JP3589020B2 - Sample processing system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sample processing system, and more particularly to a sample processing system in which a plurality of sample processing units are arranged along a rack transport line.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The blood sample processing system generally includes a plurality of sample processing apparatuses and a transport line including a belt line connecting the processing apparatuses. The container containing the blood sample is provided in a state of being held in a box-shaped holder called a sample rack. After the parent sample is centrifuged, the container is unplugged, a part of the parent sample is dispensed into one or more child sample containers, and a bar code is displayed on the child sample container. ID labeling, plugging the parent sample container after dispensing, sorting to sort the child sample racks according to the subsequent processing, transporting the child sample racks to the analyzer, and analyzing the child samples Measurement processes and the like are appropriately combined. A plurality of apparatuses having the functions of these processes are linked by a transport line to form an automation system.
[0003]
JP-A-7-167866 discloses that a parent sample rack centrifuged at a centrifugal station is conveyed to a parent storage unit by a belt line via a dispensing station, while a part of the sample is received at the dispensing station. An example is shown in which a child sample rack is carried to a plurality of analyzers by another belt line. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-167866 discloses a method in which a plurality of belt lines are merged into a single belt line to transport various child sample racks to a branching device. This shows that the child sample rack is transported by a plurality of dedicated belt lines.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the above-described conventional sample processing system, a plurality of types of sample racks determined for each mode to be processed are prepared, and the type of the rack is determined in the system to determine a transport destination of each sample rack. For example, in the case of dispensing processing, dispensing to a child sample rack for analysis processing by an analyzer in the own system after dispensing, that is, a first type of sample that requires only online dispensing Rack, a second type of sample rack that requires only offline dispensing for dispensing to a child sample rack for analysis by an analyzer outside the system after dispensing, and online dispensing. It was necessary to prepare a third type of sample rack that requires both offline dispensing.
[0005]
According to such a conventional method, the inspection technician has to frequently perform the work of sorting a plurality of types of racks.
[0006]
An object of the present invention is to provide a sample processing system that enables a common sample rack to be used even when the processing mode is different, thereby making it unnecessary to sort sample racks.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To solve the above object, the present invention connects the rack supply unit and an analysis unit to the conveying line for conveying the rack holding the sample container, the transport line between the analyzing unit and the rack supply unit A sample processing system in which a plurality of sample processing units including a centrifugal separation unit for centrifuging a sample and a dispensing unit for dispensing a sample from one container to another container are arranged,
A sample identification information reading unit that reads identification information of a sample attached to the sample container held by the rack supplied from the rack supply unit, a rack identification information reading unit that reads rack identification information attached to the rack, A measurement item-to-destination storage table that extracts measurement items of a sample held in a rack based on a sample information database in which measurement items corresponding to sample identification information are stored, and stores destination information corresponding to the measurement items. Extracting the transport destination information of the sample held in the rack, storing the transport destination information of the sample held in the rack in association with the rack identification information, and storing the rack information database in the rack information database. The transport destination information of the sample corresponding to the rack identification information read by the rack identification information reading means is extracted based on the Create a transport destination information, and a control unit for controlling to selectively transported to the sample processing unit in question through the transfer line to the rack on the basis of the rack transport destination information.
[0008]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a sample processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0009]
The system in FIG. 1 includes a transport line 3 in which a plurality of transport line sections 3 a to 3 f are connected in series, a rack supply unit 2 for supplying a rack 9 holding a sample to be processed to the transport line 3, , A rack collection unit 4 for storing processed parent sample racks and racks for offline samples, various sample processing units 5A to 5D for preprocessing, one or more analysis units 6, and a storage unit 1A. A control unit 1 comprising a computer having a computer, an operation input unit 31 and a screen display unit 32 connected to the control unit 1.
