displayed
in a text box 453b. Also, the date/time designation part 453 is
provided with a box 453c capable of selecting "0:00", "1:00" . . .
"23:00", etc. Further, the date/time designation part 453 is
provided with a designation method selecting part 453d capable of
selecting any one of "without designation", "before", and "after".
For example, by selecting "2005/10/03" by the aforementioned
calendar display button 453a and selecting "16:00" in the box 453c
of the date/time designation part 453, and selecting "after" of the
designation method selecting part 453d, using the mouse, etc., by
the operator, the preparation history of the concentrated reagent
prepared after "16:00" of "2005/10/03" is displayed in the
preparation history list part 451.
[0082] Also, the date and time when the concentrated reagent is
prepared is displayed in the field of the date and the field of the
time of the preparation history list part 451 of the preparation
history screen 400d. In addition, the inspection line provided with
the reagent preparation apparatus 10 is displayed in the field of
the inspection line of the preparation history list part 451.
Further, the same content as, a reagent name column 431, a message
column 434, a conductivity column 436, a number of operations of a
pump column 437, and a number of re-tries column 438 shown in the
preparation apparatus state detailed screen 400b (see FIG. 8) is
displayed respectively in each field of the reagent name, message,
conductivity, the number of operations of pump, and the number of
re-tries of the preparation history list part 451.
[0083] The preparation error history screen 400e (see FIG. 11) is
the screen displayed by selecting the preparation error history
button 403 displayed in each screen shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 12.
This preparation error history screen 400e is the screen for
displaying the preparation history of the concentrated reagent
where an error occurs during preparation, in the reagent
preparation apparatus 10 provided on each inspection line 1 to 9.
As shown in FIG. 11, this preparation error history screen 400e is
provided with a preparation error history list part 461 of a table
format provided with a field of the date, time, inspection line,
reagent name, content, and the same condition setting part 452 and
the date/time designation part 453 as those shown in the
preparation history screen 400 of FIG. 10.
[0084] In addition, the same contents as those shown in the field
of the date, the field of the time, the field of the inspection
line, and the field of the reagent name of the preparation history
list part 451 of the aforementioned reparation history screen 400d
(see FIG. 10) is displayed in the field of the date, the field of
the time, the field of the inspection line, and the field of the
reagent name of the preparation history list part 461 of the
preparation error history screen 400e. Also, the same content as
that of the error message displayed in the message column 434 (see
FIG. 8) shown in the preparation apparatus state detailed screen
400b is shown in the field of the content of the preparation error
history list part 461.
[0085] The reagent feeding error history screen 400f (see FIG. 12)
is the screen displayed by selecting the reagent feeding error
history button 404 displayed in each screen shown in FIG. 7 to FIG.
12. This reagent feeding error history screen 400f is the screen
for displaying a reagent feeding history of the hemolytic agent
that allows a reagent feeding error to occur in the reagent feeding
apparatus 30 provided on the inspection lines 1 to 8. This reagent
feeding error history screen 400f is provided with a reagent
feeding error history list part 471 of a table format provided with
the field of the date, time, inspection line, reagent name, and
content, and the same condition setting part 452 and a date/time
designation part 453 as those shown in the aforementioned
preparation history screen 400d (see FIG. 10) and the preparation
error history screen 400e (see FIG. 11).
[0086] Also, the same contents as those shown in the field of the
date, the field of the time, the field of the inspection line, and
the field of the reagent name of the aforementioned preparation
history screen 400d (see FIG. 10) and the preparation error history
screen 400e (see FIG. 11) are displayed in the field of the date,
the field of the time, the field of the inspection line, and the
field of the reagent name of the reagent feeding error history list
part 471 of the reagent feeding error history screen 400f. In
addition, the same content as that of the error message displayed
in the message column 445 (see FIG. 9) shown in the reagent feeding
apparatus state detailed screen 400c is shown in the field of the
content.
[0087] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the
reagent preparation apparatus of the analyzing system according to
one embodiment shown in FIG. 1. Next, the operation of the reagent
preparation apparatus 10 of the analyzing system 1 according to one
embodiment of the present invention will be explained with
reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 13.
