WO2016121266A1 - Sample analysis device and sample analysis method - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided are a sample analysis device and sample analysis method that make it possible to carry out accurate measurement using a simple method. A sample analysis device (100) is provided with a chip (102) on which a plurality of measurement chambers (404) are formed on a first circle around an axis of rotation (450) and on which opening parts (407) communicating with the measurement chambers (404) are formed on a second circle around the axis of rotation (450), a liquid feeding mechanism (108) for feeding liquid to the measurement chambers (404) via the opening parts (407), and a measurement unit (109) for analyzing the components of the liquid on the basis of the transmitted light amount of light transmitted through the measurement chambers (404).

Description

Sample analyzer and sample analysis method

The present invention relates to a sample analyzer and a sample analysis method, and more particularly to a sample analyzer and a sample analysis method suitable for analyzing soil components.

In the field of agriculture, analysis of soil components in the growing environment of crops is widely performed to manage the growing state of the crops.

In general, the soil analyzer injects each soil extract into a plurality of test tubes each time with a graduated dropper, and then puts the reagent and diluent determined for each soil component into the test tubes. Inject and develop color. And it is measured by converting into a numerical value using a colorimetric table, a turbidimetric table, an absorptiometric method or the like.

However, the measurement method described above needs to mix a reagent with each soil extract, which increases the number of repetitive operations. Moreover, it is necessary to prepare a reagent according to the soil component to be measured, and the complexity is high.

By performing soil analysis frequently, it is possible to perform detailed analysis for each field and analysis for each planting. Therefore, it is possible to design a fertilizer application that takes into account the effects of the previous crop, and it is possible to optimize the timing and amount of additional fertilization by periodically analyzing the crops with a long growth period in a shorter span. As a result, an increase in yield and stabilization of quality can be expected.

However, it is difficult to increase the frequency of analysis due to the high complexity described above.

In recent years, in view of such problems, a method for analyzing soil components by mixing a soil extract and a reagent by a simple method has been proposed.

FIG. 13 shows the reagent mixing and soil analysis apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1. FIG. 13 (a) is a schematic diagram of a conventional soil analysis apparatus, and FIG. 13 (b). And (c) is a schematic diagram showing the fitting between the storage cartridge provided in the conventional soil analyzer and the extract cartridge.

The soil analysis apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a light emitting unit 7, a light receiving unit 8, and a storage cartridge 9, as shown in FIG. The storage cartridge 9 is made of a transparent material, and is provided with a plurality of cells 11 for storing a mixture of a soil extract and a reagent extracted from soil. In the soil analyzer described in Patent Document 1, light emitted from the light emitting unit 7 passes through the mixed solution in the storage cartridge 9 and is detected by the light receiving unit 8 to measure the absorbance of the mixed solution. The concentration of soil components is measured by the method.

As shown in FIG. 13B, a predetermined amount of reagent is previously stored in the cell 11 of the storage cartridge 9 and is sealed with a seal paper 15. Each cell 16 of the extract cartridge 14 has a dredging function as a metering and contains a soil extract. Before the measurement, the extract cartridge 14 is pushed into the storage cartridge 9 in the direction indicated by the arrows in FIGS. 13B and 13C, so that the storage cartridge 9 and the extract cartridge 14 are fitted. Thereafter, the bottom surface of the extraction liquid cartridge 14 is penetrated, and the extraction liquid is injected into the cell 11 of the storage cartridge 9 to prepare a mixed liquid.

Thus, in the soil analyzer described in Patent Document 1, it is easy to create a mixed solution, and the concentration of soil components is measured by the absorptiometric method, so that accurate measurement can be performed. .

Further, Patent Document 2 discloses an analysis device and an analysis apparatus in which a microchannel is formed. The analysis apparatus described in Patent Document 2 drops a sample solution on an analysis device in which a diluent is set in advance, and then rotates the analysis device to rotate the sample solution held in the analysis device. The reagent is moved to the reaction tank, and a mixed solution of the sample and the reagent is prepared by a simple method.

Japanese Patent Publication “Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-46922 (published on February 22, 2007)” Japanese Patent Publication “JP 2009-210564 A (published on September 17, 2009)”

However, in the soil analysis apparatus described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to manually weigh the soil extract and supply it to each cell 16 of the extract cartridge 14 during the measurement. There is a problem that it takes. In addition, since the soil extract is weighed visually, there is a problem that an error occurs in the measurement.

Also, in the analysis device and the analysis apparatus described in Patent Document 2, since the spotting of the sample liquid is performed manually, it takes time to prepare for the measurement, and the spotting amount varies, resulting in measurement. An error will occur.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the object thereof is to be able to measure a plurality of soil components in a short time in a simple method, and to perform highly accurate measurement. A sample analysis apparatus and a sample analysis method are provided.

In order to solve the above problems, a sample analyzer according to one aspect of the present invention is a container that rotates around a rotation axis, and the first and second are arranged on a first circumference of the rotation axis. A container in which a measurement chamber is formed, and a first supply port communicating with the first measurement chamber and a second supply port communicating with the second measurement chamber are formed on a second circumference around the rotation axis A liquid supply mechanism that is disposed at a position corresponding to the second circumference and that supplies the liquid to the first or second measurement chamber via the first or second supply port; and A component of the liquid based on a light emitting unit disposed at a position corresponding to the circumference, a light receiving unit that receives light transmitted through the first or second measurement chamber, and a transmitted light amount received by the light receiving unit And a measuring unit for analyzing the above.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the container has the first and second measurement chambers formed on the first circumference of the rotation shaft, and the first measurement chamber is provided on the second circumference of the rotation shaft. A first supply port that communicates with a second supply port that communicates with the second measurement chamber is formed. Therefore, the container is rotated so that the liquid injection position of the liquid supply mechanism is aligned with the positions of the first and second supply ports, and liquid is injected from the liquid supply mechanism via the first and second supply ports. It can be carried out. As a result, the liquid can be injected in a short time, and the liquid is injected by the liquid supply mechanism, so that the measurement can be performed with high accuracy.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a sample analyzer according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is the structure schematic of the light emission part with which the sample analyzer shown in FIG. 1 is equipped. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a filter array provided in the light emitting unit shown in FIG. 2. It is the structure schematic of the chip | tip with which the sample analyzer shown in FIG. 1 is equipped, (a) is the front view which looked at the chip | tip from upper direction, (b) And (c) is the shape of the cell with which a chip | tip is equipped. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a liquid supply mechanism provided in the sample analyzer shown in FIG. 1. (A) is a top view of the chip at the time of measurement, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of the chip in (a), and the sample analyzer shown in FIG. 1 schematically shows a filter array and a light receiving section. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a measurement of the sample analyzer shown in FIG. It is a block schematic diagram of the sample analyzer which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a measurement of the sample analyzer shown in FIG. It is a block schematic diagram of the sample analyzer which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a block schematic diagram of the sample analyzer which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a measurement of the sample analyzer shown in FIG. (A) is a schematic diagram of a conventionally used soil analyzer, and (b) and (c) show the fitting between the storage cartridge provided in the soil analyzer shown in (a) and the extract cartridge. It is a schematic diagram shown.

