JPH08233771A - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To discriminate between the defect of ion selective electrode and the insufficient suction of sample or calibration liquid surely by providing an electrolyte measuring section and means for determining the pressure, notifying the insufficient suction and notifying the detective electrode. CONSTITUTION: When an abnormal potential of electric signal, caused by clogging of a suction pipe, is detected for an ion selective electrode 46 or 47 at an electrolyte measuring section, the suction pressure exceeds the upper limit of normal suction range and insufficient suction is notified by a notifying means 57 based on the decision results of a pressure decision means. When the abnormal potential is caused by the improper position of suction pipe or idle suction due to the deficiency of solution to be measured or calibration liquid, the suction pressure drops below the lower limit and insufficient suction is notified by a notifying means 56 based on the decision results of the pressure decision means. When the abnormal potential is caused by an ionic electrode, suction is normal and the suction pressure is within a normal range. Consequently, the detective ion selective electrodes 46 or 47 is notified by a defective electrode notifying means 55 based on the decision results of the pressure decision means.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer for measuring an electrolyte using an ion selective electrode.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an automatic analyzer, for example, an electrolyte (sodium (Na)) in blood (serum) or urine as a test sample,
Amount of potassium (K), chlor (Cl = chlorine), etc.)
Concentration) is measured using an ion selective electrode (ISE).

The ion selective electrode is housed in an electrode holder, which is provided with a suction nozzle. A suction pump is connected to the end of the suction nozzle, and the tip of the suction nozzle is connected to a dilution cup.
(Reaction cell) Inserted into the diluted test sample or calibration solution, and the suction pump of the suction pump supplies the test sample or calibration solution to the electrode holder through the suction nozzle.

In normal electrolyte measurement, the sample to be tested and the calibration solution are alternately supplied to the electrode holder for measurement, and the electric power output from the ion-selective electrode during measurement of the sample to be tested is measured. Signal (potential) and electrical signal obtained by measurement of calibration solution
The difference (potential difference) from (potential) indicates the measurement result of the potential of the test sample, that is, the amount of electrolyte of the test sample.
The signal of this potential difference is amplified, converted into digital data, and a predetermined arithmetic processing is performed on this digital data to derive the amount of electrolyte (ion concentration).

[0005]

By the way, since the sample to be tested is a body fluid such as blood, it is apt to coagulate and clog the suction nozzle, so that the sample to be tested or the calibration solution cannot be supplied to the electrode holder. In addition, when the dispensed amount of the test sample or the diluent for diluting the test sample is small, or when the suction nozzle is inserted into the test sample or the calibration solution is improper, The sample or calibration solution cannot be supplied to the electrode holder.

In the conventional automatic analyzer, the above-mentioned phenomenon was recognized by detecting an abnormal potential from the electric signal output from the ion selective electrode, but the ion selective electrode was deteriorated or damaged. In that case, an abnormal potential is detected from the output electric signal.

Therefore, even if an abnormal potential is detected in the electric signal output from the ion-selective electrode, it is not possible to distinguish between the suction failure by the suction nozzle and the failure of the ion-selective electrode itself, and the ion tends to be ionized. In many cases, it is determined that the selective electrode is defective, and the delay of the measurement process due to an erroneous determination is a problem.

Therefore, the present invention ensures that when an abnormal potential is detected from the electric signal output from the ion-selective electrode, it is determined whether the ion-selective electrode is defective or the sample or calibration solution is not properly sucked. An object is to provide an automatic analyzer which can be distinguished.

[0009]

The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer for measuring an electrolyte of a solution to be measured by an ion-selective electrode, and an electrolyte measuring section having an ion-selective electrode, and an object to be measured of the electrolyte to be measured. A suction tube that sucks the solution or the calibration solution and supplies it to the electrolyte measurement unit, a pressure measuring unit that measures the pressure of the suction tube when the solution to be measured or the calibration solution is sucked, and a pressure measuring unit that measures the pressure. Pressure judgment means for judging whether or not the suction pressure is within a preset normal suction range, and a suction failure for notifying suction failure when the suction pressure is judged not to be within the range by this pressure judgment means. An electrode non-reporter for notifying that the ion selective electrode is defective when the electrolyte measuring unit measures an abnormal value when the suction pressure is determined to be within the range by the notification unit and the pressure determination unit. It is provided with a an informing means.