[0010]
The registration of the transport destination and the input of the sample information for each sample are performed through the operation input unit 31. The control unit 1 can be connected to a host computer in a facility such as a hospital. In this case, sample information including measurement items for each sample is downloaded to the control unit 1 from the host computer. The rack supply unit 2, the rack collection unit 4, the transport line sections 3a to 3f, the sample processing units 5A to 5D, and the analysis unit 6 each have a built-in computer, and a communication line 10 is connected to the control unit 1. Information is exchanged via
[0011]
The rack supply unit 2 includes a sample ID barcode reader 8 (sample identifier detecting means) and a rack ID barcode reader 7 (rack identifier detecting means) in front of the transport line 3. The sample ID read by the sample ID barcode reader 8 and the rack ID read by the rack ID barcode reader 7 are transmitted to the control unit 1 via the communication line 10. The control unit 1 creates rack transport destination information based on the information, and sends a transport instruction via the rack supply unit 2.
[0012]
The sample processing units 5A to 5D for various pretreatments include an automatic centrifuge, an automatic stopper, an automatic stopper, an online dispenser, an offline dispenser, an automatic classifier, an automatic barcode labeling machine, and the like. is there. The various pre-processing units are arranged so that the rack can be moved between the pre-processing units and the transport line 3, respectively. When the rack 9 is transported to the transport line 3, the rack ID is read by the rack ID barcode reader 7 in each of the transport line sections 3 a to 3 e, and the read rack ID is transferred to the control unit 1. The control unit 1 determines whether or not to load the rack into various preprocessing units connected to the transport line 3 based on the rack ID, and sends an instruction to the transport line sections 3a to 3f.
[0013]
As an example of the combination of the sample processing units, here, 5A is an automatic centrifugal separation unit, 5B is an opening unit that removes the plug of the parent sample container, and 5C dispenses a part of the sample from one container to the other container. It is assumed that the dispensing unit, 5D, is a unit for attaching a barcode label to the dispensed sample container. The sample provided to the rack supply unit 2 is assumed to be whole blood, and the sample to be dispensed is assumed to be serum or plasma.
[0014]
FIG. 2 shows a modification of the embodiment of FIG. The configuration of the system is almost the same as that of FIG. 1, but in the example of FIG. 2, the control unit 1 communicates only with the rack supply unit 2. Information is exchanged between the transport line sections 3a to 3f and the rack collection section 4 by the internal information transmission means. Each transport line section is provided with a storage unit, and can store information sent from the rack supply unit in the storage unit. When the rack ID and the sample ID are read by the rack supply unit 2 and transmitted to the control unit 1, the control unit 1 returns the rack transport information to the supply unit. The rack transport information received by the supply unit is stored in the storage unit of the transport line via the internal transmission unit. The rack conveyed to the conveyance line reads the rack ID with a rack ID barcode reader, reads the corresponding rack conveyance information stored in the storage means, and determines the rack to be carried in accordingly.
[0015]
The control unit 1 may be incorporated in the rack supply unit 2 instead of the modified example of FIG.
[0016]
An example of a rack transfer mechanism for transferring a rack between the transport line and the sample processing unit used in the embodiment of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0017]
The rack transfer mechanism 22 includes a sample moving mechanism 22A and a sample gripping mechanism 22B. The sample moving mechanism 22A has a motor drive shaft 22A1 and a belt 22A3 wound between pulleys 22A2. The sample moving mechanism 22A is disposed above between the loading / unloading port 102 of the transport line 3 and the rack receiving port 20A of the processing unit. The sample gripping mechanism 22B is attached to the belt 22A3, and has gripping members 22B1 and 22B2 composed of a pair of fingers that can be opened and closed. As shown in FIG. 3A, the gripping members 22B1 and 22B2 are normally open, and wait for the arrival of the sample rack 9 on which the sample container 90 is placed on the loading / unloading port 102 of the transport line 3. are doing. The sample rack 9 is transported on the transport line 3 from a near side in FIG. When the sample rack 9 arrives, the gripping members 22B1 and 22B2 close, and grip the sample rack. Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, the sample rack 9 gripped by the sample gripping mechanism 22B is transferred from the loading / unloading port 102 to the rack receiving port 20A on the connection passage 20B.