[Embodiment 1]
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a sample analyzer according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the thickness, length, and the like of each constituent member in the drawings are shown to assist the understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the illustrated configuration.

(Outline of sample analyzer configuration)
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram of a sample analyzer 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. A sample analyzer 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a sample analyzer that performs absorptiometry, and as shown in FIG. 1, a light emitting unit 101, a chip 102, a light receiving unit 103, and a rotational drive. Unit 106, liquid supply mechanism 108, measurement unit 109, and control unit 111.

The configuration of each part will be described in detail below.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the light emitting unit 101. As shown in FIG. 2, the light emitting unit 101 includes a plurality of light sources 201a, 201b, and 201c having different emission wavelengths, collimating lenses 202a, 202b, and 202c corresponding to the plurality of light sources 201a, 201b, and 201c, and a dichroic. Mirrors 203a and 203b, an aperture 204, and a filter array 205 are provided.

The light emitting unit 101 is connected to the control unit 111, and each of the light sources 201a to 201c is controlled in light emission, extinction, and light emission intensity by a signal from the control unit 111. In the present embodiment, a white LED (Light Emitting Diode) is used as the light source 201a, a blue LED is used as the light source 201b, and a red LED is used as the light source 201c.

The dichroic mirrors 203a and 203b are mirrors that transmit light in a specific wavelength band and reflect light in another specific wavelength band. In the present embodiment, a dichroic mirror 203a that transmits light in the wavelength band of 470 nm to 1600 nm and reflects light in the wavelength band of 350 nm to 430 nm is used. The dichroic mirror 203b is a mirror that transmits light having a wavelength band of 400 nm to 630 nm and reflects light having a wavelength band of 675 nm to 850 nm.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the filter array 205 shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from above. As shown in FIG. 3, the filter array 205 includes a plurality of interference filters 301 to 306 having different transmission wavelength bands arranged on the circumference around the rotation axis 210. In this embodiment, interference filters having transmission wavelength bands of 420 nm, 520 nm, 570 nm, 610 nm, 710 nm, and 720 nm are used as the interference filters 301 to 306, respectively.

In the light emitting unit 101, a plurality of light sources 201a to 201c emit light in response to a signal from the control unit 111. Light emitted from the light sources 201a to 201c is directed by collimating lenses 202a to 202c corresponding to the light sources 201a to 201c, and their optical paths are combined by dichroic mirrors 203a and 203b. Then, the beam diameter is adjusted by the aperture 204 and guided to the filter array 205. The filter array 205 is controlled to rotate around a rotation axis 210 parallel to the traveling direction of light in synchronization with the control of the plurality of light sources 201a to 201c, and has a specific wavelength from the light that has passed through the aperture 204 Select only transparent. The light transmitted through the filter array 205 is emitted from the light emitting unit 101 as light 300.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the chip 102, FIG. 4A is a front view of the chip 102 as viewed from above, and FIG. 4B is an example of the shape of the cell 400 provided in the chip 102. FIG. 4C is a schematic diagram showing the shape of the cell 410 provided in the chip 102.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the chip 102 has a disk shape, and a plurality of cells 400 and cells 410 are formed radially around the rotation shaft 450. In the present embodiment, six cells 400 and one cell 410 are formed on the chip 102. The cells 400 and 410 are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the chip 102.

The chip 102 is preferably made of a transparent material such as silicone, glass, or plastic so as to transmit the light 300 emitted from the light emitting unit 101. The chip 102 is more preferably made of a highly transparent synthetic resin in order to make the chip 102 inexpensive, and in this embodiment, the chip 102 is a low-density polypropylene that also has chemical resistance. It is made with.

In addition, although the cell 400 and the cell 410 are not formed to be exposed on the surface of the chip 102, in FIG. 4A, the internal structure is shown by solid lines so that the internal structure can be easily understood.

As shown in FIG. 4B, each cell 400 stores a sample chamber 401 into which a soil extract (liquid sample) extracted from soil and a reagent (first reagent and second reagent) are injected. Reagent chambers 402 and 403 and measurement chambers (first measurement chamber and second measurement chamber) 404 are formed. A flow path 405 is formed between the reagent chamber 403, the sample chamber 401, the reagent chamber 402, and the measurement chamber 404, and the reagent chamber 403, the sample chamber 401, the reagent chamber 402, and the measurement chamber 404 communicate with each other. ing. The sample chamber 401 is formed with openings (first supply port, second supply port) 407 for injecting the soil extract, and the opening 407 opens toward the upper surface of the chip 102. ing,
As shown in FIG. 4C, the cell 410 does not include a reagent chamber, and a sample chamber 411 and a reference chamber 414 are formed. Further, a flow path 415 is formed between the sample chamber 411 and the reference chamber 414, and the sample chamber 411 and the reference chamber 414 communicate with each other. Similar to the sample chamber 401 of the cell 400, an opening 417 for injecting a soil extract is formed in the sample chamber 411, and the opening 417 opens toward the upper surface of the chip 102.

Here, the measurement chamber 404 of the cell 400 and the reference chamber 414 of the cell 410 are formed on the first circumference as indicated by a dashed line A in FIG. Further, the opening 407 of the cell 400 and the opening 417 of the cell 410 are formed on the second circumference as indicated by a dashed line B in FIG. That is, the measurement chamber 404 and the reference chamber 414, and the openings 407 and 417 are formed on concentric circles with the rotation axis 450 as the center, and the openings 407 and 417 are radially inward of the measurement chamber 404 and A reference chamber 414 is formed radially outward.

Note that an open / close valve is provided in the flow path 405 between the reagent chamber 403 and the measurement chamber 404, and the valve is closed.

The size of the chip 102 is, for example, about 20 cm in diameter, and the size of each of the cell 400 and the cell 410 is 4 to 5 cm in the longitudinal direction of FIGS. 4B and 4C and 2 in the short direction. The size is about 3 cm.

The light receiving unit 103 receives the light 300 emitted from the light emitting unit 101 and transmitted through the region on the first circumference indicated by the alternate long and short dash line A in FIG.

The measuring unit 109 is connected to the light receiving unit 103. The measuring unit 109 measures the intensity of the light received by the light receiving unit 103 and calculates various data (soil component concentration, pH, etc.) based on the measurement result.

The rotation drive unit 106 is provided below the chip 102 and rotates the chip 102 about the rotation axis 450. In this embodiment, a stepping motor capable of pulse control is used as the rotation drive unit 106. In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the rotation driving unit 106 rotationally drives the chip 102 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the chip 102, the light emitting unit 101, the light receiving unit 103, and the liquid supply mechanism 108 Should move relatively. For example, the rotation driving unit 106 may be configured to rotationally drive the light emitting unit 101, the light receiving unit 103, and the liquid supply mechanism 108 around the rotation axis 450, or the chip 102, the light emitting unit 101, the light receiving unit 103, and the like. The configuration may be such that both the liquid supply mechanism 108 and the liquid supply mechanism 108 are rotationally driven.