[0088] First, in step S1, a state of the dilution part 16, to which
the pure water and the concentrated reagent are supplied, is
detected by the controller 23. Then, in step S2, whether or not
there is a necessity of blending the concentrated reagent and the
pure water to prepare the diluted solution is determined. In this
step S2, when the request to supply the diluted solution is
received from the hematocyte counting apparatuses 3 (see FIG. 1 and
FIG. 2) and the blood sample smearing apparatus 4 (see FIG. 2),
this is the case that the diluted solution needs to be prepared.
Then, in step S2, when it is so determined that there is the
necessity for preparing the diluted solution, the diluted solution
of a desired electric conductivity is prepared in step S3.
[0089] Then, in this embodiment, when it is so determined that the
diluted solution needs not to be prepared in step S2, and when the
diluted solution of a desired electric conductivity is acquired in
step S3, the weight data of the storing parts 31a to 31c is
received from the weight sensors 32a to 32c on which the storing
parts 31a to 31c storing the concentrated reagent are respectively
placed in step S4. Then, based on the weight data thus received,
the remaining amount of the concentrated reagent is detected.
[0090] In this embodiment, in step S5, whether or not the reagent
storage tank 19 shown in FIG. 3 is empty is determined. When the
reagent storage tank 19 is determined to be empty in step S5, the
diluted solution of a desired electric conductivity is supplied to
the reagent storage tank 19 in step S6. Note that when it is so
determined that the reagent storage tank 19 is not empty in step
S5, this is the case that the diluted solution of a desired
electric conductivity has already been stored in the reagent
storage tank 19. Thereafter, the diluted solution stored in the
reagent storage tank 19 is supplied to each hematocyte counting
apparatus 3 or the blood sample smearing apparatus 4. Thereafter,
in step S7, the state of the reagent preparation apparatus 10 (in
the middle of operating or during shutdown of the apparatus) is
detected, and the state of the apparatus thus detected in the step
S7 is transmitted to the server 100 as apparatus state data in the
step S8. Thereafter, when this state data is transmitted to the
client computer 200 (see FIG. 1) from the server 100, background
colors of the icon 411a and the icon 421a displayed on the
apparatus state screen 400a (see FIG. 7), the preparation apparatus
state detailed screen 400b (see FIG. 8), and the reagent feeding
apparatus state detailed screen 400c (see FIG. 9) are changed and
also the display of the apparatus state column 432 (see FIG. 8) and
the display of the apparatus state column 442 (see FIG. 9) are
changed.
[0091] Then, the operations of the aforementioned step S1 to step
S8 are repeated until the operation of the analyzing system 1 is
determined to end in step S9. In this way, the operation of the
reagent preparation apparatus 10 is controlled.
[0092] FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining details (sub-routine)
of preparation of the diluted solution shown in step S3 of FIG. 13.
Next, preparation of the reagent in step S3 of FIG. 13 will be
explained in detail, with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and
FIG. 14.
[0093] First, when the diluted solution is prepared, in step S31,
the pure water quantitatively measured by the pure water quantity
measuring tank 12 (see FIG. 3) is sent to the dilution part 16 (see
FIG. 3), and the concentrated reagent quantitatively measured by
the reagent quantity measuring tank 14 (see FIG. 3) is sent to the
dilution part 16. Then, by stirring the pure water and the
concentrated reagent stored in the dilution part 16 by the stirring
wing 17a (see FIG. 3) of the stirring part 17, a uniformly blended
diluted solution is prepared.
[0094] Then, in step S32, the controller 23 (see FIG. 3) reads an
upper limit value C1 of the electric conductivity and a lower limit
value C2 of the electric conductivity from the memory (not shown)
of the controller 23. Note that the upper limit value Cl of the
electric conductivity and the lower limit value C2 of the electric
conductivity may be stored in the RAM 101c (see FIG. 5) of the
server main body part 101 (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) of the server
100. Thereafter, in step S33, the controller 23 acquires an
electric conductivity C detected by the electric conductivity meter
18 having the detector 18a (see FIG. 3) that comes in contact with
the diluted solution in the dilution part 16.