[0018]
Then, as shown in FIG. 3 (C), it is carried to the position of the rack receiving port 20A, and is released from the gripping members 22B1, 22B2 at that position. The operation of transporting the sample rack 80 from the rack receiving port 20A to the loading / unloading port 102 is the reverse of the above-described operation.
[0019]
Next, a sample information database and a rack information database provided in the control unit 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0020]
The control unit 1 stores the sample information database 24 and the rack information database 26 in storage means inside the control unit 1 using the sample ID as key information.
[0021]
FIG. 4 shows the sample information database. The sample information database 24 holds the measurement item names and the number of measurement items of the sample. The sample information database including the measurement items is usually downloaded from the host computer to the control unit 1 and stored. Further, the contents of the sample information database including the measurement items can be directly input from the operation input unit 31. The rack ID is stored after being read by the barcode reader 7.
[0022]
FIG. 5 shows the rack information database. The rack information database 26 holds rack transport destination information (rack transport destination information).
[0023]
Next, a destination information setting screen displayed on the screen display unit 32 will be described with reference to FIG. In accordance with an instruction from the transfer destination information setting screen 35 shown in FIG. 6, it is possible to register and change which processing unit is transferred (destination information) for each measurement item. Various processing devices (various pre-processing units, various analysis units, etc.) connected to the sample processing system are shown in the horizontal direction of the screen, and measurement items are shown in the vertical direction. In FIG. 6, various processing devices are an automatic centrifuge, an automatic opening machine, an online dispenser, an automatic classifier (these preprocessing devices are various preprocessing devices 5 in FIG. 1) and one analysis unit. is there. In addition, numbers are assigned to the measurement items in order from 1.
[0024]
The storage unit 1A of the control unit 1 stores a system configuration information table holding information on each sample processing system constituting the system as shown in FIG. 1, and displays a screen 35 based on the system configuration information. The input data is reflected in the configuration table.
[0025]
For each measurement item on the screen 35, "1" is entered in the column corresponding to the sample processing unit as the transport destination. If transport is not required, enter '0' in the corresponding field. The information input here is stored in the storage table shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, various sample processing units (various pre-processing units, various analysis units, etc.) connected to the sample processing system in the horizontal direction correspond to the arrangement order from the left. 7 are measurement items, and correspond to measurement item 1, measurement item 2,... In order from the top.
[0026]
Instead of the screen as shown in FIG. 6, it is also possible to turn on the button with a pointing device such as a mouse when a button is provided and transported in a corresponding field as a more graphical interface, and to turn off the button when not transported. .
[0027]
If the number of destination patterns is determined to be several in advance, create a separate table in which the destination patterns are registered, and enter the transport pattern number from the screen, or use a pointing device such as a mouse to enter the pattern list. It is also possible to select the corresponding pattern from.
[0028]
Also, when transporting to the dispensing unit, if the number of the dispensing destination line is input instead of '1', the table in FIG. 7 should have not only the transport instruction but also dispensing destination information at the same time. Is possible.
[0029]
Similarly, if the classification unit number is input in place of “1” in the classification unit, the table in FIG. 7 can have the classification destination information at the same time. The example of the transfer destination information setting screen shown in FIG. 8 is for grouping a plurality of measurement items of the same transfer destination information and setting the transfer destination information for the group.
[0030]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, a processing flow after the rack is put into the supply unit will be described in detail.
[0031]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a processing flow in the rack supply unit 2. In S1, when the rack 9 is installed on the rack supply unit 2, the sample ID barcode reader 8 reads the sample ID barcode 13 attached to the sample container 12, and transmits the read sample ID to the control unit 1. . In S2, the control unit 1 having received the sample ID searches the sample information database 24 using the sample ID as key information, and extracts measurement items from the sample information database 24. In S3, the measurement item versus destination storage table 25 is searched using the extracted measurement item as key information, and the destination information is extracted. In S4, it is checked whether all the destination information has been extracted. When there are two or more measurement items, S2 to S4 are repeated, and when two or more sample containers 12 are held in the rack 9, S1 to S4 are repeated in S5. The result of ORing all the transfer destination information (S6) is the rack transfer destination information S7 of the rack. That is, the union of all the pieces of destination information becomes the rack destination information S7.
