DE4244769C2 - Automatic analyser for clinical examinations - Google Patents

Abstract

An automatic analyser for clinical examinations which can carry out analytical measurements with improved reliability, since errors due to the material in the reagent tube are suppressed. A plurality of types of small reagent tubes, in each case consisting of different material, are arranged in magazines. Depending on the material to be analysed, the small reagent tube consisting of a material which is compatible with the material to be analysed is determined; either already used small reagent tubes which are to be reused, or new ones from the magazines. In the latter case, the small reagent tube consisting of the material which is compatible with the analysis subject is selected by means of a transfer mechanism and put in position before the analysis starts. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer advises for clinical examinations. In particular, the invention relates to a automatic analyzer designed to perform analysis for clinical trials is appropriate by analyzing it for the the substance selects a reaction tube from a material on which no sticking and no adhesion of a reagent occurs.

As an automatic analysis device as used for clinical examinations is already known (cf., for example, US 4,612,289, EP 0 041 378 B1, EP 0 359 049 A2), can be mentioned such analyzers that have a table for taking samples, a table for taking reagent means, a reaction tube containing a sample and a reagent be pipetted, a table for holding several reaction tubes, a sample pipetting mechanism, a reagent pipetting mechanism, a light intensity measuring instrument for measuring the Ab sorption of a liquid in the reaction tube, one Cleaning mechanism for cleaning the reaction tubes, and a computer for controlling the operation of the entire system contain. In operation of the analyzer, a predetermined amount pipetted a sample into the reaction tube, then a predetermined one Pipette amount of reagent into the reaction tube, followed by the Reaction of the sample with the reagent is brought about. To After a predetermined time, the light absorption of the Liquid measured to the concentration of the components of the  Analyze sample. After the analysis is finished, this will be used Cleaned reaction tube using the cleaning mechanism to to make it reusable for subsequent analysis. In all mean in automatic analyzers for clinical Investigations cleaned the reaction tubes after analysis and used repeatedly.

In an automatic analyzer, the reaction tube is often used for the analysis of samples reused by the previous one Analysis or measurement differ. In this case, the measurement data an error occurs if this ver for the previous measurement Reagent used cannot be completely removed before the Reaction tubes used for the measurement of the subsequent sample is carried out, despite that at the end of the previous measurement Cleaning. Avoiding such a mistake is the judgment left by the clinical examiner. The phenomenon of Adhä sion of the reagent on the reaction tube is namely up to suppressed a possible maximum by using a combination of reaction tube and sample or reagent avoids that can lead to the adhesion phenomenon. also will do the analysis for the one that may have errors or Abnormalities in the measurement data usually result separately performed after measurements or analysis for all other substances have been completed.

It is also conceivable that certain chemical reactions between a reagent and the reaction tube can take place. In In this case, the analysis is carried out in such a way that it concerns Reaction tube replaced by a tube made of glass which is inherently immune to the chemical reaction.  

After the analysis is complete, the glass tube is opened using a Detergent cleaned and rinsed with water to put it in on it to use the following analyzes again.

It was in automatic analyzers or analyzers general practice, a reaction tube made of plastic material repeated to be used, after analysis for reuse in the subsequent analysis was cleaned. The reason for this is that Plastic reaction tubes are expensive. However, if the ver is limited to reaction tubes made of plastic material the problem that the reagent is not full by cleaning can be constantly removed and that a reaction between the Plastic tubes and the reagent can take place. If one Component of the reagent adheres firmly to the reaction tube, will participate in the response in subsequent analyzes and contribute to color development. As a result, the response rate larger compared to the case that the reaction tube used Chen is completely free of the adhesive reagent, which makes a incorrect result of the measurement arises. In addition, in the case of one colloidal reaction, such as the thymol turbidity test (TTT), the reagent tends to react with the plastic test tube material, which leads to errors in the data. In this way are those that can be achieved with conventional automatic analyzers Measurement data exposed to a significant influence of combinations between the materials of the reaction tubes and the reagent, which leads to errors in the result of the analyzes.