[0095] Then, in this embodiment, in step S34, the controller 23
compares the upper limit value C1 of the electric conductivity and
the lower limit value C2 of the electric conductivity thus read,
and the electric conductivity C of the diluted solution thus
acquired. Specifically, the controller 23 determines whether or not
the electric conductivity C of the diluted solution is equal to or
more than the lower limit value C2 of the read electric
conductivity, and also determines whether or not it is equal to or
less than the read upper limit value C1 of the electric
conductivity. Then, in step S34, when the electric conductivity C
of the diluted solution is equal to or less than the upper
limit-value C1 and also equal to or more than the lower limit value
C2, in step S35, the controller 23 transmits to the server 100
preparation complete data indicating completion of the preparation
of the diluted solution. Thereafter, by transmitting this
preparation complete data from the server 100 to the client
computer 200 (see FIG. 1), the message showing "preparation
completion" is displayed in a message field of the preparation
history list part 451 (see FIG. 10) displayed in the preparation
history screen 400d.
[0096] Meanwhile, in step S34, when the electric conductivity C of
the diluted solution is neither equal to or less than the upper
limit value C1, nor equal to or more than the lower limit value C2,
in step S36, the controller 23 transmits to the server 100
preparation failure data indicating failure of the preparation of
the diluted solution. Thereafter, in step S37, the diluted
solution, whose preparation fails, is discharged from the dilution
part 16. Thereafter, the processing is returned to step S31, and
the aforementioned operation is executed again, so as to acquire
the diluted solution of a desired electric conductivity. In this
way, the diluted solution of a desired electric conductivity, in
which the pure water and the concentrated reagent are blended, is
prepared.
[0097] FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the details
(sub-routine) of the detection method of the remaining amount of
the reagent shown in step S4 of FIG. 13. Next, detection of the
reagent remaining amount in step S4 of FIG. 3 will be explained in
detail, with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 15.
[0098] First, in step S41, the controller 23 (see FIG. 3) reads a
weight W1 when the storing parts 31a to 31c (see FIG. 3) are empty
and a weight W2 when the storing parts 31a to 31c are filled with
the concentrated reagent, from the memory (not shown) of the
controller 23. Note that the weight W1 when the storing parts 31a
to 31c are empty and the weight W2 when the storing parts 31a to
31c are filled with the concentrated reagent may be stored in the
RAM 101c (see FIG. 5) of the server main body part 101 (see FIG. 1
and FIG. 2) of the server 100. Then, in step S42, the controller 23
acquires the weight data W transmitted from the weight sensors 32a
to 32c (see FIG. 3) on which the storing parts 31a to 31c storing
the concentrated reagent are placed.
[0099] Then, in step S43, the controller 23 detects a remaining
amount R of the concentrated reagent, based on the weight data W
thus acquired. Specifically, by substituting the weights W1 and the
W2 read in step S41 and the weight data W acquired in step S42, for
the following formula (1), the remaining amount R of the
concentrated reagent is calculated. Then, in step S44, the
remaining amount R of the concentrated reagent (concentrated
reagent remaining amount data) thus calculated is transmitted to
the server 100. Thereafter, when this concentrated reagent
remaining amount data is transmitted to the client computer 200
(see FIG. 1) from the server 100, the remaining amount of the
concentrated reagent is reflected on the remaining amount display
part 411b and the remaining amount value column 433 displayed in
the apparatus state screen 400a (see FIG. 7) and the preparation
apparatus state detailed screen 400b (see FIG. 8). In this way, the
remaining amount of the concentrated reagent stored in the storing
parts 31a to 31c is acquired.
R=(W-W1)/(W2-W1) (1)
[0100] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the
reagent feeding apparatus of the analyzing system according to one
embodiment shown in FIG. 1. Next, the operation of the reagent
feeding apparatus 30 of the analyzing system 1 according to one
embodiment of the present invention will be explained, with
reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 4, FIG. 7, FIG. 9, and FIG. 16.