The control unit 111 includes a liquid supply control unit 104 and a measurement control unit (measurement control unit) 105. The control unit 111 is connected to the light emitting unit 101, the measurement unit 109, the liquid supply mechanism 108, and the rotation driving unit 106, and controls the operation of each unit. The liquid supply control unit 104 controls the operation of the rotation driving unit 106 and the liquid supply mechanism 108, and controls the rotation of the chip 102 so that the liquid injection position of the liquid supply mechanism 108 matches the positions of the openings 407 and 417. Then, the soil extract or the like is supplied from the liquid supply mechanism 108 to the openings 407 and 417 of the chip 102. The measurement control unit 105 controls the operation of the rotation driving unit 106 and the measurement unit 109 when measuring the absorbance, and converts the light transmitted through the reference chamber 414 and the measurement chamber 404 of the chip 102 rotating around the rotation axis 450. Based on the measurement of soil components.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the liquid supply mechanism 108. In the figure, the chip 102 and the rotation drive unit 106 are also shown. As shown in FIG. 5, the liquid supply mechanism 108 includes a sample storage container 112, a liquid supply pump 113, a tube 501, and an injection nozzle 502.

In the sample storage container 112, a soil extract obtained by adding water to the collected soil, shaking and filtering is stored, and connected to the liquid supply pump 113 by a silicon tube (not shown) or the like. The soil extract may be prepared in an extraction container (not shown), which is another container, and injected from the extraction container into the sample storage container 112. Alternatively, the extraction container and the sample storage container 112 may be combined. By making it fit, the bottom part of the extraction container may be penetrated and the soil extract may flow into the silicon tube or the like.

The tube 501 connects the liquid supply pump 113 and the injection nozzle 502. The liquid supply pump 113 drops a predetermined amount of a soil extract stored in the sample storage container 112 from the openings 407 and 417 into the sample chambers 401 and 411 of the chip 102 through the tube 501 and the injection nozzle 502. Dispense. Therefore, the injection nozzle 502 is disposed at a position immediately above the circumference (on the second circumference) indicated by the alternate long and short dash line B in FIG. 4A where the openings 407 and 417 are formed. In the present embodiment, a tube pump capable of feeding liquid with high accuracy is used as the liquid supply pump 113.

(Measurement operation and measurement procedure)
Next, the operation of each unit and the measurement procedure during measurement will be described with reference to FIGS.

(A) of FIG. 6 shows a top view of the chip 102 at the time of measurement. FIG. 6B schematically shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of the chip 102 in FIG. 6A and the filter array 205 and the light receiving unit 103.

Hereinafter, when distinguishing each of the six cells 400 for convenience of explanation, reference numerals 400-a to 400-f are given, and when not distinguished, 400 reference signs are given. Similarly, the sample chamber 401, the reagent chamber 402, the reagent chamber 403, the measurement chamber 404, the flow channel 405, and the opening 407 formed in the cell 400 are distinguished from each other by 401-a to 401-f. 402-a to 402-f, 403-a to 403-f, 404-a to 404-f, 405-a to 405-f, and 407-a to 407-f.

0.4 ml of 5 wt% salicylic acid-sulfuric acid aqueous solution is injected into the reagent chamber 402-a of the cell 400-a, and 10 ml of 2 mol / l sodium hydroxide (NaOH) aqueous solution is injected into the reagent chamber 403-a in advance. . Similarly, the reagent is previously injected into the reagent chambers 402-b to 402-f and the reagent chambers 403-b to 403-f. Table 1 shows the types and amounts of the reagents previously injected into each of the reagent chambers 402-a to 402-f and the reagent chambers 403-a to 403-f. The column indicated by “−” in Table 1 indicates that no reagent has been injected.

As shown in Table 1, different reagents are injected into the reagent chamber 402 and the reagent chamber 403 of the cell 400, respectively. This is because the sample according to the soil component to be measured is injected, nitrate nitrogen (NO ₃ -N) is used in the cell 400-a, and ammonia nitrogen (NH ₄ -N) is used in the cell 400-b. In the cell 400-c, absorbable phosphoric acid (P ₂ O ₅ ), in the cell 400-d exchangeable potassium (K ₂ O), in the cell 400-e exchangeable calcium (CaO), In -f, exchangeable magnesium (MgO) is used as the soil component to be measured.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the measurement procedure of the sample analyzer 100.

First, 0.4 g of soil and 100 ml of water are put in an extraction container, and shaking and filtration are performed in the extraction container to create a soil extract (S1). Then, the prepared soil extract is poured into the sample storage container 112 of the sample analyzer 100 (S2). Then, the chip 102 is set in the sample analyzer 100 (S3).

Next, the liquid supply control unit 104 of the control unit 111 rotates the rotation driving unit 106, and the chip 102 is rotated so that the opening 417 of the sample chamber 411 of the cell 410 is positioned immediately below the injection nozzle 502 ( S4). Note that the sample analyzer may be configured such that the opening 417 is always positioned immediately below the injection nozzle 502 when the chip 102 is installed in S3. In such a configuration, S3 can be omitted. For example, the chip 102 is provided with a notch, a chip mounting table (not shown) on which the chip 102 is placed is provided with a projecting piece, and the notch and the projecting piece are fitted with each other. By making the rotating shaft 450 connected to the drive unit 106 into a D-cut shape, the position where the chip 102 is set is uniquely positioned so that the opening 417 is always located directly below the injection nozzle 502. I can decide.

Next, the liquid supply mechanism 108 injects the soil extract into the sample chamber 411 from the opening 117 (S5). When the injection of the soil extract into the sample chamber 411 is completed, the liquid supply control unit 104 causes each of the openings 407-a to 407-f of the sample chambers 401-a to 401-f to be immediately below the injection nozzle 502. Thus, the rotation drive unit 106 is controlled, and the liquid supply mechanism 108 is controlled so that a predetermined amount of soil extract is injected into each of the sample chambers 401-a to 401-f (S6).

As described above, in the sample analyzer 100 according to the present embodiment, the soil extraction liquid is injected by controlling the rotation of the chip 102 so that the liquid injection position of the liquid supply mechanism 108 matches the positions of the openings 407 and 417. Therefore, the soil extract can be injected into the sample chambers 401-a to 401-f in a short time. In addition, by first injecting the soil extract into the sample chamber 411, the air between the sample storage container 112 and the liquid supply pump 113, the liquid supply pump 113, the tube 501, and the injection nozzle 502 is pushed out, and the soil Can be filled with extract. Therefore, in the step of injecting the soil extract into each of the sample chambers 401-a to 401-f, the accuracy of injecting the soil extract can be improved, and the measurement accuracy can be improved.

Next, the liquid supply mechanism 108 injects the soil extract remaining in the sample storage container 112 into the sample chamber 411, and the sample storage container 112 becomes empty (S7).