To avoid the inconvenience mentioned above, it is required All reaction tubes made of plastic material through tubes to replace that are made of a material that has no reaction with  exposed to the reagents, as in the case of the thymol haze test (TTT). However, such a replacement requires additional time the analysis process is undesirably extended. Besides, that is Glass tube is more expensive than the plastic tube, causing an increase in the running costs means.

Moreover, when the reagent is firmly attached to the reaction tube Chen is liable for the difficulty, the detrimental influence on the following To avoid analysis performed on the same tube even if the latter is cleaned sufficiently. Under the circumstances It will be necessary to examine the substances to be investigated by the device be analyzed, limit or the reagent depending ability to select the materials of the reaction tubes.

JP-OS 3-156372 shows an automatic one Selection of different test tubes. However, this is not possible the compatibility of tube material and reagent, but about the selection of tubes that are already in beads or coatings Contain reactants. The tube material does not play determining role.

In the above-mentioned Japanese patent application, disposable tubes are used is working. But when it comes to compatibility of tube material and When the reagent arrives, a cleaned tube is often used for the next analysis to be performed. Only if this is not the case Is the case, an automatic selection of a new, compatible tube necessary.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide an automatic Clinical examination analyzer to create the Selection and use of a reaction tube made of one material ensures that for that in the analysis of a sample of a given  Reagent to be used is optimally suitable, and the Appropriate tubes may be reused.

This task is performed by an automatic analyzer with the Features of claim 1 solved. Advantageous further developments are in specified in the subclaims.

In the following, an embodiment of the automatic analyzer described in detail.

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of the general structure of an automatic analyzer;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a major part of an automatic analyzer;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a reaction tube used in the device of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a partially sectioned side view of a transmission mechanism for reaction tubes in the automatic analyzer shown in Fig. 2;

FIGS. 5A to 5C are views for illustrating the operation of the transfer mechanism for the reaction tube in the analyzer of FIG. 2;

Fig. 6 is a flowchart detailing the operation of the reaction tube transfer mechanism; and

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a routine operation in the analyzer of FIG. 2.

Fig. 1 shows schematically the structure of an automatic analysis device. In this figure, reference numeral 1 designates a disc-like reaction table which is rotatably supported and can be driven by a drive mechanism (not shown) installed under the reaction table. The rotation of the reaction table 1 by means of the drive mechanism is controlled by a device 17 Steuereinrich, which will be described below. On the upper upper surface of the reaction table 1 along the outer peripheral edge, reaction or test tubes 2 are attached, for example 48 pieces. The reaction table 1 is immersed in a heat insulating bath 3 , the temperature of which is kept at a constant level by a temperature control mechanism, which is generally designated by the reference numeral 4 . As a result, the reaction table 1 as a whole is kept constant at a predetermined temperature.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a sample stage mechanism in which a large number of sample dishes 6 are arranged. A Rotationsan drive mechanism (not shown) is also provided under the sample table mechanism 5 , so that the latter, as desired in each case, can be rotated under the control of the control device 17 to be described later. The samples contained in the sample dishes 6 are, as required, selectively drawn off with the aid of a nozzle tip of a sample pipetting mechanism 7 in order to be pipetted into the reaction tube, which is placed on a sample position on the reaction table 1 .

Numeral 9 denotes a reagent table mechanism in which a number of reagent dishes are arranged. A reagent pipetting mechanism 10 is provided in connection with the reagent table mechanism 9 . The reagent bowls are arranged along double circular paths, ie an inner circular path and an outer circular path, the bowls 11 for the first reagent being arranged along the outer circular path and the bowls 12 for the second reagent being arranged along the inner path. The reagent pipetting mechanism 10 is arranged to pipette the first and second reagent into the reaction tube, which contains a sample in a predetermined order under control of the control device, as will be described in the following.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a mixing mechanism which is arranged on the reaction table 1 . The mixing mechanism 13 serves to mix the contents of a reaction tube 2 , which contains the sample and the reagent pipetted therein, to thereby bring about a reaction liquid status in which the reaction can easily take place.