Note that here, an explanation is given to a case of supplying the
hemolytic agent stored in the reagent tanks 33a and the 33b (see
FIG. 4), and the explanation for the operation of supplying the
hemolytic agent stored in the reagent tanks 33c to 33j is
omitted.
[0101] First, the reagent tank 33a (see FIG. 4) and the reagent
tank 33b (see FIG. 4) filled with the same hemolytic agent
(hemolytic agent A) are prepared. Then, the reagent tank 33a is
connected to a portion on the electromagnetic valve 251a (see FIG.
4) side of the switching valve 25a, and the reagent tank 33b is
connected to a portion on the electromagnetic valve 252a side of
the switching valve 25a. Then, in step S11, the controller 26
transmits to the server 100 the data (hemolytic agent remaining
amount data) indicating that the reagent tank 33a and the reagent
tank 33b are filled with the hemolytic agent. Thereafter, when this
hemolytic agent remaining amount data is transmitted to the client
computer 200 (see FIG. 1) from the server 100, "full" is displayed
in the apparatus state screen 400a (see FIG. 7) and the remaining
amount presence/absence display column 421c of the reagent feeding
apparatus information display part 420 of the reagent feeding
apparatus state detailed screen 400c (see FIG. 9), and also "full"
is displayed in the tank 1 column 443 and the tank 2 column 444 of
the reagent feeding apparatus state detailed part 440 of the
reagent feeding apparatus state detailed screen 400c.
[0102] Then, in step S12, the controller 26 opens the
electromagnetic valve 251a for opening and closing the flow passage
through which the hemolytic agent sent out from the reagent tank
33a flows, and closes the electromagnetic valve 252a for opening
and closing the flow passage through which the hemolytic agent sent
out from the reagent tank 33b flows. Thus, the hemolytic agent
stored in the reagent tank 33a is supplied to the hematocyte
counting apparatuses 3 by the switching valve 25a. Then, in step
S13, the controller 26 transmits to the server 100 the data
(electromagnetic valve switching data) indicating that the
electromagnetic valve 251a opens and the electromagnetic valve 252a
closes.
[0103] Then, in step S14, the controller 26 transmits to the server
100 the data (apparatus state data) indicating that the hemolytic
agent stored in the reagent tank 33a is being supplied to the
hematocyte counting apparatuses 3. Thereafter, when the hemolytic
agent remaining amount data is transmitted from the server 100 to
the client computer 200 (see FIG. 1), "full" is switched to
"supply", which is displayed in a place corresponding to the
reagent tank 33a of the remaining amount presence/absence display
column 421c of the reagent feeding apparatus information display
part 420, and also "full" is switched to "supply", which is
displayed in the tank 1 column 443 corresponding to the reagent
tank 33a of the reagent feeding apparatus state detailed part
440.
[0104] Thereafter, in step S15, the hemolytic agent in the reagent
tank 33a is supplied to the hematocyte counting apparatuses 3,
until the float switch 34a (see FIG. 4) disposed in the reagent
tank 33a is set OFF. Then, in step S15, when the float switch 34a
is set OFF, in step S16, the controller 26 transmits to the server
100 the data (hemolytic agent remaining amount data) indicating
that the reagent tank 33a is empty. Thus, "supply" is switched to
"empty", which is displayed in a place corresponding to the reagent
tank 33a of the remaining amount presence/absence display column
421c of the reagent feeding apparatus information display part 420,
and also "supply" is switched to "empty", which is displayed in the
tank 1 column 443 corresponding to the reagent tank 33a of the
reagent feeding apparatus state detailed part 440.
[0105] Then, in step S17, the electromagnetic valve 251a for
opening and closing the flow passage closes, through which the
hemolytic agent sent out from the reagent tank 33a flows, and also
the electromagnetic valve 252a for opening and closing the flow
passage opens, through which the hemolytic agent sent out from the
reagent tank 33b flows. Thus, the hemolytic agent stored in the
reagent tank 33b is supplied to the hematocyte counting apparatuses
3 by the switching valve 25a. Then, in step S18, the controller 26
transmits to the server 100 the data (electromagnetic switching
data) indicating that the electromagnetic valve 252a opens and the
electromagnetic valve 251a closes.