[0010]

In the present invention having such a structure, when an abnormal potential is detected from the electric signal output from the ion-selective electrode of the electrolyte measuring section, when the cause is clogging of the suction tube, Since the suction pressure becomes higher than the upper limit of the preset range of normal suction, the suction failure notification means notifies the suction failure based on the determination by the pressure determination means.

Further, if the cause is that the position of the suction pipe is improper or if the solution to be measured or the calibration liquid is small and the empty suction state is generated, the suction pressure is the lower limit value of the above range. Since it becomes lower, the suction failure notification means notifies the suction failure based on the determination by the pressure determination means.

Further, when the cause is the ionic electrode, since the suction is normal and the suction pressure is within the range, the electrode defect notifying means determines the ion selective electrode based on the determination by the pressure determining means. Is reported to be defective.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic main configuration of an automatic analyzer to which the present invention is applied. Sampling pump 1
The sample dispensing nozzle 2 connected to can be moved horizontally and vertically, and is connected to the sample cup 3 and the dilution line (which are set on a disc-shaped sample disk (not shown)).
It moves to and from the dilution cup 4 set in (not shown).

A buffer pump 5 is provided on this dilution line.
Buffer dispensing nozzle 6, stirrer (stirrer) connected to
7 and calibration solution pump 8 connected calibration solution dispensing nozzle 9
Is provided, and the buffer pump 5 and the calibration solution pump 8 each contain a buffer solution container 10 containing a buffer solution.
And a calibration liquid container containing the calibration liquid is provided.
By the suction operations of the buffer pump 5 and the calibration solution pump 8, the buffer solution and the calibration solution are respectively sucked,
By the respective discharging operations, the buffer solution dispensing nozzle 6
And the calibration liquid dispensing nozzle 9 is dispensed into the dilution cup 4.

The diluting cup 4 is conveyed from the diluting line to the constant temperature section 12, and the constant temperature section 12 is provided with a photometric unit (not shown) for measuring the amounts of various components from the absorptivity and the electrolyte. 1 that can move up and down to measure
A ch electrode holder 13 and a 2 ch electrode holder 14 are installed, and the 1 ch electrode holder 13 and the 2 ch electrode holder 14 have a 1 ch suction nozzle 1 respectively.
The 5ch and 2ch suction nozzles 16 are connected, and the 1ch suction nozzle 15 and the 2ch suction nozzle 16 are connected to a 1ch suction pump 17 and a 2ch suction nozzle 18, respectively.

Further, the 1ch electrode holder 13 and the 2ch electrode holder 14 are respectively provided with ion selective electrodes (
(Not shown) is provided, and the electric signals output from these respective ion selective electrodes are amplified and output via the 1ch amplifier 19 and the 2ch amplifier 20, respectively.

FIG. 2 shows the 1-ch suction pump 17 described above.
3 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration around the 2ch suction pump 18 and FIG. The common ports of the three-way valves 31 and 32 are connected to the 1-ch suction pump 17 and the 2-ch suction pump 18, respectively.
The NO (normally open) ports of 1 and 32 are connected to the waste liquid tank 33. Each of the NC (normally closed) ports of the three-way valves 31 and 32 has the one channel.
It is connected to the suction nozzle 15 and the 2ch suction nozzle 16.

From the NC (normally closed) ports of the three-way valves 31 and 32, the 1ch suction nozzle 15 is connected.
And, in each flow path to the 2ch suction nozzle 16,
1ch pressure sensor 33 and 2ch pressure sensor 3 respectively
4 is inserted, and further, the 1ch electrode holder 13 and the 2ch electrode holder 14 are inserted.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a main part of this automatic analyzer. The detection signals output from the 1ch pressure sensor 33 and the 2ch pressure sensor 34 are supplied to a control unit 45 via a first amplifier 41 and a second amplifier 42, a first ADC (analog digital converter) 43 and a second ADC 44, respectively. It is connected to the.

The electrical signals output from the 1ch ion-selective electrode 46 and the 2ch ion-selective electrode 47 provided on the 1ch electrode holder 13 and the 2ch electrode holder 14, respectively, are output to the 1ch amplifier 1 respectively.
9 and the 2ch amplifier 20, and 1ch ADC48
And the 2ch ADC 49, and is connected to the control unit 45.