Subsequently, pure water (diluent) for diluting the soil extract is poured into the sample storage container 112 emptied in S7 (S8), and the sample chambers 401-a to 401-f are set in advance. A predetermined amount of pure water is injected (S9). In this embodiment, 5 ml of pure water is injected into the sample chamber 401-c of the cell 400-c, which is a cell for measuring absorbable phosphoric acid (P ₂ O ₅ ). Note that the liquid to be injected into the sample storage container 112 in S8, the sample chambers 401-a to 401-f to be injected in S9, and the injection amount are not limited to this, and the reagent used and the collected soil Depending on the amount, the liquid used to extract the soil (for example, weakly acidic solution such as pure water or citric acid), etc., the soil extract and the diluted solution are determined to have a predetermined ratio.

Next, the procedure proceeds to the measurement of the absorbance of each of the cells 400 and 410, and the rotation driving unit 106 is first rotated. The rotation of the rotation drive unit 106 causes the chip 102 to rotate about the rotation axis 450, and the cell 400 and the cell 410 have the directions indicated by arrows F in FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C, respectively. Centrifugal force (inertial force) acts.

The soil extract injected into the sample chamber 411 of the cell 410 moves to the reference chamber 414 through the flow path 415 by centrifugal force.

In addition, the soil extract in the sample chamber 401 of the cell 400 and the reagent in the reagent chamber 402 move to the reagent chamber 403 through the flow path 405. As a result, a mixed liquid (first mixed liquid, second mixed liquid) of the sample and the reagent to be measured is generated in the reagent chamber 403 (S10).

Next, the liquid mixture generated in the reagent chamber 403 of the cell 400 is stirred by the rotation of the rotation driving unit 106. In this embodiment, the stirring of the mixed liquid is performed by the rotation of the rotation driving unit 106, but is not limited thereto. The sample analyzer 100 may include a translation drive unit (not shown) that can be driven in one axis, and may be configured to perform stirring by a reciprocating motion of the translation drive unit. Alternatively, the rotation drive unit 106 and the translation drive unit may be used. It may be a configuration in which stirring is performed by driving in combination. Moreover, the structure which stirs by driving each of the rotation drive part 106 and the translation drive part with a time difference separately may be sufficient. Furthermore, the structure may be such that the rotation drive unit 106 rotates at a constant speed during agitation, a structure that rotates with acceleration, or a structure that rotates in reverse, or a combination of these. May be configured to rotate.

When the stirring of the mixed solution is completed, the open / close valve provided in the flow path 405 between the reagent chamber 403 and the measurement chamber 404 is opened, and the rotation driving unit 106 is rotated again, so that the mixed solution is mixed by centrifugal force. Is moved to the measurement chamber 404 (S11).

In addition, although stirring of the above-mentioned liquid mixture may be performed in the reagent chamber 403, it may be performed in the measurement chamber 404. In the present embodiment, the mixed liquid is generated and stirred by the rotation of the rotation driving unit 106 in a lump for the cells 400-a to 400-f. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, it may be configured to be performed individually for each of the cells 400-a to 400-f. However, from the viewpoint of shortening the processing time, it is preferable that the cell 400-a to 400-f be configured to be performed collectively.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, when the stirring of the mixed solution is completed, the rotation of the rotation drive unit 106 causes the chip 102 to rotate at a constant speed and the light from the light emitting unit 101 to the light 300. , The light 300 scans the chip 102, and the light 300 transmitted through the chip 102 passes through the measurement chamber 404 and the reference chamber 414 of the chip 102 and enters the light receiving unit 103. The measuring unit 109 calculates the absorbance (transmittance) of the mixed liquid based on the intensity (transmitted light amount) of the light received by the light receiving unit 103 (S12).

In S12, the measurement control unit 105 of the control unit 111 controls the rotation driving unit 106, so that the light 300 emitted from the light emitting unit 101 passes through the measurement chamber 404 and the reference chamber 414 of the chip 102. Here, the mixed solution stored in the measurement chambers 404-a to 404-f exhibits a color reaction due to the reagent, and light absorption occurs depending on the concentration of each soil component. On the other hand, since only the soil extract is stored in the reference chamber 414, less light absorption occurs compared to the measurement chambers 404-a to 404-f. Therefore, the measurement unit 109 specifies the position where the transmitted light amount is the highest as the reference chamber 414. The measuring unit 109 obtains the difference between the light amount transmitted through the measurement chambers 404-a to 404-f and the light amount transmitted through the reference chamber 414 via the corresponding interference filters 301 to 306, thereby measuring the measurement chambers 404-a to 404-a. The absorbance of 404-f is calculated and the soil component is measured.

(effect)
Here, when measuring the concentration of a plurality of soil components at the same time, it is necessary to use a different reagent for each soil component, but for a specific soil component, the coloring concentration range of the reagent, the concentration range of the extract, May not match.

Specifically, in a certain soil component, the concentration of the extract is within a concentration range in which the reagent corresponding to the soil component exhibits a color reaction, but in other soil components, the concentration of the extract is The reagent corresponding to another soil component may be higher than the concentration at which a color development reaction is caused, and the mixed solution may not exhibit an absorbance corresponding to the concentration of the soil component. In such a case, it is necessary to dilute the liquid mixture and measure the absorbance again.

In the soil analysis apparatus described in Patent Document 1 shown in FIG. 13, the reagent is stored in advance in the cell 11 of the storage cartridge 9, and the extract is weighed in the cell 16 of the extract cartridge 14. Therefore, when the concentration of a specific soil component is higher than the concentration range in which the corresponding reagent exhibits a color reaction, the extract is first diluted and then weighed again in the cell 16 of the extract cartridge 14. After that, it is necessary to prepare a mixed solution by fitting the storage cartridge 9 and the extract cartridge 14 and measure the absorbance. Therefore, it is necessary to newly use the cartridge, and there is a problem that the cost increases. In addition, the measurement is reworked, and there is a problem that the measurement takes time.

On the other hand, in the sample analyzer 100 according to the present embodiment, the opening 407 is formed in the cell 400, and a diluting liquid for diluting the soil extract according to the soil component to be measured is liquid. Injection can be performed from the supply mechanism 108 to the cell 400 through the opening 407. Thereby, even if the specific component of the soil extract has a high concentration outside the range in which the reagent exhibits a color reaction, the measurement is not reworked, and the measurement can be easily performed. In addition, by diluting the soil extract, it is possible to optimize the concentration within a range showing a color development reaction, and it is possible to perform measurement with high accuracy.

[Embodiment 2]
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those described in the embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of the sample analyzer 600 according to this embodiment. The sample analyzer 600 has the same configuration as the sample analyzer 100 except that it includes a liquid supply mechanism 120 that is different from the liquid supply mechanism 108 of the sample analyzer 100 according to the first embodiment.

The liquid supply mechanism 120 includes a liquid sample supply mechanism 122 that supplies a soil extract and a diluent supply mechanism 121 that supplies a diluent. The liquid sample supply mechanism 122 has the same configuration as the liquid supply mechanism 108, and includes a sample storage container 112, a liquid supply pump 113, a tube 501 (see FIG. 5), and an injection nozzle 502 (see FIG. 5). ing. The diluent supply mechanism 121 has the same configuration as the liquid sample supply mechanism 122 except that the diluent storage container 114 includes a diluent storage container 114 instead of the sample storage container 112.