[0032]
The rack supply unit 2 further reads the rack ID 11 attached to the rack 9 by the rack ID barcode reader 7 and transmits the read rack ID to the control unit 1. The control unit 1 creates a rack information database 26 using the received rack ID as key information, and stores rack transport destination information.
[0033]
FIG. 10 shows a processing flow chart in the transport line. When the rack 9 is carried out to the transport line 3, the rack ID barcode reader 7 reads the rack ID barcode 11 (S10), and the read rack ID is transmitted to the control unit 1. The control unit 1 searches the rack information database 26 using the received rack ID as key information, and extracts rack transport destination information (S11). In the transport line 3, the loading of the rack 9 into each sample processing unit connected to the transport line 3 is determined and processed based on the rack transport destination information.
[0034]
Here, when the rack is transported to the automatic centrifuge, some samples require centrifugation and some do not. In this case, a logic is built in the control unit 1, and if a sample that requires centrifugation and a sample that does not need are mixed in the same rack, the rack is directly transported to the rack collection unit 4, and an alarm is generated. Report that fact.
[0035]
According to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to automatically determine the transport destination of the rack from the measurement items of the sample held in the rack. As a result, it is not necessary to use a plurality of racks properly, and operation with one type of rack becomes possible. This also simplifies rack management.
[0036]
Furthermore, the control program can be applied to many aspects of the system configuration only by changing the system configuration information and the change of the destination information from the screen. This makes it possible to construct an automated sample test system at a lower cost.
[0037]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, there exists an effect that it is free from an inspection technician performing sorting work of a rack.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a sample processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the rack transfer mechanism.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a sample information database.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a rack information database.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a destination setting screen.
FIG. 7 is a view showing a storage table of measurement items versus destinations.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of a destination setting screen.
FIG. 9 is a processing flowchart in a rack supply unit.
FIG. 10 is a processing flow chart in a transport line.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Control part, 2 ... Rack supply part, 3 ... Conveyance line, 4 ... Rack collection part, 5 ... Sample processing unit, 6 ... Analysis unit, 7 ... Rack ID barcode reader, 8 ... Sample ID barcode reader, 9 …rack.

Claims (3)

A transfer line for transferring the rack holding the sample containers,
A rack supply unit that supplies the rack to the transport line;
A plurality of sample processing units for preprocessing arranged along the transport line,
A sample processing system comprising:
Sample identification information reading means for reading identification information of a sample attached to the sample container held on a rack supplied from the rack supply unit,
Rack identification information reading means for reading rack identification information attached to the rack,
A measurement item-to-destination storage table that extracts measurement items of a sample held in a rack based on a sample information database in which measurement items corresponding to sample identification information are stored, and stores destination information corresponding to the measurement items. Extracting the transport destination information of the sample held in the rack, storing the transport destination information of the sample held in the rack in association with the rack identification information, and storing the rack information database in the rack information database. And extracting the transport destination information of the sample corresponding to the rack identification information read by the rack identification information reading means, creating rack transport destination information, and transferring the rack to the transport line based on the rack transport destination information. A control unit that controls to selectively transport the sample to the corresponding preprocessing sample processing unit via
With
The sample processing system further comprises means for instructing the measurement item-to-destination storage table through a destination setting screen having an instruction column for a sample processing unit for pre-processing the destination . 2. The sample processing system according to claim 1, wherein the destination setting screen has a function of selecting from destination patterns registered in advance. 2. The sample processing system according to claim 1, wherein the transfer destination setting screen has a function of setting the transfer destination information for a plurality of grouped measurement items of the same transfer destination information.

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