Numeral 14 denotes a multiple wavelength photometer and 15 a light source. A light beam which is emitted from the light source 15 is fed to the multiple wavelength photometer 14 . The reaction tube 2 with the photometry object is moved between the multiple wavelength photometer 14 and the light source 15 . When the beam emitted by the light source 15 is intersected by the reaction tube 2 , the light intensity associated with the reaction liquid contained in the reaction tube is measured by the multiple wavelength photometer 14 . Reference numeral 16 denotes a cleaning mechanism which is intended for cleaning the inside of the reaction tube after photometry.

The control system and signal processing system will now be described. In Fig. 1, reference numeral 17 denotes a computer; 18 an interface, 19 an analog / digital converter with logarithmic conversion, 20 a partial quantity reagent injection system, 21 a cleaning water pump and 22 a partial quantity sample injection system. In addition, a printer 23 , a cathode ray tube (CRT) 24 , a floppy disk drive 25 as a storage unit and an operating or command panel 26 are provided, by means of which the operator can enter information relating to the analysis. The subset reagent injection mechanism 10 and the reagent pipetting mechanism 20 constitute a reagent injection system, while the sample pipetting mechanism 7 and the sample injection mechanism 22 form a sample injection system.

In the system arrangement according to FIG. 1, the operator of the automatic analysis device enters information about the desired analysis (material for the analysis) by actuating the operating console 26 at the beginning of an analysis process. The information about the desired analysis is stored in a memory in the computer 17 . Then the operator places a sample in the sample bowl 6 , which is arranged at a predetermined position on the sample stage mechanism 5 . In the meantime, the reaction tubes 2 arranged on the reaction table 1 along the outer circumference, which are to be used for the reaction, are cleaned once per machine period by ion exchange water supplied by the cleaning water pump 21 through the cleaning mechanism 16 . The cleaning ion exchange water; which is injected through the cleaning mechanism 16 (not shown) by a vacuum pump after each completion of the cleaning process removed again.

In the automatic analyzer, the computer 17 is used as a control device, the relationships relating to the adhesion between the reagent and the reaction tubes being previously stored in the memory 17 'in the computer. In addition, the substances to be analyzed are registered on the computer in accordance with the samples.

According to Fig. 2 magazines 31 and 32 are provided, each receiving a number of reaction tubes 31 a, 32 a of a specific material. A reaction table 33 (corresponding to reaction table 1 in Fig. 1) has a number of cavities 33 a along the peripheral edge to receive the reaction tubes therein. The reaction tubes in the magazine 31 differ in terms of the tube material from those in the magazine 32 . For example, the reaction tube 31 a is made of acrylic, while the reaction tube 32 a in the magazine 32 can be made of glass. Fig. 3 shows a vertical section of a reaction tube 31 a or 32 a. Between the magazines 31 and 32 and the reaction table 33 , a reaction tube transfer mechanism 34 is arranged to transport the reaction tubes. As is apparent from FIGS. 2 and 4, the transmission mechanism consists of a shaft 35 which is rotatably mounted and movable vertically, an arm 36, a cover or fitting member 37 made of rubber to be plugged onto the upper end of the reaction tube, a nozzle 38 for evacuating air from the reaction tube by suction, a nozzle 39 for blowing air into the reaction tube, and a tube waste basket 40 into which the reaction tubes used are dropped.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the operation will now be beschrie ben, through which the reaction tubes A are brought out of the magazine 31 or 32 on the reaction table 33 and respectively inserted into a predetermined cavity 33 a in the table 33 31 a or 32. In a step 102, the transfer device 34 is actuated and stopped at a position in which the nozzle arrangement is above the reaction tube to be removed from the magazine ( FIG. 5A), whereupon the shaft 35 is moved downward so that the nozzle 38 enters the reaction tube until the tip of the suction nozzle 38 is fully inserted into the interior of the reaction tube 31 a (or 32 a). In this state, the upper end of the reaction tube 31 a remains closed by the rubber lid 37 ( FIG. 5B). In a further step 103, the air is evacuated from the reaction tube through the suction nozzle 38 . As a result, the air is drawn out of the reaction tube, bringing the lid 37 into airtight contact with the top of the reaction tube ( Fig. 5B). Then, in a step 104, the arm 36 , on which the free end of the reaction tube is arranged under suction, is moved up to a predetermined height and stopped there, followed by a step 105 in which the arm 36 is a predetermined angular distance up to one Posi tion is rotated, which lies above the tube waste basket 40 . In a step 106, air is blown into the reaction tube through the nozzle 39 to thereby drop the tube into the waste basket 40 .