Next, the measurement procedure in the sample analyzer 600 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the measurement procedure of the sample analyzer 600.

First, similarly to the sample analyzer 100 according to the first embodiment, 0.4 g of soil and 100 ml of water are put into an extraction container, and the extract is shaken and filtered to create a soil extract (S21). Then, the prepared soil extract is poured into the sample storage container 112 of the liquid sample supply mechanism 122 (S22), and pure water is injected as a diluent into the diluent storage container 114 of the diluent supply mechanism 121 (S23).

Next, the chip 102 is set in the sample analyzer 600 (S24). Then, the liquid supply control unit 104 of the control unit 111 rotates the rotation driving unit 106 so that the opening 417 of the sample chamber 411 of the cell 410 is positioned immediately below the injection nozzle 502 of the liquid sample supply mechanism 122. 102 is rotated (S25). Thereafter, a soil extract is injected into the sample chamber 411 (S26).

Next, the rotation driving unit 106 is controlled so that the respective openings 407-a to 407-f of the sample chambers 401-a to 401-f are directly below the injection nozzle 502 of the liquid sample supply mechanism 122, and the sample A predetermined amount of soil extract is injected into each of the chambers 401-a to 401-f, and at the same time, a predetermined amount of pure water is injected into the specific sample chambers 401-a to 401-f from the diluent supply mechanism 121. (S27).

Thus, in the sample analyzer 600 according to this embodiment, since the liquid supply mechanism 120 includes the liquid sample supply mechanism 122 and the diluent supply mechanism 121, the soil extract and the diluent are injected. Can be performed simultaneously. Therefore, as in the sample analyzer 100 according to the first embodiment, the process of injecting the soil extract into the sample chambers 401 and 411, then injecting pure water into the sample storage container 112, and injecting again into the sample chamber 401 is performed. There is no need to perform the measurement, and the measurement time can be shortened.

Thereafter, similarly to the sample analyzer 100 according to the first embodiment, the chip 102 is rotated, the soil extract in the sample chamber 411 is fed to the reference chamber 414, and the soil in the reagent chamber 403 (see FIG. 4). Prepare a mixture of the extract and the reagent. Then, by further rotating the chip 102, the soil extract in the reagent chamber 403 is fed to the measurement chamber 404 (S28).

Finally, the absorbance is sequentially measured for the mixed solution in the measurement chamber 404 and the soil extract in the reference chamber 414 by the same method as the sample analyzer 100 according to the first embodiment (S29).

[Embodiment 3]
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those described in the embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a sample analyzer 700 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the sample analyzer 700 has the same configuration as the sample analyzer 600 except that the sample analyzer 700 includes a liquid supply mechanism 125 different from the sample analyzer 600 according to the second embodiment.

The liquid supply mechanism 125 includes a liquid sample supply mechanism 126 and a diluent supply mechanism 127. The diluent supply mechanism 127 is upstream in the liquid supply direction, and the liquid sample supply mechanism 126 is downstream in the liquid supply direction. Is arranged. In other words, the liquid sample supply mechanism 126 and the diluent supply mechanism 127 are arranged in series with respect to the liquid supply direction.

The liquid sample supply mechanism 126 has substantially the same configuration as the liquid sample supply mechanism 122 according to the second embodiment, and includes a sample storage container 112, a liquid supply pump 113, a tube, and an injection nozzle, and the sample storage container 112. It is possible to inject the liquid stored in the chip 102 into the chip 102.

The diluent supply mechanism 127 includes a diluent storage container 114, a liquid supply pump 113, and a tube (not shown). The tube of the diluent supply mechanism 127 connects the liquid supply pump 113 and the sample storage container 112 provided in the liquid sample supply mechanism 126. Therefore, the liquid supply pump 113 can send the diluent stored in the diluent storage container 114 to the sample storage container 112 through the tube.

In the sample analyzer 700 according to this embodiment, the liquid supply mechanism 125 is configured as described above, so that pure water is used as a diluent storage container in a process of injecting pure water as a diluent into a specific sample chamber 401. The sample is transferred from 114 to the sample storage container 112. Thereafter, the pure water is conveyed to the liquid supply pump 113, the tube, and the injection nozzle, and injected into the sample chamber 411. Therefore, the flow path of the soil extract in the liquid sample supply mechanism 126 is washed with pure water, and it becomes possible to perform measurement with higher accuracy.

[Embodiment 4]
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those described in the embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the sample analyzer 800 according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the sample analyzer 800 includes an appropriate range recording unit 131, an appropriate determination unit 132, and a remeasurement unit 133 in addition to the sample analysis device 100 according to the first embodiment.

The appropriate range recording unit 131 is connected to the appropriate determination unit 132. In the appropriate range recording unit 131, for each reagent stored in each cell 400, an appropriate range of absorbance in which the component concentration can be accurately calculated when the reagent is used is recorded. In other words, the appropriate range of the amount of transmitted light received by the light receiving unit 103 is recorded according to the reagent.

The appropriateness determination unit 132 is connected to the appropriate range recording unit 131, the measurement unit 109, and the remeasurement unit 133. The appropriateness determination unit 132 compares the absorbance value calculated by the measurement unit 109 with the appropriate range of the absorbance of the reagent used for the measurement recorded in the appropriate range recording unit 131 for each cell 400. And determine whether the absorbance is within an appropriate range.

The remeasurement unit 133 is connected to the appropriateness determination unit 132 and the control unit 111, and performs remeasurement on the cell 400 in which the absorbance is determined to be out of the appropriate range based on the determination of the appropriateness determination unit 132. . Details of the remeasurement will be described later.

Next, the measurement procedure in the sample analyzer 800 will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the measurement procedure of the sample analyzer 800.

First, similarly to the sample analyzer 100 according to the first embodiment, 0.4 g of soil and 100 ml of water are put in an extraction container, and the extract is shaken and filtered to create a soil extract (S31). Then, the created soil extract is poured into the sample storage container 112 of the liquid supply mechanism 108 (S32).

Next, the chip 102 is set in the sample analyzer 800 (S33). Then, the liquid supply control unit 104 of the control unit 111 rotates the rotation driving unit 106, and the opening 417 of the sample chamber 411 of the cell 410 is positioned immediately below the injection nozzle 502 (see FIG. 5) of the liquid supply mechanism 108. Thus, the chip 102 is rotated (S34). Thereafter, a soil extract is injected into the sample chamber 411 (S35).

Next, the rotation driving unit 106 is controlled so that the openings 407-a to 407-f of the sample chambers 401-a to 401-f are directly below the injection nozzle 502 of the liquid supply mechanism 108, and the sample chamber A predetermined amount of soil extract is injected into each of 401-a to 401-f (S36). Thereafter, the liquid supply mechanism 108 injects the soil extract remaining in the sample storage container 112 into the sample chamber 411, and the sample storage container 112 becomes empty (S37).