The control unit 45 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 50 constituting the control unit main body, and the CPU 5
ROM (r that stores the program data of the processing performed by 0
eadonly memory) 51, a RAM (random acce) in which various areas used when the CPU 50 performs processing are formed.
ss memory) 52 and the like.

The control unit 45 includes an operation unit 54 including a keyboard 53 and a main display 55,
A display unit 58 including an empty suction indicator 56, a clogging indicator 57 and the like is connected.

A mechanical drive unit 59 is connected to the control unit 45, and an electrode holder elevating mechanism unit 60 for elevating and lowering the 1ch electrode holder 13 and the 2ch electrode holder 14 via the mechanical drive unit 59. , 1ch suction pump 17 and 2ch suction pump 18 are controlled.

Although not shown in FIG. 3, the mechanical portion 61 includes the electrode holder elevating / lowering mechanism portion 60 and the 1ch.
Suction pump 17, 2ch suction pump 1
In addition to 8, the sampling pump 1, the buffer pump 5, the calibration solution pump 8, the stirrer 7, the buffer solution dispensing nozzle 6, and a mechanism part for moving the calibration solution dispensing nozzle 9 and the like. The control unit 45 controls these components via the mechanical drive unit 59.

In this embodiment having such a structure, the 1c electrode holder 13 and the 2ch electrode holder 1 of the constant temperature part 12 are provided.
To each of the electrolyte measurement positions 4 (below), the dilution cup 4 in which the test sample and the buffer solution are dispensed and stirred and the dilution cup in which the calibration solution is dispensed are alternately supplied. When the dilution cup 4 in which the test sample and the buffer solution are dispensed and stirred or the dilution cup 4 in which the calibration solution is dispensed is located at the electrolyte measurement position of the 1c electrode holder 13 and the 2ch electrode holder 14, the control unit 45 ( The CPU 50) performs an electrolyte measurement process.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the flow of the electrolyte measuring process performed by the CPU 50. First, in the process of step 1 (ST1), the 1ch suction nozzle 15 (1ch electrode holder 13) and the 2ch suction nozzle 16 (2ch electrode holder 14) are lowered and the 1ch suction nozzle 15 is moved.
And the 2ch suction nozzles 16 are respectively inserted into the mixed solution of the test sample and the buffer solution in the two dilution cups 4 or the calibration solution.

In the process of step 2 (ST2), the 1ch suction pump 17 or the 2ch suction pump 18 is driven to suck the mixed solution of the sample to be tested and the buffer solution or the calibration solution and the 1ch electrode holder 13 or the 2ch electrode. Holder 1
Supply to 4. In the process of step 3 (ST3), 1 is set in the storage area n. In the process of step 4 (ST4), the suction pressure is checked by taking in the detection signal (suction pressure data) output from the nch pressure sensor (33 or 34).

In the process of step 5 (ST5), it is judged whether or not the suction pressure data obtained by the suction pressure check in step 4 is within a preset normal range. If it is determined that the suction pressure data is within the normal range, the next step 6
The process shifts to (ST6).

In the process of step 6, the component amount (concentration) of the electrolyte is calculated based on the electric signal output from the nch ion-selective electrode (46 or 47). Step 7 (S
In the process of T7), it is judged whether or not the electrolyte component amount data (measured value data) obtained in step 6 is a normal value.

If it is determined that the electrolyte component amount data is a normal value, n is set as the process of step 8 (ST8).
As the ch, the component amount data of the electrolyte is set as a measured value, and the process proceeds to step 9 (ST9) described later.

If it is judged that the electrolyte component amount data is not a normal value (abnormal value), step 10 (
As the process of ST10), an nch ion-selective electrode error is displayed on the main display 55 or the like, and the process proceeds to step 9.

In the process of step 5, if the suction pressure data obtained by the pressure check in step 4 is judged to be outside the normal range, the process proceeds to the next step 11 (ST11).

The processing of step 11 determines whether or not the suction pressure data is higher than the normal range. If it is determined that the suction pressure data is higher than the normal range, step 1
As the process of 2 (ST12), the nch clogging error is displayed on the clogging indicator 57, and the process proceeds to step 9.

