JPH0326453Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] A. Field of application of the technology The present invention relates to a sequence setting technology for an automatic analyzer that handles minute samples.

B. Prior art In automatic analysis of biological samples, samples are continuously transferred to a measurement cell while interposing an air layer between the samples as a separator.
Discrimination between samples is controlled based on a time-based sequence. For this reason, when the flow path resistance of a pipe for transporting a fluid such as a sample changes due to long-term use, there is a problem that a discrepancy occurs between the control sequence and the flow of the sample, resulting in an analysis error.

In order to solve these problems, we regularly disassemble the analyzer and inspect the liquid transfer pipe, but this not only requires more manpower, but also reduces the operating rate of the equipment. It was hot.

C. Purpose In view of these problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid transfer device that can always set a sequence in accordance with the flow of a sample, regardless of the fluid resistance of the liquid transfer conduit.

D. Structure of the invention In other words, the present invention is characterized in that the sequence timing is changed using the time required for the liquid to flow a certain distance in the liquid transfer pipe as a parameter.

E. Embodiments Therefore, details of the present invention will be explained below based on illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, in which reference numeral 1 denotes a liquid sensor provided upstream of a sample cell 2, one side of which is connected to a branch pipe 4 through a sample injection port 3. The pipe 7 communicates with the air intake valve 5 and the reagent intake valve 6 through a pipe 7, and the other side communicates with the sample cell 2. Reference numeral 8 denotes a peristaltic pump, which is composed of a pump tube 8a and an eccentric cam 8b, and whose suction side is connected to the measurement cell 2 to discharge fluid injected into the pipe 7 via the liquid sensor 1 and the measurement cell 2. 10 is a sequence control circuit;
In the analysis mode, the output of the measurement cell 2 after a certain period of time has elapsed from the time of sample injection is taken in as the measured value of the sample component, and in the flow path monitor mode, everything from liquid discharge in the pipe to control of the timing operation is taken in. It is something to do. Reference numeral 11 denotes a timing circuit that measures time from the time when the reagent intake valve 6 is opened to the time when the level of the signal from the liquid sensor 1 changes in the channel monitor mode. Note that the reference numeral 9 in the figure indicates a reagent tank.

In this embodiment, when the device is activated, the pump 8 receives a signal from the sequence control circuit 10 and operates at a set speed. In this state, the air intake valve 5 is closed, the reagent intake valve 6 is opened,
When a sample is injected from the injection port 3, the sample is mixed with the reagent and sucked into the pump 8, and is transferred to the liquid sensor 1.
The liquid flows into the measurement cell 2, the components are measured by a detector (not shown) in the measurement cell 2, and then discharged to the outside of the system. When a predetermined number of samples have been analyzed in this manner, the reagent intake valve 6 is closed, and the air intake valve 5 is opened to discharge the liquid in the pipe 7. Once the liquid has finished draining,
The sequence control circuit 10 outputs a signal to each valve 5, 6 to close the air intake valve 5, open the reagent intake valve 6, and at the same time start the timing circuit 11. In this way, the liquid flowing in from the reagent intake valve 6 moves toward the liquid sensor 1 at a speed based on the flow path resistance of the pipe 7 and the suction capacity of the pump 8. When the tip of the injected reagent flows into the liquid sensor 1, the signal level of the liquid sensor 1 changes, and the timing circuit 11 stops the timing operation. As a result, the time T required for moving the predetermined distance L from the reagent intake valve 6 to the liquid sensor 1 is determined. Needless to say, this time T is closely related to the flow path resistance of the pipe 7 through which the liquid was transferred and the suction capacity of the pump 8. Sequence control circuit 1
1 changes the timing of acquiring the signal from the measurement cell 2 according to the measured time, that is, the flow rate of the sample, and continuously inflows regardless of the flow resistance of the pipe 7 or the suction capacity of the pump 8. The signals from the measurement cell 2 are taken in as measurement signals by distinguishing each sample to be measured.

Although the above embodiments were explained using a peristaltic pump as an example, they can also be applied to analyzers that use other types of pumps such as piston pumps, and can also be applied to analyzers that use other types of pumps such as piston pumps. , it is possible to clean the pipe system and reduce costs.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the time required for the reagent to flow between the reagent intake valve and the liquid sensor is measured.
It goes without saying that measurements may be made between points. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the timing at which the measurement signal is taken in is changed, but the same effect can be achieved by controlling the rotational speed of the pump 8 to maintain the flow rate constant.

Effects As explained above, according to the present invention, the time required for the sample to flow a certain distance in the flow path system is measured,
Since the sequence timing is adjusted based on this, successive samples can be accurately distinguished and analyzed regardless of changes in the fluid resistance of the pipe or the suction capacity of the pump over time, thereby preventing the occurrence of analysis errors. In addition, the inspection and maintenance cycle of the analyzer can be extended as much as possible, and the operating rate of the analyzer can be improved. Furthermore, since successive samples can be accurately distinguished, it is possible to shorten the length of one sample flow path as much as possible to promote miniaturization of the sample.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The figure is a configuration diagram of an apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Liquid sensor, 2...Measurement cell, 5...Air intake valve, 6...Reagent intake valve, 7...Pipe, 8...
…pump.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A measurement cell is connected to the reagent tank via a sample injection port on one side and to a fluid suction pump on the other side via a pipe, and a sequence control circuit that controls everything from sample injection to the end of analysis is installed on the upstream side of the measurement cell. a liquid sensor; and a timing circuit that measures the time from the start of liquid injection until the signal level of the liquid sensor changes when the liquid in the pipe is discharged; An automatic analyzer characterized by setting the sequence operation of a control circuit.