Subsequently, pure water for diluting the soil extract is poured into the sample storage container 112 emptied in S37 (S38), and a predetermined amount of pure water is poured into predetermined sample chambers 401-a to 401-f. Water is injected (S39). Next, by rotating the chip 102, in the cell 400, a mixed solution of the soil extract and the reagent is created in the reagent chamber 403, and in the cell 410, the soil extract is sent to the reference chamber 414. (S40). When the stirring of the mixed solution is completed, the rotation driving unit 106 is rotated again, and the mixed solution is moved to the measurement chamber 404 by centrifugal force (S41).

Next, the rotation of the rotation drive unit 106 causes the chip 102 to rotate at a constant speed, and the light 300 is emitted from the light emitting unit 101. The light 300 scans the chip 102, and the light 300 transmitted through the chip 102 is 102 passes through the measurement chamber 404 and the reference chamber 414 of 102, and enters the light receiving unit 103. The measuring unit 109 calculates the absorbance (transmittance) of the mixed liquid based on the intensity (transmitted light amount) of the light received by the light receiving unit 103 (S42). Note that S31 to S42 in the measurement procedure of the sample analyzer 800 according to the present embodiment are the same as S1 to S12 in the measurement procedure of the sample analyzer 100 according to the first embodiment.

Next, the appropriateness determination unit 132 determines whether or not the absorbance value calculated by the measurement unit 109 in S42 is within the appropriate range recorded in the appropriate range recording unit 131, for each cell 400. (S43). In all the cells 400, when it is determined that the absorbance value calculated by the measurement unit 109 is within the appropriate range recorded in the appropriate range recording unit 131 (Yes in S43), the measurement ends.

On the other hand, in any cell 400, when it is determined that the absorbance value calculated by the measurement unit 109 is outside the proper range recorded in the proper range recording unit 131 (No in S43), the remeasurement unit 133 performs remeasurement on the cell 400 that the appropriateness determining unit 132 determines to be out of the appropriate range. In the remeasurement, first, the liquid supply mechanism 108 applies a predetermined amount (for example, the same amount as the pure water injected in S38) to the sample chamber 401 with respect to the cell 400 in which the absorbance is determined to be outside the appropriate range. Pure water is injected (S44). Thereafter, the pure water injected into the sample chamber 401 is sent to the reagent chamber 403 and the measurement chamber 404 via the flow path 405 (S45). Then, the absorbance is again measured for all measurement chambers 404 and reference chambers 414 (S42). In this way, remeasurement is performed until the absorbance values of all the cells 400 are within the proper range recorded in the proper range recording unit 131.

The sample analyzer 800 according to the present invention performs the measurement in such a procedure, so that even if a certain soil component has a higher concentration than the assumed component concentration, the effort of remeasurement is minimized. Thus, it is possible to measure efficiently and to grasp the excess state of the soil components accurately.

In the present embodiment, the sample analyzer 800 includes the appropriate range recording unit 131, the appropriate determination unit 132, and the re-measurement unit 133 in addition to the sample analysis device 100 of the first embodiment. What is necessary is just to provide the appropriate range recording part 131, the appropriateness determination part 132, and the re-measurement part 133. That is, the sample analyzer 800 includes a proper range recording unit 131, a proper determination unit 132, and a remeasurement unit 133 in addition to the sample analysis device 600 of the second embodiment or the sample analysis device 700 of the third embodiment. There may be.

In the first to fourth embodiments described above, the control unit 111 and the measurement unit 109 of the sample analyzers 100, 600, and 700, and the control unit 111, the measurement unit 109, the appropriate range recording unit 131 of the sample analysis device 800, The determination unit 132 and the re-measurement unit 133 may be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like, or may be realized by software using a CPU (Central Processing Unit). May be.

[Summary]
Sample analyzers 100, 600, 700, and 800 according to the first aspect of the present invention are containers that rotate around a rotation shaft 450, and a first measurement chamber (on the first circumference of the rotation shaft 450). One of the measurement chambers 404-a to 404-f) and a second measurement chamber (the other one of the measurement chambers 404-a to 404-f) are formed, and the first measurement chamber (the measurement chamber) is formed. A first supply port (one of openings 407-a to 407-f) communicating with one of 404-a to 404-f and the second measurement chamber (measurement chambers 404-a to 404). A second supply port (the other one of the openings 407-a to 407-f) communicating with the other one of -f on the second circumference around the rotation axis 450 And the container (chip 102) formed on the second circumference, at a position corresponding to the second circumference, the first supply port (opening portion) 07-a to 407-f) or the second measurement port (the other one of the openings 407-a to 407-f) through the first measurement chamber (measurement chamber 404). -One of -a to 404-f) or the liquid supply mechanism 108, 120, 125 for supplying liquid to the second measurement chamber (the other one of the measurement chambers 404-a to 404-f). A light emitting unit 101 arranged at a position corresponding to the first circumference, the first measurement chamber (one of the measurement chambers 404-a to 404-f) or the second measurement chamber (measurement) A light receiving unit 103 that receives light transmitted through one of the chambers 404-a to 404-f), and a measurement unit that analyzes the component of the liquid based on the amount of light transmitted by the light receiving unit 103 109.

According to the above configuration, the container (chip 102) includes the first measurement chamber (one of the measurement chambers 404-a to 404-f) and the second measurement on the first circumference of the rotating shaft 450. A chamber (the other one of the measurement chambers 404-a to 404-f) is formed, and the first measurement chamber (the measurement chambers 404-a to 404-f) is formed on the second circumference of the rotating shaft 450. A first supply port (one of the openings 407-a to 407-f) communicating with one of the second measurement chambers (the other one of the measurement chambers 404-a to 404-f). The second supply port (the other one of the openings 407-a to 407-f) is formed. Therefore, the container (chip 102) is rotated so that the liquid injection position of the liquid supply mechanism 108 matches the positions of the first and second supply ports, and the first supply ports (the openings 407-a to 407-f One of them) and the second supply port (the other one of the openings 407-a to 407-f) can inject liquid from the liquid supply mechanisms 108, 120, and 125. As a result, the liquid can be injected in a short time and the liquid is supplied by the liquid supply mechanisms 108, 120, and 125, so that the measurement can be performed with high accuracy.

The sample analyzers 100, 600, 700, 800 according to the second aspect of the present invention are the same as the first aspect in that the liquid injection positions of the liquid supply mechanisms 108, 120, 125 and the first and second supply ports (opening 407-a). ˜407-f and the other one) are controlled so as to rotate the container (chip 102) about the rotation axis 450 and adjust the liquid to the liquid. From the supply mechanisms 108, 120, 125, the first and second supply ports (one of the openings 407-a to 407-f and the other one of the openings 407-a to 407-f) ) May be further provided with a liquid supply control unit 104 that controls the rotation of the container (chip 102) and the operation of the liquid supply mechanisms 108, 120, and 125.

According to the above configuration, liquid components can be analyzed with high accuracy in a short time with a simple configuration.

