EP-3961225-B1 - AUTOMATED ANALYSIS DEVICE

Inventors

• FUJITA, Akinao
• MIYAKAWA, TAKUSHI
• KAWAHARA, TETSUJI

Dates

Publication Date

20260506

Application Date

20200310

Claims (3)

1. An automated analysis device comprising: a detection unit (102) which detects bubbles included in a liquid; a liquid supply unit which executes a first liquid supply operation in which the liquid is supplied via the detection unit (102); characterized in further comprising: a determination unit (29) which determines whether the bubble size detected during the first liquid supply operation is normal or not based on a predetermined threshold time in a predetermined detection time zone, wherein the threshold time depends on the flow velocity of the liquid; and wherein when the detection unit (102) detects bubbles for a time equal to or longer than the predetermined threshold time in the predetermined detection time zone, it is determined that the bubble size is equal to or larger than a reference value, and when the detection unit (102) does not detect bubbles or the time when the bubbles are detected is less than the threshold time in the predetermined detection time zone, it is determined that the bubble size is less than the reference value; and a control unit (29) which controls the operation of the liquid supply unit according to the determination of the determination unit (29), wherein the control device (29) changes the threshold time according to the operation speed of the liquid supply unit, wherein when it is determined that the bubble size is not normal, the liquid supply unit executes a second liquid supply operation via the detection unit (102) after the first liquid supply operation, and the determination unit (29) determines whether the bubble size detected during the second liquid supply operation is normal or not, when it is determined that the bubble size is not normal, the liquid supply unit executes a reverse liquid supply operation in which the liquid is reversely fed between the first liquid supply operation and the second liquid supply operation, and the second liquid supply operation is a liquid supply operation in which a flow velocity of the liquid that passes through the detection unit (102) is maintained within a predetermined flow velocity range during the operation of the detection unit (102), wherein a time zone at which the detection unit (102) operates during the second liquid supply operation is determined based on an amount of the liquid supplied in the first liquid supply operation, an amount of the liquid reversely fed in the reverse liquid supply operation, and the predetermined detection time zone at which the detection unit (102) detects the bubbles in the first liquid supply operation.
2. The automated analysis device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit (29) further determines whether the bubble size is normal or not based on a cross-sectional area of a flow path where the liquid passes.
3. The automated analysis device according to claim 1, wherein the automated analysis device uses a predetermined amount of a liquid for one analysis operation, the liquid supply unit supplies a first liquid portion including a first predetermined amount of liquid and a second liquid portion including a second predetermined amount of liquid via the detection unit (102) in the first liquid supply operation, the liquid supply unit executes a reverse liquid supply operation in which the second liquid portion is reversely fed via the detection unit (102) after the first liquid supply operation, the liquid supply unit executes a second liquid supply operation in which the second liquid portion is supplied via the detection unit (102) after the reverse liquid supply operation, and the liquid supply unit maintains a flow velocity of the second liquid portion that passes through the detection unit (102) within a predetermined flow velocity range during operation of the detection unit (102), in at least one of the first liquid supply operation, the reverse liquid supply operation, and the second liquid supply operation.

Description

Technical Field The present invention relates to an automated analysis device, for example, an electrolyte analysis device. Background Art There is an electrolyte analysis device as a kind of automated analysis device. The electrolyte analysis device is a device that measures the concentration of a specific electrolyte contained in an electrolyte solution such as blood or urine of a human body and measures the concentration using an ion-selective electrode. As a general measuring method, an ion-selective electrode is supplied with serum directly as an electrolyte solution or with a sample solution obtained by diluting serum with a diluent. Then, the liquid-liquid potential between the ion-selective electrode and the reference electrode solution is measured. Next (or before the measurement), a standard solution is supplied to the ion-selective electrode, the liquid-liquid potential with the reference electrode solution is measured in the same manner, and the electrolyte concentration of the sample solution is calculated from the two liquid-liquid potential levels. In such a flow-type electrolyte analysis device, reagents such as a diluent, a standard solution, and a reference electrode solution are used as consumables, and the amount of those reagents used in one analysis is determined by the parameters freely set. In particular, for the diluent that dilutes the sample, the accuracy of the amount used is important because the dilution ratio with the sample affects the measurement result of the electrolyte. For example, if the gas dissolved in the reagent foams in the flow path, the sample will be diluted by the amount of foaming, which is less than the amount of reagent actually required, and it may not be possible to calculate a normal measurement result. Further, when re-analysis is required for this purpose, it is necessary to re-obtain a specimen from the patient for the re-analysis, which may increase the burden on the patient. Therefore, it is desirable to calculate a normal measurement result. For that purpose, it is desirable to perform the analysis without using a reagent incorporated with bubbles, determine whether the bubble size affects the measurement result, and perform the analysis after determining whether or not the reagent can be used. JP-A-2007-245038 (PTL 1) discloses a bubble removing device as a measure for removing bubbles incorporated or generated, the device having a function of analyzing an image of a flow path with a microscope provided in the device, determining whether or not bubbles are present in the flow path, comparing with the shapes of bubbles whose dimension and shape have been stored in the control device in advance in a timely manner, and determining the presence or absence of bubbles, and having a function of discharging bubbles by pressure fluctuation. WO 2013/042551 A1 (PTL 2) shows a mechanism for closing one part of the piping which forms the flow path from the tip of the nozzle to the syringe pump is provided, thereby closing a part of the flow path from the tip of the nozzle to the syringe pump and sealing the flow path The syringe pump is driven, and the pressure in the flow path is reduced or pressurized. A function of detecting the presence of air bubbles in the flow path by monitoring the pressure waveform in the flow path during depressurization or pressurization. PTL 3 describes an air bubble detecting and discriminating circuit arrangement for use in a peristaltic infusion pump. Citation List Patent Literature PTL 1: JP-A-2007-245038PTL 2: WO 2013/042551 A1PTL 3: US 4 565 500 A Summary of Invention Technical Problem However, with the technology of the related art, there is a problem that it is difficult to accurately determine the sizes of bubbles. For example, in the bubble removing device of PTL 1, in order to determine the sizes of bubbles incorporated or generated in the flow path, a comparison is made with images of bubbles registered in advance. However, since it is difficult to generate any bubbles in a normal size used for the image to be registered in advance and it is not easy to generate bubbles in a desired appropriate size, the method of comparing with the image is not easy. The present invention has been made to solve such a problem and an object of the present invention is to provide an automated analysis device capable of more easily and accurately determining the sizes of bubbles contained in a liquid. Solution to Problem In ordre to solve the above problem, the invention is set out in the appended set of claims. Advantageous Effects of Invention According to the automated analysis device according to the present invention, the sizes of bubbles contained in a liquid can be determined more easily and accurately. For example, the sizes of bubbles can be determined without comparison with a pre-registered image. Brief Description of Drawings [Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is an overall diagram schematically illustrating an electrolyte analysis device accordi