Automatic Analysis System and Specimen Conveying Method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022011333-A1
Application number	US-201917294190-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 2, 2019
Priority date	Jan 25, 2019
Publication date	Jan 13, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

Provided is an automatic analysis system in which a conveying line 104 and a plurality of dispensation lines 209, 309 are disposed not to be parallel, and a device layout of analysis modules 200, 300 disposed with a specimen rack distribution module 100 therebetween is line-symmetric with respect to a straight line 100A passing through the rotation center of a standby disc 106. Accordingly, even when the automatic analysis system has a configuration for providing specimens from a common specimen rack distribution module to a plurality of analysis modules, the conveyance efficiency of a specimen rack is raised and user accessibility is good.

First claim

1 .- 13 . (canceled)

14 . An automatic analysis system, comprising:
a plurality of analysis modules that analyze a sample by mixing the sample with a reagent; a conveying line that conveys a sample rack which holds a sample container that contains the sample; and a sample rack distribution module that includes a rotatable standby disk formed with a plurality of holding units which hold the sample rack, and that supplies the sample rack to the analysis modules, wherein each of the analysis modules includes:
a sample dispensing mechanism that dispenses a sample held in the sample rack; and
a dispensing line that draws and delivers the sample rack from the sample rack distribution module to a sample dispensing position by the sample dispensing mechanism,
the conveying line and a plurality of dispensing lines are arranged not to be parallel to each other, a device layout of the analysis modules with the sample rack distribution module interposed therebetween is arranged such that all modules can be accessed from the same plane, and the plurality of analysis modules are arranged with a sample rack conveying-in unit and a sample rack conveying-out unit arranged in the sample rack distribution module interposed therebetween in addition to the sample rack distribution module.

15 . The automatic analysis system according to claim 14 , wherein
the dispensing line is arranged such that a line extending in a conveying direction of the sample rack of the plurality of the dispensing lines passes through any of the holding units of the standby disk.

16 . The automatic analysis system according to claim 14 , wherein
the dispensing line is arranged such that at least one of lines extending in a conveying direction of the sample rack of the plurality of the dispensing lines does not pass through the holding units of the standby disk, but passes between two adjacent holding units.

17 . The automatic analysis system according to claim 14 , wherein
the sample rack further includes a sample rack conveying convex portion that is fitted into a concave portion provided on a bottom surface of the sample rack when the sample rack is drawn and delivered from the standby disk.

18 . The automatic analysis system according to claim 14 , wherein
when there are two dispensing lines, an angle between the conveying line and a first dispensing line is equal to or less than 90°, and an angle formed by the conveying line and a second dispensing line is greater than 90° and less than 180°.

19 . The automatic analysis system according to claim 14 , wherein
when there are two dispensing lines, an angle between the conveying line and a first dispensing line is equal to or less than 90°, and an angle formed by the conveying line and a second dispensing line is less than 90°.

20 . The automatic analysis system according to claim 14 , wherein
the dispensing lines are connected in a direction extending radially from a center of the standby disk.

21 . The automatic analysis system according to claim 14 , wherein
a device included in a device layout includes at least one of the dispensing line, the sample dispensing mechanism, a reaction disk that holds a reaction container which mixes the sample with the reagent, and a consumable setting unit that provides a consumable used for analysis of the sample.

22 . The automatic analysis system according to claim 21 , wherein
the sample dispensing mechanism is arranged between each of the dispensing lines and the reaction disk.

23 . The automatic analysis system according to claim 21 , wherein
the consumable setting unit includes a reagent disk that holds a reagent container which contains the reagent.

24 . A method of conveying a sample to an analysis module in an automatic analysis system, wherein
the automatic analysis system includes a plurality of analysis modules that analyze the sample by mixing the sample with a reagent, a conveying line that conveys a sample rack which holds a sample container that contains the sample, and a sample rack distribution module that includes a rotatable standby disk formed with a plurality of holding units which hold the sample rack, and that supplies the sample rack to the analysis modules, and the method includes:
arranging a device layout of the analysis modules with the sample rack distribution module interposed therebetween such that all modules can be accessed from the same plane;
conveying the sample to each of the analysis modules via the conveying line, which are not parallel to each other, and the plurality of dispensing lines that draw and deliver the sample rack from the sample rack distribution module to a sample dispensing position by a sample dispensing mechanism that dispenses the sample held in the sample rack; and
the plurality of analysis modules are arranged with a sample rack conveying-in unit and a sample rack conveying-out unit arranged in the sample rack distribution module interposed therebetween in addition to the sample rack distribution module.

25 . The automatic analysis system according to claim 14 , wherein
the sample rack conveying-in unit and the sample rack conveying-out unit can also be accessed from the same plane

Assignees

• Hitachi High Tech Corp

Inventors

• Nakajima Satoshi
• Yasui Akihiro
• Setomaru Takeshi

Classifications

• B04B2011/046

  Loading, unloading, manipulating sample containers · CPC title

• B01L7/5255

  by moving sample containers · CPC title

• B01L3/5023

  with a sample being transported to, and subsequently stored in an absorbent for analysis · CPC title

• G01N35/0092 Primary

  Scheduling · CPC title

• G01N35/026

  having blocks or racks of reaction cells or cuvettes · CPC title