In the sample analyzers 600 and 700 according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the liquid includes a liquid sample and a diluent for diluting the liquid sample, and the liquid supply mechanisms 120 and 125 are The liquid sample supply mechanisms 122 and 126 for supplying the liquid sample and the diluent supply mechanisms 121 and 127 for supplying the diluent may be included.

According to the above configuration, the liquid supply mechanisms 120 and 125 include the liquid sample supply mechanism 122 that supplies the liquid sample, the dilution liquid supply mechanisms 121 and 127 that supply the diluent, and the liquid sample supply mechanism 126. It has. As a result, the liquid sample and the diluent can be injected simultaneously, and the measurement can be performed in a shorter time.

The sample analyzers 100, 600, 700, and 800 according to the fourth aspect of the present invention are the same as the third aspect, except that the liquid injection positions of the liquid supply mechanisms 120 and 125 and the first or second supply port (opening 407-a). ˜407-f or the other one) is controlled so that the container (chip 102) rotates around the rotation axis 450, and the liquid sample is adjusted. Is supplied from the liquid sample supply mechanism 122, 126 to the first and second supply ports (one of the openings 407-a to 407-f and the other one), and the dilution liquid is diluted with the dilution liquid. In order to supply from the liquid supply mechanisms 121 and 127 to at least one of the first and second supply ports (one of the openings 407-a to 407-f and one of the other), the container ( Rotation level of chip 102) May further comprise the liquid sample supply mechanism 122, 126 and the liquid supply controller 104 which controls the operation of the dilution liquid supply means 121, 127 to.

According to the configuration described above, the liquid supply mechanisms 120 and 125 allow at least one of the first and second supply ports (one of the openings 407-a to 407-f and the other one). The diluent can be supplied to at least one of the first and second measurement chambers (one of the measurement chambers 404-a to 404-f). Therefore, even if the concentration of the soil component is outside the range of the concentration at which the reagent exhibits the color reaction, the concentration can be within the range of the concentration at which the color reaction occurs by performing dilution. Therefore, measurement can be performed in a short time without reworking the measurement.

The sample analyzers 100, 600, 700, 800 according to the fifth aspect of the present invention are supplied to the first measurement chamber (one of the measurement chambers 404-a to 404-f) in the third or fourth aspect. A mixed liquid of the liquid and the first reagent is generated in the first measurement chamber (one of the measurement chambers 404-a to 404-f), and the second measurement chamber (measurement chambers 404-a to 404-) is generated. A liquid mixture of the liquid supplied to the other one of f) and the second reagent is generated in the second measurement chamber (the other one of the measurement chambers 404-a to 404-f). In the sample analyzer, the liquid sample supply mechanisms 122 and 126 and the dilution liquid supply mechanisms 121 and 127 include the first and second supply ports (one of the openings 407-a to 407-f, and In the other one, the liquid sample and the diluent are respectively added to the first and second liquids. Reagents may be supplied in a ratio corresponding to the second reagent.

According to the above configuration, by supplying the liquid sample and the diluent at a ratio corresponding to the first reagent and the second reagent, the first reagent and the second reagent are within a concentration range in which a color development reaction is exhibited. In addition, it is possible to dilute a liquid sample and to perform measurement with high accuracy.

The sample analyzer 800 according to Aspect 6 of the present invention is the first analysis chamber (one of the measurement chambers 404-a to 404-f) or the second measurement chamber according to any one of the Aspects 3 to 5. An appropriate range recording unit 131 that records an appropriate range of the amount of transmitted light received by the light receiving unit 103 with respect to a measurement chamber (the other one of the measurement chambers 404-a to 404-f), and the first measurement For the chamber (one of the measurement chambers 404-a to 404-f) or the second measurement chamber (the other one of the measurement chambers 404-a to 404-f), the appropriate range recording unit 131 Is necessary for the transmitted light amount to be within the appropriate range when it is determined that the transmitted light amount is out of the appropriate range. Appropriate judgment for calculating the necessary supply amount of the liquid sample or the diluent Unit 132 and the first measurement chamber (one of the measurement chambers 404-a to 404-f) or the second measurement chamber (measurement chamber) in which the transmitted light amount is determined to be out of the appropriate range by the appropriate determination unit 132. 404-a to 404-f) is further provided with a re-measurement unit 133 for supplying the necessary supply amount of the liquid sample or the diluent and re-measuring the amount of transmitted light. Also good.

According to the above configuration, the sample analyzer 800 includes the appropriate range recording unit 131, the appropriate determination unit 132, and the re-measurement unit 133, so that the concentration of the soil component in the liquid sample is higher than expected. Even if the concentration is outside the range where the reagent exhibits a color development reaction, the diluent can be injected as it is and the measurement can be performed again. Therefore, measurement can be performed in a short time, and it is not necessary to newly use a container (chip 102) at the time of re-measurement, and cost can be suppressed.

In the sample analysis method according to aspect 7 of the present invention, the first measurement chamber (one of the measurement chambers 404-a to 404-f) and the second measurement chamber (measurement) are arranged on the first circumference of the rotating shaft 450. The other one of the chambers 404-a to 404-f is formed, and a first supply port (opening) communicating with the first measurement chamber (one of the measurement chambers 404-a to 404-f) Part 407-a to 407-f) and the second supply port (opening 407-) communicating with the second measurement chamber (the other one of measurement chambers 404-a to 404-f). a container (chip 102) formed on the second circumference around the rotation axis 450 with the other one of a to 407-f) at a position corresponding to the second circumference. And the first and second supply ports (opening portions 407-a to 407-). One of the other and the other one) is rotated around the rotation axis 450, and liquid is supplied from the liquid supply mechanisms 108, 120, 125 to the first and second supplies. A liquid supply step for supplying to the mouth, and the first or second measurement chamber (one of the measurement chambers 404-a to 404-f or other ones) emitted from a position corresponding to the first circumference And a measuring step of analyzing the component of the liquid based on the transmitted light amount of the light transmitted through the first one.

According to the above method, liquid components can be analyzed with high accuracy in a short time with a simple configuration.

In the sample analysis method according to aspect 8 of the present invention, the liquid includes a liquid sample and a diluent for diluting the liquid sample, and the liquid supply step is at a position corresponding to the second circumference. Liquid sample supply for supplying a liquid sample from the arranged liquid supply mechanisms 108, 120, 125 to the first and second supply ports (one of the openings 407-a to 407-f and the other one). And a diluting solution for diluting the liquid sample from the liquid supply mechanisms 108, 120, 125 from the first and second supply ports (one of the openings 407-a to 407-f and the other one). And a diluent supply step for supplying to at least one of the above.

According to the above method, the liquid supply mechanisms 108, 120, and 125 pass through the second supply port (the other one of the openings 407-a to 407-f) through the second measurement chamber (measurement chamber). The other one of 404-a to 404-f) can be supplied with a diluent. Therefore, even if the concentration of the soil component is outside the range of the concentration at which the reagent exhibits the color reaction, the concentration can be within the range of the concentration at which the color reaction occurs by performing dilution. Therefore, measurement can be performed in a short time without reworking the measurement.

