IP Library Granted Patent US 10,591,498
Granted Patent B2
US 10,591,498 · App. 15/554,086 · Granted Mar 17, 2020

Automated analysis device

Inventors: Koichi Nishimura (Tokyo, JP); Hiroyuki Takayama (Tokyo, JP)
Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
G01N35/00623G01N33/50G01N35/00712G01N35/00722G01N35/02G01N35/10G01N35/1079B01L2200/141G01N35/1002G01N2035/009
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,591,498
App. No.
15/554,086
Granted
Mar 17, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

Provided is an automatic analyzer capable of replacing an insertion mechanism while suppressing occurrence of dispensing abnormality and analysis result abnormality accompanying deterioration of the insertion mechanism. Included are an insertion mechanism that is inserted into a closed container through a lid of the container; a storage unit that stores an insertion history count corresponding to a cumulative load of the insertion mechanism caused by inserting the insertion mechanism into a plurality of the containers, and an allowable insertion history count which is an allowable value of the insertion history count; and a control unit that compares the insertion history count with the allowable insertion history count and performs control to make a notification to an operator in a case where the insertion history count reaches the allowable insertion history count.

Claims (42)

1. An automatic analyzer comprising:

an insertion mechanism that is configured to be inserted into a container through a lid of the container;

a storage device configured to store a plurality of load coefficients corresponding to a plurality of different types of lids and the plurality of load coefficients correspond to combinations of the respective type of lid and a presence or absence of perforation of the respective type of lid, to store an insertion history count corresponding to a cumulative load of the insertion mechanism caused by inserting the insertion mechanism through one or more of the different types of lids, and to store an allowable insertion history count; and

a computer programmed to control the insertion mechanism,

wherein the computer is further programmed to:

compare the insertion history count with the allowable insertion history count,

in a case where the insertion history count reaches the allowable insertion history count, output a notification to an operator,

in a case where the insertion history count does not reach the allowable insertion history count, update the insertion history count after the insertion mechanism is inserted into the container through the lid of the container based on the respective load coefficient corresponding to the type of the lid of the container and the presence or absence of perforation of the lid of the container,

wherein the insertion mechanism is a sample probe, a blade, or a hollow tube through which a sampling probe is inserted.

2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 ,

wherein the insertion history count is proportional to a number of times of insertion of the insertion mechanism.

3. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 ,

wherein the computer is further programmed to update the insertion history count after the insertion mechanism is inserted into the container through the lid of the container based on the respective load coefficient corresponding to the type of the lid of the container, the presence or absence of perforation of the of lid of the container, an insertion speed of the insertion mechanism into the lid of the container, and a temperature of the lid of the container.

4. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 , wherein the computer is further programmed to:

change a setting of one or more of the load coefficients.

5. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 ,

wherein the computer is further programmed to:

reset the insertion history count, and

when the reset is performed and replacement information of the insertion mechanism is not received, operation of the replaced insertion mechanism is not performed.

6. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 ,

wherein the insertion mechanism is the sample probe configured to suck an object contained in the container, and

wherein the notification is an alarm of a replacement request of the sample probe.

7. The automatic analyzer according to claim 6 ,

wherein the computer is programmed to automatically determine that the sample probe is replaced.

8. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 ,

wherein the insertion mechanism is the blade configured to make a cut in the lid and perforate the lid, and

wherein the notification is an alarm of a replacement request of the blade.

9. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a sample probe configured to suck an object contained in the closed container; and

a blade configured to make a cut in the lid and perforate the lid,

wherein the insertion mechanism is the hollow tube to be inserted into the container through a perforation in the lid formed by insertion of a blade,

wherein the computer is further programmed to control the sample probe to be inserted into the container through a hollow portion of the hollow tube, and suck the object, and

wherein the notification is an alarm of a replacement request of the hollow tube.

10. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a display device,

wherein the computer is further programmed to display a list of the insertion history count at a time of replacement of the insertion mechanism on the display device.

11. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 ,

wherein the container is a sample container that contains a sample,

wherein the automatic analyzer further comprises

a reaction disc on which a reaction container containing a mixed solution of the sample and the reagent is placed; and

a photometer to measure absorbance or light emission of the mixed solution contained in the reaction container, and

wherein a concentration analysis of an analysis item of the sample is performed based on a photometric result of the photometer.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME AND ADDRESS Recorded Mar 30, 2020
From: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
To: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 052259/0227 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 28, 2017
From: NISHIMURA, KOICHI; TAKAYAMA, HIROYUKI
To: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 043422/0140 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2015-039787 · Mar 2, 2015 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20180038879A1 · Feb 8, 2018