[0106] Then, in step S19, the controller 26 transmits to the server
100 the data (apparatus state data) indicating that the hemolytic
agent stored in the reagent tank 33b is being supplied to the
hematocyte counting apparatuses 3. Thereafter, when the hemolytic
agent remaining amount data is transmitted to the client computer
200 (see FIG. 1), "full" is switched to "supply", which is
displayed in a place corresponding to the reagent tank 33b of the
remaining amount presence/absence display column 421c of the
reagent feeding apparatus information display part 420, and also
"full" is switched to "supply", which is displayed in the tank 2
column 444 corresponding to the reagent tank 33b of the reagent
feeding apparatus state detailed part 440.
[0107] Thereafter, in step S20, the hemolytic agent in the reagent
tank 33b is supplied to the hematocyte counting apparatuses 3,
until the float switch 34b (see FIG. 4) disposed in the reagent
tank 33b is set OFF. Then, in step S20, when the float switch 34b
is set OFF, in step S21, the controller 26 transmits to the server
100 the data (hemolytic agent remaining amount data) indicating
that the reagent tank 33b is empty. Thereafter, when this hemolytic
agent remaining amount data is transmitted to the client computer
200 (see FIG. 1) from the server 100, "supply" is switched to
"empty", which is displayed in a place corresponding to the reagent
tank 33b of the remaining amount presence/absence display column
421c of the reagent feeding apparatus information display part 420,
and also "supply" is switched to "empty", which is displayed in the
tank 2 column 444 corresponding to the reagent tank 33b of the
reagent feeding apparatus state detailed part 440.
[0108] Thereafter, in step S22, the state of the reagent feeding
apparatus 30 (in the middle of operating or during shutdown of the
apparatus) is detected, and in step S23, the state detected in step
S22 is transmitted to the server 100 (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2), as
apparatus state data. Then, in step S24, the operations of the
aforementioned steps S11 to step S23 are repeated, until the
operation of the analyzing system 1 is determined to end. In this
way, the operation of the reagent feeding apparatus 30 is
controlled.
[0109] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an exchange of data between a
sever and a client in the analyzing system according to one
embodiment as shown in FIG. 1. Next, the exchange of data between
the server 100 and the client computer 200 is explained, with
reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 7 to FIG. 12, and FIG. 17. The
user operates the input part 203 of the client computer 200, and
gives an instruction to start an application program of the Web
browser. The CPU 201a receives this instruction, and loads the
application program of the Web browser into the RAM 201c.
[0110] First, on the side of the server 100 (see FIG. 1 and FIG.
2), instep S51, the CPU 101a of the server 100 determines whether
or not each kind of data transmitted from nine reagent preparation
apparatuses 10 (see FIG. 2) and eight reagent feeding apparatuses
30 (see FIG. 2) is received. Specifically, it is determined whether
or not the apparatus state data (step S8 of FIG. 13), preparation
complete data (step S35 of FIG. 14), preparation failure data (step
S36 of FIG. 14), and concentrated reagent remaining amount data
(step S44 of FIG. 15) of the reagent preparation apparatus 10
transmitted from the reagent preparation apparatus 10, and the
apparatus state data (step S14, step S19, and step S23 of FIG. 16),
electromagnetic valve switching data (step S13 and step S18 of FIG.
16), and hemolytic agent remaining amount data (step S11, step S16,
and step S21 of FIG. 16) of the reagent feeding apparatus 30
transmitted from the reagent feeding apparatus 30 are received.