When it is judged that the suction pressure data is not higher than the normal range, that is, lower than the normal range, the nch idle suction error is displayed on the idle suction display 56 as the process of step 13 (ST13), and the step It is adapted to shift to the processing of 9.

In the processing of step 9, it is determined whether the value set in the storage area n is 2. If it is determined that the value set in the storage area n is not 2, that is, 1 is set, 2 is set in the storage area n as the processing of step 14 (ST14) and the processing of step 4 described above is performed again. Return to.

When it is determined that the value set in the storage area n is 2, the 1ch suction nozzle 15 and the 2ch suction nozzle 16 are moved upward as the processing of step 15 (ST15). The suction nozzles 16 are respectively brought out of the two dilution cups 4 and the electrolyte measuring process is completed.

Therefore, for example, the 1ch suction nozzle 1
When 5 is clogged, the suction pressure detected by the 1ch pressure sensor 33 exceeds the normal range and becomes high data, so a 1ch clogging error is displayed. Further, for example, when the descending position of the 2ch suction nozzle 16 is improper and its tip (suction port) does not reach the sample to be tested in the dilution cup, the suction pressure detected by the 2ch pressure sensor 34 falls within the normal range. Since the data is lower and lower, a 2ch empty suction error is displayed.

If there is no problem with the 1ch suction nozzle 15 and the 1ch ion selective electrode 46 becomes defective due to aging (wear etc.), a 1ch electrode error is displayed.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the suction pressure of the test sample or the calibration liquid at the suction nozzle is detected 1
The ch pressure sensor 33 and the 2ch pressure sensor 34, and the main display 5 for displaying a defect of the ion selective electrode
5, a suction indicator 56 for indicating suction by the suction nozzle and a clogging indicator 57 for indicating that the suction nozzle is clogged are provided, and clogging occurs if suction pressure data obtained from the pressure sensor is higher than the normal range. An error is displayed, and if the suction pressure data is lower than the normal range, an idle suction error is displayed. If the suction pressure data is within the normal range, the potential of the electric signal from the ion selective electrodes 46 and 47 is
When the (component amount data) is an abnormal value, an ion selective electrode error is displayed to display the ion selective electrode 4
It is possible to reliably discriminate between the defects of Nos. 6 and 47 and the suction of the test sample or the calibration liquid.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent the measurement process from being delayed without making an erroneous determination that the ion-selective electrode is defective. Further, since the malfunction of the device can be detected quickly, the reliability of the obtained measured value can be improved.

In this embodiment, the case where the two ionic electrodes 1ch and 2ch are provided has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and one ionic electrode may be used. , And three or more are also applicable.

[0042]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention,
An automatic analyzer that can reliably distinguish between a defective ion-selective electrode and a defective suction of a sample or calibration solution when an abnormal potential is detected from an electrical signal output from the ion-selective electrode. Can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic main configuration of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration around each suction pump of the automatic analyzer of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of essential parts of the automatic analyzer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flow of an electrolyte measurement process performed by the automatic analyzer according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 13, 14 ... Electrode holder, 15, 16 ... Suction nozzle, 17, 18 ... Suction pump, 33, 34 ... Pressure sensor, 45 ... Control part, 46, 47 ... Ion selective electrode, 50 ... CPU, 55 ... Main display , 56 ... Empty suction indicator, 57 ... Clog indicator.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An automatic analyzer for measuring an electrolyte of a solution to be measured with an ion-selective electrode, comprising: an electrolyte measuring unit having the ion-selective electrode; and a solution to be measured or a calibration solution to be measured of the electrolyte is sucked. And a suction pipe for supplying the electrolyte measuring unit to the electrolyte measuring unit, a pressure measuring unit for measuring the pressure of the suction pipe when the solution to be measured or the calibration liquid is sucked, and a suction pressure measured by the pressure measuring unit. Pressure determination means for determining whether or not the suction pressure is within a preset normal suction range, and suction failure notification means for notifying suction failure when the pressure determination means determines that the suction pressure is not within the range. And the ion selective electrode is defective when an abnormal value is measured by the electrolyte measurement unit when the suction pressure is determined by the pressure determination unit to be within the range. An automatic analyzer which is provided with an electrode defect notifying means for notifying that.