Then in a step 107 the arm 36 is moved into a position above the magazines 31 and 32 , in which the selected reaction tube is contained. In step 108, the nozzle 38 is inserted into the selected reaction tube by lowering the arm until the lid 37 comes into contact with the reaction tube. Air is then drawn out of the selected reaction tube through nozzle 38 . In a step 110, the arm holding the selected reaction tube is moved up and stopped in a predetermined vertical position. In a next step 111, the arm 36 is rotated horizontally into a position in which the reaction tube held by the arm is above the cavity 33 a, into which the reaction tube is to be placed. The arm is then moved down until the reaction tube is inserted into the cavity 33 a. In this state, air is blown into the reaction tube through the nozzle 39 (step 113), so that the lid 37 is removed and the reaction tube 31 is a placed on the reaction table 33 (Fig. 5C). The arm 36 of the tube transfer mechanism 34 is then moved upward away from the reaction table 33 .

It now becomes the rehearsal opera tion in the automatic analyzer for clinical use described according to the present embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7, the tested material is the need for the analysis of the reaction tube in a step 42. In a step 115, it is checked whether the reaction tube in the sample position can be reused after cleaning. If the answer to this decision step 115 is affirmative (YES), the process proceeds to a sample step 45. If not (NO), a step 116 is carried out to decide which of the reaction tubes in the two magazines 31 and 32 and out different material is to be selected. This decision can be implemented in a manner similar to that described above.

If the acrylic resin reaction tube was selected in step 116, the process proceeds to routine A; while after selecting a glass reaction tube, a routine G is followed. In either case, the operation shown in the flow chart of FIG. 6 is performed in a step 117 or 118. The addition of the sample is then started in a step 45, after which the process is ended.

After the reaction table has been equipped with the reaction tube, it is operated in the manner described above, the pipetting of the sample into the reaction tube, the mixing and the light absorption measurement of the reaction liquid being carried out. After completing the measurement, the reaction tube is cleaned. It is then decided whether the reaction tube can be used in a subsequent analysis. This decision is made on the basis of the substance to be analyzed, by checking whether an influence on a subsequent analysis by adhesion of the reagent is possible. If it is decided that such a possibility exists, another reaction tube is selected from a material which is different from that of the tube used. In this case, the nozzle arrangement of the transmission device 34 is moved so that the suction nozzle 28 is inserted into the reaction tube used to keep it under suction. In this state, the reaction tube used is guided to a position above the waste basket 40 , whereupon air is blown through the blow-out nozzle 39 into the used tube to release the tube from the sucked-in state and to drop it into the waste basket 40 . The arm 36 of the transfer mechanism 34 is then rotated into the position of the magazine containing reaction tubes made of other material compatible with the substance to be analyzed, then aspirating the desired tube, transferring and inserting it onto the reaction table 33 in a manner similar to that above described by is performed.

In the reaction table 33 , a plurality of cavities 33 a are provided, each of which can be used for inserting a reaction tube. In this way, the analyzes can be carried out successively by using individual cavities 33 a.

The reaction tube 31 a and 32 a in the magazines 31 and 32 of FIG. 2 are mounted under spring force so that it tries to move in only one direction. Therefore, when the first reaction tube is removed from the magazine 31 or 32 , the others are forced to move to the position where the removed tube was located. The individual reaction tubes in each magazine can also be arranged side by side in two rows, as shown in FIG. 2. In this case, the angle of rotation of the arm 36 in the memory, which is built into the computer 17 , can be pre-stored with respect to the rows of reaction tubes in such a way that after one row of tubes has been removed, the reaction tube can be removed from the other row or the reaction tubes can also be taken alternately from the two rows. Of course, the reaction tubes can also be arranged in a single row within each cartridge.