[0111] Then, in step S51, when the CPU 101a determined that each
kind of data from each apparatus (the reagent preparation apparatus
10 and the reagent feeding apparatus 30) is received, in step S52,
the CPU 101a stores each kind of data thus received in the RAM 101c
(see FIG. 5) of the server main body part 101. Then, in step S51,
when the CPU 101a determined that each kind of data from each
apparatus is not received, and in step S52, when each kind of data
transmitted from each apparatus is stored in the RAM 101c of the
server main body part 101, in step S53, the CPU 101a determines
whether or not transmission request data transmitted from the
client computer 200 (see FIG. 1) is received. Then, in step S53,
when it is so determined that the transmission request data is not
received, the aforementioned processing of step S51 and step S52 is
repeated, until the transmission request data is received.
[0112] Then, in step S53, when the transmission request data is
received, in step S54, display data is generated by using each kind
of data stored in the RAM 101c of the server main body part 101.
This display data is HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) data, being
the data that can be browsed by using the Web browser installed on
the client computer 200. Then, in step S55, the CPU 101a transmits
the display data thus generated to the client computer 200 through
the communication network 300 (see FIG. 1). Thereafter, in step
S56, the aforementioned processing of step S51 to step S55 is
repeated, until the analyzing system 1 is ended. In this way, the
processing on the side of the server 100 is completed.
[0113] Meanwhile, on the side of the client computer 200, in step
S61, the CPU 201a of the client computer 200 transmits the
transmission request data to the server 100, so as to transmit the
display data (HTML data) necessary in browsing by using the
installed Web browser. Then, in step S62, the CPU 201a determines
whether or not the display data transmitted from the server 100 is
received. The processing of this step S62 is repeated until the
display data is received. Then, in step S62, when it is so
determined that the display data is received, in step S63, the
display screen (see FIG. 7 to FIG. 12) displayed in the display
part 202 of the client computer 200 is updated.
[0114] Thereafter, in step S64, by repeating the aforementioned
processing of step S61 to step S63 until the analyzing system 1 is
ended, the display screen (see FIG. 7 to FIG. 12) is successively
updated by using the display data transmitted from the server 100.
In this way, the processing of the client computer 200 is
completed.
[0115] In this embodiment, as described above, the client computer
200 receives the display data generated by the server 100 and
comprises the display part 202 for displaying the remaining amount
of the reagent (concentrated reagent and the hemolytic agent) and
the operation state(icons 411a and 421a) of the reagent preparation
apparatus 10 and the reagent feeding apparatus 30 of each
inspection line 1 to 9. Accordingly, the operator can confirm all
of the remaining amount of the reagent used in each apparatus and
the operation state thereof, in the display part 202 of the client
computer 200. Therefore, it is not necessary for the operator to
move to each apparatus to confirm the remaining amount of the
reagent used in each apparatus of each inspection line 1 to 9 and
the operation state thereof, thus making it possible to confirm the
remaining amount of the reagent used in each apparatus and the
operation state thereof without requiring labor and time. As a
result, the operator can efficiently monitor the information
regarding the remaining amount of the reagent used in each
apparatus and the operation state thereof.
[0116] In addition, in this embodiment, the server 100 is connected
to a plurality of reagent supplying apparatuses 2 and the client
computer 200 through a communication network, receives the
information regarding the remaining amount of the reagent and the
information regarding the operation state of the plurality of
reagent supplying apparatuses 2, and generates the display data.
With this structure, the display data can be generated by the
server 100 that receives the information regarding the remaining
amount of the reagent and the information indicating the operation
state of the plurality of reagent supplying apparatuses 2. As a
result, each kind of information thus received can be processed by
the server 100, and therefore the display data can be efficiently
generated.
[0117] Also, in this embodiment, the reagent feeding apparatus 30
includes a plurality of reagent tanks (33a to 33j), switching
valves (25a to 25e) for switching the reagent tanks as supply
sources of the reagent, and the controller 26 for controlling the
operation of the switching valve so as to switch the reagent tanks
as the supply sources of the reagent, based on the remaining amount
of the reagent thus acquired. With this structure, when the reagent
stored in one of the reagent tanks is empty, the reagent tanks can
be switched so that the reagent can be supplied from the other
reagent tank. As a result, even if the reagent of one of the
reagent tanks is empty, the reagent can be continuously supplied to
the hematocyte counting apparatuses 3 from the other reagent
tank.