In the sample analysis method according to aspect 9 of the present invention, in the above aspect 8, the first measurement chamber (one of the measurement chambers 404-a to 404-f) is transmitted before the liquid sample supply step. An appropriate range recording step for recording an appropriate range of the amount of transmitted light; and after the measurement step, the appropriate range is recorded for the first measurement chamber (one of the measurement chambers 404-a to 404-f). The liquid sample required for the transmitted light amount to be within the appropriate range when the transmitted light amount is compared with the appropriate range recorded by the range recording step and the transmitted light amount is determined to be outside the appropriate range. Alternatively, an appropriateness determination step for calculating a necessary supply amount of the diluent, and a first measurement chamber (of the measurement chambers 404-a to 404-f) in which the transmitted light amount is determined to be out of an appropriate range by the appropriateness determination step. 1), the liquid test of the required supply amount. Or further comprising a re-measuring step of supplying, performing re-measurement of the transmitted light amount of the diluent.

According to said method, there exists an effect similar to the sample analyzer 800 which concerns on the said aspect 6, a density | concentration higher than the density | concentration with which the soil component with a liquid sample was assumed, and the density | concentration which a reagent shows color development reaction of Even if it is out of the range, the diluent can be injected as it is and the measurement can be performed again. Therefore, measurement can be performed in a short time, and it is not necessary to newly use a container (chip 102) at the time of re-measurement, and cost can be suppressed.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, a new technical feature can be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in each embodiment.

The present invention can be used for a sample analyzer, particularly a sample analyzer suitable for analyzing soil components.

100, 600, 700, 800 Sample analyzer 102 Chip (container)
103 light receiving unit 104 liquid supply control unit 105 measurement control unit (measurement control unit)
108, 120, 125 Liquid supply mechanism 109 Measuring unit 121, 127 Diluent supply mechanism (liquid supply mechanism)
122, 126 Liquid sample supply mechanism (liquid supply mechanism)
131 Appropriate range recording unit 132 Appropriate determination unit 133 Re-measurement unit 404, 404-a to 404-f Measurement chamber (first measurement chamber, second measurement chamber)
407, 407-a to 407-f Openings (first supply port, second supply port)
450 axis of rotation

Claims (9)

1. A container that rotates about a rotation axis, wherein first and second measurement chambers are formed on a first circumference of the rotation axis, and a first supply port that communicates with the first measurement chamber; A container in which a second supply port communicating with the two measurement chambers is formed on a second circumference around the rotation axis;
   A liquid supply mechanism that is disposed at a position corresponding to the second circumference and supplies liquid to the first or second measurement chamber via the first or second supply port;
   A light emitting portion disposed at a position corresponding to the first circumference;
   A light receiving unit for receiving light transmitted through the first or second measurement chamber;
   A sample analysis apparatus comprising: a measurement unit that analyzes a component of the liquid based on a transmitted light amount received by the light receiving unit.
2. The liquid supply mechanism controls the rotation operation of the container rotating around the rotation axis so that the liquid injection position of the liquid supply mechanism matches the positions of the first and second supply ports, and the liquid is supplied to the liquid supply mechanism. 2. The sample analyzer according to claim 1, further comprising a liquid supply control unit configured to control rotation of the container and operation of the liquid supply mechanism in order to supply the first and second supply ports from the first and second supply ports. .
3. The liquid includes a liquid sample and a diluent for diluting the liquid sample;
   The sample analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the liquid supply mechanism includes a liquid sample supply mechanism that supplies the liquid sample, and a diluent supply mechanism that supplies the diluent.
4. The container is controlled to rotate about the rotation axis so that the liquid injection position of the liquid supply mechanism is aligned with the position of the first or second supply port, and the liquid sample is the liquid sample. In order to supply the dilution liquid from the supply mechanism to the first and second supply ports, and to supply the diluent from the diluent supply mechanism to at least one of the first and second supply ports, the rotation of the container and the liquid The sample analyzer according to claim 3, further comprising a liquid supply control unit that controls operations of the sample supply mechanism and the diluent supply mechanism.
5. A liquid mixture of the liquid supplied to the first measurement chamber and the first reagent is generated in the first measurement chamber, and a liquid mixture of the liquid supplied to the second measurement chamber and the second reagent is the second liquid. A sample analyzer generated in a measurement chamber,
   The liquid sample supply mechanism and the dilution liquid supply mechanism supply the liquid sample and the dilution liquid to the first and second supply ports at a ratio corresponding to the first reagent and the second reagent, respectively. The sample analyzer according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by the above.
6. An appropriate range recording unit that records an appropriate range of the amount of transmitted light received by the light receiving unit with respect to the first or second measurement chamber;
   For the first or second measurement chamber, the appropriate range recorded in the appropriate range recording unit was compared with the transmitted light amount received by the light receiving unit, and the transmitted light amount was determined to be outside the appropriate range. In this case, an appropriateness determination unit that calculates a necessary supply amount of the liquid sample or the diluent necessary for the transmitted light amount to be within an appropriate range;
   The liquid sample or the diluting liquid in the necessary supply amount is supplied to the first or second measurement chamber in which the transmitted light amount is determined to be outside the appropriate range by the appropriate determination unit, and the transmitted light amount is remeasured. The sample analyzer according to claim 3, further comprising a measurement unit.
7. First and second measurement chambers are formed on a first circumference of the rotation shaft, and a first supply port communicating with the first measurement chamber and a second supply port communicating with the second measurement chamber are rotated. A container formed on a second circumference around an axis is disposed at a position corresponding to the second circumference, the liquid injection position of the liquid supply mechanism, and the positions of the first and second supply ports A liquid supply step of rotating around the rotation shaft to supply the liquid to the first and second supply ports from the liquid supply mechanism;
   A measuring step of analyzing the component of the liquid based on a transmitted light amount of light emitted from a position corresponding to the first circumference and transmitted through the first or second measurement chamber. Sample analysis method.
8. The liquid includes a liquid sample and a diluent for diluting the liquid sample,
   The liquid supply step includes
   A liquid sample supply step of supplying a liquid sample to the first and second supply ports from a liquid supply mechanism disposed at a position corresponding to the second circumference;
   The sample analysis according to claim 7, further comprising a diluent supply step of supplying a diluent for diluting the liquid sample from the liquid supply mechanism to at least one of the first and second supply ports. Method.
9. Before the liquid sample supply step, an appropriate range recording step for recording an appropriate range of the amount of light transmitted through the first measurement chamber;
   After the measurement step, when the appropriate amount recorded by the appropriate range recording step is compared with the transmitted light amount for the first measurement chamber, and the transmitted light amount is determined to be out of the appropriate range. In addition, an appropriate determination step of calculating a necessary supply amount of the liquid sample or the diluent necessary for the transmitted light amount to be within an appropriate range;
   A re-measurement step of supplying the necessary supply amount of the liquid sample or the diluting liquid to the first measurement chamber in which the transmitted light amount is determined to be outside the proper range by the appropriate determination step, and re-measuring the transmitted light amount; The sample analysis method according to claim 8, further comprising:

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