The automatic analyzer just described is constructed so that each of the two magazines 31 and 32 can accommodate a plurality of reaction tubes made of the same material, the material of the reaction tubes within one magazine being different from that of the tubes in the other magazine. However, it should be noted that the arrangement can also be made such that a plurality of reaction tubes of different materials are housed within a magazine. In this case, the reaction tube transfer device should be equipped with a function for identifying the reaction tubes for selection. For this purpose, each reaction tube can be printed with a bar code or have a number of small bumps or dimples, the bar code or number of bumps or dimples can differ from one tube to another in order to be able to identify the material of the tubes . Such bar codes or elevations or dimples can be evaluated using any suitable sensor technology known per se.

Claims (5)

1. Automatic analyzer for clinical examinations, consisting of:
a sample holding device ( 5 ) for holding a large number of samples,
a reagent holding device ( 9 ) for receiving a plurality of reagent,
a reaction table ( 33 ) for receiving a plurality of types of reaction tubes ( 31 a, 32 a) for carrying out reactions between samples and reagents,
an input device ( 26 ) for inputting analytical material data for the respective samples,
a sample pipetting device ( 7 ) for pipetting one of the samples into one of the reaction tubes ( 31 a, 32 a),
a reagent pipetting unit ( 10 ) for pipetting one of the reagent into a reaction tube ( 31 a, 32 a),
a mixing unit ( 13 ) for mixing sample and reagent, which are pipetted into the reaction tube ( 31 a, 32 a),
a light intensity measuring unit ( 14 ) for measuring the absorption of a liquid in the reaction tubes ( 31 a, 32 a),
a reaction tube cleaning unit ( 16 ) for pouring the liquid out of the reaction tube and for cleaning the reaction tube, and
a control unit ( 17 ) for controlling the operation of the automatic analysis device as a whole,
wherein the control unit ( 17 ) contains a selection device with a memory ( 17 '), in which a list of data is stored, the compatibility relationships between the analysis substances and the materials of the reaction tubes ( 31 a, 32 a) contains,
whereby the selection device makes a decision by checking the material of the existing reaction tube and the analysis to be carried out with the aid of the compatibility list as to whether a used reaction tube ( 31 a, 32 a) can be reused after cleaning so that it remains in the reaction table ( 33 ) , or whether it is to be replaced by another reaction tube ( 31 a, 32 a) for the analysis to be carried out,
and a reaction tube exchange device for the reaction table ( 33 ) with a plurality of cavities ( 33 a) for receiving the reaction tube ( 31 a, 32 a), consisting of a reaction tube receiving container ( 31 , 32 ) for receiving a plurality of Types of reaction tubes ( 31 a, 32 a), and a transfer device ( 34 ) for fixing the reaction tube from the material determined by the selection device in the reaction tube receiving container ( 31 , 32 ) and for transporting the selected reaction tube ( 31 a, 32 a ) in a predetermined cavity ( 33 a) on the reaction table ( 33 ), as well as for throwing off a non-reusable reaction tube ( 31 a, 32 a). 2. Automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the reaction tube receiving container contains a plurality of magazines ( 31 , 32 ), each receiving reaction tubes ( 31 a, 32 a) from the same material, the materials of the reaction tubes increasing from magazine Differentiate magazine. 3. Automatic analyzer according to claim 2, wherein the transmission device ( 34 ) includes means for selecting a magazine ( 31 , 32 ). 4. Automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the transmission device ( 34 ) includes a fitting part ( 37 ) which can hermetically contact with the upper end of the reaction tube, further suction and injection nozzles ( 38 , 39 ) which through the fitting part down range, and a drive mechanism ( 35 , 36 ) for moving the fitting part ( 37 ) in the vertical and horizontal directions. 5. Automatic analyzer according to claim 4, wherein the Steuerein unit ( 17 ) controls the suction of air from the reaction tube ( 31 a, 32 a) through the suction nozzle ( 38 ) to the fitting part ( 37 ) in airtight contact with the upper end bring the reaction tube when it is to be lifted and transported, and wherein the control unit ( 17 ) controls the blowing of air through the injection nozzle ( 39 ) into the reaction tube ( 31 a, 32 a) after the transport of the reaction tube has been completed.