[0118] In addition, in this embodiment, by providing in the reagent
preparation apparatus 10, the electric conductivity meter 18 for
detecting the electric conductivity of the diluted solution stored
in the dilution part 16, the electric conductivity of the diluted
solution supplied to the hematocyte counting apparatuses 3 and the
blood sample smearing apparatus 4 can be monitored. Thus, variation
of the electric conductivity of the diluted solution supplied to
the hematocyte counting apparatuses 3, etc., can be prevented. As a
result, the hematocyte counting apparatuses 3, etc can analyze by
using the diluted solution with substantially constant electric
conductivity, and therefore an accurate analysis result can be
obtained.
[0119] The embodiment disclosed herein is in all aspects simply an
example and not to be considered limiting in any way. The scope of
the present invention is defined in the scope of the claims and not
by the description of the embodiment, and further includes all
modifications, meanings and equivalences that fall within the scope
of the claims.
[0120] For example, in the example of the embodiment described
above, the controller of the reagent preparation apparatus
calculates the remaining amount of the concentrated reagent, based
on the weight data transmitted from the weight sensor. However, the
present invention is not limited thereto, and the processing of
calculating the remaining amount of the concentrated reagent may be
performed by the main body of the server or may be performed by the
main body of the client.
[0121] Also, in the example of the embodiment described above, the
remaining amount of the concentrated reagent is calculated based on
the weight data transmitted from the weight sensor. However, the
present invention is not limited thereto, and the concentrated
reagent may be calculated based on a liquid level detected by a
sensor, which is provided for detecting the liquid level of the
reagent. As the aforementioned sensor, an electrical sensor for
detecting a contact between a reagent sampling nozzle and a liquid
surface by a change of an electrostatic capacitance and an
electrical resistance, and an optical sensor for optically
monitoring the liquid level can be applied.
[0122] In addition, in the example of the embodiment described
above, the display data is generated on the side of the server by
using each kind of data transmitted to the main body part of the
server. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and
each kind of data transmitted from each apparatus (the reagent
preparation apparatus and the reagent feeding apparatus) may be
received by the client without providing the server, and the
display data may be generated on the side of the client by using
the data thus received. With this structure, integrated information
can be generated by a monitoring apparatus, without providing the
computer such as a server for generating the integrated information
integrating the remaining amount of the reagent and the operation
state of each reagent supplying apparatus.
[0123] Further, in the example of the embodiment described above,
the display data is displayed on the display screen of the display
part 202 of the client computer 200. However, the display data may
be displayed to the operator by printing this display data on a
paper.
[0124] Also, in the example of the embodiment described above,
presence/absence of the hemolytic agent stored in the reagent tank
is detected by the float switch. However, the present invention is
not limited thereto, and instead of providing the float switch, the
reagent tank storing the hemolytic agent may be placed on the
weight sensor. Thus, not only the presence/absence of the hemolytic
agent, but also the remaining amount of the hemolytic agent can be
acquired.
[0125] In addition, in the apparatus state screen (see FIG. 7) of
the example of the aforementioned embodiment, the mark "" is
displayed to request the exchange of the reagent. However, the
present invention is not limited thereto, and in addition to this
mark "", "exchange" may be displayed to further urge the operator
to exchange the reagent.
[0126] Also, in the example of the embodiment described above,
three sets of pure water quantity measuring tank, pure water
quantity measuring pump, reagent quantity measuring tank,
concentrated reagent quantity measuring pump, dilution part,
stirring part, electric conductivity meter, reagent storage tank,
circulation pump, filter, and reagent supplying tank are provided
so as to correspond to three storing parts. However, the present
invention is not limited thereto, and the switching part (such as a
switching valve) for switching three storing parts may be provided
in the reagent preparation apparatus, and also one set of the
aforementioned each part may be provided. In this case, although
blending of concentrated reagents occurs for each storing part in
the reagent preparation apparatus, when the same kind of
concentrated reagent is used, the constitution of the reagent
preparation apparatus can be simplified.
* * * * *